DCE Modernization Kits RFI Announcement.docx

Data Communications Equipment (DCE) Modernization Kits Request for Information (RFI)

1. Background The purpose of the Airport Surveillance Radar – Model 9 (ASR-9) is to enhance the safety of air travel through timely detection and reporting of aircraft positions within 60 nautical miles of radars located near airports’ terminal approach and departure zones. Data from ASR-9 is provided to automation systems and used by air traffic controllers to provide positive indication of aircraft within terminal airspace (the airspace surrounding a major airport).

Each ASR-9 system has two distinct sites. The first, the local site, houses the radar equipment, including the antenna and transmitter. The second, the remote site, is located in the Terminal Radar Approach Control Facilities (TRACONs) and is used to distribute data to end users. The ASR-9 system uses Racal-Milgo modems and an ANS 185 Switch to send surveillance, weather, and system control and monitoring data between the local radar site and the remote site. Failure of more than one modem will reduce radar performance, which could cause a full outage of primary radar, beacon, and weather data.

The Racal-Milgo modems and ANS 185 Switch are obsolete and are anticipated to run out of stock within the next five years. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is seeking a contractor to provide key elements of a modernized ASR-9 communications subsystem to replace the legacy ASR-9 communications subsystem that contains the Racal-Milgo modem, ANS 185 Switch, and other ancillary parts. The scope of this DCE Modernization effort consists of acquiring, assembling, and packing parts into kits. A “kit” is defined as an assembly consisting of multiple parts that, when grouped together, meet specific physical, functional and performance parameters. Each kit constitutes a portion of the overall DCE modernization configuration that will be installed at each ASR-9 site. The DCE Modernization Kits consist of the following:

(a) Local Kit

(b) Remote Kit

(c) Subrack Kit

(d) Local Wiring Kit

(e) Remote Wiring Kit

2. Objectives The purpose of this RFI is to solicit statements of capability from qualified businesses that possess the necessary capabilities to fulfill this agency requirement. Additionally, this RFI releases a draft DCE Modernization Statement of Work (SOW) in addition to draft Sections D (Packaging, Packing and Marking), E (Inspection and Acceptance), F (Deliveries or Performance), and J (Attachments) as aids to industry to gain insight into this planned procurement. This is an effort to promote open communication with industry in order to improve the quality of the subsequent Screening Information Request/Request for Offer (SIR/RFO).

3. Nature of Competition In accordance with FAA Acquisition Management System (AMS) Section 3.2.2.3.1.2.1 Screening Information Request, the FAA is releasing this RFI to allow it to better determine acquisition strategy, which offeror(s) are most likely to receive the award, and ultimately which offeror(s) will provide the FAA with the best value.

In order to make this determination, the FAA is requiring interested prospective offerors to explain and describe their capabilities and recent past experience in performing specific tasks as described in the attached Statement of Work (SOW) and contract deliverables associated with the tasks.

Prospective offerors are hereby advised that:

(a) The FAA is not seeking or accepting unsolicited proposals;

(b) The FAA will not pay for any information received or costs incurred in preparing the response to the RFI; and

(c) Any costs associated with the RFI submittal is solely at the interested prospective offeror’s expense;

(d) Any proprietary information submitted in response to this RFI must be clearly identified and appropriately marked

(e) This RFI is only open to companies based and operating within the United States and its territories. Foreign Entities and Foreign Nationals, as defined in the AMS T3.6.4, are not eligible.

4. NAICS Code

The applicable NAICS code for this procurement is 334511 Air Traffic Control Radar Systems and Equipment Manufacturing. The size standard for this NAICS code is 1250 employees.

5. Export Control of For Official Use Only Information or Sensitive Security Information Primary radar technology and documentation, including specifications and drawings, are classified as For Official Use Only (FOUO) information or Sensitive Security Information (SSI) and are controlled by the Arms Export Control Act (Title 22, U.S.C., Section 2751, et seq.) or the Export Administration Act of 1979 (Title 50, U.S.C., App. 2401 et seq.), as amended.

These export control measures apply to all FOUO and SSI information contained within Attachment 5 (J-1 through J-9). Instructions to obtain these attachments can be found in Attachment 7. Attachment 5 will only be released to prospective offerors upon the Contracting Officer’s and Contract Specialists’ receipt and acceptance of prospective offeror’s completed and fully executed Attachments 7.1, 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4.

The request for documentation and completed Attachments 7.1 – 7.4 must be submitted to the Contract Specialist, Krystalyn Wacyra at Krystalyn.Wacyra@faa.gov and the Contracting Officer, Linda Applewhite at Linda.Applewhite@faa.gov prior to the date specified in Section 6.

6. Submittal Instructions

Interested parties are hereby requested to submit the following documentation in response to this RFI:

(a) Capability Statement – Submit a brief summary on your firm’s capability in meeting the FAA’s requirements as described in the draft SOW (Attachment 1). Capability Statements should not exceed 10 pages in length. Both PDF and Microsoft Word formats are acceptable. Please include the following:

i. Company Name, business size, address, URL of company website (if applicable) and Point of Contact with telephone number;

ii. Relevant experience with this type of work;

iii. Number of years in business; and

iv. Ability to perform wholly within the United States

(b) Questions/Comments - Industry is encouraged to use the enclosed Attachment 6 DCE Modernization Kits Question/Comment Matrix to submit feedback on the SIR Sections as referenced in Section 2. A page limit does not apply to the Question/Comment Matrix.

Interested parties are requested to submit their Capability Statement in addition to questions and comments, no later than March 16, 2020 by 2:00 PM EST to the Contract Specialist, Krystalyn Wacyra at Krystalyn.Wacyra@faa.gov and the Contracting Officer, Linda Applewhite at Linda.Applewhite@faa.gov by the date indicated in the RFI.

Responses to this RFI will be used for informational purposes only. All responses must be submitted in writing and in the English language. Oral responses to this RFI are not allowable. The acquisition strategy for this procurement has not been determined at this time; however, if the FAA makes the determination to proceed with an acquisition, either a set-aside, unrestricted competition, or single source strategy may be chosen. More information will be furnished as part of the planned SIR release.

7. List of Attachments Attachment 1: DCE Modernization Kits Statement of Work (SOW) Attachment 2: Section D (Packaging and Marking) Attachment 3: Section E (Inspection and Acceptance) Attachment 4: Section F (Deliveries or Performance) Attachment 5: Section J (Attachments - For Official Use Only or Sensitive Security Information)

5.1 J-1 - DCE Hardware Parts - GFM

5.2 J-2 - DCE Hardware Parts - Local Parts

5.3 J-3 - DCE Hardware Parts - Remote Parts

5.4 J-4 - DCE Hardware Parts - Subrack

5.5 J-5 - DCE Hardware Parts - Depot Spares Bulk Kit

5.6 J-6 - Custom Parts Documentation (zip file)

5.7 J-7 - Subrack Assembly Instructions

5.8 J-8 - Wiring Kit Manufacturing Specification

5.9 J-9 - Contract Data Requirements List

Attachment 6: DCE Modernization Kits RFI Question-Comment Matrix Attachment 7: Instructions to Obtain Export Controlled Information

7.1 – Document Security Notice (DSN)

7.2 – Non-Disclosure Agreement and Non-Use Agreement

7.3 – Consolidated Employee Screening List

7.4 – Business Declaration Form image1.png