ID08160075_Sources_Sought_Stryker_Trainer.pdf

Request for Information (RFI): ID08160075 – STRYKER TABLE TOP TRAINERS

Introduction

The General Services Administration (GSA) is considering a new requirement to provide STRYKER Remote Weapon System (RWS) Table Top Trainers (RWS-TTT) capable of providing simulated/virtual training in the operation of this weapon system for Army National Guard (ARNG) soldiers. The required TTT must provide meaningful virtual training in support of the RWS gunny requirements in TC 3-20.31 (Training Qualification) and TC 4-11.42 (Crew Convoy Protection Platform Gunnery Manuals).

The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this Request for Information (RFI), and any formal offers/proposals submitted in response to this notice will not be considered.

The purpose of this RFI is to gather data and current market place information from industry, including small business firms. The information obtained from this RFI will be used to assist in developing the most suitable acquisition strategy. Furthermore, interested parties will not be reimbursed for any costs related to providing information in response to this RFI. Responses to this RFI are due no later than 11/15/2016 by 12:00 PM Mountain Time.

The proposed North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for these services is 333318, Other Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing, with a small business size of 1,000 Employees.

This RFI is meant to achieve the following goals:

1.) To survey the marketplace to determine what type of firms can provide the required simulators.

2.) Determine if the required products are available via a GSA schedule or another multiple award contract.

3.) To gain feedback from industry and any other relevant stakeholders on any unique circumstances that could impact this potential procurement.

4.) Note: The Government reserves the right to establish an industry day with the purpose of having interested vendors demonstrate their capabilities.

a.) If a vendor is interested in demonstrating a product/capability related to this requirement please indicate a potential time and location for such a demonstration in any response to this RFI. Please note, a vendor’s interest in demonstrating a product/capability to the Government does not obligate the Government to attending such a demonstration or require the establishment of an Industry Day.

A. General Description of this requirement:

The ARNG requires a Stryker Tabletop Trainer that is a stand-alone personal computer based training device. The system needs to provide various degrees of familiarity training with the RWS prior to any virtual qualification, field exercise, or combat situation.

4.1 Hardware and peripherals

4.1.1 Computer. Each system shall be operated using a mini-desktop PC or a shuttle PC using a commercial off the shelf (COTS) video card enabling hi-fidelity high quality graphics. Each PC shall have a CD ROM accessible to the I/O, enabling data removal for recording crew records. Each PC shall utilize at least USB 2.0, have enough USB ports to facilitate the addition of driver trainer components and still have one unused port, and support at least 8GB of RAM.

4.1.2 Display. At a minimum, the trainer shall have a high resolution touchscreen monitor, at least 23.”

4.1.3 Joystick. The contractor shall provide a USB joystick that exactly replicates the form, fit, and functionality of the RWS Gun Control Grip in the STRYKER vehicle.

4.1.4 Speakers. The contractor shall provide at least one set of speakers per trainer which provides adequate volume level for signal tones, voice commands, and simulated vehicle and weapon sounds.

4.1.5 Keyboard. Each trainer shall have a USB 2.0 compatible keyboard.

4.1.6 Mouse. Each trainer shall have a USB 2.0 compatible mouse. Mouse functionality can be contained on the keyboard or be wireless.

4.2. Fidelity, Performance, and Records

4.2.1 The simulated Fire Control Unit (FCU) display shall depict the actual size of the Stryker FCU.

4.2.2 The trainer shall have all Stryker reticle patterns from which the user may select, with the selected pattern displayed in the FCU based on reticle selection. The reticle designs shall be based on requirements outlined in TM 9-2355-311-10-2-1.

4.2.3 There shall be sub-menu fields that change in the FCU display according to user selection. The trainer at a minimum shall display data on: range input from the laser rangefinder; weapon ammo field display; azimuth indicating position of RWS in relation to the vehicle chassis; elevation position indicator; zeroing field; warning error field; and status field.

