ID08160076_-_Virtual_Convoy_Operations_Trainer.pdf

Request for Information (RFI): ID08160076 – Virtual Convoy Operations Trainer

Introduction

The General Services Administration (GSA) is considering a new requirement to provide Virtual Convoy Operations Trainer capable of providing simulated/virtual training for Army National Guard (ARNG) soldiers. The ARNG requires a virtual training solution in support of the Army’s Mounted Machine Gun crew and collective gunnery requirements as stated in TC 3-20.31 Training and Qualification, Crew and TC 4-11.46 Convoy Protection Platform (CPP) Gunnery manual.

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:

3.0 Scope

The ARNG has a need for Virtual Convoy Operations Trainers (VCOTs) to train crews, sections, and platoons on combat convoy procedures and Mounted Machine Gun gunnery. The ARNG has more than 12,000 crews, most of which require annual qualification on gunnery, in accordance with TC 3-20.31 and TC 4-11.46. Due to limitations in ranges, ammunition, and time, ARNG crews are often hard-pressed to fulfill this annual requirement. VCOTs provide sufficient mitigation for this gap in training capability.

3.1 The ARNG’s VCOT fleet currently consists of 110 systems. In March 2015, an ARNG Council of Colonels approved the purchase and upgrade of 10 systems to fulfill the ARNG’s training strategy requirement. Thus, the objective of this procurement is to purchase and field seven new VCOTs and upgrade three older versions of the VCOT. The requirement for 120 VCOTs is based on the justification that each Brigade and Regimental-level organization must provide to their subordinate elements the means to train and sustain platform gunnery proficiencies at the crew, section, and in some cases, the platoon level. The basis of issue supports a VCOT for each of these Brigade and Regimental-level organizations. However, due to interstate dispersion of sub-elements within the Brigades and Regimental organizations, the ARNG’s basis of issue plan will not necessarily align directly with a Brigade or Regimental Headquarters locations.

3.2 This Purchase Description describes the technical and operational requirements to procure, integrate, and deliver VCOTs to non-stabilized platform crews within the BCTs and Functional/Multi-functional Brigades (F/MfBs).

4.0 Requirements

The Contractor shall deliver and install VCOT systems with Individual, Crew and Section/Platoon Mounted Machine Gun (MMG). The contractor should include technical and training documentation, installation, processing, acceptance, and a user training course. At a minimum, the VCOT shall consist of the following salient characteristics:

4.1 Semi-Trailer Mobile Classroom Specifications

4.1.1 The VCOT shall have the capacity to train four HMMWV vehicle crews simultaneously and/or collectively, and configured in a manner to provide an Instructor Operator/ After Action Review (IO/AAR) station. It shall be housed in a climate controlled semi-trailer mobile classroom that is not to exceed 53’ in length.

4.1.2 Each vehicle crew station shall consist of a driver position, a vehicle commander position, and a gunner position.

4.1.3 The contractor should ensure that the simulated vehicle positions operate in accordance with appropriate hardware models and technical manuals. Switches, knobs, pedals, user controls, etc., represented on the trainer, whether virtual or actual, shall be scaled, modeled, replicated, and placed IAW vehicle specifications.

4.1.4 The VCOT trailer shall have an on-board generator with a remote start capability located inside the trainer, as well as standard military facility “shore” power hook-up capability with a cable no shorter than 50’.

4.2 Driver Position

4.2.1 The driver positions shall include both binocular and Driver’s Vision Enhancer (DVE) functionality along with upgraded communication equipment.

4.2.2 The driver position shall include the integration of a COTS joystick to provide directional input for the virtual binoculars. The virtual binocular view is initiated by using a pre-programmed button on the COTS joystick.

The virtual binocular view appears on the center display monitor and replaces the forward driving view while the binoculars are engaged. This binocular view represents the magnification and reticle of the M22 binocular, which provides a reticle with the 7x magnification.

