Notice_of_Intent_for_a_Sole_Source_Bridge.docx

Notice Number: FA9401-15-R-8021 Notice Type: Pre-Solicitation

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE

The Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC), Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB), New Mexico 87117, hereby formally announces the intent to award a bridge contract on a sole source basis to Exelis, Inc., 12975 Worldgate Drive, Herndon VA 20170-6008 under the authority of 10 USC 2304(c)(1) as implemented by FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(iii)(B). The contract shall provide for Nuclear Stockpile and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, High Yield Explosive (CBRNE) technical studies. This acquisition is for a 2-year ordering period on an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity Cost Plus Fixed Fee contract. Future efforts are anticipated to be procured competitively. Services to be procured under this bridge contract are listed below.

The required services include scientific analysis, engineering, simulation, computational analysis, computer model development, and test support and planning for AFNWC in the following areas: counterforce concept evaluation and development for strikes against CBRNE targets; conventional and advanced nuclear weapons effectiveness studies and analyses; nuclear stockpile management and stewardship; CBRNE target assessments and intelligence activities; basic science and experimentation associated with CBRNE; nuclear weapon modification; and aircraft survivability and hardness of nuclear effects safe escape, base escape, technical interchange participation, and corroborating documentation.

This effort requires Science and Technology (S&T) expertise in support of Agent Defeat Weapon (ADW) concept exploration or system development involving chemical and biological dispersion, lethality, effects, and neutralization. Additionally, expertise is required in the methodologies and analysis tools historically and currently used to determine aircraft hardness and survivability relative to safe escape and base escape. In-depth knowledge of the weapon delivery technical orders (TO) is also required. Extensive knowledge and experience with the following Modeling and Simulation (M&S) tools is required to support analysis and continued execution of current real-world scenarios:

- Empirical Lethality Methodology (ELM)

- Simulation Environment & Response Program Execution Nesting Tool (SERPENT)

- Nuclear Hardness Data Base System (NHDBS)

The contractor requires a Top Secret and associated facility clearances for classified and closed work area(s) with classified computers and the required equipment for a SIPRNet connection at the contractor’s facilities.

This acquisition does not assume that Exelis is the only contractor who can perform these services, only that there are no contractors, at this time, who are capable of performing these highly specialized services without unacceptable delays. The Air Force’s current models and tools are used for Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) modeling and simulation, which provide the AFNWC real-world scenario support and enables evaluation of impacts on policy and real-world operations. The AFNWC has provided the art of the possible, and in all cases, has provided a cost effective solution based on modeling and analysis for those scenarios. These real-world scenarios are unpredictable and when the call comes in, the AFNWC has 24 hours or less to respond. This action alone requires subject matter experts (SMEs) thoroughly trained on the models, WMD, and weapons effects. Without this bridge, a competitive effort initiated in the near term would result in a gap in coverage of an estimated 18 months, plus an additional estimated 6 months of spin-up time for a new contractor to gain required familiarization of the current models and simulations necessary to carry out the missions. Without the ELM, SERPENT, and NHDBS technical expertise in place, the AFNWC would be unable to provide the required immediate response to real-world events.

This notice of intent is NOT a request for competitive proposals. Requests for copies of a solicitation in response to this notice will not be honored or acknowledged. Interested parties may submit a three to five page Statement of Capability in MSWord via email to the Contracting Officer (identified below), Subject Line: Response to Special Notice FA9401-15-D-8021 no later than 15 days from the first day of this posting. All information submitted shall be furnished at no cost or obligation to the government. Responses must be in writing and must provide clear and concise documentation indicating an offeror's bona fide capability to provide these services that would provide the services without a break in service or a negative impact to the mission of the AFNWC. Verbal responses are not acceptable and will not be considered. All responses received by the due date will be considered by the government. A determination by the government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the government. For specific questions, please contact the Contracting Officer (identified below).

Contracting Office Address: AFNWC/PZIE; 8500 Gibson Blvd SE; Bldg 20202, Rm 219; Kirtland AFB NM 87117 Place of Performance: Contractor’s Facilities Primary Point of Contact: Maxine Gallegos, Contracting Officer, 505-853-1152 or maxine.gallegos@us.af.mil