KC-46 ATS Capability Assessment-RFI V2.pdf

Training Systems Acquisition (TSA) IV

Capability Assessment

KC-46 Aircrew Training System (ATS) Request for Information (RFI)

19 November 2024

Prepared By:

Air Force Lifecycle Management Center, PEO Training Directorate (AFLCMC/WN)

Simulators Division (AFLCMC/WNS) 2300 D Street, Building 32

Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433

Page i

Table of Contents

1. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR PLANNING PURPOSES

2. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

2.1 KC-46 ATS

2.1.1 Program Description

2.1.2 Capability Required

2.2 Capability Assessment/RFI Response

2.3 General Information

2.4 Capability Information

1. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR PLANNING PURPOSES

This RFI/Capability Assessment is in accordance with (IAW) Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.215-3 – Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997). Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.

The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI 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 FAR. Companies responding to this RFI/Capability Assessment are advised that participation does not ensure involvement in future solicitations or contract awards. The Government will not reimburse any company or individual for any expenses associated with preparation or participation in this RFI.

The acquisition strategy has not yet been determined. Capability Assessment results will assist the Air Force in determining whether these requirements will be an unrestricted competition or a small business set-aside task order under TSA IV. The Government is assessing the capability of companies, within the TSA IV Small Business Pool, that may possess the expertise to competently and competitively respond to the following requirements for the KC-46 Aircrew Training Systems (ATS) to provide:

Program Management/Systems Engineering

Upgrades and Modifications (e.g., Concurrency Upgrades, Training Enhancements, etc.)

Training Systems Support (e.g., Contractor Logistics Support [CLS], Training System Support Center [TSSC], etc.)

Instructional Services

Products

Design Concept and Prototype Development

☐ Interoperability

☐ Qualification and Test

Although “proposal” and “offeror” are used in this RFI, your response will be treated as information only and shall not be used as a proposal.

2. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The KC-46 ATS training concept focuses on training pilots, boom operators, maintenance, and aeromedical evacuation personnel to operate the KC-46 aircraft by fielding an optimized training system that integrates various forms of media into a blended solution. This blended solution consists of the appropriate mix of Computer Based Training (CBT), classroom instruction, hands-on skills training utilizing both low and high-fidelity training devices. The KC-46 ATS training devices consists of full motion FAA Part 60 Level D Weapon System Trainer (WST) simulator, full motion Boom Operator Trainer (BOT), full-size Fuselage Trainers (FuT) to train cargo loading and aeromedical evacuation, low fidelity Pilot Part Task Trainers (PPTT) and Boom Operator Part Task Trainers (BOPTT), and computer-based training (CBT) Learning Centers. Each ATS site has a Training Campus Infrastructure (TCI) that includes the network and computers that support student training. The TCI includes the Learning Management System (LMS), Training Management System (TMS), CBT workstations and instructor classroom workstations. The WST and BOT are capable of operation in a linked mode as a single virtual aircraft (SVA) in both stand-alone and Mobility Air Force Distributed Mission Operations (MAF DMO) environments.

In addition to normal ATS program operations, maintenance, and sustainment (OM&S) requirements, this acquisition will include production of new WST, BOT, and FuT devices to match the Physical Configuration Audit (PCA) baseline for the current program devices, and standup of new training locations. The program will also require implantation of Air Refueling Aircraft Simulator Qualification (ARASQ) Level II standards for both the WST and the BOT once the aircraft completes collection of the required flight test data. The FuT software baseline on the currently fielded KC-46 Aircrew Training Devices (ATD) is Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) complete and under sustainment. The WST and BOT software baselines are still in the EMD phase of the program with completion of all requirements except for ARASQ Level II projected in Q2 CY26. The contractor shall be expected to complete any incomplete software baseline elements or residual deficiencies in an expedited manner. The contractor is expected to maintain concurrency with aircraft operation flight programs (OFP) for all aircraft and mission systems.

3. KC-46 ATS

For the KC-46 ATS Program, the contractor shall possess the capability to complete development requirements and maintain, sustain, and improve the training system to reduce the need for aircraft flight training. The end state objective is to have a WST that meets both FAA Part 60 Level D and ARASQ Level II and a BOT that meets ARASQ Level II wile replicating aircraft capabilities such that all formal qualification courses can be completed with two (2) aircraft flights followed by an aircraft evaluation after completion of the contractor provided ATS training.

4. PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The principal mission of KC-46 ATS Program is to provide initial, upgrade, and continuation training for pilots, boom operators, maintenance, and aeromedical evacuation personnel so they can fully employ the KC-46 aircraft accomplishing its worldwide mission sets.

The KC-46 ATS Program consists of the following Aircrew Training Devices (ATD):

Device Description

Weapon System Trainers (WST)

High fidelity full motion FAA Part 60 Level D equivalent cockpit simulation replicating the KC-46 Aircraft. The simulation uses the Rockwell Collins Packaged Avionics Simulation System (PASS) to simulate the 4 Large Display System (LDS) screens running a customized version of the aircraft OFP.

The WST utilizes aircraft Multifunction Control Display Units (MCDU) running the aircraft OFP.

The other cockpit and non-cockpit systems are simulation/emulation that provide the correct inputs and receive the correct outputs from the MCDU and LDS Data Processing and Concentrator Units. The aircraft mission systems to include the Tactical Situation Awareness System (TSAS), LINK-16, Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), Mission Data Network (MDN), Intelligence Broadcast Receiver (IBR), Joint Range Extension Application Protocol (JREAP), and Large Aircraft Infrared Counter Measure (LAIRCM) are integrated with the Next Generation Threat System (NGTS) to allow full mission employment training in both stand-alone, linked SVA with a BOT, and DMO environments.

The WST will be upgraded to support ARASQ Level II standards as a receiver platform refueling from other tanker platforms

Boom Operator Trainer (BOT)

High fidelity full motion simulation of the Air Refueling Operators Station (AROS) on the KC-46 aircraft. The BOT is a full simulation/emulation-based device with a fully function AROS allowing training for both boom/receptacle and drogue/probe refueling training. The Air Refueling Operator Control Display Unit (AROCDU) is an emulation of the KC-46 touchscreen line replaceable unit (LRU) that runs a simulation to match OFP functionality.

The 3D display matches the specification of the aircraft LRU. Simulated boom and telescope control sticks match the functionality of the aircraft and drive a simulated ACU that runs a simulation of the aircraft boom control laws. The BOT has a simulated air refueling control computer that matches OFP functionality and interfaces with the other simulated aircraft systems. BOTFly provides the flight simulation for standalone mode, or the BOT can be linked to the WST in SVA mode where the pilot crew in the WST control the aircraft navigation. The BOT supports training multiple heavy and fighter receivers using both boom, centerline drogue, and wing air refueling pod (WARP) configurations. The BOT will be upgraded to support full ARASQ Level II standards for up to 12 receiver pairs once aircraft flight test data is available. The BOT will also require a full AROS upgrade to match the upcoming KC-46 RVS 2.0 design. The RVS 2.0 upgrade will slowly happen across multiple years at appropriate rates to match aircraft deliveries.

Fuselage Trainer (FuT)

The Fuselage Trainer is a full-scale representation of the KC-46 fuselage to include the additional crewmember compartment (ACMC) and main cargo deck. The ACMC includes an AROS monument that allows the Boom Operators to accomplish weight and balance tasks necessary for cargo loading. The main cargo deck includes accurate representations to allow training of cargo door opening/closing, cargo onload and offload procedures, emergency egress training, and aeromedical evacuation training. The exterior of the FuT includes the Single Point Refueling (SPR) panel to allow for training of fuel service procedures.

Two FuTs use actual aircraft cargo floor components.

The remaining FuTs use simulated cargo floor components that match the functionality of the aircraft components. The FuT includes a forklift and

Halverson loader to support movement of simulated cargo loads from a cargo storage area to the FuT for cargo load training. A contractor provided Aerial

Port team operates the load equipment, configures and maintains the cargo load equipment and paperwork, and support reconfiguration of the FuT to match cargo load and Aeromedical Evacuation training requirements.

Pilot Part Task Trainer (PPTT)

The PPTT is a low fidelity touch screen-based cockpit procedures trainer. The PPTT runs a recompiled version of the WST load and provides a transition between academic and WST training to develop procedural familiarization and muscle memory for control locations. The PPTT includes an auto-fly function to allow for procedures training both on the ground and thru a mission profile.

