GATES RFI.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

FOR

UNITED STATES TRANSPORTATION COMMAND (USTRANSCOM)

GLOBAL AIR TRANSPORTATION EXECUTION SYSTEM (GATES)

HTC711-25-Q-D023

1. RFI Overview

In 2025, USTRANSCOM plans to establish a contract for Global Air Transportation Execution System (GATES) to support Surface Deployment and Distribution Command (SDDC) contract management. This will encompass functional training, Government Accepted Testing (GATs), other functional-based testing, and support for, but not limited to, responding to functional questions/assistance related to GATES- Surface/Water actions. The contract will also provide helpdesk support to address customer issues, offering guidance and clarification on resolving issues at any global location. Additionally, it will include comprehensive GATES and Handheld Terminal (HHT) scanner training covering implementation, maintenance and assistance for users worldwide. USTRANSCOM seeks a solution that will provide holistic, realistic, and detailed advice to GATES users, additionally providing training and help-desk support to GATES users worldwide. USTRANSCOM is seeking information about what solutions currently exist in the market and is interested in learning about what information industry may need to scope a logical roadmap to succeed.

This announcement constitutes an RFI for informational and planning purposes only.

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP), nor is it to be construed as a commitment by the Government. No contract will be awarded as a result. Industry’s response to the RFI—or lack thereof—will have no impact on the evaluation of responses to any subsequent RFP or Request for Quote (RFQ) released. The information requested will be used within USTRANSCOM as market research to facilitate decision making (e.g., determining acquisition strategy, small business concerns) and will not be disclosed outside the Government.

Proprietary information submitted shall be appropriately marked. Do not submit confidential information in your response.

**Note** USTRANSCOM will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties responding to this RFI.

1.1. RFI Contact(s)

We have designated the following individuals to serve as the official points of contact (POCs) for this RFI. These individuals are the only authorized contacts permitted to communicate on behalf of USTRANSCOM about this RFI.

Contact information for RFI POC(s):

NAME TITLE OFFICE EMAIL PHONE

Mr. Chad Lindauer

Contracting Officer TCAQ-D Chad.s.lindauer.civ@mail.mil 618-817-

Mr. Dominic

Gregov Contract Specialist TCAQ-D Dominic.s.gregov.civ@mail.mil 618-817-

1.2. Submission Details

Please submit your response to this RFI via email to the RFI POC(s) identified in Section 1.1. and ensure it is received prior to the due date identified in Section 1.3. If you have any questions about this RFI, please direct them to the RFI POC(s) listed in Section 1.1.

Physical (paper) copies of RFI responses will not be accepted.

1.3. RFI Timeline

The RFI timeline is outlined below. Dates may be modified by USTRANSCOM and posted as an amendment to this RFI.

RFI Released: 26-NOV-24 Deadline for Questions: 14:00 (CT) on 06-Dec-24 Responses Due: 14:00 (CT) on 13-DEC-24

1.4. RFI One-on-One Information (if applicable)

SAVE THE DATE: Week of 16-DEC-24 (estimated) - Industry One-on-One Sessions via MS TEAMS.

Please follow the instructions below to request a one-on-one session.

• Submit your RFI response, including a request for a one-on-one, no later than the response due date identified in Section 1.3.

• The first 25 RFI responses received (that include a request for a one-on-one) will be allocated a 15 minute session with the requirements team.

2. Background Information

SDDC’s mission is to plan, coordinate, and synchronize global end-to-end deployment and distribution services to protect and sustain our nation's Warfighters in support of national objectives.

2.1. Scope of the Requirement

USTRANSCOM is seeking sources capable of providing SDDC with comprehensive support for the GATES Surface/Water system. This support includes contract management, functional training, Government Accepted Testing (GAT), and other functional testing, along with assistance for addressing GATES Surface/Water-related questions. Additionally, the contract requires helpdesk support to resolve customer issues by offering instruction and clarification for problem-solving across global locations.

The requirement covers all aspects of GATES and Handheld Terminal (HHT) scanner training, including implementation, maintenance, and assistance for users worldwide.

Types of training will include computer-based training (CBT), virtual sessions, in-person training at Scott AFB, and Mobile Training Teams. The contractor will also assist customers with system applications and support GATES training, which includes creating agendas and timelines for students, developing PowerPoint slides for briefings, and sharing system upgrades, inventory details, and general transportation information.

Performance under this task order may involve travel within and beyond the Continental United States. GATES is used globally to support military operations, reserve training, and readiness. GATES currently serves an estimated 8,000 users across 24 worldwide terminals.

2.2. Place of Performance

The contractors will require access to SAFB to comply with GFE/identification requirements and potential meetings. The place of performance for the contractors should be within a 10-mile radius of SAFB, and at the same facility as the training location and GATES equipment is maintained. Contractors identified to work in the local commuting area must maintain a Secret Level clearance. All additional contractor employees not working in the direct commuting area will be at a place designated/agreed upon by the COR and will provide required connectivity to Government resources to support the PWS requirement.

All contractor employees must also be able to dial into government-sponsored teleconferences. Other than GFE specified, the contractor shall provide space, equipment, and resources needed to successfully execute this contract. The Scott AFB off site location shall be approved in writing by the COR.

The contractor’s facility shall also be used for meetings and training directly relating to the contractor and services covered under the contract. The contractors facility will be furnished with all necessary office equipment/furniture, to include computer, monitors, keyboard, mice, riser desks, chairs, drafting chairs for trainers, mounted screens for display and other necessary items as determined by the COR. Position at Beaumont, Texas shall support computer operations and maintenance of GATES equipment located at Beaumont and the SAFB area, as well as equipment when traveling, training and deployed. All contractors will travel to SAFB and other locations as needed/requested by the COR. Beaumont contractors require access to the Ft. Hood network which can only be established as an employee at Ft. Hood. Employees may be required to travel to various locations to support training exercises when the GATES communication kit will be utilized. For Beaumont location only, the contractor shall not work remotely. This position will require a Secret Level clearance.

