U.S. Army Space and Strategic Defense Command, CSSD-CM-CN, PO Box 1500, Huntsville, AL 35807-3801/106 Wynn Drive, Huntsville, AL 35805-1990

A -- ATMOSPHERIC INTERCEPTOR TECHNOLOGY (AIT) TEST BED SOL DASG60-98-R-0006 DUE 040398 POC Debra Parker, Contract Specialist, SMDC-CM-CN, (205)955-1187/Linda N. Bentley, Contracting Officer The U. S. Space and Missile Defense Command (SMDC) is planning the acquisition of an interceptor test bed contractor for AIT. This effort is in support of the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization (BMDO) initiative that aligns AIT program requirements and technology efforts to meet future customer needs. Specifically, the AIT interceptor test bed contractor will develop and demonstrate component and subsystem endoatmospheric interceptor technologies through integrated ground and flight tests that support future capabilities and customer needs in current and future Major Defense Acquisition Programs (MDAPs) operating within the atmosphere. The AIT interceptor test bed development will be governed by a technical requirements document. The TRD will be provided with the solicitation. Throughout the development program, the contractor will demonstrate progressive performance capabilities leading components and subsystems for technology insertion into the supported MDAPs. The basic effort, with all options,will be to define, design, develop, fabricate, integrate, document, and test interceptor test bed components culminating in demonstrations of an integrated AIT interceptor test bed design that meets the requirements of the AIT interceptor test bed technical requirements document (TRD). As such, the contractor's development activities will be governed by a performance specification for the interceptor test bed, which will include interceptor test bed components, fully integrated interceptor test bed vehicle, interceptor test bed ground support equipment, and interfaces with a separate launch services contractor(s). As part of the basic contract, the contractor will establish an AIT interceptor test bed functional baseline by selecting critical components and defining a preliminary and final interceptor test bed design for the optional integrated ground tests and hit-to-kill flight tests. The basic contract is planned to begin in FY98, will have a Preliminary Design Review (PDR) within approximately 18 months,and will end with a Critical Design Review (CDR) by FY01. Two options are planned. Option 1 is for interceptor test bed ground test culminating in an integrated dynamics test. Each offeror shall propose a schedule for Option 1 which can begin near the CDR. Option 2 is for one control flight and three hit-to-kill (HTK) flights of an integrated interceptor test bed vehicle and is to be exercised not earlier than the exercise of Option 1. This option is not part of this acquisition. If implemented, it will be the subject of a new contract action. The RFP will be for full and open competition among all qualified sources. However, the AIT interceptor test bed contractor must have past performance in technical disciplines from previous efforts relating to design, fabrication, and test of integrated interceptors, as well as the capability to provide interceptor test bed components, subsystems, ground support equipment, and associated services relating to ground and flight test operations. As such, small business set-aside is not feasible or appropriate for this procurement. In accordance with FAR 19.702, an acceptable subcontracting plan will be required. In order to be considered for award, the offerors must possess a TOP SECRET facility clearance. No foreign participation is permitted at the prime contractor level. A pre-solicitation conference will be held on January 15, 1998 in the Army Aviation and Missile Command Sparkman Center Auditorium, Building 5304, Martin Road, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, 35985 beginning promptly at 9:00am. The conference provides an opportunity to discuss and clarify this requirement. However, nothing said or represented in the conference shall be deemed to modify RFP requirement unless followed by a written amendment. Offeror's participation is strongly encouraged. Attendees are limited as follows: potential prime contractors 6 attendees; potential major subcontractors 3 attendees; other subcontractors 2 attendees. Offeror's who plan to attend should submit visit requests via fax to Ms. Clara Moore at (205) 955-3641 or (205) 955-5959 or via mail to US Army Space and Missile Defense Command, P.O. Box 1500, SMDC-TC-WN, Huntsville, AL 35807-3801 not later than January 8, 1998. Receipt of visit requests can be confirmed by calling (205) 955-4768. Depending on the response the government reserves the right to further restrict attendance due to space limitations. CAUTION: The government anticipates an award in third quarter of Government fiscal year 1998. Therefore, offerors are cautioned to submit their best offer initially. Offerors are advised that the government reserves the right to select an offer for subsequent detailed negotiations or to make an award after evaluations without discussions. In keeping with acquisition streamlining initiatives, offerors are highly encouraged to implement the Integrated Product Team process with the DCMC early on during the proposal preparation phase of this solicitation in order to reduce/eliminate pricing issues that may necessitate negotiations and/or impact award schedule. Draft Request for Proposal (RFP) is expected to be issued January 15, 1998 and final RFP is expected to be released on/about February 24, 1998, with a 45-day response time. Interested firms should submit written requests for the this solicitation to SMDC-CM-CN, Debra Parker, or requests may be e-mailed to ParkerDe@smdc.army.mil. All requests should reference RFP DASG60-98-R-0006. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. Pursuant to Federal Acquisition Regulation 3.104, entitled "Procurement Integrity," all technical discussions and/or clarifications regarding this acquisition are required to be directed solely to the Contracting Officer (through the Contract Specialist). (0365)

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