LMTF - Advanced Radiation Environment Simulator (ARES)

Statement of Work (SOW)

This SOW defines requirements for the engineering, design integration, manufacturing, installation, and qualification testing of the Advanced Radiation Environment Simulator (ARES) Special Test Equipment (STE) for the Air Force Nuclear Weapon Center (AFNWC) at the Little Mountain Test Facility (LMTF). The ARES is intended to address a test capability shortfall for the Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) program and supplement the existing Large Flash X-Ray (LFXR) simulator, which is becoming difficult to sustain and is overburdened by demand from both the Sentinel and Minuteman III (MM III) programs.

The contractor shall provide a turnkey pulse power solution for the ARES, designed to meet or exceed specified Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) and Key System Attributes (KSAs). This includes:

• Engineering, design, manufacturing, integration, testing, and validation of the ARES.
• Utilization of Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) equipment and open architecture where possible.
• Development of Vendor Item Control Drawings (VICDs), design documentation, and analysis.
• Compliance with corrosion prevention and control standards.
• Development of qualification and functional test plans.
• Management of an Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) and Earned Value Management (EVM).
• Consideration of interfaces for power, cybersecurity, safety, and facility integration.
• Development of maintenance and training plans.
• Delivery of a Technical Data Package (TDP).

Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) and Key System Attributes (KSAs) are defined for ARES performance, including exposure area, peak energy, pulse width, dose rate, uniformity, throughput jitter, repetition rate, shots per day, pulse-to-pulse variance, maintenance/operations workforce, Mean Time Between Failure (MTBF), Mean Time To Repair (MTTR), and operational availability. These metrics will be used to evaluate contractor performance.

The contract is anticipated to have a 7-year ordering period. The ARES will be installed at the LMTF in Ogden, Utah. The new radiation facility is expected to be completed in late 2032, with approximately two years for ARES assembly, integration, and testing thereafter.

• Security: Strict adherence to security protocols, including potential access to classified data (SECRET and TOP SECRET), personnel clearances, and compliance with NISPOM, CUI, COMSEC, OPSEC, and Anti-terrorism requirements.
• Data Rights: Government will assert Unlimited Rights to all developed data and software code.
• Configuration Management: Adherence to Air Force configuration management processes.
• Cost & Reporting: Compliance with Cost and Software Data Reporting (CSDR) and Earned Value Management System (EVMS) requirements.
• Small Business: Utilization and reporting of small business subcontracting goals.
• Safety: Compliance with all applicable safety regulations (OSHA, MIL-STD-882E, etc.) and development of a comprehensive Safety Plan.
• Environmental: Compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.

Sources Sought Synopsis

This notice is for market research to identify interested and qualified offerors capable of providing engineering services for the design, build, and integration of an Advanced Radiation Environment Simulator (ARES), a Blumlein Flash X-Ray machine. The ARES will be located at the Hill Air Force Base (AFB) Little Mountain Test Facility (LMTF) in Ogden, Utah, to support the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center’s (AFNWC) Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) weapon systems modernization efforts. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP).

Respondents are requested to provide a white paper addressing the following:

• Company Information: Name, POC, address, business type/size, CAGE code, DUNS number. Must be approved under NAICS 334517 (Irradiation Apparatus Manufacturing).

• General Experience: Capabilities in Blumlein simulator technology, including design, manufacturing, integration, testing, shipping, and handover. Experience with similar-sized Blumlein simulators (14’ diameter, 60 stage Marx capacitor) at high TRL (≥ 6) for DoD/DOE missile defense, nuclear modernization, or space missions.

• Program Management: Experience managing total design efforts, supporting radiation facility design as an Integrated Product Team (IPT) stakeholder, and procuring long-lead items (e.g., Marx generators).

• Baseline ARES Design: Experience in designing, assembling, and factory testing subsystems. Examples of previous successful X-ray flash simulators and relevant customers. Capability to package and ship sections for transportation. Knowledge of radiation shielding requirements and facility design for Blumlein simulators. Approach to reduce risk for high voltage spark gap trigger oil switches and filtration systems.

• Proposed Program Plan: Experience defining, developing, and managing Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), including integration and testing at LMTF. Project management methodology. Capability to coordinate Integrated Baseline Reviews (IBRs) and report costs/technical data (CADE, CSDR). Risk, schedule, cost, and performance management approach, including QA and compliance with FAR/DFARS. Ability to bid on Contract Data Requirement List (CDRL) packages and develop Vendor Item Control Drawings (VICDs).

• Teaming Arrangements: Current plans for teaming, especially for long-lead items.

• Intent to Propose: Whether the company would submit a proposal if the project is competed.

• Format: White paper, Microsoft Word (Office 2007 or newer).

• Length: Maximum 22 pages (excluding preface/cover letter).

• Formatting: 1-inch margins, 12-point font or larger (11-point for tables/graphics).

• Deadline: February 27, 2026, 4:00 PM MST.

• Submission: Email to Ammon Wheatley (ammon.wheatley@us.af.mil) and Matthew Anderson (matthew.anderson.55@us.af.mil).

This notice is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. The Government is not obligated to reimburse costs associated with responses.

Forms / Attachments / Pricing Sheets

This document outlines the Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) for the LMTF ARES Test Stand program. It details the specific data deliverables required from contractors, including their descriptions, authorities, submission frequencies, and distribution instructions.

• CDRL Master Listing: Provides an index of all required data items (e.g., Integrated Program Management Data and Analysis Report, Meeting Agendas, Technical Reports, various Plans, Reports, and Documentation).
• DD Form 1423: Each listed data item is detailed on a DD Form 1423, specifying:
  • Data Item Number and Title
  • Authority (Data Acquisition Document Number)
  • Contract Reference (e.g., SOW paragraph)
  • Requiring Office
  • DD 250 Requirements, Approval Code, Distribution Statement (primarily 'D')
  • Frequency of Submittals (e.g., Monthly, As Required)
  • Dates of Submission
  • Distribution Addressees and Copies
  • Remarks: Contains specific tailoring instructions, submission procedures (e.g., via TopVue for unclassified, specific instructions for classified), and detailed content requirements for each data item.
• Submission Procedures: Details how to submit data, including the use of TopVue for unclassified submittals and specific procedures for classified information. It also outlines the required information for transmittal letters or CDA forms.
• Data Review and Approval: Explains the process for Government review and approval of submitted data, including timelines and types of disposition (Written Approval, Approved with Comments, Disapproved).
• Organizational Cross Reference List: Provides a mapping of organizational codes to specific offices and contact information.

This document is critical for understanding the specific reporting, documentation, and data submission requirements that will be part of any resulting contract. Bidders must review the listed Data Items and their associated remarks to fully grasp the scope of work related to data deliverables, including their format, frequency, and submission methods. This information is essential for accurate proposal development and contract performance planning.