JOINT SERVICE AIRCREW MASK (JSAM) NOTICE TO RELEASE FINAL REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL NOTICE TO RELEASE FINAL REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL ON 13 MAR 00. The objective of the Joint Service Aircrew Mask (JSAM) program is to develop, manufacture, field and sustain a mask system that, in conjunction with a below-the-neck (BTN) clothing ensemble, will allow for a new combined operational capability for all aircrew to fly throughout their full operating envelope in an actual or perceived CB warfare environment. JSAM is an Acquisition Category (ACAT) III, Joint Service (Air Force, Army, Navy, and Marine Corps) program. When combined with other CB equipment, JSAM will provide an integrated CB protection system. For high performance aircraft, it will provide an integrated CB and anti-G protective system. Aircrews will wear the JSAM based on the threat and operational requirements. Aircrews will perform extended ground duties such as preflight, postflight, rearming, and refueling of aircraft while wearing the JSAM when required by the threat. JSAM will provide CB protection during ground escape and evasion operations. Joint Service Aircrew Mask (JSAM) will provide all aircrews of all services with individual head-eye-respiratory protection against chemical/biological (CB) warfare agents and radiological particles and, for high performance aircraft, will provide aircrew protection from the effects of high rates of acceleration and possible GLOC. The unit must be compatible with current and planned CB ensembles, provide flame and thermal protection, reduce heat stress imposed by existing CB protective masks and will be capable (CB protective portion) of being donned/doffed in flight. JSAM must also be compatible with aircrew life support equipment. Program Definition and Risk Reduction (PDRR) phase includes contract award(s) for initial system design to include demonstration of critical processes and/or technologies (early prototypes). Activities include: System Requirement Review, Preliminary Design Review, identification of tradeoff opportunities, refinement of initial test and evaluation strategy; identification of Life Cycle Cost (LCC) drivers and development of a supportability plan. All these activities are in preparation for entering EMD. The contractor(s) will provide functional prototypes at the end of the PDRR phase. A technical evaluation (early operational assessment) of these prototypes will be conducted; results will be a major component of the down-select criteria for EMD/PROD. During Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD), the successful JSAM contractor will translate their design approach into a stable, interoperable, producible, supportable, and cost-effective design; validate the affordability and producibility of the system, proof the production processes; and demonstrate system performance to specification through testing. During this phase the following activities will occur: Developmental Test &Evaluation (DT&E), man-rating, safe-to-fly certification, Operational Testing &Evaluation (OT&E), technical data development, provisioning of spare parts, determination of item management responsibility, Functional Configuration Audit (FCA), Physical Configuration Audit (FCA) and Production Readiness Review. The Government will base its decision to enter production on the results of DT&E, IOT&E, production readiness, and system affordability. The JSAM acquisition strategy award two contracts for the PDRR phase and down-select FOR the EMD/Production effort. Production would be an option on the EMD contract. It is anticipated that the competition will reduce total program cost and increase the probability of program success. Affordability is a key issue for this program. An estimated average unit price for production/fielding will be provided to the offerors in Section L of the PDRR solicitation. This will be used as a baseline in determining life cycle cost affordability for the system. Cost As an Independent Variable (CAIV) principles will be used to meet technical requirements at a price the user is willing to pay. As part of the down select criteria for award of the EMD/Production contract, a Life Cycle Cost estimate will be required. A small business set-aside is not considered appropriate for this program effort. Although small businesses were identified during market research efforts, none have indicated capabilities of performing the magnitude of the work. However, many small businesses have expressed an interest in subcontracting opportunities or teaming with large businesses. Teaming or partnering within industry allows for the most promising technical design and expertise. The decision to pursue a full and open competition is supported by 311 HSW/BC. The full and open source selection will be for the PDRR effort and will be conducted IAW FAR 15 (as supplemented). The award will be made to the offeror(s) whose proposal(s), as based on the established evaluation criteria as written in Section M of the solicitation, provide(s) the best value to the Government. To accommodate the acquisition strategy a special contract clause is incorporated into the Section H of the solicitation allowing for the down selection of a single contractor for the EMD/Production effort. A request for proposal will be issued prior to the end of the PDRR effort. The approach of awarding two contracts for PDRR with a down to one for EMD, with Production Options, ensures competition throughout the program. The PDRR contract(s) will feature cost-reimbursement contract type with a cost-plus fixed fee (CPFF) pricing arrangement. The EMD contract will feature cost-reimbursement contract type with a cost-plus award fee (CPAF) pricing arrangement. Production is anticipated to be Firm Fixed Price options. After the PDRR phase it is anticipated that the contractor(s) will have sufficient understanding of the JSAM system to accurately price out the units for production. The contract value for the PDRR contracts is estimated at $11.1M ($5.75 per contract), EMD contract value is estimated at $21.3M and the Production contract value is estimated at $227M. Production quantities are estimated at 77,812. The solicitation for the PDRR effort will be released in its entirety via the Internet. No hard copies will be provided. Additional information regarding this procurement may be found at the San Antonio Require For Proposal and Acquisition Highway (SARAH) website which resides at http://sarah.brooks.af.mil/sarah/ViewSolicitation.asp?ID=jsam Each contractor is encouraged to register through the website. This will provide you with email notification of updates and additions to the webpage. If you have previously registered you DO NOT need to register again. All further communication regarding this acquisition will be conducted at the website, including modification to this synopsis. Tentative date for the receipt of proposal is 14 Apr 00. The primary point of contact for this procurement is the Contracting Officer, Ms. Sharon Bickford. You may reach her at (210) 536-4571 or sharon.bickford@brooks.af.mil via email. An Ombudsman has been appointed to address concerns from offerors or potential offerors during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. The Ombudsman does not diminish the authority of the program director or the contracting officer, but communicates contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate government personnel. When requested the Ombudsman shall 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 contact Mr. Stephen Plaisted, ASC/SY, (937) 255-9005. See Note 26. WEB: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A COPY OF THE RFP, http://sarah.brooks.af.mil/sarah/ViewSolicitation.asp?ID=jsam. E-MAIL: SHARON BICKFORD -- CONTRACTING OFFICER -- CLICK HERE, sharon.bickford@brooks.af.mil. Posted 02/29/00 (W-SN429419).

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