MH-139 Lithium-Ion Battery Replacement
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC/WIH) is conducting a Request for Information (RFI) for market research to identify sources capable of providing a Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) Lithium-ion battery system and complete integration kit for the MH-139A aircraft. The objective is to replace existing Nickel-cadmium batteries to improve cold-weather performance, reduce weight, and simplify maintenance. Responses are due by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on July 10, 2026.
Scope of Work
The MH-139A currently uses Ni-Cad batteries prone to rapid charge loss in cold weather and requiring off-aircraft charging. The Air Force seeks a Li-ion system to eliminate cold-weather limitations, reduce aircraft weight by approximately 50%, decrease engine wear, and remove the need for battery conditioning rooms. Key requirements include:
- Performance: Cleaner, consistent power (e.g., 26.4 VDC) for faster turbine starts.
- Cold Weather Capability: Operation from -40°C to 80°C, enabling 10-minute starts from a -40°C cold soak.
- Maintenance: Little to no maintenance, 8-year lifespan, no conditioning room required.
- Safety & Certification: High safety standards (e.g., thermal runaway containment) and the ability to obtain or possess an FAA-approved Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) for the AW139/MH-139 platform.
- Integration Kit: Must include Main and Aux batteries, mounting system, wire harness, and NVIS-compatible panel-mounted annunciator.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Request for Information (RFI) / Market Research
- Set-Aside: None specified
- Response Due: July 10, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
- Published: June 10, 2026
Instructions to Respondents
Interested parties should provide comprehensive responses (max 10 pages) addressing:
- Company Information: Name, CAGE, POC, Business Size (NAICS 336413, 1,500 employees), Ownership, Prime/Sub interest.
- Technical Capability: Detailed description of the proposed Li-ion solution, cold-weather performance, integration approach, and STC experience/process/challenges.
- Cost and Schedule: Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost for hardware, kit, and non-recurring engineering, plus estimated timeline for STC approval, delivery, and initial operational capability.
- Small Business Utilization: Plans for compliance (SB) or utilization targets (LB).
Additional Notes
This RFI is for informational and market research purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or promise to issue an RFP. The Government will not reimburse response expenses. Proprietary information should be clearly marked. Prospective contractors must be registered in SAM.gov.