MOD | 15 | T-38C Escape System Upgrade Program (ESUP)

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF MAY 30, 2004 FBO #0916
MODIFICATION

15 -- T-38C Escape System Upgrade Program (ESUP)

Notice Date: 5/28/2004
Notice Type: Modification
NAICS: 336411 — Aircraft Manufacturing
Contracting Office: BLDG 11A, Room 201-I 1970 Monahan Way WPAFB, OH, 45433
ZIP Code: 45433
Solicitation Number: FA8617-04-R-6154
Archive Date: 7/30/2005
Point of Contact: James Van Oss,937-904-4192
E-Mail Address: Email your questions to james.vanoss@wpafb.af.mil
(james.vanoss@wpafb.af.mil)
Small Business Set-Aside: N/A
Description: UPDATE (5-28-04) Request for Information All interested parties are asked to respond to this RFI. The purpose of this RFI is to provide an update on the current acquisition strategy, and to solicit candid responses from potential T-38C Escape System Upgrade Program (ESUP) offerors. The Government is seeking to gain insight into any potential problem areas that may result from the current strategy and to address several important contractual issues identified during the strategy development process. Please answer and provide detailed information in the outline format below to support your position in the following areas: 1. The overall requirement for the T-38C ESUP is to upgrade the entire T-38C fleet (509 aircraft). Due to various constraints, the Government plans to initially modify only 199 aircraft located at three (3) AETC bases. The upgraded escape systems will be acquired under an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract as a nondevelopmental item (NDI) and on a firm fixed priced basis. An item shall be considered NDI if it meets the definition of NDI as it is defined in FAR 2.101 and based upon the accepted government performance standard for escape systems. The IDIQ contract will have a five-year ordering period with variable quantity bands and a ?most probable quantity". Although the Government currently anticipates a production and installation rate of five (5) shipsets per month (60 per year), the quantity bands will be structured with suitable flexibility to accelerate or decelerate the rate of production to accommodate fluctuations in funding. a. Address the 5-year fixed priced, IDIQ arrangement. Do you see any problems with being able to price this NDI effort? Will your company commit, and contract for, firm fixed prices for a full five-year period If not, clearly identify your concerns in your response. b. If increased Government resources become available, i.e., increased funding and an increased number of aircraft available for the upgrade each month, the Government may seek to accelerate the production and installation rate in order to upgrade up-to-509 aircraft during the 5-year ordering period. How large an increase in monthly production could your current production capabilities sustain? In other words, what are the maximum monthly quantities you could produce? c. In the event funding is stretched out, what are the minimum monthly quantities you require to maintain a profitable production line? d. How soon after RFP release would a "production representative" seat be ready for the Government+s measurements and testing in the T-38C mock-up e. How soon after contract award would you be able to provide shipsets for integration testing? How soon after integration testing is completed would you be able to begin delivering shipsets at a minimum rate of 5 shipsets per month? 2. The following questions deal with several contractual issues identified by the Government during the strategy development process: a. It is the Government?s intent to acquire material and workmanship warranty. If you propose an essential performance warranty on the ESUP, please explain in detail. Address fully how you envision the warranty and sustainment to operate for this program. b. FAR Clause 52.225-1 -- Buy American Act?Supplies (June 2003) will be included in Section I - Contract Clauses and FAR Clause 52.225-2 ? Buy American Act Certificate (June 2003) will be included in Section K - Representations and Certifications of the RFP and the resultant contract. Please address how you will comply with the Buy American Act and discuss how your company will complete the Buy American Act certificate contained in FAR 52.225-2. c. Section I of the RFP will also include DFARS Clause 252.225-7012 and 7014, Preference for Certain Domestic Commodities and Preference for Domestic Specialty Metals - Alternate