Data Link Simulator RFI.pdf

Request for Information (RFI) for a Data Link Simulator

1. THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. This is a Request for Information (RFI) being issued for information, planning, and market research purposes only. The Government is seeking information on candidate systems for a Data Link Simulator (DLS) for the purpose of multilink training and simulation. The intent is to connect via a RF link to assist in training datalink operators working an airborne communications system. The Government is interested in systems that provide host and terminal emulation and can function as host computer for a MIDS JTRS terminal and enable the simulator operator to run a scenario or dynamically input track and network data to simulate a complete datalink network for a weapons system training. It is envisioned to create an immersive and realistic datalink network environment through simulation to aide in training. The system must comply with MIL-STD-6016F, and MIL-STD-3011C. The primary focus of this RFI is to obtain information on the capabilities of existing systems with emphasis on fidelity of modeling of the network and simulated link entities, ease of use and adaptability to run stored scenarios.

2. BACKGROUND: Air Combat Command (ACC) is establishing a Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) training environment at Robins Air Force Base (AFB), Georgia. This proposed effort is to find a DLS that will meet the needs of the training system at Robins AFB.

3. DATA SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: The Government requests that interested vendors provide the following documentation in a vendor selected format Not Later Than (NLT) 06 January 2025 at 4:00PM EST via e-mail to the Contracting Officer, Marty Bamberg, martin.bamberg@us.af.mil and Contract Specialist, Rhett Reed, rhett.reed@us.af.mil.. The Government, to the extent it determines practicable, will respond to questions from vendors. Any question submitted to the Government will be posted along with the Government’s response and available for review by all potential vendors.

(1) A Statement of Interest (SOI) in the subject effort along with a system concept describing the envisioned technical solution and strategies to support the DLS capability sought

(2) The Government requests interested and qualified vendors to respond to the following.

Performance Questions:

Does the system provide comprehensive message scripting and generation, network simulation, network terminal emulation in real-time from a single integrated console?

Does the system include controls to start a scenario immediately or at an operator-specified future time and pause, restart, and stop the scenario at any point during its execution?

Does the system simulate multiple TDL-enabled platforms and the TDL-related activities that the platform can be expected to encounter during its operational missions?

Does the system accurately follow the message format and business rules for the applicable MILSTDs?

Does the system provide a mission playback capability to replay the mission events and graphical display exactly as they occurred in real time?

Does the system have a customizable Tactical Display System (TDS) including maps, tracks, and waypoints?

Does the display enable importation or display of map overlays, graphical location of entity(s) position using standard symbology.

mailto:rhett.reed@us.af.mil

Interface Support Questions:

Does the system support the following interfaces:

- Link 11

- Link 16

- Link 22

- Variable Message Format (VMF)

- Situational Awareness DataLink (SADL)

- Joint Range Extension Applications Protocol (JREAP)-A

- JREAP-C

- Socket J

- Serial J

- Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B)

- Automated Identification System (AIS)

- Standard Interface for Multiple Platform Link Evaluation (SIMPLE)

- Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) What other interfaces are supported?

What type of interaction with other simulations is supported?

Verification, Validation and Accreditation (VV&A) questions:

What is your Verification and Validation (V&V) process for the system?

Is your system accredited by an independent government agency (Department of the Navy, Department of the Army or other?)

What security classification levels are your system authorized to process?

Cybersecurity Questions:

Is your system currently Risk Management Framework (RMF) accredited? When does it expire?

Do you provide IA patching outside of regular software updates? How often?

Cost, Maintenance and Support questions:

What operator training is offered?

What are the installation requirements?

What are the costs for software updates?

What costs are associated with software, equipment, maintenance?

Do you offer phone support and on-site assistance?

Do you offer maintenance support?

Are there separate fees associated with this support and what is the cost?

How often are software updates made available?

If the system is comprised of hardware and software: Is there a hardware refresh cycle? Is this included in a maintenance support or as a separate cost?

How are bugs reported back to the vendor?

Is there a way for users to request additional features?

(3) Identify the names of company contracting personnel (including phone number and e-mail address) who may participate in discussions with the Government

(4) Physical Address and Performance Address

(5) Web Page URL

(6) CAGE Code

(7) DUNS Number

(8) DSS Authority Office (if known)

(9) Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code

541512 Computer Systems Design Services (small business standard is less than $34M)

(10) Small Business Classification (if any)

(11) Identify any Indefinite Delivery / Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract vehicles or Blanket

Purchase Agreements (BPA) the company is on.

4. The Government is not obligated to and will not pay for any information received from potential sources responding to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. This notice does not constitute a solicitation for bids and proposals and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. Although “proposal” and “offeror” are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. The information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a contract. No solicitation regarding this announcement is available. Please be aware that all unclassified information submitted in response to this request, whether written, oral, electronic, graphic, or any other medium, may be subject to disclosure upon receipt of a proper Freedom of Information Act request from any person. The Government will not pay for any material provided in response to this RFI and submittals will not be returned to the sender. A response to this RFI constitutes an acknowledgement that you are interested and possibly submit a proposal against any prospective solicitation.

Primary Points of Contact:

Martin P. Bamberg, DAF Contracting Officer

AFMC AFLCMC/HNAK

Phone: 781-225-1139 E-mail: martin.bamberg@us.af.mil

Or

Rhett Reed, Civ, DAF Contract Specialist

AFMC AFLCMC/HNAK

E-mail: rhett.reed@us.af.mil

Contracting Office Address:

5 Eglin Street, Building 1624 Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts 01731