Sources_Sought-CBRNE_Bridge _3_Mar_15.docx

Solicitation Number: FA9401-15-R-8021 Notice Type: Special Notice Synopsis: Sources Sought NUCLEAR STOCKPILE AND CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, NUCLEAR, HIGH YIELD EXPLOSIVE (CBRNE) TECHNICAL STUDIES The government seeks to award a bridge contract to ensure stability of the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center mission. A competitive contract was awarded to Exelis, Inc., 2560 Huntington Ave #200, Alexandria, VA 22303-1404 (FA9453-09-D-0380) on September 30, 2009 to provide Nuclear Stockpile and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, High Yield Explosive (CBRNE) technical studies for the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (AFNWC), Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB), New Mexico 87117. The contract ordering period expired on September 29, 2014 and the last remaining task orders issued under the contract will expire on September 29, 2015. The current position of the AFNWC is to issue an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) bridge contract to Exelis Inc. to continue the scope of the current contract, at a reduced effort, to provide for uninterrupted mission-critical services in support of real-world scenarios. The period of performance for this bridge is anticipated to be a 24-month ordering period. The Government anticipates an IDIQ ordering vehicle with cost-plus-fixed-fee orders. Services to be procured under this bridge contract are listed below. Future efforts are anticipated to be procured competitively.

The reduced efforts from the existing contract are 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.

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 in 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 the 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. To mitigate these risks for the future transition to a competitive contract, the bridge will include a transition plan option to facilitate a smooth turnover from the incumbent to a new contractor. This acquisition does not assume the incumbent contractor 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. Alternatives that were considered include:

1. Suspension of Contract Support. The support services provided by the CBRNE contractor are ongoing and critical to mission accomplishment. Suspension of these services would cause major disruption to the AFNWC mission. Therefore, this alternative is not viable.

2. Use of In-House Resources. AFNWC relies heavily on highly technical, subject matter expertise of the contractor. AFNWC lacks sufficient manpower, technical expertise, and resources to perform the required services.

3. Start a Competitive Procurement. AFNWC is planning a competitive procurement with an anticipated award in June 2017. This is not a viable alternative for meeting the immediate need.

If you are interested in performing this effort, please provide a Statement of Capability (SOC) specifically addressing the government’s concerns and technical requirements. SOCs shall be unclassified and limited to 10 pages, single spaced, 12-point Times New Roman font. SOCs shall be submitted NLT 23 March 2015, 4:00 p.m. (MST) to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer identified below, and shall be identified with “Response to Special Notice FA9401-15-R-8021. All information submitted shall support the offeror's capability to provide the services required, and 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 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.

The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to capture updated market research on offerors who can immediately and successfully meet the stated bridge requirements. This notice is NOT a request for competitive proposals. Requests for copies of a solicitation in response to this notice will not be acknowledged or honored. 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.

RESTRICTION ON PERFORMANCE BY FOREIGN CITIZENS (i.e., those holding non-US passports): this topic is “Export Controlled.” The information and materials provided pursuant to or resulting from this topic are restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), 22 CFR 120-130 or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR 730-774, which control the export of sensitive technical data. Foreign citizens may perform work under an unclassified award resulting from this topic only if they are designated as a US person, as defined by 22 CFR 120.15 or if offeror is able to obtain an export license through the Department of State or Department of Commerce. Foreign citizens designated as US persons are not permitted to perform work under a classified award. Foreign citizens will at no time be allowed to work on Air Force installations.

Contracting Office Address: AFNWC/PZIE; 8500 Gibson Blvd SE; Bldg 20202, Rm 219; Kirtland AFB NM 87117 Place of Performance: Kirtland AFB NM and/or contractor’s facility Primary Point of Contact: Amber Marron, Contract Specialist, 505-846-8491 or amber.marron@us.af.mil Secondary Point of Contact: Maxine Gallegos, Contracting Officer, 505-853-1152 or maxine.gallegos@us.af.mil