I, respectively. Similar to paragraph c. above, please address how you will comply with these clauses and what affect these clauses will have on the structure of your program, if any. d. Lastly, Section I of the RFP will contain DFARS Clause 252.211-7003 - Item Identification and Valuation (Jan 2004). Identify your current ability to meet the Unique Identification (UID) requirement or how you will be able to meet this requirement at the time of contract award. Please see the UID website http://www.acq.osd.mil/uid/ for details. Please respond to this RFI by providing one (1) hard copy and one (1) electronic copy to the contractual point of contact (POC) by 3:00 pm local time on 17 June 2004. Please adhere to the outline format provided above in your response. Any questions regarding this RFI or the ESUP program may be addressed to the contractual POC listed below. Contractual POC: James Van Oss, ASC/YTA, Building 11A, Room 201-I, 1970 Monahan Way, Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7211, james.vanoss@wpafb.af.mil, (937) 904-4192. //End of Update// Update (5-3-2004) DELETION OF ESCAPE PATH CLEARANCE The acquisition strategy for the T-38C Escape System Upgrade Program continues to evolve. After reviewing the operational needs of AETC, as well as non- developmental technologies that currently exist, ASC/YTA has decided there is no need for a separate, second ESUP increment dedicated to escape path clearance. As a result of this decision, associated funding for this increment will not be made available. The T-38C ESUP will now consist of only two increments. Increment 1 will remain essentially the same as it was previously, integration of non- developmental ejection seats and inter-seat sequencing. The former third increment, upgrade of the aircrew accommodation, will now become Increment 2. P.O.C: Jim Van Oss, Contract Negotiator, james.vanoss@wpafb.af.mil, 937-904- 4192, ASC/YTA, Bldg 11A, Room 201-I, 1970 Monahan Way, WPAFB, OH 45433-7211. //End of Update// UPDATE (4-05-04) ANNOUNCEMENT OF FORMAL SOURCES SOUGHT This notification announces the commencement of a formal Sources Sought for the T-38C Escape System Upgrade Program (ESUP), Solicitation No. FA8617-04-R-6154. The purpose of this Sources Sought is to determine whether there are additional offerors interested in this program and to finalize the Government+s pre- solicitation market research. As part of this acquisition, the Government intends to upgrade the current T-38C escape system including the aircraft?s ejection seats and inter-seat sequencing, as well as escape path clearance. The Government plans to upgrade a minimum of 199 aircraft, but may upgrade up to 509 aircraft. Formal technical performance parameters will be released with the draft RFP. Please review previous announcements and attachments for additional background information (posted below, if using the PIXS website, or available on the FedBizOpps website). Offerors who responded to previous Requests for Information (RFIs), dated 06 Mar 2002, 3 Oct 2003, and 9 Jan 2004, or attended either of the two Industry Days held on 29 Sep 2003 and 9 Mar 2004 need not respond to this notification. Only unidentified offerors who have not previously responded nor participated to date should submit a letter of interest to the Government at this time. The Government also requests that you respond to the questions posed in the RFIs dated 3 Oct 2003 and 9 Feb 2004 as part of your submission. Interested parties are requested to submit a letter of interest via email or hard copy to the individual listed below no later than 20 Apr 2004 at 3:00 pm local time. In addition, the Government requests that the responses to the RFIs be provided via email or hard copy no later than 5 May 2004 at 3:00 pm local time. This sources sought notice does not constitute a solicitation for proposals and no contract will be awarded as a result of this announcement. Important Reminder: Again, letters of interest and RFI responses are not required from those who have previously responded to the RFIs or have attended the Industry Days. Please direct any questions regarding your status as an offeror or any other aspect of this program to the individual listed below. Discussions with Industry conducted through previous RFIs and Industry Days have aided the Government in the development of its current acquisition strategy. The current strategy is to compete the T-38 ESUP program as a nondevelopmental item (NDI) acquisition