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The C/KC-135 currently utilizes the Inmarsat organization’s Aero-I SATCOM service as part of its Communication, Navigation, Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) system. Aero-I SATCOM provides oceanic Controller/Pilot Data Link Communications (CPDLC) to Air Traffic Control (ATC) and Aircraft Communications Addressing/Reporting System Beyond Line-Of-Sight messages to the 618th Air Operations Center (Tanker Airlift Control Center). The Inmarsat Aero-I SATCOM system is being replaced by a new Iridium SATCOM system, Collins Aerospace’s ICS-300. The new Iridium SATCOM system is compatible with the C/KC-135 Block 40 and Block 45 avionics modernization programs. Installation of the new Iridium SATCOM system will be accomplished by Contractor Field Teams (CFT) at designated bases and the Government (with assistance from CFTs, as necessary) during KC‑135 Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM). The new Iridium SATCOM is a Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) system. The modification will be installed on 359 KC-135 aircraft and up to 10 Foreign Military Sales aircraft.

The Legacy Tanker Division requires Interim Contractor Support for non-warranty repair of the ICS-300 components until depot-level support has been established by the Air Force Sustainment Center (AFSC). This support will cover all levels up to and including depot-level repair below Beyond Economic Repair (BER). Equipment is determined as BER if the estimated repair cost for the equipment exceeds seventy percent (70%) of the Rockwell Collins’ price for an equivalent piece of equipment. [BJECUAA1] Winning bidder will receive covered equipment shipped from Collins’ designated repair center once inspected and determined to be in a non-warranted condition by Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) representative(s). Contractor will be able to repair items such that the items return to warranted condition acceptable to and covered by Collins for the duration of any remaining warranty.

The Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources possessing the repair data, expertise, capabilities, and experience to provide depot-level repair of KC-135 ICS-300 Iridium Satellite Communications (SATCOM) System components. The government identified components are the ICS-300 Iridium Transceiver/Satellite Data Unit and SCM-300 SDU Configuration Module.

The period of performance will be for one base year and four option years.