CH-46E Engine Performance Gauge Upgrade

The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD intends to conduct a full and open competition for the development, manufacture, integration, and test, delivery, and support of a CH-46E helicopter Torque Signal Conditioning and Indicator System (TSCIS) and an engine power turbine inlet temperature (T5) indicator gauge. The entire effort will be awarded to one contractor and will be known as the CH-46E engine performance gauge upgrade. Proposals are not requested at this time and will not be accepted until after a solicitation is released on or around 31 July 2008. The TSCIS provides engine performance information to the pilot and co-pilot, two (2) identical gauges per aircraft. The new TSCIS shall incorporate the functionality of the signal conditioners and torquemeter indicators into one indicator that fits into the existing torquemeter indicator position in the existing CH-46E instrument panel No new support equipment shall be required. The Functional Requirements Document for the H-46 TSCIS will be used for technical and environmental requirements for this procurement. The key performance parameters for the new TSCIS are: (1) Shall be compatible and capable of being integrated with existing H-46E torque measuring system; (2) Shall meet or exceed the accuracy of the H-46E Aircraft integrated Maintenance System (AIMS); (3) Shall meet the fit and functionality of the existing torquemeter indicator; (4) Shall provide torque signal validity; (5) Shall require no peculiar support equipment; (6) Shall have minimal operational and maintenance impact; (7) Shall combine the functionality of the current H-46E signal conditioner and torquemeter indicator into one indicator that utilizes the existing location on both the pilot and co-pilot consoles; (8) Shall be Night Vision Goggle (NVG) compatible; and (9) Shall be at least as reliable as the current torque signal conditioner and torque gauge. Due to the expected retirement of the CH-46E in the near future, it is desired that the TSCIS be currently in use or be capable of being used on other USMC helicopters such as the H-1 series, CH-53D/E or MV-22 or on other military aircraft operated currently by the Department of Defense. The Engine power turbine inlet temperature (T5) gauge provides engine performance information to the pilot and copilot, two (2) identical gauges per aircraft. The upgraded T5 gauge will have all the same functionality as the current gauge and will fit into the same size hole and location in the current instrument panel as the current T5 gauge. The CH-46E T5 gauge specification will be used to address all detailed technical or environmental issues. The key performance parameters for the new T5 gauge are: (1) Shall have a mechanical needle much like the current gauge; (2) Shall have a digital NVG compatible display indicating the temperature in degrees Celsius in one (1) degree increments; (2) Shall be as accurate as the current AIMS system, which is plus or minus one (1) degree across the entire range; (3) Shall be NVG compatible; (4) Shall be able to alert the pilot that he is approaching any of the T5 limits published in the current CH-46 operators manual; (5) Shall require no new support equipment; (6) Shall have minimal operational and maintenance impact; and (7) Shall be at least as reliable as the current gauge. Due to the expected retirement of the CH-46E in the near future it is desired that the upgraded T5 gauge be currently in use or be capable of being used on other USMC helicopters such as the H-1 series, CH-53D/E or MV-22 or on other military aircraft operated currently by the Department of Defense. The CH-46E program is looking to expedite the fielding of these new engine performance instruments. The Preliminary Design Review (PDR) will be conducted within four (4) months after contract award and the Critical Design Review (CDR) will be conducted within seven (7) months after contract award. Installation on the CH-46E aircraft must begin in October 2009. The estimated quantity for this procurement is 210 Indicators for the TSCIS and 210 Gauges for the T5 for a total of 95 aircraft plus spares, two (2) Indicators to support the CH-46E System Integration Laboratory, and two (2) Indicators with associated drawings and cables for Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) testing, for a total of 214 instruments for the TSCIS and 214 gauges for the upgraded T5 as well. The engine performance instruments will be procured over a three-year period. The contract will be firm-fixed price with a base year and two (2) option years.