SMC/TEKB, 3550 Aberdeen Avenue SE, Kirtland AFB NM 87117-5776

18 -- AIR FORCE BALLOON OPERATIONS PROGRAM SOL F29601-96-R-0021 POC Karen Ross, Contract Specialist, 505-846-5103. The Near-Space Launch Systems Division (SMC/TEBB), Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM, is contemplating an award of a multiyear contract to provide high-altitude balloon and tethered aerostat support operations at the Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC) Operating Location-AC (SMC/OLAC) at Holloman AFB, NM or White Sands Missile Range (WSMR). The contractor will provide (as required) balloon payload integration including engineering, analysis, integration, design, development, fabrication and test of RDT&E payloads and related payload instrumentation systems, and subsequent launch, flight, and recovery operations, and post-flight support, including range scheduling and support requirements. Provide technical support for launch and flight activities of RDT&E balloon borne experiments and technology demonstrations, including the maintenance and operation of special launch equipment and vehicles. Maintain and operate Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) including telemetry and control facilities. Support the writing, testing and configuration of ground test and flight support hardware and software including test and evaluation, requirements for and selection of flight computer and software in support of flight operations. Establish, maintain, control, protect, and disposition balloon operations records to maintain efficient service and retrieval of information and data. Provide services and materials necessary for single engine aircraft for the purpose of supporting all aspects of high-altitude balloon recovery operations. Balloon launches will primarily be conducted at Holloman AFB or WSMR, however, launches from other world-wide remote sites may be required. The contract period of performance will be up to three years, and will require flexibility in responding to unique technical requirements and schedule changes. Each task will be performed in response to a delivery order issued by the Procuring Contracting Officer, which will further delineate the effort to be accomplished. Prior to each mission, the specific tasks will be provided as User requirements. The contractor will provide information on a technical strategy and effort required. The program objectives are to provide the launch systems and services required to conduct high-altitude balloon and tethered aerostat operations support in order to meet RDT&E project objectives. The RDT&E payload and/or experiments will be provided by an associate organization or contractor. The program shall provide the high-altitude balloon and tethered aerostat government furnished equipment (GFE) and facilities. Potential sources must submit a written statement of capabilities (SOC) to this office. The Statements of Capability shall contain pertinent and specific information addressing the following areas: (1) Experience: an outline of previous projects, specific work previously performed or being performed and any in-house, research and development effort, relevant to the specific task areas of this effort, (2) Personnel: name, professional qualifications and specific experience of scientific, engineering and program management personnel who might be assigned to work in areas of the subject effort. Any SOC not addressing all the above requirements will be rejected for the purposes of making a set aside determination. The SOC must be submitted within 30 calendar days of this publication, and is limited to 25 pages excluding resumes. Submit only unclassified information. All responses shall include company size status under the Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) code identified below. Submit all responses to this synopsis to SMC/TEKB, Attn: Maj George R. Clarke, 3550 Aberdeen Ave SE, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5776. If you are interested only in subcontracting possibilities, please indicate this clearly in your submission. Initial award of any resultant contract is anticipated by November 96. Firms responding should indicate if they are a small business, an 8 (a) firm, a historically black college, or university or a minority institution. The government reserves the right to set this acquisition, or portions thereof, aside for small businesses, 8 (a) firms, historically black colleges or universities, and minority institutions. For this proposed acquisition, the definitions in FAR 19.001 and small business size standard for SIC 3761, size standard 1000 employees apply. Foreign firms are advised that they will not be allowed to participate in this acquisition at the prime contractor level. The research and test data produced under a resultant contract may contain Militarily Critical Technology List (MCTL) information whose export is restricted by the Export Control Act (Title 22, U.S. Sec 2751, et seq.) or the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended (Title 50, U.S.C., App. 2401, et seq.). Only those companies who are on the Qualified Contractors Access List (QCAL) may receive such information. Request certification and registration from the Defense Logistics Service Center (DLSC), Federal Center, 74 North Washington, Battle Creek, MI 49016-3412 as soon as possible. This announcement is for information and planning purposes only. It does not constitute an RFP and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from offerors or potential offerors during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. The purpose of the Ombudsman is to receive and communicate serious concerns from potential offerors when an offeror prefers not to use established channels during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. Potential offerors should communicate first with the Contracting Officer to request information, pose questions, and voice concerns before contacting the Ombudsman. In those instances where offerors cannot obtain resolution from the Contracting Officer, they are invited to contact the Phillips Laboratory (PL) Ombudsman, Colonel James D. Ledbetter (PL/CV) at (505) 846-4964, or at 3550 Aberdeen Avenue SE, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5776. For contracting issues, please contact SMC/TEKB, Karen Ross, at (505) 846-5103 (telefax (505) 846-5152). (0211)

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