SAM #FA8509-27-R-B005

Air Force LARS/PLS v12 AN/ARS-6 hardware refresh engineering and test effort

The U.S. Air Force is planning a sole-source LARS hardware refresh for the HC-130J, with engineering and test work intended to preserve the system’s existing capabilities. - Government buyer: U.S. Air Force Materiel Command, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance–Special Operations Forces office (FA8509 AFLCMC WIUKA). - OEM/vendor: Cubic Defense Application, Inc. is the planned sole-source provider. - Requested work: Non-recurring engineering to develop a refreshed Lightweight Airborne Recovery System (LARS), also identified as Personnel Locator System (PLS) v12 AN/ARS-6, hardware configuration. Work includes design reviews and developmental and operational testing. - Hardware: Up to 5 test articles may be required; no part number is specified. - Key requirements: Preserve current capabilities; provide at least 10 years of sustainability; remain compatible with Terminal Area Communications (TAC), Terminal Area Guidance (TAG), and Combat Survivor Evader Locator/Next Generation Survival Radio (CSEL/NGSR); and maintain form, fit, and function equivalence with the current system. - Platforms and scope: The refresh is for the HC-130J; the USAF MC-130J and HH-60W and USN MH-60S may also benefit. Retrofitting and fielding are outside this effort and are expected under a separate contract. - Performance period: Three years total, comprising one base period and two option periods.

Description

The Government has a requirement to obtain a hardware refresh of the Lightweight Airborne Recovery System (LARS), formally identified as Personnel Locator System (PLS) v12 AN/ARS-6, on the HC-130J due to the existing system being end of life from widespread component obsolescence. Any refreshed LARS are required to maintain all current system capabilities and project a minimum 10-year period of sustainability. Such capabilities include Terminal Area Communications (TAC), Terminal Area Guidance (TAG), and Combat Survivor Evader Locator/Next Generation Survival Radio (CSEL/NGSR) full compatibility. In addition, the LARS hardware refresh shall produce a Form, Fit, Function (FFF/F3) version of the current system. The USAF's MC-130J, the USAF's HH-60W, and the USN's MH-60S will benefit from a FFF hardware refresh of LARS as well.

This effort will consist of the Non-recurring Engineering (NRE) required to produce a refreshed hardware configuration for LARS. This includes all necessary design reviews, developmental testing events, operational testing events, etc. It is also expected that up to five test articles will be required to fully prove out the refreshed LARS ability to fulfill the requirements described above. The effort associated with the retrofitting/fielding of the proved refreshed LARS will be a separate contract.

The resultant contract is planned to have a period of performance of three (3) years, consisting of one (1) base and two (2) option periods. 

The Government intends to issue a Sole Source Solicitation to:

Cubic Defense Application, Inc.

9233 Balboa AVE

San Diego, CA 92123-1513

CAGE Code:87G32

Large Business

The authority for this requirement is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements. Electronic procedures will be used for this solicitation. Request a copy of the solicitation from the following website: www.sam.gov. Approximate issue date of the solicitation is October 21, 2026. Approximate response date for receipt of proposal is November 20, 2026.

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