ExecutiveSummaryforDraftRFP.doc

STAT Spiral 1 Executive Summary for the Draft RFP

FA9101-08-R-0002

Announcement in Federal Business Opportunities 9 November 2007 The Arnold Engineering Development Center (AEDC), Arnold AFB, Tennessee, is pursuing a full and open, best value competition for the Space Threat Assessment Testbed (STAT) Program. System development is expected to last four years with Initial Operational Capability delivered at the end of FY10 and Full Operational Capability at the end of FY12. The Government anticipates a single award but reserves the right to make multiple awards.

As the initial spiral of a comprehensive STAT capability, the STAT Spiral 1 Program leverages the lessons learned in the complex space environment test capability development of the Characterization of Combined Orbital Surface Effects (CCOSE) system and creates a component, sub-system, and microsat scale test capability for developmental and operational testing of satellite hardware in realistic natural and threat environments.

The STAT procurement will proceed under FAR Part 15. The integrated STAT Spiral 1 system must be able to be licensed, operated, and maintained on behalf of the Government by the AEDC operating contractor. The contractor will work in partnership with the AEDC operating contractor throughout the development program to ensure appropriate support infrastructure development takes place and to ensure that the hand-over from development and construction to operations goes smoothly.

Key features of the STAT Spiral 1 capability will be the complex natural space environments simulating Low Earth Orbit and Geosynchronous Orbits, simulators of key man-made threats, and a real-time connection capability that allows ground station hardware, software, and operators to be involved in the test and evaluation process. The STAT Spiral 1 capability represents a new integrated, real-time simulation of the complex space environment to enable technology maturation and performance verification necessary to advance technologies to Technology Readiness Level 7 without incurring the cost and schedule of a space flight.

Draft requests for proposal (dRFPs) are a critical part of the RFP development process and a major step on the path toward source selection. The Government is soliciting comments, questions, and proposed changes to the attached draft RFP from all interested parties by 7 December 2007. The Government will consider all questions, comments, and proposed changes for possible incorporation into a subsequent draft or final RFP.

The Government desires to maximize competition in the STAT Spiral 1 Program and to provide each offeror with a fair opportunity to compete. Responses to the STAT Spiral 1 Request for Information (RFI) identified many issues that have already improved the quality of the draft system requirements document and statement of objectives.

The Government seeks specific recommendations for addressing any concerns identified in the draft RFP process. Recommendations should include specific changes to the draft RFP. Also, the legal authority and rationale for suggested changes should be identified and discussed.

Specifically, the Government seeks comments and recommendations in each the following areas:

1. Inclusion of warranties and performance guarantees for the integrated STAT Spiral 1 system.

2. The Government is considering using an incentive fee and performance fee on the contract. We anticipate the total fee pool for all of these incentives to be in the 10 percent to 12 percent range. Specific details will be provided with the final RFP, but you are requested to provide any suggested amounts or areas to incentivize in response to this draft RFP. In particular, the amount of performance fee necessary to appropriately incentivize proposal and implementation of the objective to accelerate environmental exposure capability requirements.

Please be advised, a draft RFP is not a formal request for proposals and does not constitute an offer by the United States Government (USG) of any kind. The Government will only review feedback in the form of written questions and comments. No proposals (final or draft) will be accepted or reviewed at this time. The release of this notice, subsequent updates, and the draft RFP does not obligate the USG to release a final RFP or award a contract. Any costs associated with the review of the draft RFP and development and submission of feedback are the sole responsibility of the interested party. The USG will not reimburse any interested party for the costs incurred in response to this notice or any future notice related to this solicitation.

Questions and concerns regarding this notice should be directed only to the Contracting Officer, Ms. Kathy P. Swanson by telephone at (931) 454-4409, or email to Kathy.swanson@arnold.af.mil.