to the maximum extent practicable, using a FAR Part 15, Full Trade-Off (FTO), best value, competitive source selection. If the acquisition strategy changes or evolves differently, Industry will be notified accordingly. The Government anticipates posting a draft solicitation within the next 60-90 days for the T-38 ESUP acquisition. Comments from Industry on the draft version will be solicited at that time to aid in the preparation and release of the final request for proposal. Please monitor the PIXS website and FedBizOpps (www.fbo.gov) for further updates. P.O.C: Jim Van Oss, Contract Negotiator, james.vanoss@wpafb.af.mil, 937-904- 4192, ASC/YTA, Bldg 11A, Room 201-I, 1970 Monahan Way, WPAFB, OH 45433-7211. ///END OF UPDATE/// UPDATE (2-26-04) CHANGE OF LOCATION FOR THE MARCH 9TH INDUSTRY DAY Due to the increased interest in this program, we have changed locations to accommodate all those that wish to attend. The Industry Day to be held on March 9, 2004 at 8:30 am EST will now be held at the Irvin J. Nutter Center in the Berry Room Complex. Please note that this is the same location as the previous Industry Day held in September 2003. The date, time, and all other information for this Industry Day remain unchanged. Additional information and directions are available at the following website, http://www.nuttercenter.com. You can also contact Capt. E. Jay Kilpatrick II, +edwin.kilpatrick@wpafb.af.mil+, Program Manager, 1970 Monahan Way, Bldg 11A, Room 201-1, WPAFB, Ohio 45433-7211, Phone 937-904-4317, or Mr. James Van Oss +James.VanOss@wpafb.af.mil+, Contract Specialist, 1970 Monahan Way, Bldg 11A, Room 201-1, WPAFB, Ohio 45433-7211, Phone 937-904-4192 for more information. ////END OF UPDATE//// UPDATE (02-05-04) NOTIFICATION OF AN INDUSTRY DAY The T-38 Flight Training System Program Office (ASC/YTA) of the Aeronautical Systems Center continues to analyze and assess industry capabilities to provide an upgrade to the current T-38C escape system to include the aircraft?s ejection seats and inter-seat sequencing, as well as escape path clearance. The Government anticipates conducting another Industry Day on the 9th of March in Bldg 570, Rm. 102 located on the premises of Wright-Patterson AFB, beginning at 8:30 a.m. (EST). This will be Industry?s opportunity to meet with Government representatives and to understand how the Government will measure anthropometrical values once escape system components are installed in the T- 38C mock forebody located at Wright-Patterson AFB. This meeting will also provide Industry and the Government an opportunity to discuss program developments up to this point. This is also a call for industry to schedule appointments to see the T-38C mock forebody in a one-on-one environment with the personnel who will conduct the anthropometrical analysis of submitted systems. There will be six half-day appointments available beginning Wednesday, the 10th and ending Friday the 12th of March, 2004. Each half-day session will be scheduled on a first-come, first- serve basis. At the Industry Day, a briefing on the current status of the program will be given. An open forum of question and answers will follow this portion. Attendees must indicate their interest in attending by letter NLT 13 Feb 04 to Capt Jay Kilpatrick Program Manager, 1970 Monahan Way, Bldg 11A, Room 201-1, WPAFB, Ohio 45433-7211. The Government limits attendance to no more than 3 persons per interested party. How to contact this program: POC: Capt Jay Kilpatrick (Program Manager), 937-904-4317, Ms Sally Meyer (PCO), 937-904-4304 ////END OF UPDATE//// UPDATE (01-09-04) POTENTIAL IMPACT OF INCLUSION OF ESCAPE PATH CLEARANCE SUB-SYSTEM IN FIRST ITERATION During our recent Industry Day, as well as in subsequent T-38 ESUP RFI responses, a phased approach was suggested as a suitable acquisition strategy for the ESUP. We are strongly considering such an approach, but would value your inputs as we formulate such a program. One consideration is how to ?segment/phase? the program. In particular, we are evaluating the benefits of not including the upgraded escape path clearance sub- system from the first phase. It?s the governments position an upgraded escape path clearance sub-system presents the greatest technical and schedule risk over a replacement seat or inter-seat sequencing sub-system. The Government will not define a design solution for the escape path clearance sub-system. We will require its performance to be such that it