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

69 -- ALASKAN AIR COMBAT TRAINING SYSTEMS (ACTS) UPGRADE PROGRAM POC Roland Baez, 850-882-9391, Ext 5050; Bobby Tapley, 850-882-9391, Ext 5065 Sources Sought (SS). The Air Combat Training Systems (ACTS) Integrated Product Team (IPT), Aeronautical Systems Center (ASC), Eglin AFB, Florida, synopsized and published on 21 June 1996, a plan to contract for upgrades to existing P4B/BX Airborne Instrumentation Subsystem (AIS) pods and test sets, and the procurement of new pods to support the Alpena ACTS. In a subsequent synopsis published on 17 October 1996, ASC also indicated a separate plan to contract for the ground infrastructure at Alpena Michigan required to upgrade the Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) to support the Alpena ACTS. These efforts were replaced with two new solicitations: the P4B/BX AIS Upgrade Program (DRFP released 9 Jul 97) and the RACTTS program (RFP released 7 Nov 97). The P4B/BX Upgrade Program has now been restructured to focus on the upgrade requirements for the two ACMI ranges in Alaska and has been renamed the Alaskan ACTS Upgrade Program. The basic contractual effort of the Alaskan ACTS Upgrade Program will be toupgrade the existing inventory of P4B AIS pods at Eielson AFB with the Advanced Message Oriented Data Security Module (AMODSM) for encryption of transmitted data, a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, and the AMRAAM software downlink. Two AN/ASM-694 AIS test sets located at Eielson AFB will also be upgraded to a capability which permits the testing of the upgraded pods. Additionally, the YMDS ground system will be modified with a Ground Security Module (GSM) and necessary GPS upgrades. The contract will contain options to (a) relocate one YMDS Tracking Instrumentation Subsystem (TIS) tower to improve tracking area coverage of the range (b) Upgrade approximately 40 P4B AIS pods, two test sets at Elmendorf, and the Alaska ACMI (Stony MOA) system with the encryption and GPS capabilities. All of the P4B AIS pods upgraded with AMODSM and GPS under this effort will be designated as P4BE AIS pods. In light of the Acquisition Reform initiatives, the contractor will be given wide latitude in the writing of the Statement of Work, System Specifications, use of Government standards, etc. The model SOW placed in the technical library as part of the P4B/BX Upgrade Program DRFP will not be updated by the Government. However, offerors may use the existing document as necessary for format purposes in developing their proposal's SOW. The AMODSM is currently in development under a US Navy contract and is scheduled to enter full rate production in the fall of 1998. Preliminary units may be available prior to production for the contractor's initial efforts on this contract. All of the AMODSMs will be provided as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) on this contract. The anticipated contract type will be Firm Fixed Price (FFP) with FFP options. The Draft Request for Proposal (DRFP) documents released in July 1997 will be updated to reflect the requirements changes and re-released incrementally as they are completed, onto the Eglin PK homepage on the World Wide Web under Acquisition Programs at http://eglinpk.eglin.af.mil. Additional industry days or site surveys are not anticipated at this time, however, questions from potential offerors are encouraged and may be submitted using the "hot button" at the above web site. An RFP is anticipated to be released in mid to late January 1998 with Past Performance proposal information due 21 days after RFP release and technical/cost proposals due 30 days after RFP release. Contract award is anticipated in April/May 1998. Information associated with this program may be classified up to and including SECRET -- SPECIAL ACCESS REQUIRED (SAR). This solicitation is restricted to United States owned companies. The contractor's computer system must be accreditable in accordance with current USAF computer security policies. A technical library is available containing current technical orders, and other information relevant to this acquisition. A 24 hour limitation for loan of this documentation has been established. For obtaining assistance on information in the technical library call (850) 678-7887. 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/WMR prior to being granted access to the Air Force technical library. For obtaining information regarding Scientific and Technical Information (STINFO) certification and software release approval call (850) 678-7887. The Standard Industrial Classification Code for this acquisition is 3663 (750 personnel). Request interested firms submit a Statement of Capability (SOC) within fifteen (15) days of this announcement. Submit the SOC to Mr. Roland Baez, 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) the integration of Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) hardware for an AIS or specific similar application; (2) the installation, integration, and test of such COTS hardware; (3) the modification of Government Furnished Software (GFS)or development of software for an AIS or specific similar application; and (4) the ability to handle and store classified information at the SECRET/SAR level. Respondents to this notice will not be notified of the results of the evaluation of information submitted. After the SOC's 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 fulfill the Alaskan ACTS Upgrade Program requirements. Firms responding to this synopsis should state whether or not they are a small business concern or small disadvantaged business concern as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.219-1. 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 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. Direct all request for solicitations and routine communication concerning this acquisition to Mr. Roland Baez, Contracting Officer, (850) 882-8355 Ext. 5050, for contracting matters, and Mr. Bobby Tapley, Program Manager, (850) 882-8352, Ext. 5065 for technical matters. See Note 8. (0330)

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