Telework/remote work policy is subject to change as/if SDDC publishes new information regarding telework/remote work policies.

2.3. Anticipated Award Timeline

The current contract expires 30-SEP-25. A follow-on contract is anticipated to be awarded on or about Fourth Quarter FY25.

3. Information Requested

Parties interested in assisting USTRANSCOM with this market research are requested to submit the following information in the format outlined below. The response should be detailed (but no more than five pages). Title pages and cover letter will not count against the page limit. Respondents are highly encouraged to submit a tailored response rather than a generic capability statement to ensure the requested information is provided.

3.1. Company Information

• Company Name

• Unique Entity ID

• CAGE Code

• POCs, to include name, title, phone number, and email address

• This contract is expected to require access to classified information or require a

Facility Security Clearance (FCL) at the Secret Level. Based on this expectation, does your company currently meet the requirement(s)? If no, provide a brief statement describing how and/or when your company plans to have a clearance? A final determination of required accesses/FCLs will be detailed in any resultant solicitation.

3.2. Business Size

The anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) for this effort is 611430, Professional and Management Development Training. The Small Business Administration’s small business size standard for this NAICS is $12 million Based on this NAICS, identify your business size as a LARGE or SMALL business. If a small business, identify any of the following socio-economic categories that apply to your business under this NAICS: Historically Under-utilized Business Zones (known as “HUBZone”), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, Veteran-Owned, Small Disadvantaged Business, 8(a), Women-Owned, or Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned.

3.3. Who We’re Looking For

USTRANSCOM highly encourages responses from capable businesses of all sizes, including large and small business concerns and all socioeconomic categories. However, it should be noted that small business set-aside opportunities are being considered for the NAICS identified in Section 3.2.

3.4. What We’re Looking For

Interested Parties are invited to provide information on the following subjects of interest, specifically describing your capabilities in successfully executing the following:

• Capability to provide training; to include in person, remote (TEAMS or such platform), mobile training teams (travel required), development and updates to such training as well as development and upkeep of CBTs (Computer based training).

• Capability to preform help desk functions: researching and providing answers to user’s questions and/or concerns. May require contractor to research data within various systems, perform actions within GATES or escalate tickets to a higher-level TIER.

• Capability to provide Tier II/III help/ desk / customer support 24x7, 365 days a year for emergency support and system. Responding to Tier II/III trouble tickets generated by initial contact from Tier I helpdesk and be responsible for all functional and technical helpdesk calls/notices received.

• Capability to perform formal software testing as an integral component of the program’s overall product. This effort includes creating test cases and plans to provide end-to-end testing of all developed applications, reports, scripts, procedures, extract, transform, and load, and other software entities.

Provide the following project or contract information for requirements deemed like this effort:

• A brief description of the project

• Contract number

• Period of performance

• Was your company a prime or subcontractor?

• Dollar value of the project

• Training experience (in-person, remote (via TEAMS), and mobile training teams (with travel as needed),

• Help Desk: Addressing user questions or issues, which may involve researching data within multiple systems, taking actions within GATES, or escalating tickets to a higher-level TIER.

• Exercises support

• Scope of the portion of the effort your company supported

If your company is a large business, specify whether you partnered or subcontracted with small business concerns to provide the same or similar services as this requirement.

If your company has no direct performance or experience with the above, explain how you will perform tasks utilizing experienced subcontractors through a proposed teaming arrangement or the hiring of qualified personnel.

3.5. Commercial Availability

Commercial Practices. Request responses to the following questions as they pertain to providing GLOBAL AIR TRANSPORTATION EXECUTION SYSTEM (GATES) support.

• Is this service available commercially? If so, what commercial solutions can address the requirement?

• What applicable industry standards, terms and conditions, regulations, trade journals, or process guides are germane to the service to be acquired? marketplace for this type of service (e.g., single-award, multiple-award, firm-fixed price, cost reimbursement, labor hour, time-and-materials)?

• What contract length is normally used in the commercial marketplace for this type of service (e.g., base year plus four options)?

• What is the recommended pricing structure, and what are the largest cost-drivers for this type of service (e.g., labor, equipment, leases, depreciation, fuel)?

• What evaluation criteria are typical for use in selecting a contractor to provide this type of service?

• Are there any organizational conflict of interest concerns?

• Are there technologies the Government should adopt, if feasible, to improve this requirement?

• Are there challenges posed to non-incumbent interested parties that should be addressed?

4. Other Important Information

Please list existing contract vehicles available for use in procuring this effort to include Federal Supply Schedules, GSA Governmentwide Acquisition Contracts, DoD Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contracts (known as “IDIQs”), or any other Government Agency contract vehicles. (This information on available contract vehicles is for market research only and does not preclude your company from responding to this notice.)

Please list any existing contracts you have which could be used to procure this effort.

Provide any other suggestions or considerations to improve this procurement. Are there software advancements, industry developments, or innovative solutions to be considered?

Please feel free to provide questions and/or comments on the draft Performance Work Statement (attached), citing any information you feel may improve/innovate this requirement.

5. Conclusion

USTRANSCOM would like to thank you for taking the time to review this important RFI, and we look forward to reviewing your response.

DOMINIC GREGOV CHAD LINDAUER

Contract Specialist Contracting Officer 618-817-0708 618-817-9392 dominic.s.gregov.civ@mail.mil chad.s.lindauer.civ@mail.mil

Attachment:

DRAFT Performance Work Statement mailto:dominic.s.gregov.civ@mail.mil mailto:chad.s.lindauer.civ@mail.mil