Transportable Remote Tracking Station Block Change Core Electronics Configured Item (CI) Van aka RBC TSTR Van
Added: Jul 07, 2009 5:28 pm The Space and Missile Center intends to solicit and negotiate with the incumbent contractor, Honeywell Technology Solutions, Inc. (HTSI), under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source, for the purchase of one Transportable Remote Tracking Station Block Change (TRBC) Core Electronics Configured Item (CI) van otherwise known as the RBC TSTR. HTSI is currently on contract to develop and deliver the TRBC. The RBC TSTR will be an exact duplicate of the TRBC Core CI van which is one of tee vans that make up the TRBC. Delivery is estimated at 20 months after contract award.The RBC TSTR consists of telemetry, tracking, and commanding (TT&C) core electronics hardware and software/firmware subsystems that represent the functionality of an RBC and is integrated into a single van for land, air, and sea shipment.The AFSCN is the DoD's primary network for launch and early orbit operations. The AFSCN provides telemetry, tracking, and commanding capability, mission data dissemination and processing, and is the world's only high-powered network for emergency recovery of DoD space vehicles. The RBC TSTR is a key component that will be used to test satellite compatibility with the Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN) RBC system either in the factory (Factory Compatibility Test) or at the launch site (Launch-Based Compatibility Test).Currently the AFSCN consists of legacy Automated Remote Tracking Stations (ARTS) and is modernizing to state-of-the-art tracking stations tough the Remote Tracking Station (RTS) Block Change (RBC) projects. The RBC TSTR will become the only dedicated hi-fidelity compatibility test resource.The purpose of the RBC TSTR is to verify compatibility between satellites and the AFSCN's RBC architecture prior to launch. The RBC TSTR must be an exact replica of the RBC architecture as manufactured by HTSI. If the RBC TSTR system performance differs slightly from the RBC system, it may result in either a "false negative" or a "false positive" response. A "false negative" response could result in the satellite's program office expending valuable resources (time, money and personnel) to fix a satellite that is operating correctly. A "false positive" response may not be discovered until the satellite is at the launch site and could lead to expensive, time consuming launch slips. Additionally, a "false positive" response may not be detected until after the launch and result in extensive on-orbit anomaly resolution procedures.One of the key test principles espoused in AFI 99-103 CAPABILITIES-BASED TEST AND EVALUATION is to test in an operationally-representative environment using operationally-representative equipment. The Space Vehicles Test and Evaluation Handbook TOR-2006 (8546)-4591, written by Aerospace Corporation funded by SMC and NRO, states the need for using high-fidelity test assets that are as close to the operational system possible as the program matures. This includes having the same configuration as the operational system (Chapter 27 Inter-Segment Testing). Having a RBC TSTR core electronics suite that is the exact same as the RBC core electronics suite would allow RBC TSTR's tests to be qualified as high-fidelity. A RBC TSTR developed by any company other than HTSI could only be considered capable of providing a low-fidelity test; therefore, defeating the purpose of trying to test in an operationally-representative environment.The above information is the Government's rationale for intending to negotiate with only one source, HTSI. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement within 15 days of issuance of this synopsis. The capability statement must include a discussion on how the results of any other system than the HTSI developed RBC TSTR could be considered high fidelity in an operationally-representative environment. All capability statements should be submitted to the contracting office address.This notice is not a Request for Proposal. Any information submitted by respondents to this synopsis is strictly voluntary. The Government will not pay for any information that is submitted by respondents to this notice. NAICS is 541712 - Small Business Size Standard is 1,000 employees. RBC_TSTR Department of the Air Force Space Command Space and Missile Systems Center
7/7/09, 5:28 PM