GRDCS_Sources_Sought_Notice-_22_Oct_2016.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

Gulf Range Drone Control System (GRDCS)

22 OCT 2015

THIS IS MARKET RESEARCH ONLY AND NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. THIS SOURCES SOUGHT

SYNOPSIS/RFI IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE AIR FORCE TO ISSUE A

SOLICITATION OR ULTIMATELY AWARD A CONTRACT. NEITHER UNSOLICITED PROPOSAL NOR ANY OTHER KINDS OF OFFERS WILL BE CONSIDERED IN RESPONSE TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT/RFI. NO CONTRACT WILL BE AWARDED PURSUANT TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. All information contained in the Sources Sought Synopsis/RFI is preliminary as well as subject to modification and is no way binding on the Government. The Government will not pay for any information submitted in response to this request. The information requested will be used solely within the Air Force to facilitate decision making and will not be disclosed outside the agency. The determination of a procurement strategy, based upon the comments submitted in response by interested parties to this Sources Sought/RFI, is solely within the discretion of the Government.

Responders to this Sources Sought/RFI are asked to provide their technical capability information (aka Statement of Capabilities) based on systems and software engineering key competency requirements provided below. Statements should address the specific requirements of this notice and identify the vendors’ specific capability to complete these requirements, including, but not limited to a description of corporate experience with similar projects and information on applicable industry certifications at the individual and organizational level as well as describing investments in quality/process improvement activities. Statements should also include any comments regarding the contemplated NAICS code. The NAICS code provided is anticipated at the time of release of this notice. It is not to be considered final.

The Department of the Air Force, Air Force Material Command, Air Force Flight Test Center (AFTC) is conducting market research to solicit feedback from Industry for providing systems and software engineering development and testing of custom software for the automated control of full-scale and sub-scale aerial targets as part of the Gulf Range Drone Control System (GRDCS). This effort provides systems and software engineering development and support of custom software for the automated tracking and control of full-scale and sub-scale aerial targets as part of the Gulf Range Drone Control System (GRDCS). The Armament Directorate at Eglin AFB develops, acquires, tests, deploys, and sustains air-delivered munitions.

Sources are sought for software and systems engineers to develop algorithms for drone navigation and control, perform aerial target integration test planning and execution, and provide high fidelity, real-time simulation software. Current and future generations of aerial targets will need to be supported.

This work is primarily located at Eglin AFB, FL. These aerial target systems support test and weapon system evaluation activities at Eglin AFB, Tyndall AFB, White Sands Missile Range, Utah Test & Training Range, and at various other ranges via a mobile system capability.

Responders should identify and describe specific software engineering and/or systems engineering experience, knowledge, understanding, and expertise under NAICS code 541330 Engineering Services, Exception A, Military and Aerospace Equipment and Military Weapons. The Government is seeking the following key capabilities:

• Ability to design, implement, review, test, and field Command and Control software for full-scale and sub-scale aerial targets into a ground-based target control system

• Ability to integrate high fidelity aircraft models and autopilot software into a simulation environment for test and evaluation

• Proficiency with high-level programming languages, including FORTRAN, C, and C++

• Ability to design, assemble, field, and maintain the computational hardware and network required for a ground-based Command and Control target control system including user input devices (joystick, touchscreen display, programmable pushbuttons)

• Ability to integrate cross-language graphics libraries and associated application programming interfaces for real-time display of flight simulations and graphical user interfaces, including OpenGL and QT

• Ability to develop software on and tailor a Linux-based Operating System, including Slackware Linux and Red Hat Enterprise Linux

• Proficiency with scripting languages, including Python and BASH

• Ability to execute cybersecurity vulnerability and compliance scans and address vulnerabilities at the software and Operating System level

• Ability to develop, maintain and support Data-Link Subsystem Replacement daemon software and firmware for aerial target RF communication capability

• Proficiency with low-level programming languages, including VHDL

• Ability to establish and maintain configuration control over software source code and end user documentation

• Ability to develop, test, document, review, and maintain special interface device driver software for GRDCS projects, including DR11-W emulators, IEEE 488 interfaces, Ethernet, RS- 232 serial ports and future interfaces that are yet to be defined.

• Ability to draft test plans and generate test reports

• Capable of recruiting and retaining top quality employees

• Maturity Level 3 processes in software & systems development

• Security clearances required of all personnel working on this contract

NOTE: The following proficiency/certifications/accreditations are required:

• Expertise in Linux and Windows Operating Systems and one Security + certification

• Expertise in implementing and demonstrating proven capability for the Capability Maturity

Model Integration (CMMI) Maturity Level 3 Process Areas in software and systems development

NOTE: Foreign participation is excluded.

The small business size standard associated with NAICS 541330 Exception A is $38.5 Million.

Respondents should also identify their size in relation to this size standard and indicate their socio-economic status (i.e. Large Business, Small Business, Very Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, 8(a) Program Small Business, Women-owned Small Business, HUB Zone Small Business, Veteran-owned Small Business, Service-disabled Veteran-owned Small Business, and/or a Native American Small Business). No set-aside decision has been made. Note that a key factor in determining an acquisition to be a Small Business Set Aside is that small business prime contractors must perform at least 50% of the effort, as defined in FAR Clause 52.219-14.

The Government requests that interested offerors submit an electronic response of not more than ten

(10) pages, 8.5” x 11” paper, 12 pitch, Times New Roman font, with a minimum of one (1) inch margins all around. Responsible sources having relevant capabilities may submit their statement of interest and technical capabilities. Responses should also include the company name, CAGE code, point of contact, and address. All information received in response to this Sources Sought Synopsis that is marked “Proprietary” will be handled accordingly. Responses will not be returned nor will receipt be confirmed.

All correspondence sent via email shall contain a subject line that reads, “FA2486-16-R-0060, GRDCS” .

If this subject line is not included, the e-mail may not get through e-mail filters at Eglin AFB. Filters are designed to delete emails without a subject or with a suspicious subject or attachment. Attachments with files ending in .zip or .exe are not allowable and will be deleted. Ensure only .pdf, .doc, .docx, .xsls, or .xls documents are attached to your email. All other attachments may be deleted.

Responses are due no later than 24 Nov, 2015 3 pm Central Daylight Time (CDT). Email responses should not exceed 5 Megabytes (MB). Responses received after this date and time may not be reviewed.

Please submit your Statement of Capabilities and direct any questions to Ms. Belva Parton, Contracting Officer, b.parton@us.af.mil and Ms. Connie Battaglini, Contract Specialist, connie.battaglini@us.af.mil

Please do not provide standard marketing brochures, catalogs, etc. Responses will be evaluated on the basis of demonstrated software and systems engineering technical and management expertise in performing manpower support contracts in order to determine qualified/interested sources, make decisions regarding small business set-asides, and formulate acquisition strategy.

This is market research only and not a request for proposal. This is a sources sought synopsis/RFI only.

No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released it will be synopsized in FedBizOpps. It is the potential offerors responsibility to monitor this site for the release of any solicitation.