RFI - Crypto Modernization - Final.pdf

Request for Information (RFI) Robins Air Force Base

Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC)/WIU Special Operations Forces/ Personnel Recovery (SOF/PR)

MC-130H/MC-130J/CV-22 Link 16 Crypto Modernization (CM) Upgrade for the TacNet Tactical Radio (TTR)

CAUTION:

This Request for Information is published for Market Research purposes only. This market survey is being conducted to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements for the CM upgrade for the Link 16 TTR P/N: 822-3002-002. The level of security clearance and amount of foreign participation in this requirement has not been determined.

The Government does not own or have access to the data for these items. The Government has determined that this system is not a commercial item.

Contractor shall furnish all material, support equipment, tools, test equipment, and services. The contractor is responsible for providing, maintaining, and calibrating all support equipment required at their facility or a subcontractor’s facility. Contractor furnished material or parts used for replacement shall equal or exceed the quality of the original material or parts.

This will be a sole source acquisition for the Link 16 CM Upgrade for the TTR on the MC-130H, CV-22 and MC-130J. This RFI is intended to identify potential sources that possess the capabilities and experience to meet qualification requirements to upgrade the TTR. The upgrade is a non-commercial item and the data is proprietary to Data Link Solutions LLC (DLS). The proposed contract action is for supplies and/or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with Other Than Full and Open Competition. The Government does not own or have access to the data for this effort. These services can only be obtained through the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

This acquisition is restricted to the following source: DLS (CAGE: 081U3). The supplies and services are available from only one (1) responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency requirements. Interested persons may identify their interest and capabilities.

All potential offerors should contact the Buyer/PCO identified below for additional information and/or to communicate concerns, if any, concerning this acquisition.

PCO: Lindsay Outlaw, AFLCMC/WIUKA Phone: (478) 926-7270 Email: lindsay.outlaw@us.af.mil

Contract Specialist: Ashley Schein, AFLCMC/WIUKA Phone: (478) 926-1772 Email: ashley.schein.1@us.af.mil

Contractors/Institutions responding to this market research are placed on notice that participation in this survey may not ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards.

The government will not reimburse participants for any expenses associated with their participation in this survey.

52.215-3 – Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes

As prescribed in 15.209(c), insert the following provision:

Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997)

(a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(b) Although “proposal” and “offeror” are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.

(c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of market research in an attempt to overcome barriers to competition.

(End of Provision)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. The document below contains a description of the CM Upgrade for the Link 16 TTR and a Contractor Capability Survey. The Survey allows Contractors to provide their company’s capability.

2. If after reviewing these documents you desire to participate in the Market Research, you should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability in meeting these requirements. Failure to provide documentation may result in the government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.)

a. Identify any areas of work that your organization believes should be broken out exclusively for Small Business.

3. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research.

Joint Ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged.

4. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to the Procurement

Contracting Officer (PCO) and Contract Specialist listed below.

PCO: Lindsay Outlaw, AFLCMC/WIUKA Phone: (478) 926-7270 Email: lindsay.outlaw@us.af.mil

Contract Specialist: Ashley Schein, AFLCMC/WIUKA Phone: (478) 926-1772

PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION

The Government is conducting Market Research to identify potential sources that possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet qualification requirements for a CM Upgrade on the Link 16 TTR.

NOUN NSN P/N

TTR N/A 822-3002-002

The proposed acquisition strategy is a three (3) year contract vehicle and will continue through FY23. The projected quantities are 46 total.

The Government’s needs for The Link 16 TTR (Figure 1) upgrades are required in order to provide a secure network for the exchange of near-real-time tactical data and an enhanced situational awareness among network participants. The TTR is the smallest, most affordable and greatest range for its size Link 16 terminal available today. The currently installed small form factor KOV-68 TTR Link 16 terminals currently installed on the MC-130H, MC-130J, and CV-22 aircraft need to be cryptographically modernized per NSA/CSS Policy 3-9 CM standards. All installed and spare TTRs must be CM compliant by 31 Dec 2021 as the Link 16 system currently installed systems will become unusable on 1 Jan 2022. Without access to the Link 16 network, aircrews will lose battlespace situational awareness data and the risk of blue-on-blue engagement will increase.

Figure 1: Link 16 TTR

CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY

Part I. Business Information

Please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners:

• Company/Institute Name:

• Address:

• Point of Contact:

• CAGE Code:

• Phone Number:

• E-mail Address:

• Web Page URL:

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

334511 - Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument manufacturing.

Based on the above NAICS Code, state whether your company is:

• Small Business (Yes / No)

• Woman Owned Small Business (Yes / No)

• Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes / No)

• 8(a) Certified (Yes / No)

• HUBZone Certified (Yes / No)

• Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes / No)

• Service Disabled Veteran Small Business (Yes / No)

• System for Award Management (SAM) (Yes / No)

• A statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership).

