MODIFICATION
15 -- Very Low Frequency (VLF) Capability Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS)
- Notice Date
- 4/22/2011
- Notice Type
- Modification/Amendment
- NAICS
- 336411
— Aircraft Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, ASC - Aeronautical Systems Center, 2275 D Street, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, 45433-7218
- ZIP Code
- 45433-7218
- Solicitation Number
- F33657-99-D-0028-VLF
- Point of Contact
- Steven Jordan, Phone: 937-656-5581
- E-Mail Address
-
steven.jordan@wpafb.af.mil
(steven.jordan@wpafb.af.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- Very Low Frequency (VLF) Capability Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) This is not a solicitation. This synopsis is being issued to conduct market research for informational and planning purposes for a potential accelerated modification and qualification effort leading to a VLF system capability for the B-2 Bomber. Funds have not been allocated or budgeted for this effort, however the information received may be used in determining future strategies. Objectives include leveraging latest proven hardware and software to provide a schedule driven, cost-effective solution to a variety of B-2 weapons system specific requirements. The United States Air Force, Aeronautical Systems Very Low Frequency (VLF) Capability Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) This is not a solicitation. This synopsis is being issued to conduct market research for informational and planning purposes for a potential accelerated modification and qualification effort leading to a VLF system capability for the B-2 Bomber. Funds have not been allocated or budgeted for this effort, however the information received may be used in determining future strategies. Objectives include leveraging latest proven hardware and software to provide a schedule driven, cost-effective solution to a variety of B-2 weapons system specific requirements. The United States Air Force, Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC), WWZK (B-2 Contracts Division) is seeking responses from potential sources with proven expertise in VLF systems, sufficient to assess and determine the viability of an accelerated acquisition program. Information supplied must include direct information and/or strategies to accomplish the following: Reuse, modification, and qualification of latest proven hardware and software, including signal and message processing techniques, waveform, and COMSEC(communication security)/TRANSEC(transmission security), for airborne B-2 applications. VLF System Hardware must operate in a severely constrained size, weight, power, and cooling (SWaPC) environment such that it can be installed, operate, and be maintained within the envelope of the platform's environmental limitations. This includes but is not limited to VLF receive antennas, front ends, processors, filters, power and cooling, Input/output, interfaces and control devices as well as use of digital technology where feasible. Have sufficient flexibility and unused capacity to support the addition of evolving and new communication capabilities and technologies. Entities who submit responses to this notice must show detailed knowledge and experience in the following areas: VLF System Engineering, Development, Test and Fielding Knowledge of/experience with VLF communication systems and networks for U.S. military applications operating in airborne platforms that are size, weight, and power constrained; Experience applicable to the engineering, modification, and qualification of VLF receive systems, or like system that maximizes hardware and software commonality and enables future technology refresh/ enhancements; Experience with engineering and integration using Government Furnished Information and Equipment such as design information, software, and hardware; Demonstrated software development capabilities to enable engineering, development, integration, and test of complex embedded real-time systems; Experience with hardware and software reuse and integration and associated lessons learned; Experience with embedding of Type 1 cryptographic devices to include current or recent (within last 2 years) partnership arrangements with the NSA(National Security Agency) during program performance; Experience with the engineering, development, and test of equipment designated for airborne environments; Experience with engineering, development, and test of equipment requiring nuclear radiation hardening, HEMP(high energy magnetic pulse) protection and TEMPEST(emanations security). Program / Project Management i. Demonstrated ability to provide necessary program management, planning, schedule, and execution information with timely insight to the Government; Include examples of tools and techniques used by project management ii. Confirmation of US Top Secret, US Secret and COMSEC security clearance for personnel and facilities (including CAGE(commercial and government entity) code) and a demonstrated capability to handle and safeguard classified material; iii. Demonstrated and documented past performance experience performing complex development and modification programs including examples of current and/or recent efforts identifying cost and schedule performance; iv. Demonstrated evidence of systems engineering discipline, systems analysis, and modeling simulation experience and capabilities; and their associated benefits and Return on Investment (ROI) from documented past experience. Development Approach. The information received from this market research will be used to define the validity in general and the specific acquisition approach. In order to achieve required operational capability within the required time-line, it is envisioned that accelerated acquisition methods will be employed by the Government. Therefore, approaches that maximize reuse, modification and qualification of latest proven