Brian Bradley
NS&D Monitor
8/29/2014
The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico will host an industry day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 4 to discuss a Reentry System Field Support Equipment (RFSE) Request for Information and draft Request for Proposals released this week. Topics to be discussed at the industry day will include industry risks, removal of schedule incentives and its effects on industry behavior, payment methods and the option exercise schedule/period of performance. Aug. 31 is the registration deadline.
The RFSE program renewal is being implemented to replace the Reentry System Test Set (RSTS) and the Safety Enhanced Reentry Vehicle (SERV) Field Test Set (SFTS), which have tested the reentry system (RS) of the Minuteman III for 40 years, according to the project’s Statement of Objectives (SOO). The purpose of the next round of RFSE development is to extend the Minuteman III’s life to 2030. The RFSE suite supports the construction of the reentry system prior to attaching the system to the Minuteman III missile. The suite ensures proper cabling and system level functionality of the Mk12A reentry vehicle’s front section. RSFE has incorporated SFTS and RSTS to diminish the overall footprint of the RS/reentry vehicle test equipment.
The SOO states that project requirements include the delivery of seven RFSE suites and up to four RSTC alignment consoles, along with calibration equipment and interim contractor support to foster fielding of the production units, troubleshooting and maintenance. The Air Force program manager for the project will head Material Review Boards which will review project implementation and hardware. The project’s contracting officer is located at Hill AFB. Questions about cost estimates, RFSE specifics and industry day registrants posed this week to public affairs officials at Hill and Kirtland AFB’s were not answered. If there is enough interest, the announcement states the industry day could extend to Sept. 5.
