Production of Payload Transporter Replacement

Questions with answers added with the current revision. Sources Sought/Request for Information (RFI) for the production of Payload Transporter Replacement (PTR) AGENCY/ORGANIZATION: Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFNWC/NIMT WEAPON SYSTEM: Minuteman III (MMIII) Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) IPT: Ground Mechanical RFI PURPOSE: This RFI provides notice that the PTR program team is currently evaluating the availability and manufacturability of a form, fit, and function production item. The form, fit, and function PTR replacement must meet the

requirements in Attachment: PTR System Segment Specification . NOTICE: This notification is for market research purposes only to identify potential contractors who have the skills, experience, and knowledge required to successfully complete this production effort for the PTR and is not to be construed as a solicitation. The issuance of this RFI and responses thereto do not imply a commitment to release a solicitation. A determination by the Government not to compete any or all portions of the work discussed in this RFI rests solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government will not pay for time, effort, materials, or any other costs that arise as a consequence of responding or providing information related to this RFI. The purpose of this RFI is to conduct market research to determine if responsible sources exist and if this effort can be competitive and/or a total Small Business Set-Aside. The proposed North American Industry Systems (NAICS) Code is intended to be 336212, 336992, or 336999 which have a corresponding size standard of 1,500 or fewer employees. The Government will use this information to determine the best acquisition strategy for this procurement. The Government is interested in all small business, to include 8(a), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, historically underutilized business zone (Hubzone), and Women-Owned small business concerns.

BACKGROUND: The United States Air Force (USAF) fleet of PTRs must support the MMIII LGM-30G ICBM until the end of its operational life. The PTR program is in the production and fielding phase. The PTR program is focused on replacing the existing legacy payload transporter fleet (PTIII) due to parts obsolescence, fleet age, increasing sustainment costs, and inability to meet current security / asset protection

requirements. Given these circumstances, the USAF aims to continue production of the PTR to increase the fleet numbers. Procurement of five additional PTRs will be required. PTR DESCRIPTION: The PTR system is comprised of a specially armored tractor (PTT) with an integrated auxiliary power unit (APU), pulling a specially armored trailer (PTS). The PTR is the sole platform for the transport of Aerospace Vehicle Equipment (AVE) to / from host bases to ICBM launch facilities (LF), and the sole platform for conducting AVE remove and replace operations while positioned over the LF. AVE consists of the Reentry System (RS), Missile Guidance Set (MGS), Propulsion System Rocket Engine (PSRE), and associated items. The entire PTR system is a nuclear certified design that meets security / asset protection

requirements outlined in DoDI 5210.41M, nuclear weapons safety

requirements, and nuclear surety