Boom Operator Part Task Trainer

(BOPTT)

The BOPTT is a low fidelity AROS procedure trainer with touch-screen AROS controls, low fidelity boom and telescope control sticks, a touch screen AROCDU, and a low fidelity flat screen air refueling display that allows a limited simulation of closure to contact position for receiver aircraft to allow for both ground and inflight procedural familiarization and muscle memory for control locations.

The KC-46 ATS ATDs are planned for ten total sites within the CONUS. Six sites are currently in operation with three sites requiring support for stand-up of the location and the final site is under survey:

Location: Sites/Devices:

Number of

Sites/Devices:

Device #

Altus AFB, OK TSSC 1 WST and BOT SIL are located at the

ESC

McConnell AFB, KS

1 (ESC)

Altus AFB, OK

(FTU)

WST

WST 1, WST 3,

WST 5, WST 7,

WST 11, WST 14

BOT

BOT 1, BOT 3,

BOT 5, BOT 7,

BOT 10, BOT 13

FuT 2 FUT 2, FUT 5

PPTT

PPTT 1, PPTT3,

PPTT5, PPTT7,

PPTT 11, PPTT14

BOPTT

BOPTT 1, BOPTT

2, BOPTT 3,

BOPTT 4

CBT Learning Center

TCI – 120

workstations

McConnell AFB, KS

WST

WST 2, WST 6,

WST 9

BOT 2 BOT 2, BOT 6

FuT 1 FUT 1

PPTT 2 PPTT 2, PPTT 6

CBT Learning Center

TCI – 22

workstations

Pease ANGB, NH WST 1 WST 4

BOT 1 BOT 4

FuT 1 FUT 3

PPTT 1 PPTT 4

CBT Learning Center

TCI – 14

workstations

Seymour Johnson

AFB, SC

WST 1 WST 8

BOT 1 BOT 8

FuT 1 FUT 4

Location: Sites/Devices:

Number of

Sites/Devices:

Device #

PPTT 1 PPTT 8

CBT Learning Center

TCI – 17

workstations

Mc Guire AFB, NJ WST 2 WST 10, WST 12

BOT 3 BOT 9, BOT 11

FuT 1 FUT 6

PPTT 2 PPTT 9, PPTT 10

CBT Learning Center

TCI – 19

workstations

Travis AFB, CA WST 2 WST 13, WST 15

BOT 2 BOT 12, BOT 14

FuT 1 FUT 7

PPTT 2 PPTT 12

CBT Learning Center

TCI – 13

workstations

March ARB, CA

(Standup in 2027)

WST 1 WST 17

BOT 1 BOT 15

FuT 1 FUT 8

PPTT 1

CBT Learning Center

TCI – 8

workstations

Mac Dill AFB, FL WST 2 WST 16, WST 18

BOT 2 BOT 16, BOT 17

FuT 1 FUT 9

PPTT 1

CBT Learning Center

TCI – 13

workstations

Selfridge ANGB, MI

(Standup in 2029)

WST 1 WST 19 (planned)

BOT 1 BOT 18 (planned)

FuT 1 FUT 10 (planned)

CBT Learning Center 1 TCI – 10 (planned)

MOB 7, TBD

(Standup in 2030)

WST 1 WST 20 (planned)

BOT 1 BOT 19 (planned)

FuT 1 FUT 11 (planned)

CBT Learning Center 1 TCI – 10 (planned)

The ATS program includes multiple training courses. The contractor shall be required to maintain and update all courses to remain concurrent with the aircraft. As ARASQ is added to the devices, the contractor should anticipate increased course length to ensure the students are sufficiently trained to achieve the program goal of two aircraft flights and a checkride to complete aircraft qualification. The KC-46 ATS program supports training for International

Military Students (IMS). IMS specific versions of the courseware are required. The current training course lengths are:

Course Expected Course Hours

Academic WST BOT FuT PPTT BOPTT

PTX1 (Pilot Transition w/no Tanker/heavy Receiver Aircraft Commanders)

130 84 0 1.5 34 0

PTX2 (Pilot Transition for non-receiver KC-135 Aircraft Commanders)

116 76 0 1.5 30 0

PTX3 (Pilot Transition for prior heavy receiver Aircraft Commanders)

