AL/HR, PKRH, 7909 Lindbergh Drive, Brooks AFB, TX 78235-5352

A -- COMPUTER-AIDED BUSINESS ENGINEERING SOL F41624-95-R-5012 POC Contact Point-Ralph Urias, Contract Negotiator, (210) 536-5776 PKR-SSS-95-08. A-- PROGRAM RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCEMENT (PRDA PKR-SSS-95-08) INTRODUCTION: The Air Force Armstrong Laboratory, Human Resources Directorate, Logistics Research Division (AL/HRG), invites white papers (proposal abstracts) including rough-order-of magnitude (ROM) cost estimate on Computer-Aided Business Engineering for Air Force evaluation and consideration. The research must address both technical issues as well as human issues of developing and implementing new business processes. Technology sharing and transfer are encouraged. Armstrong Laboratory welcomes white papers that envision cooperation between scientists at universities, non-profit institutions, private industry, and Air Force scientists and researchers. White papers in response to this PRDA shall be submitted within 30 days after publication of this announcement to: Mr Ralph Urias, AL/HR (HSC/PKRH), bldg 578, Rm 115N, 7909 Lindbergh Drive, Brooks AFB, TX 78235-5352 and Capt Robert Goerke, OL AL/HRGA, 2698 G ST, WPAFB, OH 45433-7604, Phone (513) 255-7774. White papers received after this date will be returned. The research may extend over a period of four years, with funding beyond the first year dependent upon progress on the research objectives. There will be no other soliciation issued for this research topic and offerors should be alert for any PRDA amendments that may be published. B--OBJECTIVE: (1) Technical Description: This research effort will focus on developing and demonstrating technology that allows Air Force (AF) acquisition and logistics agencies to more effectively and efficiently perform process improvement efforts such as business process reengineering (BPR). The technology will be used to ascertain productivity and cultural impacts of process changes and supporting technology implemntations before they are made. Major changes in the military threat to U.S. security interests are causing AF organizations to undergo many changes. While the goal of these changes are more efficient and streamlined organizations and processes, they often decrease efficiency and are unsuccessful due to faulty process redesign or poor implementation. Sometimes organizations reorganize just to show improvement without looking at their business processes or the implicit or explicit human issues involved in these changes; thus leading to increased dissatisfaction and productivity loses. More accurate and easier-to-use methods are needed to enable AF decision-makers to better predict the impacts of incremental-to-radical changes to business processes. One product of this research may be an Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD). An ATD includes testing and demonstrating new technology to solve a problem for an operational AF organization. ATDs require one or more operational AF organization(s) to sponsor the program prior to contract award. Therefore, it is critical that the offerors have knowledge of real AF problems and may include in their white paper proposal, a plan to perform business process improvement effort(s) using their proposed new technology along with existing tools to solve specific problem(s) for an AF orgnaization. Historically, the Logistics Research Division of the Armstrong Laboratory has worked to improve design, modifidation, and maintenance operations at Air Logistic Centers (ALCs). While our primary expertise is in this area, we are open to proposals in other AF logistics areas such as Tanker & Airlift Control Center (TACC) operations and various Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) functions as well. To validate the efficacy of the new technology, the offerors will describe in their proposal the data collection methodology and evaluation metrics that will be used by the AF to evaluate the effectiveness of the ATD effort. There are multiple forms of technology that could be used singularly or in various combinations to improve AF processes. One technology form or approach entails developing an integrated knowledge-based object-oriented modeling, simulation and workflow tool. This tool would enable AF personnel to reengineer and facilitate the management and coordination of their business processes. This powerful but easy-to-use tool, would help AF managers to identify and simulate business processes and then track the performance of work through automated workflows and validated metrics. The development effort for this tool could be greatly decreased by integrating ''best of breed'' object-oreinted process modeling, simulation, and workflow tools with AF logistics specifiic processes and items stored in object libraries (icons). Additionally, artificial intelligence could be applied to this tool to assist AF managers to analyze tradeoffs in hypothetical scenarios for radical process improvements. Another form of technology that can provide large dividends would be a BPR template methodology tool tied to a data repository based on Zachman's framework for systems development. This tool's primary function would be to provide the user with a customized business process reengineering approach that is aligned with their organization's strategic objectives. The customized approach would contain an ordered list of activities integrated with a tool suite to perform the entire life cycle of any proposed BPR effort. This methodology tool could also be used to help senior managers communicate their enterprise's goals, purpose, context, strategy, markets, threats and opportunities, critical success factors, controls, policies, procedures and business rules. Thus, it would assist them in gaining oraganizational support for their reengineering plans. Additionally, it could help them weigh the benefits and deficits of implementing comprehensive long-term changes or quick payback opportunities. Another approach might entail developing a change management cultural assessment tool using either a rule-based database or pattern recognition modules to represent human issues associated with change. Additionally, this tool could incorporate historical (case-based) information to predict cultural resistance to process changes and new technology (sociotechnology). If integrated with process modeling and simulation tools, this tool would enable AF managers to devise a BPR methodology and corresponding process improvements that are in harmony with their organization's culture. Anther opportunity exists in developing better tools to support collaboration. BPR team could use knowledge-based groupware tools to easily model and dynamically simulate cross-functional and cross-domain business processes. Also, these tools could help facilitate the creation of innovative business processes by identifying the outdated rules and fundamental assumptions that underlie current business processes. Similarly, geographically separated team members could use a group support system that facilitates the creation of innovative business processes in a distributed time and place environment. Other tools and techniques that support strategic thinking are also of interest. All tools developed under this research effort should be simple enough for AF process exerts and managers to use, but should be based on a robust technique or methodology. Modularity and innovation are also important factors. Finally, all proposals should comply with the intent of the DOD's Corporate Information Management (CIM) initiative and Public Law 103-62 (Aug 3, 1993). (2) Deliverable Items: (a) DI-ADMIN-81373, Contractor's Progress, Status, and Management Report (mthly); (b) DI-FNCL-80331, Funds and Manpower Expenditure Report (qtrly); (c) DI-F-6004B, Contract Funds Status Report (qtrly); (d) DI-A-3024A, Presentation Material (as req.); (e) DI-IPSC 81427, Software Development Plan; (f) DI-IPSC-81433, Software Requirements Specification; (g) DI-IPSC-81435, Software Design Document; (h) DI-IPSC-81439, Software Test Description; (i) DI-IPSC-81443, Software Users Manual; (j) DI-MCCR-80021A/T, Software Programmer's Manual; (k) DI-MISC-80711, Scientific and Technical Reports (Draft and Reproducible Copy) (as req); (1) DI-A-3027A, Data Accession List (as req). (0131)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0001 19950512\A-0001.SOL)