4.2.3 The driver position shall have intercom and radio communication capability integrated by way of a tactical headset and boom microphone with Push-To-Talk (PTT) functionality.

4.2.4 The simulated communications shall allow for multi-channel radio:

vehicle to vehicle, vehicle to Instructor and vehicle to Command and Control communications.

4.3 Commander Position

4.3.1 The commander positions shall include binocular functionality along with upgraded communication equipment. There shall also be a head mounted display (HMD) capability that can be switched between the out the window (OTW) view and a virtual binocular view by activating a momentary switch located on the commanders’ HMDs.

4.3.2 The binocular view shall represent the magnification and reticle of the M22 binocular, which provides a reticle with the 7x magnification.

4.3.3 The commander positions shall have intercom and radio

communication capability integrated by way of a tactical headset and boom microphone with PTT functionality.

4.3.4 The simulated communications shall allow for multi-channel radio:

Control communications.

4.3.5 The VCOT shall have a capability for the Commander to dismount and use a simulated M4 weapon in Combat Patrol curricula. There shall be a tethered orientation-tracked M4 weapon.

4.4 Gunner Position

4.4.1 The gunner positions shall support interchangeable crew-served weapons for MMG gunnery training at the MAX Fidelity gunner positions.

The MK-93 Weapons Mount, traverse and elevation mechanism, and MK175 pintle pedestal shall support the electronic interface for M2 .50 Cal MG, M240B MG, and MK 19 AGL simulated MAX Fidelity crew-served weapons. This electronic interface shall allow weapons to be swapped out to another type in between training sessions without shutting down any computers.

4.4.2 The traverse and elevation mechanism shall enable the student gunner to point the weapon up, down, left, and right on the weapon mount to support precision aiming. The contractor should provide an integrated a high precision tracking solution into the weapon mount.

4.4.3 The contractor shall provide an interchangeable, simulated Weapon Thermal Sight (WTS) at each MAX Fidelity gunner position. The simulated WTS shall be quickly engaged when selected by the gunner to enable training in the operation of the Heavy (HWTS) and Medium Weapon Thermal Sight (MWTS) systems. The WTS reticles shall be visible in the gunner’s HMD when the gunner’s head aligns with the position of the sight unit on the weapon. The thermal sight mounting shall provide for sight controls required to power on the thermal sight, select magnifications, and make visual adjustments (contrast, sensitivity, polarity, etc.). The M2 .50 Cal MG HWTS mounting bracket includes a functional near/far range selection lever.

4.4.4 The gunner position shall integrate a binocular view. The head mounted display (HMD) view shall be capable of being switched between the out-the-window (OTW) view and a virtual binocular view by activating a momentary switch located on the gunners’ HMDs. This binocular view shall represent the magnification and reticle of the M22 binocular, which provides a reticle with the 7x magnification.

4.4.5 Turret traverse controls shall be placed to enable alternate methods of virtually traversing the gunner’s turret in the virtual environment. The contractor should provide the following turret traverse controls:

- Power joystick

- Power drive motor engage/disengage lever

- Manual hand crank with engage/disengage lever

4.4.6 The gunner positions shall have intercom and radio communication capability integrated by way of a simulated crew communication and tactical headset and boom microphone with PTT functionality.

4.4.7 The simulated communications shall allow for multi-channel radio:

Control communications.

4.4.8 The contractor shall ensure the gunner positions have ballistically-matched simulated crew served weapons (further defined in a subsequent paragraph).

4.4.9 The system shall provide gunners familiarity with the MMG gunnery requirements prior to any qualification, field exercise, or combat situation.

4.4.10 The system shall have high bandwidth and weapon encoders for weapon stabilization.

4.4.11 The contractor shall provide a traverse and elevation mechanism, universal pintle adapter, MK93 weapons mount, and a headset with microphone at the gunner’s station.

4.4.12 All tracers and ammunition shall reflect appropriate rounds per minute, range, burnout, impact on target and the appropriate ballistic solutions.

