Aeronautical Systems Center, ASC/WMRK, 102 West D Avenue, Suite 300, Eglin AFB, FL 32542-6808

69 -- RANGELESS AIR COMBAT TRAINING SYSTEM (RACTS) PROGRAM SOL F08626-97-R-0116 POC Jaciel Robbins, 904-882-9391 EXT 5059, CPT Mark Kassan, 904-882-9391 EXT 5081 17. The Air Combat Training Systems (ACTS) Integrated Product Team (IPT), Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC), Eglin AFB, Florida, plans to contract for the ACTS ranges that are planned for the Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) located in Alpena Michigan and for the Utah Test and Training Range (UTTR) located near Ogden Utah. The total ACTS program (known as the Rangeless Air Combat Training System (RACTS)) is envisioned to include building a complete ACTS at both the Alpena CRTC and the UTTR to permit the users to conduct air-to-air and air-to-ground training exercises with live monitoring, and post-mission debriefings of aircrew/aircraft/simulated weapon performance, and procure a new baseline of at least 36 total ACTS pods (designated as P4C). Due to limited research and development funds, the Government requires that certain capabilities have been proven and can be further modified to incorporate high accuracy time and space positioning information, pod-to-pod communication, on-board data recording, on-board air-to-air and air-to-ground weapon simulations, real-time kill notification, and no-drop weapon scoring. The ground systems will consist of: (1) modifying Government-provided Computation and Control Subsystem (CCS) software; (2) interfacing with the Government-provided Advanced Display and Debriefing Subsystem (ADDS) software; (3) hosting the ADDS software and the modified CCS software on compatible open-architecture computer hardware platforms while not degrading functionality or performance on existing hardware platforms; (4) providing and integrating a capability to merge and record down-linked data and/or on-board recorded pod data; (5) integrating a ground encryption module based upon Government-provided Advanced Message Oriented Data Security Module (AMODSM) units and associated design data; (6) providing and installing all hardware for the Ground Instrumentation and Communication Subsystem (GICS) using existing towers where available; (7) managing/supervising range integration of all system assets; (8) planning and conducting a test program including, but not limited to, developmental, EMC/EMI, environment, Seek Eagle, and system testing, demonstrating total system capabilities that includes range coverage, tracking accuracy, 36-aircraft tethered and untethered operations, threat simulator control, and low-activity aircraft tracking; (9) and providing system operator training at each location. The Alpena ACTS and the UTTR ACTS shall incorporate the Nellis ACTS (NACTS) and Tyndall Range Expansion (TRE) 36 high activity aircraft encrypted Global Positioning System (GPS) data link (including the AMRAAM simulation). To reduce risk, the P4C design should make maximum use of existing ACTS Airborne Instrumentation Subsystem (AIS) designs while incorporating commercial off-the-shelf and/or non-developmental items. Both tethered (Radio Frequency connection between the airborne pod and the ground system) and rangeless (no connection between the airborne pod and the ground system) capabilities with on-board data recording is needed for RACTS. This rangeless capability can lead to an additional capability for future USAF locations. These locations would consist of remote debriefing systems. These remote debriefing systems will consist of: (1) interfacing with existing ADDS and Personal Computer Debriefing Systems (PCDS) for post-mission display and debriefing; (2) providing and installing a capability that allows pre-mission setup and planning for each pod; (3) and providing and installing a capability that merges and records, on-board recorded pod data from 36 aircraft. The program will also include: (1) an upgrade to the AIS field and depot pod test sets to accommodate the upgraded capabilities of the P4C; (2) and a technical data package of sufficient detail to competitively reprocure any or all major system components. The contractor will be asked to propose a sustainability and affordability strategy for the life of RACTS that includes defining, planning, and developing an integrated logistics support(ILS) and logistics support analysis (LSA) program that ensures full system and associated equipment sustainment. Options will be included for: (1) additional towers at both locations; (2) interim contractor support; (3) contractor logistics support; (4) up to 10 additional remote debriefing systems; (5) up to 100 additional pods; (6) analysis of the potential for modifying the RACTS or its airborne and/or ground components to facilitate integration with other airborne test and training instrumentation systems; (7) analysis of the potential for modifying the RACTS or its airborne and/or ground components to support Computer Generated Threat Stimulations. The Government is considering conducting a capability demonstration to assess bidders' potential to meet the airborne pod requirements. This would require bidders at their own expense and risk to come to a specified location with working equipment to demonstrate their ability and/or potential ability to meet this program's airborne requirements. An "as yet to be determined" airborne platform and a "truth source" system will be used by the Government to aid in the assessment. In light of the Acquisition Reform initiatives, the contractor will be given wide latitude in the writing