Responses to the Capability Survey Part I and Part II must be received no later than close of business 15 days after posting of RFI. Please ensure data is in a readable electronic format that can be received through a firewall. Attachments shall not to exceed 10 MB per email. Multiple emails are acceptable. Responses must be sent via email to all of the following:

PCO: Lindsay Outlaw, AFLCMC/WIUKA Phone: (478) 926-7270 Email: lindsay.outlaw@us.af.mil

Contract Specialist: Ashley Schein, AFLCMC/WIUKA Phone: (478) 926-1772

Questions relative to this market research should be addressed to the PCO.

Part II. Capability Survey Questions

A. General Capability Questions:

1. Describe briefly the capabilities of your facility and nature of the goods and/or services you provide. Include a description of your staff composition and management structure.

2. Describe your company's past experience on previous projects similar in complexity to this requirement. Include contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, period of performance, agency/organization supported, and individual point of contact (Contracting Officer or Program Manager).

3. Describe your company’s experience in developing the Part Number and associated cryptography equipment listed above that make up the TTR.

4. Describe your company's capabilities for generating, handling, processing, and storing classified material and data.

5. Describe your company's capabilities and experience in generating technical data, engineering drawings and manuals. Identify what software programs are utilized to generate these data products and what formats are available for delivered items.

6. What is your company’s current maximum capacity per month for this particular type of requirement as other users are being held to the same timeline? Provide information on any facility reserves you may possess to increase capacity in the event of an immediate need do to critical operational mission requirements.

7. What quality assurance processes and test qualification practices does your company employ?

Provide a description of your quality program (ISO 9001, AS9100, etc.).

a. Provide a detailed quality plan implementing AS9100 (or equivalent).

8. Describe your standard warranty and return process for goods and services furnished to the government for items similar in nature to this requirement.

B. Commerciality Questions:

1. Is there established catalog or market prices for our requirement?

2. If you offer this product and/or service to both U.S. Government and commercial sources, is the same workforce used for both the U.S. Government and general public?

3. Is our requirement offered to both under similar terms and conditions? Briefly describe any differences.

4. Describe your standard warranty and return process for goods and services furnished to the government for items similar in nature to this requirement.

C. Manufacturing Questions

1. Describe your capabilities and experience in manufacturing with regard to the requirements of this effort.

2. Describe your capabilities and experience in developing/modifying manufacturing procedures.

Include associated upgrade of technical orders and preparation of new technical orders.

3. Demonstrate your ability and experience in the manufacture of the same or similar components, which are currently utilized in the commercial or military environment by providing the following information on the same or similar items:

a) Contract Number

b) Procuring Agency

c) Contract Value

d) Number of assets shipped

4. Provide your commercial manual(s) or Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP) and your rights to these manuals and or ATP used in the manufacture and functional check of these or similar assets for Government Engineer review.

5. Describe your capabilities and experience in test, evaluation, and repair processes/procedures with regard to manufacturing (cryptographic) items.

6. Describe your configuration management processes and how you identify and resolve parts obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources problems?

7. Discuss your process for addressing any fit, form, and or function issues that may arise out of the requirements of this effort.

8. Describe your process for maintaining inventory records and reporting on hand/work-in-process balance and manufacturing status to your customer.

9. Include a detailed listing of facilities and equipment, including quantities, required to satisfy

a. Provide an outline of the proposed process, including inspections.

i. State the type of test procedures are anticipated for this effort.

ii. State the type of inspection processes anticipated for this effort.

1. NDI/T.

2. Destructive testing/inspection.

10. How will your organization address the absence of drawings, specifications, technical data, test procedures, etc.

11. If the item cannot be manufactured in total, state what your organization can produce.

12. State any technology insertion ideas for the item that would be suitable for this effort.

13. Discuss any reverse engineering or item replacement opportunities that may be present.

D. Engineering Services Questions

1. Describe your services capabilities and experience with regard to the requirements of this effort.

2. Describe your capabilities and experience in developing/modifying procedures. Include associated upgrade of technical orders and preparation of new technical orders.

3. Demonstrate your ability and experience for the same or similar services, which are currently provided in the military environment by providing the following information on the same or similar items:

a) Contract Number

b) Procuring Agency

c) Contract Value

d) Services Provided

4. Describe your capabilities and experience in any required test, evaluation, and repair processes/procedures with regard to the required items.

5. Describe how you/your organization will identify and resolve parts obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources problems?

6. Discuss your process for addressing any fit, form, and or function issues that may arise out of

7. Describe your process for maintaining inventory records and reporting on hand/work-in-process balance and manufacturing status to your customer as required.

8. How will your organization address the absence of drawings, specifications, technical data, test procedures, etc.