4.2.4 The trainer shall proportionally depict: elevation (primary weapon elevation and depression zone limits), traverse rates, thermal imaging, stabilization standards, tracking, and reticles. Additionally, it shall provide an appropriate depiction of independent RWS traverse during simultaneous vehicle turning maneuver.

4.2.5 The trainer shall replicate all applicable vehicle and weapon sounds. This includes an appropriate tone to alert the commander/gunner when the vehicle is about to turn or move out, and when an exercise is complete. Other aural cues to be replicated include:

vehicle sound when powering up/down (hydraulics, gyros, etc.); engine running at idle;

engine fluctuations (rev up/down); weapon charging and firing; appropriate tones for NBC environments; ammo reload; voice driver commands.

4.2.6 The contractor shall ensure that the RWS-TTT simulations replicate the performance of the RWS in accordance with the RWS M151E2 hardware model and TM 9-2355-311-10-2-1/2/3. All replicated weapon and ammunition attributes shall reflect appropriate performance characteristics, such as rounds per minute, range, tracer burnout, and effects on target. Each virtually simulated MK19 round and fifth round of .50 caliber ammunition shall replicate the appropriate tracer color. Ammunition utilization and round dispersion need to be accounted for accordingly, for both the .50 Caliber and MK 19 ammunition. The trainer shall simulate the stabilization system when the weapon is firing, from both a stationary vehicle position and while on the move.

4.2.7 All switches and knobs represented on the trainer, whether virtual or actual, shall be scaled, modeled, replicated, and placed in accordance with (IAW) Stryker ICV specifications.

4.2.8 A training window shall launch the training and present the minimum data for the gunner to initialize the exercise. After training initialization, the display shall present specific exercise data to the user, for example: score sheet, crew records, crew cuts, and exit training.

4.2.9 There shall be a I/O selectable option to include a driver in the training scenario.

4.2.10 The RWS-TTT shall maintain training progress and certification records of authorized users, and have the capability to deport digital training records through a common-use database or spreadsheet e.g.(Excel).

4.2.11 The RWS-TTT shall maintain workload data, tracking type, and quantity of work, as directed.

4.3 Exercises and Scoring Standards

The trainer’s exercise library and database shall resemble normal gunnery ranges and provide a series of progressive exercises starting with boresight and zero exercises, building up to practice gates-to-live fire exercises to prepare Soldiers for each qualification exercise. These exercises shall be developed using TC 3-20.31 and other direct gunnery training guidance. The trainer shall support M2 .50 caliber and MK 19 weapons. The trainer shall provide degraded exercises such as thermal failure and variable weather conditions, and shall have the ability to implement gyro faults.

4.3.1 Boresight and Zero Exercise. Prior to each training session, the gunner shall be required to perform boresighting on the selected weapon.

4.3.2 Practice Exercises. There shall be 10 progressive practice exercises using a combination of environmental and operational conditions, allowing for defensive, offensive, and on-the-move situations.

4.3.3 Qualification Exercises. There shall be 10 qualification exercises representing variations of environmental and operational conditions, allowing for defensive, offensive, and on-the-move situations. Scoring criteria for qualification exercises shall be represented in accordance with the appropriate gunnery manuals aforementioned in section 2.0 objective.

4.3.4 Target Acquisition and Engagement Scoring Standards. Standards for target acquisition and engagement scoring shall be in accordance with TC 3-20.31 and TC 3- 20.31-4 and other pertinent gunnery publications. This includes areas such as: target kill, target exposure time, offensive engagements, defensive engagements, vehicle exposure time, exposure break time, defilade time, etc. The trainer must incorporate standards for all engagement modifiers. The trainer shall provide appropriate scoring for degraded exercises, such as thermal failure and variable weather conditions.

4.3.5 Exercise Scoresheet. The contractor shall build in a Common Crew Scoresheet and Common Crew Roll-up in accordance with the TC 3-20.31. It shall be accessible by the operator at any time during the training and that can be updated after each training event. Both scoresheet and crew roll-up will include all information as described in the applicable gunnery manual.