of the statement of work, system specification, use of Government standards, etc. The Government will manage the acquisition of all entities necessary for RACTS operation through Government-provided Interface Control Documents (ICDs) and the contractor will be responsible for timely notification to the Government of difficulties, or enhancements, that could be made, in these ICDs. A technical library including governing ICDs, a draft RACTS system specification, CCS related and ADDS software code (and documentation thereof) and other relevant technical information is available. Eligibility to receive solicitations and access to the technical library is restricted to qualified U.S. contractors who have registered with, and are certified access to DOD Scientific and Technical Information (STINFO) and export controlled information by the United States/Canada Joint Certification Office, Defense Logistics Service Center, Battle Creek, MI 49016-3412, 1-800-352-3572. Certification is accomplished using DD Form 2345, Military Critical Technical Data Agreement. A Statement of Terms and Conditions for Release of Air Force Owned or Developed Computer Software Packages must be completed by each offeror and returned to ASC/WMRK prior to being granted access to the Air Force technical library. A 24 hour limitation for loan of any software or documentation for potential use in preparing for this acquisition have been established. You may contact Mr. Paul Carmean, SEMCOR, Inc., 368 Adams Avenue, Valparaiso FL 32580, (904) 678-7887, for information concerning the technical library or regarding STINFO certification and software release approval. The anticipated contract types are Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF), Fixed Price Incentive Firm (FPIF), and Firm Fixed Price (FFP). Information associated with this program may be classified up to, and including, SECRET, NOFORN. The contractor's software capability and computer hardware system must be accreditable in accordance with current USAF computer security policies. The Standard Industrial Classification Code for this acquisition is 3663 (750 personnel). Interested firms must submit a Statement of Capability (SOC) within 15 days of this announcement. Submit the SOC to Ms. Jaciel Robbins, ASC/WMRK, 102 West D Avenue, Suite 300, Eglin AFB FL 32542-6808. The SOC must include, but is not limited to, successful experience or capability as a prime contractor in: (1) modification of Government-provided software for application in an ACTS, or similar type application, (2) the integration of commercial-off-the-shelf hardware and contractor modified software for a CCS and ADDS, or similar application, (3) the integration of commercial-off-the-shelf hardware for an AIS, or specific similar application, (4) the provision of GICS hardware, or similar type application, (5) the management and testing of an entire ACTS or similar type system, (6) the facilities and personnel to handle and store classified information at the SECRET, NOFORN level. Also include in the SOC, information pertaining to your current AIS hardware capabilities for performing the requirements addressed in this synopsis. Respondents to this notice will not be notified of the results of the evaluation of information submitted. After the SOCs have been screened, any draft or final solicitations will be issued to those prospective sources who, in the sole judgment of the purchasing activity, have the capability to successfully fill the RACTS program requirements. Firms responding to this synopsis should state whether or not they are small business concern or small disadvantage business concern as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.219-1 and FAR 52.219-2. An ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from offerors or potential offerors during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. The purposeof the Ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the Program Manager or Contracting Officer, but to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate Government personnel. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the source selection process. Interested parties are invited to call Col Timothy R. Kinney, at (904) 882-9051. The Ombudsman should only be contacted with issues or problems that have been previously brought to the attention of the Contracting Officer and could not be satisfactorily resolved at that level. A draft Request for Proposal (RFP) will be provided through our designated website in incremental releases as requirements are defined, and updated as refinement occurs. The Government is considering a paperless draft RFP with the anticipation that a draft RFP will be completed on the web by late Apr 1997. One-on-ones with prospective contractors and/or an industry day will follow the release of the draft RFP. An RFP is anticipated for release in Jul 1997 with proposals due 45 days after RFP release. All information concerning the acquisition, one-on-ones, industry days dates will be posted on Eglin PK homepage under Acquisition Programs at http://eglinpk.eglin.af.mil, under the program name of Rangeless Air Combat Training System (RACTS). Contract award is planned for no later than Jan 1998. Routine communication concerning this acquisition should be directed to Ms. Jaciel Robbins, Contracting Officer, (904) 882-9391, Ext. 5059 or Ms. Bridget Tuominen, (904) 882-9391, Ext 5058, for contracting matters, and Capt Mark Kassan, Program Manager, (904) 882-8601, Ext. 5081, for technical matter. (0066)

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