Department of Transportation, United States Coast Guard (USCG), Contracting Office (fp), c/o USCG Research and Development Center, 1082 Shennecossett Rd, Groton, CT, 06340-6096

A -- ENGINEERING AND TECHNICAL SERVICES SUPPPORT SOL Reference-Number-DTCG39-99-R-SOURCE DUE 090299 POC Gomes David, Contracting Officer, Phone 860-441-2875, Fax 860-441-2888, Email dgomes@rdc.uscg.mil -- Dinah Mulligan, Contracting Officer, Phone 860-441-2885, Fax 860-441-2888, Email dmulligan@rdc.uscg.mil WEB: Visit this URL for the latest information about this, http://www.eps.gov/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS?ACode=R&;ProjID=Reference-Num ber-DTCG39-99-R-SOURCE&LocID=101. E-MAIL: Gomes David, dgomes@rdc.uscg.mil. THIS IS NOT A SYNOPSIS TO ADVERTISE A SOLICITATION THAT IS READY FOR RELEASE, rather the purposes are (a) to determine whether there are a sufficient number of responsible sources (SMALL BUSINESSES) who can meet a forthcoming competitive requirement in the areas of: 1) DECISION SUPPORT/MODELING/SIMULATION SYSTEMS, 2) TRAINING SYSTEMS, 3) AUDIO/VISUAL PRODUCTS AND 4) BUSINESS PLANNING and (b) to conduct market research. It is anticipated that a large CPFF, IDIQ contract will be awarded in January 2001 with a five-year period of performance. For the small business portion of the contract we expect task orders will be awarded on a Firm Fixed Price basis. Portions of that contract will be set-aside for small business in the above four areas, if there are sufficient responsible sources who can perform the required work. 1) The DECISION SUPPORT/MODELING/SIMULATION SYSTEMS will include development of mathematical models, simulations, and other decision support tools across all Coast Guard mission areas. Typesof application may include mission analysis support, business process re-engineering, system performance assessment, analysis of tactics and doctrine and acquisition. This requirement may generate $400,000/year in task orders. 2) TRAINING SYSTEMS R&D objectives are to enhance the effectiveness of training and the resulting efficiency and safety of workforce performance. Training System R&D will provide: a technical basis for training and assessment-related regulatory decisions, analyses and guidance to support planning to meet the increased skill requirements for more sophisticated Coast Guard platforms, and assistance in exploiting new training technologies and alternative delivery systems. The scope of the work covers Training Systems research, development, test, evaluation and analysis for use in all Coast Guard mission areas. This requirement may generate $200,000/year in task orders. 3) AUDIO/VISUAL PRODUCTS (Marketing, Visions, Animations, etc.) The R&DC is in a continuous need of Audio/Visual products to support its work. Marketing support relating to project and product presentation, including but not limited to creation of presentations, videos, and posters. General work includes audio/video taping of meetings and presentations, creation of posters, fine tuning existing Power Point and other presentations for maximum visual and informational impact. This requirement may generate $100,000/year in task orders. 4) BUSINESS PLANNING. The R&DC conducts its research and development projects using a stage-gate process, which is a systematic process for conducting a project from an idea to final operational implementation. R.G. Cooper describes this process in the book Winning at New Products (Addison-Wesley). Business planning plays an important part in the initial phases of project selection and planning which supports the stage-gate process by providing information for key decisions by conducting market assessments, technical assessments, financial and cost analysis, and final development of a business case. Preliminary Investigation (Stage 1) is where the contractor would conduct preliminary market assessment of the attractiveness and customer acceptance for the proposed concept or idea, interview the customer, and research Coast Guard operations to determine user needs and wants; conduct preliminary technical assessment of the feasibility of the concept and probable technical solution; assess implications in implementation, and identify technical risks, issues and costs; conduct preliminary financial analysis by determining the expected cost consequences and risks of the project, and develop budget planning; and develop a go/kill recommendation and plan of action for Stage 2. Under Detailed Investigation (Stage 2), the contractor wouldconduct a user needs-and-wants study by detailed marketing research techniques, such as face-to-face interviews to determine values and benefits; define a concept of the project deliverable from customer_s perspective; probe customer_s needs, wants, preferences, and choice criteria; conduct market analysis from previous studies; develop detailed financial analysis to justify the project and deliverable, including multi-year budget, net present value, and cost sensitivity; develop the business case by integrating the results of the marketing, technical and financial analysis into a project definition and justification, and develop a project plan; test the conceptual business plan with the customer using market research involving face-to-face interviews; determine interest, preferences, and intent for operational implementation; determine cost sensitivities; and develop recommendation for project (Go/Kill) and detailed plan of action for Stage 3. This requirement may generate $400,000 per year in task orders. POTENTIAL OFFERORS SHALL PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING: 1. Company history (limit 3 pages) 2. List/Write current work and past work (last three years) performed by your firm that is relevant to the functional areas you address. Include how your past and current efforts relate to the functional area. Also include a point of contact, phone number and dollar value for each relevant contract (limit of two pages per work effort not to exceed five work efforts) 3. Show who and how you would staff the functional areas. How does this relate to the functional area? What is the team/staff structure you would use to accomplish the work relating to the functional area? (limit 5 pages). If submitting for more that one functional area, please address each separately. Due to possible Conflict of Interest concerns, it is anticipated that the functional area for Business Planning will be a stand-alone portion of the contract, in that it cannot be combined with any other functional area. The Standard Industrial Code for this procurement is 8711. All responses are required by 2 SEP 99. Responses must be in writing. Please identify whether you are a large or small business in your response. NOTE: Actual proposals are not being solicited at this time for the above requirements, and no contract will be awarded in response to this "Sources Sought" and "Market Research Synopsis". Posted 08/11/99 (D-SN366241). (0223)

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