116 76 0 1.5 30 0

PIQ (Pilot Initial Qualification for non-prior Aircraft Commanders)

147 90 0 1.5 38 0

PCO (Pilot Checkout to upgrade pilots to Aircraft Commanders)

16 32 0 0 0 0

PRC (Pilot Requalification to return previous KC-46 Aircraft Commanders or Instructors to their prior qualification level

100 64 0 1.5 24 0

IAC (Instructor Aircraft Commander to upgrade pilot to an instructor qualification

32 36 0 0 4 0

SOC (Senior Officer Course provide a restricted Form 8 qualification for senior leaders)

32 16 1.5 .5 8 0

SOF (Senior Officer Familiarization provides introduction to KC-46 mission and Operation. This course does not result in a Form 8 or allow aircraft operation.)

8 4 1 1.5 4 .5

NVGP (Provides training in Night Vision Google operations allowing for certification for NVG operations)

16 4 0 0 0 0

FTCP (Faculty Training Course 8 12 0 0 0 0 prepares current instructors to fly with initial qualification students)

PREF (Pilot Quarterly Refresher Continuation Training)

6 12 0 0 0 0

BTX (Boom Operator Transition for previously qualified KC-135 Boom Operators)

88 8 32 30 5 12

BIQ (Boom Initial Qualification trains individuals to serve as Boom Operators)

117 12 41 32 4 6

BRC (Boom Requalification returns previous KC-46 Boom Operators to the prior qualification level)

70 8 32 24 0 6

IB (Instructor Boom Course Upgrades Boom Operators to an instructor qualification)

32 0 32 13 0 0

FTCB (Faculty Training Course prepares current instructors to fly with initial qualification students)

8 0 6 0 0 0

BREF (Boom Operator Quarterly Refresher Continuation Training)

6 0 4.5 4 0 0

NVGB (Provides training in Night Vision Google operations allowing for certification for NVG operations)

16 4 0 0 0 0

MERQ (Maintenance Engine Run Qualification for KC-46 maintenance personnel to qualify in engine run procedures)

15 4 0 0 2 0

MERR (Maintenance Engine Run Refresher provides continuation training for maintenance engine run personnel)

2 4 0 0 0 0

The KC-46 ATS program expects to require the following notional annual student throughput.

The following assumptions should be used to scope the expected effort for student training:

a. Contractor shall provide personnel for all Aerial Port support functions to include practice load development, maintenance, configuration management, Halverson operator, forklift support, and all needed load team members to support training.

b. Contractor shall develop a training schedule (FTU annual and MOB quarterly) to meet government requirement for student throughput and provide a guaranteed student with on-time graduation for all formal courses. Contractor shall provide a means for students to remotely access the weekly schedule.

c. The FTU and MOB sites will normally operate up to 20 hours per day 352 days per year as needed to support the required student throughput.

d. Notional Annual Student Throughput and Course descriptions for the student training are provided below.

Location: Devices:

Estimated Annual Number of Formal Courses (2 Students per Course):

Estimated Annual Number of Quarterly Refreshers (2 Pilots/1 Boom Operator per Refresher):

Altus AFB, OK

(FTU)

6 WST, 6 BOT,

2 FuT, 5 PPTT, 4 BOPTT

75 PIQ, 20 PTX1, 54

PTX2/3, 6 PCO, 62

IAC, 5 SOC, 2 SOF,

42 BIQ, 46 BTX, 42

IB, 20 MERQ, 20

MERR

72 PREF, 88 BREF

McConnell AFB, KS

3 WST, 2 BOT,

FuT, 2PPTT

20 PCO, 24 MERQ,

48 MERR, 2 SOF

800 PREF, 850 BREF

Pease ANGB, NH WST, BOT, FuT, PPTT

6 PCO, 12 MERQ, 24

MERR, 1 SOF

300 PREF, 300 BREF

Seymour Johnson

AFB, SC

WST, BOT,

FuT, PPTT

6 PCO, 12 MERQ, 24

MERR, 1 SOF

300 PREF, 300 BREF

Mc Guire AFB, NJ 2 WST, 2 BOT, FuT, 2PPTT

12 PCO, 24 MERQ,

48 MERR, 2 SOF

600 PREF, 600 BREF

Travis AFB, CA 2 WST, 2 BOT, FuT, 2 PPTT

12 PCO, 24 MERQ,

48 MERR, 2 SOF

600 PREF, 600 BREF

March ARB, CA

Training start Oct 25

WST, BOT,

FuT, PPTT

6 PCO, 12 MERQ, 24

MERR, 1 SOF

3000 PREF, 300 BREF

Mac Dill AFB, FL

Training start Feb 25 WST/BOT only)