4.4.13 Crew cuts shall be established to identify training deficiencies to the gunner and commander. The contractor shall provide the ability to have the cuts inserted manually by an instructor in Crew Gunnery mode, or automatically in Individual Gunnery training.

4.5 Command and Control Station

4.5.1 The VCOT shall have an independent command and control station with the capability to include a commander in training scenarios, and allow for remote operation up to 200 feet away from the VCOT trailer.

4.5.1 The Command and Control station shall incorporate FBCB2 functionality on a touch screen display. The FBCB2 must be able to send and receive digital communications with all crew stations and the IOS.

4.5.3 The communication equipment on the command and control station shall have radio communication capability integrated by way of a simulated crew communication tactical headset and boom microphone with PTT functionality. The simulated crew communication shall support radio communications with other crewmembers and the Instructor during crew and collective training.

4.6 Communication

4.6.1 Communications equipment shall replicate modern tactical vehicle communication systems and equipment.

4.6.2 The simulated communication system shall allow independent volume control and selection of the transmitting mode: PTT, LIVE and override. Each crewmember should be able to communicate via a tactical headset with boom microphone and integrated PTT.

4.6.3 The communications simulation shall include a multi-channel radio supporting vehicle to vehicle, vehicle to Instructor, and vehicle to Command and Control communications.

4.6.4 Every crew and instructor station shall have position-appropriate communication systems with headset and boom microphone.

4.7 Instructor/Operator Station

4.7.1 The VCOT shall include an Instructor/Operator Station (IOS), used by instructor/operator(s) to monitor and control all modes of training for Individual and Crew Gunnery, Section/Platoon Collective and Combat Patrol.

4.7.2 The IOS shall support pre-brief activities and after action reviews (AARs), and shall accommodate one operator. IOS capabilities shall include:

- FBCB2 with touch screen, keyboard and stylus

- Stealth view

- Radio communication

- OTB SAF V2.5

- Training Management System (TMS)

- Printer

- Projector and Screen

- Driver’s center view (x2)

- Commander’s center view (x2)

- Gunner’s view (x2)

- Instructor/operator graphical user interface (GUI) (x2)

4.7.3 The contractor shall provide an audio/video playback capability to capture crew operations supporting detailed after action reviews, providing synchronized views, crew intercom, and Instructor/Operator (I/O) communication. The IOS shall support all training modes (individual, crew and collective gunnery), provide for four synchronized views per firing crew, and allow for up to four crews to train simultaneously during all crew and collective exercises.

4.7.4 Each trainer shall have an I/O manual that is utilized on site to train I/Os, and is to be left behind as government property.

4.8 Simulated Weapons

4.8.1 The contractor shall provide two each of M2 .50 Cal MG, Mk 19 AGL, and M240B MG MAX Fidelity simulated weapon systems for each VCOT. The simulated weapons shall have the capability to train proper procedures for loading, clearing, firing, and immediate action, and be interchangeable between MAX Fidelity gunner stations.

4.8.2 The simulated weapons shall have an interchangeable capability supporting the three identified weapons types.

4.8.3 The MAX Fidelity simulated weapons shall include integration of simulated laser-sighting devices for use during special purpose exercises.

The control for activating the laser shall be provided as a momentary switch located on the grips of each weapon. When pressed and held, a laser spot shall be visible in the simulated environment that corresponds accurately with the attitude of the muzzle of the gun.

4.8.4 The crew-served simulated weapons shall be equipped with a simulated recoil system that has appropriate recoil tailored to suit each weapon.

4.8.5 The crew-served simulated weapons shall support a simulated weapon thermal sight (WTS). The simulated WTS shall represent a Heavy Weapon Thermal Sight (HWTS) when mounted to the M2 .50 Cal MG and MK 19 AGL weapons, and represent a Medium Weapon Thermal Sight (MWTS) when mounted to the M240B MG weapon.