4.3.6 Conditions. Variable operational and environmental conditions need to be replicated within the simulations, to include as a minimum: normal, moving, and limited visibility.

4.3.7 Crew Cuts. Crew cuts shall be established to identify training deficiencies to the gunner and commander. These cuts shall be applied to all exercises except boresighting and zeroing. The contractor shall provide the ability to have the cuts inserted manually by an instructor or automatically and all crew cuts shall be in accordance with TC 3-20.31.

4.3.8 Crew Records. Crew records shall be accessible from the training window display. The crew records shall be exportable via CD and meet all necessary information assurance guidelines.

4.3.9 Targets. The contractor shall make the following target types available for each exercise (each target type shall have appropriate thermal signature): 7 man troop team, 3 man RPG team, 3 variants of technical truck, 2 variants of military truck, sniper, bunker, friendly HMMWV, friendly M-ATV, friendly Stryker ICV. These images and targets will comply with the current Army Modeling and will replicate the same thermal image as depicted in the current Army software inventory.

4.3.10 Use as a Gate to Live Fire. Prior to first fielding, the contractor shall obtain TRADOC (Gunnery Branch) acceptance or recognition that the exercises and scoring standards meet or exceed minimum gunnery training requirements for potential use as a prerequisite gate to live fire.

5.0 Requirements-Driver Station and Instructor/Operator Station (IOS)

The ARNG also requires a Stryker Drivers Station with IOS that can connect to the RWS TTT for certain crew and collective training events in relation to gunnery.

5.1 Hardware and peripherals

5.1.1 Computer. Each system shall be operated using a mini-desktop PC or a shuttle PC using a COTS video card enabling hi-fidelity high quality graphics. Each PC shall have a CD ROM accessible to the I/O, enabling data removal for recording crew records. Each PC shall utilize at least USB 2.0, have enough USB ports to facilitate addition of driver trainer components and still have one unused port, and support at least 8GB of RAM.

5.1.2 Display. At a minimum, the IOS should have two monitors that can display multiple views. These views should at a minimum include the Gunners sight picture, the driver’s periscope or Driver Viewer Enhancer (DVE) view, an “out the hatch” view of the firing vehicle(s), and the IOS Graphical User Interface (GUI).

5.1.3 Driver Position. The contractor shall provide a drivers position that exactly replicates the form, fit, and functionality of the actual position within Stryker vehicle that includes a functional Drivers Instrumentation Panel (DIP), DVE, adjustable seat (forward, back, elevation and lowered), adjustable pedals (forward and back), functional buttons the set the air brakes, adjustable steering wheel (tilt and telescopic) and shifter.

The driver shall be able to interoperate in the virtual environment using both the DVE and periscope view. The driver’s position shall also include an small fan in order to regulate the temperature inside the compartment while the simulator is in operation.

5.1.4 Communications. The IOS and drivers position will include a headset that will allow for two way communication to the RWS TTT the IOS and Drivers shelter.

5.1.5 Keyboard. The IOS shall have a USB 2.0 compatible keyboard.

5.1.6 Mouse. The IOS shall have a USB 2.0 compatible mouse.

5.2. Fidelity, Performance, and Records

5.2.1 The Driver and IOS stations shall connect to all existing and newly procured RWS TTTs in order to operate as a high fidelity Stryker gunnery trainer for a both crew and collective gunnery.

5.2.2 The IOS shall be interoperable with at a minimum four like crew trainers in order to conduct section and platoon gunnery and maneuver.

5.2.3 The IOS shall be equipped with playback capability in order to assist with after action reviews

5.2.4 The IOS and Drivers station shall have the ability to operate from one 110 volt 15 amp breaker.

5.2.5 The trainer shall replicate all applicable vehicle sounds. Aural cues to be replicated include: vehicle sound when powering up/down (hydraulics, gyros, etc.), engine running at idle, engine fluctuations (rev up/down), weapon charging and firing, appropriate tones for NBC environments, and ammo reload.