2 WST, 2 BOT,

FuT, PPTT

12 PCO, 24 MERQ,

48 MERR, 2 SOF

600 PREF, 600 BREF

Selfridge ANGB, MI

WST, BOT, FuT 6 PCO, 12 MERQ, 24

MERR, 1 SOF

300 PREF, 300 BREF

Training start Jul 29

MOB 7, TBD

Training start Oct 28

WST, BOT, FuT 6 PCO, 12 MERQ, 24

MERR, 1 SOF

300 PREF, 300 BREF

5. CAPABILITY REQUIRED

This acquisition will provide OM&S support of the KC-46 ATS system, including:

• CLS for ATS

• TSSC for ATS

• Concurrency and core trainer unique modifications and upgrades for ATS

• Contract transition activities including transfer of responsibility from the current OM&S contract

• ATS studies and analysis efforts as requested by the Government

The KC-46 program requirements for all these sites includes:

1) Contractor Logistics Support (CLS). Contractor is responsible for full CLS of all devices, support equipment (except the Halverson loader), and all training equipment to include but is not limited to:

a. The LMS/TMS and Part Task Trainers

b. Maintenance of all devices to a 98% availability standard.

c. Spares Management – Demand Supported Repair Parts. The government will provide an initial spares package that the contractor may use and shall be required to maintain throughout the program.

d. Analysis and development of an obsolescence plan for continued support of systems.

e. Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness (FIAR).

f. Item Unique Identification.

g. Government Furnished Property (GFP)/Government Furnished Equipment (GFE).

h. Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) Management.

i. Maintain and update systems COTS manuals for hardware and software.

j. Provisioning.

2) Training System Support Center (TSSC) at Altus and Engineering Support Center (ESC) at McConnell. The TSSC and ESC functions include providing full support and management of the KC-46 ATS to maintain training system concurrency with the aircraft. Required functions include but are not limited to all courseware development, maintenance, updates, all ATS configuration management, all ATS logistics support and management, quality control, all ATS device and software maintenance, modification, and upgrade.

a. The contractor shall provide the resources necessary to operate and maintain the KC- 46 TSSC, to include configuration management, aircrew student management, maintenance, logistics support, integration, modification, and validation of all software, aircrew courseware, aircrew curriculum, and aircrew training aids for the

KC-46 ATS. The contractor shall use the TSSC to design, develop, and implement minor modifications to the fielded ATDs that do not require a modification to the contract.

b. The contractor shall use the TSSC as the master repository for all data developed and/or used to support the day-to-day operation of the ATS. The contractor shall be responsible for data currency and the distribution of changes to the training sites.

c. The TSSC shall perform, in a timely manner, all functions necessary for the complete operation of the aircrew training system. As a minimum, the TSSC shall perform the following support functions that include but are not limited to the following:

1. Ensure the reliability, maintainability, and logistics supportability of training components to meet the total system requirements.

2. Identify impending obsolescence issues well in advance of adverse impacts and the necessary steps to avoid adverse impacts to the ATS supporting equipment.

3. Update/modify system components and documentation. The government will be the final authority in the determination of what constitutes a TSSC developed modification, and what is in or out of scope. The contractor shall have the appropriate manning required to accomplish the tasks listed in the PWS in a timely manner.

4. Design, acquire/fabricate, modify, inspect, assemble, integrate, test, and validate computational resources, including the associated software, to support ATDs.

5. Continue the discrepancy reporting (DR) program.

6. Manage and track all support system repairable assets, including but not limited to: the location, conditions status, source of repair, supply, cost, and lead-time data.

7. Track and record all maintenance actions, spare and repair parts maintenance consumption, and labor consumption by device.

8. Provide the required labor and material to perform revision and maintenance (R&M) changes to hardware, courseware, and software.

