REPAIR OF THE CRYOENGINE FOR THE AGM-65 INFRARED IR GUIDANCE AND CONTROL SECTION  

This announcement constitutes a Sources Sought Synopsis. It is intended as a method of informing potential contractors of the repair of AGM-65 Maverick Missile Cryoengine.

1.1 The purpose of this Sources Sought is to conduct market research to determine if responsible sources exist, to assist in determining if this effort can be competitive and/or a total Small Business Set-Aside. The proposed North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) Code is 811219 which have a corresponding Size standard of $20.5. The Government will use this information to determine the best acquisition strategy for this procurement. The Government is interested in all small businesses to include 8(al Service-Disabled Veteran Owned, Hub zone, and Women-Owned small business concerns. The government requests that interested parties respond to this notice if applicable and identify your small business status to the identified NAICS code. Additionally, please provide any anticipated teaming arrangements, along with a description of similar services offered to the Government and to commercial customers for the past three years. Any responses involving teaming agreements should delineate between the work that will be accomplished by the prime and the work accomplished by the teaming partners.

2. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) or an Invitation for Bid (IFB), nor is it to be construed as a commitment by the government. The USAF is seeking potential contractors to support an AGM-65 Cryoengine repair (NSN: 1420-01-142-4363JB & 1420-01-370-2130JB). AGM-65 Maverick Missile is a unique and aging weapon system requiring periodic testing to preclude catastrophic failure.   The AGM-65 IR Cryoengine Assembly is a critical component of the AGM-65 IR Missile Guidance and Control Section (GCS). The AGM-65 Cryoengine cools the IR detectors to approximately -200 °C. This subzero temperature is necessary to properly detect all possible ranges of IR energy that are emitted and encountered during operation. The IR detectors receive and translate IR energy into a video scene displaying variations in temperature as variations in contrast, and allowing a target to be identified by the aircrew and subsequently tracked by the missile. AGM-65 IR missiles with malfunctioning Cryoengines produce a washed out video scene that makes identifying targets difficult and/or impossible. The AGM-65 Cryoengine Assembly is a Sterling closed-loop refrigeration unit that consists of a pump, capillary tube, expander, cold finger, and helium refrigerant. Cooling can take up to 3 minutes once the missile is activated.

3. No costs will be paid for any charges incurred in responding to this synopsis.

4. Approximately 10 to 100 repairs per fiscal year. It's estimated that Cryoengine repairs will continue for 4 additional years.

5. United States Air Force would be unable to supply data rights for this repair.