technologies and system components are preferable to new developments. To aide the Government's assessment and determination of the validity of the goals and timeliness of this effort, Offerors must provide the following information: i. Describe your plan, schedule and associated technical solution assuming effort commences on or about 2nd Qtr FY12; ii. Utilizing a 2nd Qtr FY12 start, provide a Rough Order of Magnitude cost estimate, including funding profile, to perform prototype and demonstration and the effort to complete engineering, developmental and operational testing; iii. Identify high-level Critical Technology Elements (CTEs) associated with the effort IAW SAF/AQR guidance; available at the following link: http://www.dod.mil/ddre/doc/DoD_TRA_July_2009_Read_Version.pdf iv. Explanation of your approach for maximizing latest proven technology and system components to include specific identification of hardware and software components as well as specific areas of component modification and qualification approaches, methods, and plans. Responses are limited to no more than 30 double-spaced, single-sided pages. The ROM costs may be provided as a supplemental attachment outside of the 30 page limitation (ROM should include Ground Rules and Assumptions). Potential sources who submit responses to this notice are requested to identify prior contracts (by contract number and issuing office) and commercial and Government points of contact (preferably the buyer or contracting officer) where they have provided similar types of efforts. Interested sources should submit their written and electronic responses to the contracting officer, Mr. Steven Jordan, ASC/WWZK, 2690 Loop Road West, Bldg 556 Wright Patterson, AFB, OH 45433-7183. Steven.Jordan@wpafb.af.mil. Responses must be received no later than thirty (30) calendar days from the publication date of this announcement. If necessary, government may elect to contact interested parties for further clarifications or site visits. This request for information is for planning purposes only. In accordance with Part 10 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation the Government is conducting Market Research. This Market Research is for information and planning purposes only. Before submitting any information to the Government, be advised that the Government does not intend to pay for the information you provide. Your responses will be treated as information only. Submission of Proprietary Information Caution: The government appreciates that interested firms may not be able to respond to this market research without disclosing information deemed "proprietary". Data submitted in response to this market research will be distributed and discussed within the government. It is the responsibility of Respondents to clearly mark submitted information with appropriate restrictive markings. Respondents are further advised that the government's analyses of your responses may require disclosure of your responses to Advisory and Assistance Services support contractor personnel. All members of the government/contractor team will be reminded of their obligation to protect such information to the maximum extent permitted or required and other applicable statutes or regulations. In addition, Government members will be reminded of their obligations to afford protection under the Trade Secrets Act, 18 U.S.C. 1905. All support contractor members are required to protect the information by the terms of their contracts. This synopsis does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB) or a Request for Proposals (RFP) nor does its issuance restrict the Government as to its ultimate acquisition approach. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this notice nor will it reimburse sources for any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this notice. All answers to submitted questions may be posted on FedBizOps. Questions and answers of a proprietary nature will be handled on a case-by-case basis. enter (ASC), WWZK (B-2 Contracts Division) is seeking responses from potential sources with proven expertise in VLF systems, sufficient to assess and determine the viability of an accelerated acquisition program. Information supplied must include direct information and/or strategies to accomplish the following: Reuse, modification, and qualification of latest proven hardware and software, including signal and message processing techniques, waveform, and COMSEC(communication security)/TRANSEC(transmission security), for airborne B-2 applications. VLF System Hardware must operate in a severely constrained size, weight, power, and cooling (SWaPC) environment such that it can be installed, operate, and be maintained within the envelope of the platform's environmental limitations. This includes but is not limited to VLF receive antennas, front ends, processors, filters, power and cooling, Input/output, interfaces and control devices as well as use of digital technology where feasible. Have sufficient flexibility and unused capacity to support the addition of evolving and new communication capabilities and technologies. Entities who submit responses to this notice must show detailed knowledge and experience in the following areas: VLF System Engineering, Development, Test and Fielding Knowledge of/experience with VLF communication systems and networks for U.S. military applications operating in airborne platforms that are size, weight, and power constrained; Experience applicable to the engineering, modification, and qualification of VLF receive systems, or like system that maximizes hardware and software commonality and enables future technology refresh/ enhancements; Experience with engineering and integration using Government Furnished Information and Equipment such as design information, software, and hardware; Demonstrated software development capabilities to enable engineering, development, integration, and