will allow the overall ejection sequence timing to be kept as low as possible so that we get maximum system capability from replacement seats. Question: What do you foresee as the schedule impact of including an improved escape path clearance sub-system in a first phase of the ESUP? Please provide your answer as a function of total system design/development/qualification, specifying to the greatest extent possible the issues you see as of greatest concern. Request your response be submitted NLT February 9, 2004 to: ASC/YTA, Capt. E. Jay Kilpatrick II, Program Manager, 1970 Monahan Way, Bldg 11A, Room 201-1, WPAFB, Ohio 45433-7211, Phone 937-904-4317 or to: ASC/YTA, Mrs. Sally Meyer, Contracting Officer, 1970 Monahan Way, Bldg 11A, Room 201-1, WPAFB, Ohio 45433- 7211, Phone 937-904-4304 ////END OF UPDATE//// UPDATE (10-10-03) RELEASE OF 29 SEPT 03 INDUSTRY DAY INFORMATION: 1) List of Attendees 2) 3 Presentations (ASC/YTA; AETC/XPRU; T38ANTHRO_DRZEHNER) 3) List of Questions and Answers Should you have questions or additional concerns about the ESUP Industry Day info noted above please email them to Jason.Ortiz@wpafb.af.mil. ////END OF UPDATE//// UPDATE (10-3-03) MEMORANDUM FOR REGISTRANT FOR REQUEST FOR INFORMATION FROM: ASC/YTA 1970 Monahan Way, Bldg 11A, Room 201 I Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7211 SUBJECT: T-38C Escape System Upgrade Program, Request for Information (RFI) 1. To assist the government in our market research, we invite your company to submit an RFI response package. It is recommended that packages submitted follow the outline format noted in paragraph 2 below. You are asked to address engineering capabilities and modifications necessary to modify the crew station of 509 T-38 aircraft to fully meet the requirements to (a) accommodate and (b) safely eject the range of aircrew sizes as specified in Attachment 1. Currently, there are no developmental funds available. This RFI is to solicit industry feedback to aid the government in developing an acquisition strategy for this program. It does not constitute a solicitation for proposals and no contract will be awarded as a result. Your response is strictly voluntary and the government will not reimburse your company for costs you incur responding to this RFI or in providing follow-up information. 2. It is the desire of the government that any proposed approach meets and/or exceeds the key performance parameters (KPPs) and other requirements listed within Attachment 1. The government is interested in understanding: a. What is available in today?s marketplace to meet these requirements? b. What, if any, development an offeror believes is necessary to meet these requirements. (1)Hardware development? (2)Software development? c. What vendor capabilities exist in the marketplace relative to (1)Designing (2)Manufacturing, and/or (3)Integration of any proposed solution or subset thereof (4)Specifications and/or other data showing how a proposed approach meets and/or exceeds the government?s requirements. d. The rough order of magnitude cost (ROM) associated with your proposed approach, and; e. Your recommendations as to the most reasonable/cost effective acquisition strategy for this program. f. RFI response packages should also include a description of previous aircraft modifications you have accomplished involving design, modification, and/or integration of similar systems. Should your proposed approach not address all of the areas identified above your RFI package will still be reviewed. 3. Your RFI response package should also provide answers to the ?Additional Technical Information Requested? presented at Attachment 3. The government understands that not all questions will be applicable to all respondents; however, you are asked to provide as much information as possible in answering those questions applicable to your company concerning its capabilities/expertise. 4. Your package must be submitted within thirty (30) days after publication of this announcement. Please provide two (2) paper copies of your response; in addition, you may also submit in electronic format. All responses shall be directed to Capt Jason C. Ortiz, Contract Negotiator, Aeronautical Systems Center, ASC/YTK, Bldg 11A, Room 201-I, 1970 Monahan Way, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7211. Should you have questions or additional concerns about responding to this RFI please email them to Jason.Ortiz@wpafb.af.mil. FAR Clause 52.215-3 ?Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (October 1997) is incorporated into this RFI by reference. ///signed/// SALLY L. MEYER Contracting Officer Attachments: 1.Key Performance Parameters 2.System Capabilities and Characteristics Parameters 3.Additional Technical Information Requested NOTE: The Industry Day attendance roster, minutes, and questions from 9-29-03 will be posted the week of 6-10 October. ///UPDATE END/// UPDATE (9-23-03) Paragraph 1 below of the ESUP T-38C Escape System Upgrade Program (ESUP) RFI issued on 8-28-03 stated that the government would be conducting an Industry Day 29 Sep 2003 and that the specific time and location were yet to be determined. Both the time and the location have been determined as follows: We will be holding this conference on Monday, September 29th, 2003 from 1:00pm to 5:00pm (Eastern Standard Time). We will be meeting at the Ervin J. Nutter Center in the "Berry Room" conference facility. It is located within the Nutter Center at 3640 Colonel Glenn Highway in Dayton, Ohio, 45435-0001, USA. This link, http://www.nuttercenter.com/berry/index.html, should provide more information about the conference center. A tentative agenda and information on local accomodations is attached. /////UPDATE END///// The T-38 Flight Training System Program Office (ASC/YTA) of the Aeronautical Systems Center is analyzing and assessing industry capabilities to provide an upgrade to the current T-38C escape system to include the aircraft?s ejection seats, escape path clearance, inter-seat sequencing, as well as the physical accommodation of a greater range of aircrew personnel. The Government anticipates conducting the first Industry Day on 29 Sep 2003 (specific time and location to be determined). This will be Industry?s initial opportunity to meet with cognizant Government representatives and to discuss the known requirements and intent of the T-38 ESUP. We are actively seeking Industry?s inputs in helping us develop the acquisition strategy for this program. Due to size limitations, no more than three (3) representatives per company may attend this meeting. A simulated T-38C cockpit, to be located at AFRL, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, will be available to Industry for inspections, measurements, etc. to aid in Industry?s partnership with the Government in developing the acquisition strategy. The modified cockpit mock-up will be available to Industry approximately late October/November 2003. Companies interested in obtaining access to the mock-up must request this in writing through the individuals listed at the end of this synopsis. At the Industry Day, a briefing on the current status of the program and the results of a recent Air Force Research Laboratory anthropometrical study on the T-38C aircraft will be given. This will be followed by an ?open forum? of question and answers. Following the open forum, Industry representatives may individually engage with Government representatives for appointments (one hour or less) to present their capabilities and concepts. Maximum leverage of ?available technology? in any technical approach is highly encouraged. This is the initial step to establish industry?s understanding of the T-38 ESUP and to allow the Government to determine market capabilities. Attendees must indicate their interest in attending by letter NLT 10 Sep 03 via the individuals listed at the end of this synopsis. Similarly, if you are interested in having access to the T-38 cockpit mock-up please provide your request, in writing, to the listed individuals contained at the conclusion of this synopsis. This is not a Request for Proposal. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI and notification. Submitting capabilities and concepts in response to this RFI is voluntary and participants will not be compensated. POC: Capt Jay Kilpatrick (Program Manager), 937-904-4317, Capt Jason Ortiz (Buyer), 937-904-4306. For more information on ESUP--T-38C Escape System Upgrade Program (ESUP) please refer to http://www.pixs.wpafb.af.mil/pixslibr/ESUP/ESUP.asp
Web Link: ESUP-T-38C Escape System Upgrade Program (ESUP)
(http://www.pixs.wpafb.af.mil/pixslibr/ESUP/ESUP.asp)
Place of Performance: Address: TBA; Zip Code: TBA; Country: USA
Record: SN00594431-W 20040530/040528211856 (fbodaily.com)
Source: FedBizOpps.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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15 -- T-38C Escape System Upgrade Program (ESUP)