5.2.6 All switches and knobs represented on the trainer, whether virtual or actual, shall be scaled, modeled, replicated, and placed IAW Stryker ICV specifications.

5.2.7 The IOS shall be equipped with a printer capable of printing numerous scoresheets and roll-ups and at a minimum should be able to print five pages per minute.

5.3 Cybersecurity

The RWS-TTT, Drivers, and IOS shall meet all Risk Management Framework (RMF) requirements to obtain an Authority To Operate (ATO) statement from the Designated Approving Authority (DAA) prior to first delivery. It is anticipated that the minimum requirements of this Statement of Work require that the RWS-TTT operate only in a Close Restricted Network (CRN) environment. Therefore, the RWS-TTT shall meet all Cybersecurity controls associated with Mission Assurance Category (MAC) III with a Confidentiality Level (CL) of Sensitive, as defined in DoD IA Control Checklist 850-2 for unclassified systems.

All IA requirements, e.g. Certificate of Net worthiness (CON), Interim Authority to Operate (IATO), Authority to Operate (ATO), and RMF, and others, as applicable, shall be met in accordance with the following:

Subchapter III of Chapter 35 of title 44, United States Code, “Federal Information Security Management Act (FISMA) 2002” DoD Instruction 8510.01, “DIACAP,” November 28 2007

DoD Directive 8500.01E, “Information Assurance (IA),” October 24, 2002 Army Regulation, 25-2, “Information Assurance”

B. Responses from Industry

Responses and input from interested parties is requested. In responding to this RFI please provide the following information:

1. A summary of your company’s services and relevant experience including NAICS code that pertains to each perspective product/task. Relevant experience is defined as having provided similar products to those described in this RFI that demonstrates your company’s ability to successfully satisfy this requirement.

2. Response to the following questions limiting your total response to up to 10 pages

C. Questions for Industry

1.) What is your company name, address, point of contact, telephone number, email address, and size of your organization (i.e. large business, small business) using NAICS 333318 as the basis of your response.

2.) Are these products currently available under an already existing vehicle such as a Government Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) or Federal Supply Schedule (FSS)? If yes please provide the contract number and any specific information that would support using the contract to procure the required products. Also, if a holder of a GWAC, please indicate if your company is in a small or large business pool.

3.) How many years of experience does your company have with similar projects?

4.) What are the best practices or lessons learned based on your experience that you feel are important and applicable to the solicitation.

5.) The purpose of the RFI is to elicit data and current market place information from companies including small business firms.

a.) Can this work or parts of it be performed by a small business?

b.) If subcontracting will be required which services listed in the PWS attached to this RFI need to be subcontracted, and will small business contractors be used?

c.) Are you a small business? If yes, what socio-economic category does your business identify as? (Hubzone, 8A, Women Owned Small Business, Veteran Owned Small Business, etc.).

d.) Describe how you would address quality control in this type of contract, and how you mitigate impact to performance in the various locations?

e.) Briefly describe any teaming arrangements that you may have been involved in that may be relevant to the scope of services in this RFI. How were responsibilities distributed amongst the firms in the arrangement, and how was the team held accountable? Was your firm defined as a large of small business while this teaming agreement was in force? Please also outline any subcontracting arrangements within the teaming agreement and the business sizes of any prospective subcontractors that would be used to meet this requirement (general percentages of work that can be completed by small business contractors, and their corresponding business type, i.e. 8(a), Veterans Owned, etc., will be sufficient: specific subcontractor names are not required but may be submitted.

f.) If your company offers these products, are the considered commercial or non-commercial?

D. Response Requested

Responses must be provided no later than 12:00 PM Mountain Time on November 15, 2016. Response packages should be sent by email to the following inbox:

jonathan.chisholm@gsa.gov and heidi.sawyer@gsa.gov. Thank you for your interest in this procurement.