Item_Master_RFI_Narrative_v7_02Jun14.docx

Initiative: AF Item Master Logistics Capability Initiative Notice Type: Market Research

The United States Air Force (USAF) Program Executive Office (PEO) for Business and Enterprise Systems (BES), Defense Business System (DBS) Development Planning (DP) Branch at Wright-Patterson AFB, OH is conducting market research in support of the USAF Logistics Information Technology (IT) Transformation Sponsors (AF/A4I) for Item Master. This market research will assist in identifying Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) software products that will inform an Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) Study with the components of potential courses of action to acquire and field an Item Master capability.

The intent of this new Item Master initiative is to provide the AF enterprise with an Item Master capability that generates and manages comprehensive, accurate, and reliable Item data. It will develop recommendations for new and improved AF Item Management processes, policies, systems, and organizational structures in order to provide enterprise users with the breadth and depth of accurate Item data necessary to support and enable dependent processes, initiatives, programs, and transformational concepts.

Current AF Item Master Management processes, policies, systems, and organizational structures are unable to provide enterprise users with the breadth and depth of accurate Item data necessary for an array of vital and dependent processes, initiatives, programs, and transformational concepts. This includes the following:

1. Modernization and transformation to enable Logistics Business Areas (LBA)

· All current and planned LBAs are dependent to varying degrees on Item data. In some cases, such as the Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) and Enterprise Supply Chain Analysis Planning and Execution (ESCAPE) initiatives, today’s current legacy AF Item data is insufficient in terms of availability, accuracy and depth of data content. The AF Item Management community must extend their Item capabilities to support these transformational initiatives.

2. Resolution of major item related issues

· The AF supply chain is faced with a bevy of significant issues that have not been successfully overcome using present tools and methods, such as:

· No clear identification and authorization of owners and users of the item

· Inconsistent management of item master data

· Inconsistent and duplicative Local Purchase Items

· No clearly defined item structure and item definition

· Inability to correctly correlate Part Numbers and NIINs

· Establishing functional enterprise Interchangeability and Substitutability rules

· General inaccuracy of Item data create inefficiencies for the enterprise

3. Enablement of transformational concepts

· To meet the demands of leaner budgets, a number of transformational efforts and concepts are being pursued. Among them, the demand for accurate Bills of Materiel (BOM), Maintenance Programs, and item supply chain data is growing. Additionally, the Item Unique Identification (IUID) and Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness (FIAR) programs are underway and currently unsupportable with existing legacy systems. These concepts are dependent on a robust Item Master capability in order to achieve the goals of transforming the AF enterprise.

4. Modernization and reduction of legacy systems

· AF logisticians have been struggling with the current suite of antiquated, legacy logistics information systems and data in order to keep the AF supply chain operational. Disparate, inefficient, and manually intensive systems and processes generate wasted effort, manpower, and time. Furthermore, the sheer volume of systems and interface maintenance is a significant burden on AF finances and further extends the implementation timelines for new initiatives and legacy system enhancements.

5. Enhancement of critical enterprise processes

· Many critical logistics processes are intimately related to and dependent upon Item data. These processes, including provisioning, cataloging, distribution, and MRO are currently hampered by the current state of Item data and related systems. Well-functioning, standard performance measures are missing in current Item Master Management processes.

To solve the challenges described above, the following capabilities will deliver value to AF stakeholders:

Capability 1: Item Standardization and Item Configuration Management: This capability provides AF Logistics Enterprise with a standard, repeatable item cataloging process, item content development, and configuration management of the item data through enhanced business rule development and policy changes that is facilitated by a central Item Master organization. This includes two sub-capabilities: 1) Item Standardization and 2) Item Configuration Management.

· Sub-Capability 1.1: Item Standardization: This sub-capability provides the standardization and transformation of Item cataloging processes, structure, and content for all applicable Item types. Item Types include but are not limited to: National Stock Number (NSN), Bill of Material (BOM), Logistics Bill of Material (LBOM), Foreign Military Sales (FMS), Non-definitive (ND), Kit, Software, etc. Additionally, this expands the total number of records used in sustainment to include the non-stock listed / non-cataloged items required for a specified level for repair and capacity to include all future acquisition items.

Item standardization provides a single repeatable process for Item Cataloging through enhanced business rules and policy changes, providing enterprise visibility of an estimated 4.8 billion dollars in locally managed inventory tracked through 260+ instances of Standard Base Supply System (SBSS). Enterprise visibility enhances demand forecasting, allows for potential economies of scale purchasing, and enables total asset visibility.

· Sub-Capability 1.2: Item Configuration Management: This sub-capability maintains consistency of item product structure, attributes, and propagation through a single organization comprised of logistics enterprise experts. A controlled and reliable data record increases accuracy, decreases duplication, ensures coordination among all stakeholders, provides standard views and attributes, and establishes consistency. Item Master provides knowledge of item and relationships to assets/product structures, associates documents, and manages necessary changes to all AF Logistics stakeholders.

Capability 2: Item Authoritative Source: This capability will provide a single authoritative source, enterprise release, and enterprise acceptance for all Item information also enhancing the item record, its associated product structure, and its required attributes to support the AF logistics business process re-engineering. Currently, each community maintains their own authoritative source for Items leading to duplication of Item records; data discrepancies; costly interfaces; lack of coordination, integration, and configuration management; multiple exchanges with external agencies; and excessive manpower requirements to facilitate reconciliation of duplicative data which leads to the inability to share coordinated Item structures across the AF Logistics Enterprise. Furthermore, inaccurate cost reporting prevents DoD mandated FIAR compliance.

Enhancing the item record consolidates Integrated Logistics Management (ILM) attributes into an authoritative item record. The enhancement and creation of a complete item record becomes the authoritative source for all logistics activities. This will include changes and improvements to item content, classification and business rules; while providing capability and flexibility to support future Item requirements and types. ILM attributes includes information from, but not limited to, supply, financial, technical, transportation, maintenance, and vendor communities.

The Air Force is currently conducting market research on COTS tools that have been successfully implemented in all market niches satisfying requirements. Overall strategy calls for eventual replacement of current legacy systems. Given the broad scope of items contained within legacy systems, the selected tool must provide the capability to enable transformation of master data from legacy systems, house and maintain it within the new tool, as well as sustain the information in the legacy systems to support a multi-year system retirement plan. Preference will be given to tools with a flexible user interface which will minimize training time and expense, as well as enable quick adoption to an extensive user community, including item cataloging stewards, supply, and maintenance Air Force personnel.

Attachment 1 is an Item Master Market Survey; this survey will be utilized by the AFLCMC/HIQD to analyze the market for interested parties of COTS software products that may have the salient characteristics inherent in helping the AFLCMC/HIQD deliver an Item Master capability.

It is anticipated that the USAF will update this RFI in 1-2 months with an additional survey and an additional attachment to further inform an Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) Study with the detailed capabilities of the previously identified COTS software products.

RESPONSES REQUESTED: Interested parties shall submit electronic responses to this RFI to the Contracting POC below by email not later than 19 June 2014 indicating their interest by completing Attachment 1 Item Master Market Survey (changes shall not be made to the format). Additional attachments to the Market Survey are not being requested. The Government is interested in responses from COTS software product vendors only. Responses shall be limited to 10 pages (excluding survey pages).

DISCLAIMER: THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION is for Market Research purposes only and is being used as an instrument to identify potential sources that can provide the capabilities described within this notice. The information provided in this notice is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. This notice does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB) or a Request for Proposal (RFP) and is not a commitment by the U.S. Government to procure subject services. No funds are available to pay for preparation of responses to this notification. The Government will use the information received to determine its acquisition strategy. Additionally, all submissions become government property and will not be returned. No basis for a claim against the Government shall arise as a result from a response to this market research survey.

If further information/clarification is needed or if there are questions regarding this announcement, the Interested Parties shall submit them in writing by e-mail to the Contracting POC below. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions will be answered by posting answers to the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website; accordingly, questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information.

An AFLCMC BES Wright-Patterson Ombudsman has been appointed to consider and facilitate the resolution of concerns from respondents and others for this RFI. Before consulting the Ombudsman concerned parties should first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendation to the Contracting Officer for resolution. In addition, AFFARS 5352.201-9101, Ombudsman, will be included in this RFI. The AFLCMC BES Wright-Patterson Ombudsman is:

Mr. Scott D. Warren 490 East Moore Drive, Bldg 892, Maxwell AFB, Gunter Annex AL 36114 Phone: (334) 416-4403 Email:scott.warren@gunter.af.mil

Contracting POC: Mr. Lance S. Sorensen, email: lance.sorensen@us.af.mil

Contracting Office Address: AFLCMC/HIQK 4225 Logistics Avenue, Room S226, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433

Place of Performance: Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433