9. Operate the KC-46 MyLearning (or GTIMS).

10. Maintain configuration management (CM) for ATS components.

11. Distribute courseware, Technical Orders, AFIs and pamphlets, and any changes.

12. Maintain an evaluation system and use it to prioritize changes to the ATS and evaluate student progress.

13. Maintain the KC-46 ATS Master Library.

14. Implement a design request process and instructional change request process.

a. The contractor is required to stay abreast of any changes to the weapon system and develop/execute a plan detailing a viable approach for maintaining concurrency with the weapon system for KC-46 ATS. The contractor will also be responsible for relocating any training devices identified, if necessary.

3) Data Requirements.

Associate Contractor Agreements (ACAs). The contractor shall be required to have an ACA in place with multiple companies, subs and data rights owners i.e. GE, Rockwell Collins, Boeing, Huntington Ingalls Industries, and TBD by 10/26. The contract shall require ACAs directed by the Government or deemed appropriate to meet the requirements of this acquisition.

Establish Concurrency Process. The contractor shall be required to establish a process to integrate all technical disciplines (including engineering, configuration management, logistics, and test) to upgrade the training system, spares, and support equipment to ensure training is available to support these changes in the aircraft.

Engineering Change Proposal Modifications and Upgrades. The contractor shall be required to accomplish minor/major concurrency and core trainer unique modifications/upgrades to the Program A system that exceed the scope of the TSSC. These training system modifications and upgrade efforts will be executed through contract engineering change proposals (ECPs) and utilize an integrated aircraft and trainer development process to ensure the maximum commonality. Upcoming concurrency and core trainer unique modifications and upgrades include but are not limited to hardware and software support.

To maintain the KC-46 training system concurrent with the aircraft and Mobility Air Force Distributed Mission Operations (MAF DMO) enterprise standards/configurations, the KC-46 training system contractor shall establish, co-chair with the government, and participate in a CWG consisting of representatives from the aircraft contractor, the ATS contractor, the Simulators Division Program Manager (ASC/WNSPA), the Aircraft System Program Manager (ASC/WL), the Lead Command (AMC), and the using commands such as AETC. The purpose of the CWG is as follows:

a) Review, clarify, evaluate, and provide direction for the flow of aircraft technical data to the training system contractor.

b) Provide government guidance for maintaining training system concurrency with the weapon system.

c) Plan for all major modifications to the training system.

d) Identify the impact of all major modifications to any affected Interface Control Working Groups (ICWGs).

e) Review the configuration update activity of all contractors.

f) Ensure that any long lead parts for the KC-46 training system are identified.

g) Ensure that any technical manual revisions affecting the KC-46 training system are identified.

h) Consider cost/schedule training effectiveness tradeoffs.

i) Establish time phasing for incorporating aircraft changes in the training system (i.e.

implement immediately or as part of a block update).

j) Establish priority of change activity for the training system.

k) Recommend generation of Contract Change Proposals (CCPs) and ECPs applicable to the training system.

Security Requirements.

Cybersecurity

Maintain Department of Defense (DoD) cybersecurity authorizations [e.g., Authorization to Operate (ATO), Approval for Use (AfU)]. Currently, an ATO is maintained for the WST/BOT and AfUs are maintained for the FuT and TCI systems.

Implement National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Air Force Risk Management Frameworks.

Sustain a DoD Manual 8140.03 qualified and certified workforce (e.g., information technology, cybersecurity, software development, system administration/simulator technician personnel).

Provide physical, personnel, communications, emissions, industrial, information, and operational security.

The Contractor personnel must obtain DoD/AF Common Access Cards (CACs) to gain access to KC-46 ATS facilities and military installations. In some instances, select contractor personnel shall be required to obtain active CACs for the purpose of encryption and physical/digital identification for access to ATS and/or .mil systems.

The Contractor shall not involve any foreign national (resident aliens exempt) in work performed under this requirement.

Personnel are required to hold a security clearance (up to Secret) to perform the work.

Security/background checks will be performed.

Near Term Anticipated Upgrades

Windows (Win) 11 and Win Server 2022 (i.e., most current Windows operating system/server versions) implementation across all devices.

Upgrade of all end-of-life software across all devices.

Boom Telescope Actuator Redesign (BTAR) implementation for the BOT.

ARASQ Level II implementation in the WST and BOT for up to 12 pairs.

Simulator Common Architecture Requirements and Standards (SCARS) increment four (4) standards implementations across the ATS.

Analysis on KC-46 ATS SW virtualization.

RVS 2.0 upgrade to existing BOTs.

Large Aircraft Infrared Countermeasures (LAIRCM) Block 30 implementation in the

WST.

Current software baseline configuration implementation across all devices.

Spares Expansion.

Night Vision Goggles (NVG) Training incorporation into courseware.

Visual System Recapitalization (4 channel IR projectors and High-Contrast Back Screen Replacement)

Contract Specifications. The contract will commence on or about the 3rd Quarter of CY26 to allow for up to a 3-month transition period. The Government anticipates contract period of performance to be a 1-year base period post-transition with 9 1-year option periods.

The Government anticipates the use of:

Firm Fixed Price (FFP) Contract Line-Item Numbers (CLINs): CLS and TSSC work, contract transition, and minor modifications/upgrades.

Fixed Price Incentive Firm (FPIF) CLINs: Major modifications/upgrades and development efforts (e.g., new trainers).

Cost Reimbursable CLINs: Travel and studies/analysis tasks.

6. CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT/RFI RESPONSE

The Government is assessing the TSA IV’s Small Business Pool to determine the Government’s ability to set this acquisition aside for the Small Business. The results of this assessment will allow the Government to decide as to whether these efforts will be set aside for the Small Business Pool or issued under the Unrestricted Pool. It is advised that your company provide a sufficient response to all capability questions to allow the Government to appropriately assess your company’s capabilities.

If there is demonstrated interest and capability sufficiently identified among the small business TSA IV prime contractors, then a Small Business Set-Aside will be considered. A key factor in determining if an acquisition will be a Small Business Set-Aside is that two or more potential small business prime contractors must be capable of performing at least 50% of the effort.

7. GENERAL INFORMATION

In your response, please provide the following general information for your company/institution and for any teaming partners:

1. If subcontracts or teaming are anticipated to be used, provide a reasonable expectation for both small and other than small business utilization as a percent of total task order value. Provide specific details on how your company will comply with FAR clause 52.219-14, Limitations to Subcontracting. Delineate the small business utilization percentage and provide rationale for the recommended percentage. Teaming and/or subcontracting arrangements should be clearly stated, and previous experience in teaming must be provided.

• What data do you require of the Government to assemble a proposal for this effort?

• Please describe previous experience with managing a training program to ensure on-time student graduation with a guaranteed student in a dynamic AETC environment.

Please provide specific examples of a program issue that created a student backlog, and how your company mitigated the issue to maintain or expeditiously return to the on-time graduation timeline.

• Please describe your companies experience with recruiting and maintaining a fully qualified instructor workforce in a highly competitive location with a limited labor pool.

• Please describe your company’s past experience with implementing full ARASQ Level II modeling into USAF simulator platforms.

• Please describe your company’s ability to manufacture new training devices (WST, BOT, and FuT) to match the existing PCA design.

• Given the list of pre-priced options above, please provide a summary of your companies recommended approach and timeline to complete each of the efforts.

• Please describe your company’s past history with implementing technology and instructional design enhancements to optimize a training syllabus and reduce the required course length while generating a more capable student.

Direct and concise responses are preferred. Marketing material is considered an insufficient response to this Capability Assessment RFI. Please limit responses to electronic submissions no more than 15 pages 8.5”x11” pages for all programs in total, using Word or PDF format. This includes all graphs and charts. A point of contact that can represent your company should be identified to answer further Government inquiries and provide explanations that might be needed regarding the information provided. Respondents should indicate which portions, if any, of their response are proprietary and should mark them accordingly.

Formal responses should be submitted via electronic submission through the SAMS.GOV using the following link: Further questions may be e-mailed to Dasia Johnson and dasia.johnson@us.af.mil and Robert Lambert at robert.lambert.6.ctr@us.af.mil. Responses are due NLT 11:59 PM Dayton, Ohio time, 20 December November 2024. The Government may converse with respondents regarding this RFI. Such conversations are intended to clarify potential capability to perform the requirements.

8. CAPABILITY INFORMATION

In response to this RFI, please provide the following cross-program and training system specific capability information for your company and for any teaming partners. If a responding company is capable of some, but not all, of the consolidated requirements stated, please provide a response that explains the requirements for which you are capable.

1. As the proposed effort is considered by the Government to be for Services, small business offerors will be required to comply with subpara (c)(1) of FAR 52.219-14, which requires that “[a]t least 50 percent of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the concern.” Please describe in detail how you will satisfy the requirements of FAR 52.219-14(c)(2) for this effort.

2. Small Business offerors shall be required to comply with 13 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 121.406, which requires offerors to either be the manufacturer or producer of ECP end items, or comply with an exception as a non-manufacturer, a kit assembler, or a supplier under Simplified Acquisition Procedures. For ECP Modifications and Upgrades, please describe in detail how you will either comply with 13 CFR 406(a)(1) or qualify under 13 CFR 406(a)(2) for one of the exceptions under 14 CFR 406(b), (c) or (d).

3. Does your company presently have the manpower, technical expertise/skill set, and production facilities to complete the production to meet all the requirements section 3 above?

4. Describe in detail, your company’s experience, during the past five years, performing EMD and/or manufacturing/production of military simulators.

5. Describe in detail, your company’s experience, if any, with producing a new device to exactly match an existing PCA baseline that will support an existing software baseline.

6. Describe in detail, your company’s experience with developing and implementing aerodynamic models based on flight test data to meet ARASQ Level II required tolerances.

7. Describe in detail, your company’s experience with coordinating third-party modifications to an ATD and handling of hardware component changes with a separate contractor that is executing a third-party modification to an ATD.

8. Describe in detail, your company’s experience with assuming control over and completing an incomplete software baseline.

9. Provide in detail, your company’s notional timeline from a contract award to the delivery (SIMCERT complete) of a WST, BOT, and a FuT to designated sites (Table 2).

10. The KC-46 ATS is a large program operating multiple devices across multiple sites. The government annual training expectations during the planned period of performance are:

FTU MOB

WST ~5500 hours per WST (~33,000 annual)

~4500 hours per WST (~50,000 annual)

BOT ~2000 hours per BOT (~12,000 annual)

~2200 to 2800 hours per BOT (~23,000 annual)

FuT ~4500 hours per FuT (~9,000 annual)

~1800 to 4500 hours per FuT (~18,000 annual)

Please describe in detail, your company’s past performance with operating a military training program to include the typical total annual hours and annual hours per training device type.

11. Describe in detail, your company’s experience operating an Aerial Port function to support cargo training.

12. Describe in detail, your company’s experience in hiring and retaining an instructor workforce in a highly competitive location.

13. Describe in detail, your company’s experience in adding advanced technologies and capabilities to an existing program and tailoring the training programs to match specific training needs and requirements of military clients.

14. Describe in detail, your company’s experience in executing pre-priced options associated with a contract award. The details should document the ability to deliver multiple products/services in a timely manner.

15. Using the planned pre-priced option list from above, please provide a detailed timeline and assessment of your company’s approach to fully completing all of the pre-priced items.

16. The aircraft program remains in EMD with ongoing modifications and updates to correct design deficiencies. Describe in detail, your company’s experience with obtaining needed proprietary design data from Boeing Defense or other KC-46 aircraft program parts vendors to complete contract requirements.

17. Does your company presently have fully staffed or immediate access to instructor cadre with the skill set defined above? Describe your current instructor capabilities or your plan to fully staff an instructor core.

18. What would be a rough estimated cost to the Government for the completion of the requirements.

19. Please describe the number of types of major modifications your company has previously executed via TSSC project. Please include the total hours of the effort and schedule from start to completion.

20. Describe any additional teaming agreements, such as subcontracts, that would be implemented to meet program requirements. This includes partnerships for production activities and manpower additions that would be outside of the prime contractor.

21. Please provide an estimate of the learning curve time required after a contract award to standup production and the lead time for device production for a WST, BOT, and

FUT.

22. Describe in detail, your company’s experience with hiring and sustaining a qualified and certified cybersecurity workforce (e.g., Information System Security Manager/Officers/Engineers), and maintaining DoD/Air Force cybersecurity authorizations (e.g., ATO, AfU).

23. Describe the major risks you foresee in executing an effort of this scope. What steps will you likely take to mitigate these risks?