SOURCES SOUGHT
U -- IFR Flight Simulator
- Notice Date
- 3/17/2010
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 611512
— Flight Training
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Air Force, Air Education and Training Command, Specialized Contracting Squadron, 2021 First Street West, Randolph AFB, Texas, 78150-4302
- ZIP Code
- 78150-4302
- Solicitation Number
- IFRFlightSimulator031710
- Point of Contact
- Sonja Ervin, Phone: 210-652-7757, MSgt Dennis Mullins, Phone: 2106529759
- E-Mail Address
-
sonja.ervin@randolph.af.mil, dennis.mullins@randolph.af.mil
(sonja.ervin@randolph.af.mil, dennis.mullins@randolph.af.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Request for Information Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) Training Simulator/Device to support Undergraduate Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPA) Instrument Qualification (RIQ) 1. Air Education and Training Command (AETC), Randolph Air Force Base (AFB), Texas, is soliciting interest and capability statements for a competitive acquisition for a training simulator. What's needed: A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) "approved " commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) IFR Flight Simulator that will be used to supplement training in Undergraduate RPA Pilot IFR training. We are seeking a low cost solution. The simulator is to be either a Single-Engine Land or Multi-Engine Land (limited to center-line Thrust) configuration with either a Horizontal Visual display (wall, screen, etc) or partial wrap around Visual display. The Visual Display must be realistic of the aviation environment. The physical construction of the simulator should be robust enough to simulate the cockpit environment but a low cost solution is desired. Cockpit controls should be representative of actual aircraft controls and function in a representative manner. This simulator will be used for basic/transition/VFR training prior to its use as an IFR trainer and those phases of flight must be supported. Seamless training from basic switchology to IFR training is required. Flat screen displays/Multi-functional displays (MFDs)/Liquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) that are swappable instead of round dial aircraft instruments are required for HSI, ADI, engine display, etc. The computer driven displays should be easily swapped out in the event of display failure. The simulator displays (Instrumentation and Visual display) should be driven by COTS computer software and hardware. A "Soft or less than 100% replication" of the cockpit/instrument environment is acceptable as our desire is to have low MX costs (Traditional Aircraft Gauges that require calibration is not intended). The Navigation Area/Database should include the United States with accurate terrain/obstruction elevation data. Visual Terrain Scenery should be generally representative in the US and 100% accuracy for NAVAID/Instrument Approach Plate (IAP)/US Airspace structure is required. Approach capability (Navigation Database, Aircraft display (avionics), and communication) should include VOR, DME, ILS, LOC, ASR/PAR, and GPS (RNAV). Flight scenarios should be able to be saved by the instructor and then recalled for subsequent student use. The ability to pause the student training in flight is a requirement. Weather conditions must support both VFR and IFR environments and include clouds/ cloud layers, rain, variable winds, and fog. Both day and night operations are required. Different Turbulence factors are required. An instructor Control Station detached from the Simulator is required in order to input changes to the scenario without student knowledge and to allow the student to experience "solo flight" without the instructor present in the cockpit. The instructor Control Station should replicate actual student performance with 100% accuracy but does not need to be representative of aircraft layout, IE, LCD display of aircraft gauges and performance is acceptable. The instructor Control Station should serve the Air Traffic Control (ATC) function. The Audio environment should be realistic to the aviation environment, IE thunder, aircraft noise, ATC radio calls to the pilot headset. The simulator should support 12 hours of continuous use in a normal training environment. US Power compliance is required (110V or 240v). Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) at site (to be determined) required. Syllabus supported: U-P3A-A, Undergraduate Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) Instrument Qualification (UIQ) Desired Traits: Wrap around displays that extend resolution (past 90 degree horizontal/vertical) to 200-240 degrees could be preferred. A wide field-of-view could enhance student training. Overhead display capability, IE extension of the visual to a limited vertical/overhead view could supplement student training. Motion for the simulator is not required, but might provide some training advantage. The Navigation Area/Database could include ICAO destinations to enhance student training. The ability to print (a hardcopy) the student's performance on an IAP is desired. Replication of US Military Fields/IAPs is not required but would be highly desirable and the ability of the vendor to produce/obtain those on an on-going basis as new requirements dictate would be important. Dual cockpit controls are not required but could supplement student training. A stick control instead of yoke control is desired. Aerodynamic feel (loading) of cockpit controls should be representative of actual aircraft performance but is not required. A second seat in the simulator with a dual-control set-up for instructor demonstrations is desirable but not required. Ideally, some ATC functions from the Instructor Control station would include "false radio calls" selectable by the instructor (automated routine, pre-programmed by event, etc) to enhance student learning. Visual Display Technology (rear or forward projection system, etc) is up to the Vendor. Pre-constructed Flight Profiles and Vendor training of our instructor force are desired. A Manufacture/Vendor Warranty guarantee for hardware, displays, physical simulator is desired. Light Emitting Diode (LED) Displays may be substituted for MFD/LEDs if desired by the Vendor. NDB approach capability could enhance student training. The ability to transport the simulators at a reasonable cost (IE a nominal tear-down effort without significant re-assembly or set-up costs), in the event of base closure or a change in mission needs is desirable. We do not foresee more than 1 or 2 moves over the lifespan of the Simulator. Timing Information: The USAF is currently planning for installation and use in summer 2011. We require at least one simulator by 15 Jan 2011 to train instructors and develop courseware with a second device by 15 Mar 2011. For planning only: deliver two additional simulators per quarter (delivery dates 1 Jul 2011, 1 Oct 2011, 1 Jan 2012 and 1 Apr 2012.) Respondents please answer the following questions regarding the requirements and/or strategy: 1. Are IFR Flight Simulators available commercially to meet this need, and are they certified? 2. Is the stated schedule realistic? 3. Are there any requirements listed that are not incorporated by a commercially available solution? 4. Is there are published price lists? 2. The purpose of publicizing notices for potential actions is to increase competition, to broaden industry participation in meeting Government requirements, and to assist small businesses in general in obtaining contracts and subcontracts. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP), but instead is a market research tool to determine the availability and adequacy of potential sources. This is a SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. REQUESTS FOR A SOLICITATION WILL NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code 611512 applies. Firms responding to this announcement should indicate their business size for code 611512, particularly if they are a small business (the small business size standard is $21.5 million). "Small business" means small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, and women-owned small business. If business size is transitioning to other than "small business" in the next 90 days, please indicate as such. 3. This sources sought notice is for planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. It is not the intention of the Government to enter into a contract based on this notice or to otherwise pay for information solicited. If the Government decides to contract for this effort, a RFP will be posted at a later date. 4. It is the Government's intent to obtain information on the responding contractor's size status. Therefore, it is requested that SB concerns provide sufficient written information supporting their capability to perform (item H below). 5. All interested parties are invited to provide the following information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners: A. Company/Institute Name and CAGE code. B. Mailing Address. C. Point of Contact (to include phone/fax and e-mail). D. Web site, if applicable. E. State if your company is registered under NAICS code 611512 or not. F. State whether your company is small, small disadvantaged, woman-owned small, HUB-Zone, or 8(a) certified business concern. G. State the size of your company in terms of personnel. H. Briefly describe how your company can satisfy the requirements described and your associated technical capabilities. 6. Responses are due no later than 1600 CDT 30 April 2010, and shall be electronically submitted to both the Contract Officer, Mrs. Sonja M. Ervin, at sonja.ervin@randolph.af.mil, Mr. Steve Lyon, stephan.lyon.ctr@randolph.af.mil and Mr. Dennis Mullins, dennis.mullins@randolph.af.mil in a Word 97 (or above) or Adobe PDF file format. 7. Questions relative to this market research should be sent electronically to both Sonja M. Ervin and Steve Lyon. 8. NO PHONE INQUIRES. All communications shall be in writing.
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