B-2 ACS 4.0 Sources Sought Synopsis.docx.pdf

B-2 Adaptable Communications Suite (ACS) 4.0

United States Air Force (USAF)

9 April 2024

1. DESCRIPTION

The United States Air Force (USAF) is conducting market research and identifying, as potential sources, companies that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements for a contract for the rapid procurement, sustainment and/or modification of existing Adaptable Communication Suite components (on/off aircraft) to address obsolescence, new requirements and/or unforeseen maintenance issues within the B-2 Weapon System. The period of performance is expected to span five years. The existing components include Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) certified and ruggedized computers, keyboards, displays, circuit protections, user switch controllers, system control panels and associated harnesses.

CAUTION: This Sources Sought is issued solely for information and planning purposes. In accordance with Part 10 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, the U.S. Government is conducting market research. The intended purpose is to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet Air Force’s requirements. As stipulated in FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not considered offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this sources sought. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All costs associated with responding to this sources sought will be solely at the responding party’s expense. Not responding to this sources sought does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor this SAM.gov website for additional information pertaining to this sources sought.

2. REQUIREMENTS

Respondents to this Sources Sought Synopsis are expected to demonstrate their capabilities to complete all related efforts. The contractor will be expected to deliver the following, as required:

Fabricate existing items Modify existing item designs to address obsolescence Perform technology updates Technical Data Packages, consisting of, but not limited to, change packages, supplements, and/or revisions.

Existing System components, comprising of, but not limited to, obsolescence, maintenance directed modifications, testing, certification, new system functional requirements and evolving B-2 mission needs.

Existing Ground Support System components, including, but not be limited to, ACS ground stations, training devices, and ancillary equipment.

Engineering Report(s). The B-2 System Program Office (SPO) will require program status updates, schedules, test plans, test results, system integration reports, feasibility studies, and deficiency analysis.

All deliveries shall be accompanied with a minimum of a 5-year warranty

The USG has Technical Data Packages for existing items that are insufficient for a third-party to manufacture the items and several items have restricted data rights.

The contractor shall have the capability to provide for the security of classified and unclassified hardware and storage/handling of documentation up the SECRET level. Minimum personnel security clearance requirements for this effort are SECRET.

3. SOURCES SOUGHT REQUESTED INFORMATION

If after reviewing these documents, you desire to respond to this pre-solicitation synopsis, you should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability in meeting these requirements. Your response must address how you will manufacture the existing items with incomplete USG Technical Data Packages and restricted data rights. 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/capability to perform that portion of the requirement. Government-provided design/production data is not available and will not be provided. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate.

The National American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes for this action:

336413 Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing 334118 Computer Terminal and Other Computer Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing

In addition to the information requested above, interested firms should submit sufficient information that will permit insight into their relevant technical capabilities. We are attempting to gain insight into the level of market interest and competitiveness for this acquisition based on responses to the following:

Briefly describe the nature of the goods and/or services that your firm provides.

Interested sources shall include their company size and CAGE code in the information provided.

Describe your company’s experience on previous projects similar in nature and complexity to this requirement. Include contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, period of performance, and Government point of contact.

Describe your experience in the manufacture/fabrication of similar devices and components that meet environmental factors.

Describe your capabilities and experience in managing hardware/software development projects of this nature, to include subcontractor involvement.

Describe your quality assurance processes and test qualification practices your company employ.

Teaming and/or subcontracting arrangements should be clearly delineated and previous experience in teaming must be provided.

Firms responding to this announcement should indicate whether they are a large business, small business, Small Disadvantaged Business, Women-Owned Small Business, 8(a) Certified Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), or Historically Underutilized Business Small Business

4. RESPONSES

Interested sources should provide a capabilities package NO LATER THAN 4:00p.m. EST on 22 April 2024; using MS-Word; limited to 10 single-sided 8.5 X 11 pages, Times New Roman, size 12-point font.

Table of Contents and foldouts count against the 10-page limits. Include information describing the company’s technical expertise and experience, personnel and facilities, and motivation for participating in this program. Past project references must relate to the experience described in this request that have occurred within the past five (5) years. Any existing DoD contractual vehicles available for this Air Force organization to gain access to your services should be referenced with your submission. The capabilities package should present clear evidence that the vendor is fully capable of providing the requirements, and as such, may contain any information the interested vendor feels is relevant.

All prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management database (http://www.sam.gov) to be awarded a DoD contract.

Interested firms should submit sufficient information which will permit evaluation of technical capabilities electronically to jillian.kovacs@us.af.mil or hardcopy mailed to AFLCMC/WBZ, Attn: Ms.

Jillian Kovacs, BLDG 556, 2690 Loop Road West, Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7148 within 15 calendar days from the date of this announcement. Electronic transmissions should be in Microsoft Office or Adobe PDF compatible format.

NO SOLICITATION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT RESPOND

TO REQUESTS FOR SOLICITATION MATERIAL. PROPOSALS ARE NOT BEING REQUESTED

OR ACCEPTED AT THIS TIME.

Requesting parties shall prevent foreign intelligence collection and/or unauthorized disclosure of information governed by International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) and or Export Administration Regulation during use of any materials provided in association with this sources sought. The Government will require requestors to submit evidence of export control compliance before providing material.

Requestors shall comply with all applicable DoD and AF issuances concerning Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

5. SUMMARY

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT ONLY to identify sources that possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements for the support this program. The information provided in the Sources Sought is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. Release of this Sources Sought should not be construed as a commitment by the Government, or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate.