Commander, Naval Air Systems Command (Code 2.0), 1421 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Arlington, Va 22243-5120

16 -- REQUEST FOR INFO CH-53E INTEGRATED MECH DIAGNOSTIC SYS POC Contact, Bebe Housen, Phone (703)604-1920 The Program Executive Officer Air, ASW, Assualt and Special Mission Programs (PMA-261) is conducting a Request for Information (RFI) to determine the availability of current technologies (1993-2002) to provide an Integrated Mechanical Diagnostics (IMD) system that can be integrated and installed on Navy helicopters, including the CH/MH-53E, H-1 4BN/4BW, SH-60, H-46, and Executive Transport Helicopters (excluding the H-2 and H-3). The H-53E helicopter has been designated as the ''Lead-The-Fleet'' platform by the Vice Chief of Naval Operations. The Government is currently pursuing the opportunity for a joint-service program (including the Coast Guard) for this effort. The goal of IMD is to improve safety, reduce scheduled component removals, and decrease maintenance manhours at all levels (organizational, intermediate, and depot) for the Navy rotary-wing community. The goal of the H-53E Lead-The-Fleet program is to assess the utility and value of such an IMD system in a military operating environment. The Navy will be looking for a contractor, via the formal competitive procurement process, to develop, fabricate, integrate, install, and test ten (10) IMD systems into H-53E helicopters. The system will be operated and maintained by Navy personnel. The H-53E IMD Lead-the-Fleet system shall incorporate an open-system architecture (per the guidance of DOD Open Systems Joint Task Force (OSJTF); Homepage is http://www.acq.osd.mil/osjtf) that is interoperable and fully transportable to both analog and 1553 data-bus-type Navy/Marine Corps and Executive transport helicopters specified above with as much commonality as practical. The IMD system shall perform the following functions using commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment where practical: flight-data and cockpit-voice recording, rotor track and balance, engine monitoring, rotor-system monitoring, gearbox and drive-train monitoring, and structural-usage monitoring. Provisions for insertion of emerging technology, i.e., neural-network techniques, maintenance diagnostics improvements, and open-system enhancements, not currently available nor ready for production shall be established for future consideration (e.g., any applicable results from the potential OSD-sponsored Joint Advanced Health and Usage Monitoring System (JAHUMS) Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration (ACTD) Program that would start in Fiscal Year 1997). The IMD system will consist of ''integrated'' airborne and ground-based subsystems. The airborne-based subsystem shall acquire performance and vibration (temperature as applicable) data in flight, provide diagnostics and prognostics in flight, provide the aircrew with appropriate advisories/warnings, and transfer the stored data into a ground-based subsystem. The ground-based subsystem shall process data; perform diagnostics; analyze performance data; determine post-flight aircraft status; identify/log maintenance actions; and interface with the Naval Aviation Logistics Command Management Information System (NALCOMIS). The ground-based subsystem shall be user friendly for squadron-level operations with the goal of enhancing operational readiness. The use of unique support equipment shall be minimized. Responses are sought from industry to aid the Government in its planning processes and to further define system requirements. This request shall not be construed as a Request for Proposal (RFP) or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any follow on capabilities. The Government does not intend to award a contract at this time or otherwise pay for the information provided. No entitlement to payment of direct costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of submissions of responses. Any procurement will be separately listed in the Commerce Business Daily. Tentatively, the Government plans to release a draft RFP in the late Fall or early Winter of 1996, and a formal RFP in the Spring of 1997. Responses are due no later than Friday, July 26, 1996 (at 3:00 PM), and should contain no more than 25 pages. For those interested parties who would like to obtain supplemental information and instructions in order to respond appropriately to this RFI, or if there are any questions relating to this RFI, please contact Ms. Bebe Housen, AIR-2.3.1.3.2, (703) 604-1920 extension 6215. Send information to: Naval Air Systems Command, Contracts, Code AIR-2.3.1.3.2, ATTN: Ms. Bebe Housen, 1421 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Arlington, VA 22243-5120. The Naval Air Systems Command recognizes the need to protect proprietary information. Restricted or proprietary information should be clearly marked and presented as an addendum to the non-restricted response to this request. Any and all proprietary data shall be protected and will not be released without the expressed written approval of the source. See note No. 22 - NAVAIR Synopsis No. 30095-96. (0155)

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