To define the tasks to be accomplished for continued Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) for the Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) Bombardier BD-700-1A10 (designated E-11A) Commercial Derivative Aircraft (CDA) assigned to either the Continental United States (CONUS) Main Operating Base (MOB) or the Out of Continental United States (OCONUS) forward-deployed elements: Forward Operating Location (FOL) #1 or FOL #2.
To define the tasks required to establish and maintain CLS for a CONUS MOB for the BACN aircraft fleet at an existing United States Air Force Base (AFB).
Comprised of three (3) E-11A aircraft operating OCONUS at FOL #1 and one (1) E-11A aircraft operating CONUS at the MOB but this may change depending on the new aircraft delivery schedule. This capability will be further expanded with the addition of up to five (5) additional BACN E-11A aircraft (for a total of nine [9] aircraft) that will be delivered during the period of performance (PoP) of this contract.
The mission of the BACN multi-role communications system is to provide military commanders, warfighters, emergency personnel and first responders with a versatile means of exchanging voice and data information between disparate air, ground, maritime and commercial sources, including host nation, joint, coalition and disaster response forces. This capability includes voice relay, bridging and an airborne server capability for data storage. Military commanders and disaster response forces can employ these BACN capabilities to augment theater and area communications and support deployed forces across the range of military and disaster relief operations. BACN reduces line-of-sight issues, communications system incompatibilities, SATCOM dependencies, and provides greater range and flexibility for communications links.
The BACN payload was initially developed by Northrop Grumman Space & Mission Systems as a solution to support CONUS disaster relief efforts. It was later added as a military option to the AFLCMC Interim Gateways program and evolved as a Quick Reaction Capability (QRC) to meet an overseas combatant commander’s Joint Urgent Operational Need (JUON) for expanded communications. BACN facilitates the transport of data and voice across the battlespace or impacted area, enabling network and communications connectivity among weapon systems, sensors, warfighters, disaster relief forces, decision makers, platforms and command centers at all echelons of Command and Control (C2). BACN provides communication interoperability that allows forces to execute seamlessly, reliably and with greatly reduced risk. BACN’s endurance and operational flexibility provide commanders the capability to rapidly retask individual platforms to support a wide variety of mission profiles.
- During an Air Force capability transition review, the BACN program was identified as fulfilling an enduring need and was directed to transition to a Program of Record (PoR) under Air Combat Command (ACC) as a Service Retained Capability (SRC). The PoR designation also required ACC to establish a MOB at an established USAF base in CONUS for the BACN E-11A fleet to support training and deployed operations.
- This effort covers the USAF Bombardier Global Express, Global XRS and Global 6000 aircraft. The term E-11A aircraft encompasses all versions of the Bombardier BD-700-1A10 aircraft. The BACN E-11A system is comprised of the E-11A platform, the BACN payload, and the ground Payload Control Elements (PCE). Support for the BACN payload and PCE ground stations is covered on a separate AFLCMC/HNA Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) CLS contract. The additional five (5) E-11A aircraft are also being purchased and outfitted with BACN payloads on a separate AFLCMC/HNA IDIQ contract and these aircraft will be added to the Platform Maintenance contract for support once delivered to the Government.
- All BACN assets at the MOB and forward deployed locations, including personnel, will be assigned to a designated Geographically Separated Unit (GSU) under the 319th Reconnaissance Wing at Grand Forks AFB. The 319th GSU will execute required Base Support Agreements (BSA) or Memorandums of Understanding (MOU) with the MOB for required facilities, training and support.
- CLS for the BACN assets includes all personnel and resources to support actions required for operating and maintaining the aircraft, aircraft subsystems, ancillary equipment, spares, consumables and expendables, airworthiness certifications and execution of, or support for, required platform modifications. This contract will consist of one (1) base year, including a 3-month transition-in period and a nine (9) month O&S period, four (4) 1-year options, an option for a three (3) month transition-out period, and one (1) option to extend services up to six (6) months IAW FAR 52.217-08.