test of complex embedded real-time systems; Experience with hardware and software reuse and integration and associated lessons learned; Experience with embedding of Type 1 cryptographic devices to include current or recent (within last 2 years) partnership arrangements with the NSA(National Security Agency) during program performance; Experience with the engineering, development, and test of equipment designated for airborne environments; Experience with engineering, development, and test of equipment requiring nuclear radiation hardening, HEMP(high energy magnetic pulse) protection and TEMPEST(emanations security). Program / Project Management i. Demonstrated ability to provide necessary program management, planning, schedule, and execution information with timely insight to the Government; Include examples of tools and techniques used by project management ii. Confirmation of US Top Secret, US Secret and COMSEC security clearance for personnel and facilities (including CAGE(commercial and government entity) code) and a demonstrated capability to handle and safeguard classified material; iii. Demonstrated and documented past performance experience performing complex development and modification programs including examples of current and/or recent efforts identifying cost and schedule performance; iv. Demonstrated evidence of systems engineering discipline, systems analysis, and modeling simulation experience and capabilities; and their associated benefits and Return on Investment (ROI) from documented past experience. Development Approach. The information received from this market research will be used to define the validity in general and the specific acquisition approach. In order to achieve required operational capability within the required time-line, it is envisioned that accelerated acquisition methods will be employed by the Government. Therefore, approaches that maximize reuse, modification and qualification of latest proven technologies and system components are preferable to new developments. To aide the Government's assessment and determination of the validity of the goals and timeliness of this effort, Offerors must provide the following information: i. Describe your plan, schedule and associated technical solution assuming effort commences on or about 2nd Qtr FY12; ii. Utilizing a 2nd Qtr FY12 start, provide a Rough Order of Magnitude cost estimate, including funding profile, to perform prototype and demonstration and the effort to complete engineering, developmental and operational testing; iii. Identify high-level Critical Technology Elements (CTEs) associated with the effort IAW SAF/AQR guidance; iv. Explanation of your approach for maximizing latest proven technology and system components to include specific identification of hardware and software components as well as specific areas of component modification and qualification approaches, methods, and plans. Responses are limited to no more than 30 double-spaced, single-sided pages. The ROM costs may be provided as a supplemental attachment outside of the 30 page limitation (ROM should include Ground Rules and Assumptions). Potential sources who submit responses to this notice are requested to identify prior contracts (by contract number and issuing office) and commercial and Government points of contact (preferably the buyer or contracting officer) where they have provided similar types of efforts. Interested sources should submit their written and electronic responses to the contracting officer, Mr. Steven Jordan, ASC/WWZK, 2690 Loop Road West, Bldg 556 Wright Patterson, AFB, OH 45433-7183. Steven.Jordan@wpafb.af.mil. Responses must be received no later than thirty (30) calendar days from the publication date of this announcement. If necessary, government may elect to contact interested parties for further clarifications or site visits. This request for information is for planning purposes only. In accordance with Part 10 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation the Government is conducting Market Research. This Market Research is for information and planning purposes only. Before submitting any information to the Government, be advised that the Government does not intend to pay for the information you provide. Your responses will be treated as information only. Submission of Proprietary Information Caution: The government appreciates that interested firms may not be able to respond to this market research without disclosing information deemed "proprietary". Data submitted in response to this market research will be distributed and discussed within the government. It is the responsibility of Respondents to clearly mark submitted information with appropriate restrictive markings. Respondents are further advised that the government's analyses of your responses may require disclosure of your responses to Advisory and Assistance Services support contractor personnel. All members of the government/contractor team will be reminded of their obligation to protect such information to the maximum extent permitted or required and other applicable statutes or regulations. In addition, Government members will be reminded of their obligations to afford protection under the Trade Secrets Act, 18 U.S.C. 1905. All support contractor members are required to protect the information by the terms of their contracts. This synopsis does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB) or a Request for Proposals (RFP) nor does its issuance restrict the Government as to its ultimate acquisition approach. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this notice nor will it reimburse sources for any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this notice. All answers to submitted questions may be posted on FedBizOps. Questions and answers of a proprietary nature will be handled on a case-by-case basis.
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