4.8.6 The simulated weapons shall mount to the MK-93 Weapon Mount with a traverse and elevation mechanism located at the gunner stations.

The simulated weapon shall enable the gunner to load the weapon, set the firing mode, charge the weapon, adjust the leaf sight, fire the weapon and unload the weapon. It shall include belted dummy rounds, simulated stripping arm (on the M2 .50 Cal MG), feed tray cover for simulating ammo reloading, functional charging handle with representative forces, and appropriate trigger controls for single and automatic firing rates and safety switch.

4.8.7 The contractor shall ensure the simulated rate of fire, effective range, and tracer burnout are commensurate with actual live weapon and ammunition type. Likewise ammunition utilization and round dispersion shall be accounted for accordingly.

4.9 Aural Cues

4.9.1 The contractor should provide adequate speakers to ensure each Soldier at each level understands and is exposed to appropriate aural cues. This should include headsets with microphones as applicable.

4.9.2 Other aural cues to be replicated include: engine running at idle;

engine fluctuations (rev up/down); weapon charging and firing; ammo reload; military voice driver commands.

4.10 Training Programs

4.10.1 The contractor shall provide a Training Management System (TMS) that is integrated to support all modes of training for Individual Gunnery and Crew Gunnery, Section/Platoon gunnery, and Combat Patrol.

4.10.2 The contractor shall provide training packages for MMG gunnery training for individuals, crews, sections, and platoons IAW the gunnery standards outlined in TC 3-20.31 and TC 4-11.46, supporting the M2 .50 Caliber MG, MK 19 AGL, and M240B MG.

4.10.3 The training program shall train coordinated crews to observe, maneuver, fire weapons, anticipate insurgent ambushes, and avoid IEDs during exercises featuring realistic environments and conditions.

4.11 Terrain/Environment Model Libraries

4.11.1 The contractor shall provide Iraq and Afghanistan terrain environments, a woodland database, and a Multi-Purpose Range Complex (MPRC), and as adjusted based on feedback from the Maneuver Center of Excellence. The contractor shall also provide a library of terrain/environment models with appropriate exercises.

4.11.2 At a minimum, the contractor shall make the following target types available for each exercise (each target type should have appropriate thermal signature): 7 man troop team, 3 man RPG team, 3 variants of technical truck, 2 variants of military truck, friendly HMMWV, friendly M-

ATV).

4.12 Exercises and Scoring Standards

4.12.1 The trainer exercise library and database shall provide a series of progressive exercises starting with boresight and zero exercises and building up to practice gates to live fire exercises to prepare Soldiers for each qualification exercise. These exercises shall be developed IAW TC 3-20.31 and TC 4-11.46 CPP Gunnery manuals and other direct fire gunnery training guidance.

4.12.2 The trainer shall account for engagement scoring standards such as: target kill, target exposure time, offensive engagements, defensive engagements, vehicle exposure time, etc.

4.12.3 The trainer should require the gunner to perform Boresight and Zero Exercises prior to each training session.

4.12.4 The trainer should provide at least 10 progressive practice exercises using a combination of environmental and operational conditions allowing for defensive, offensive, and moving situations, and shall provide degraded exercises (such as variable weather conditions) in Combat Patrol scenarios.

4.12.5 The trainer shall provide at least 10 qualification exercises for each simulated weapon system and for each level of training (individual, crew, section, platoon), representing variations of environmental and operational conditions and allowing for defensive, offensive, and moving situations.

These exercises titles at a minimum should include:

- Mounted Machine Gun (MMG) Gunnery Qualification Tables

- Individual, Crew, Section and Collective training

- M2 .50 Cal MG Individual MMG Gunner self-paced learning program

- MK19 AGL Individual MMG self-paced learning program

- M240B MG Individual MMG Gunnery self-paced learning program

- M2 .50 Cal MG Crew MMG Gunnery

- MK19 AGL Crew MMG Gunnery

- M240B MG Crew MMG Gunnery

- Section/Platoon MMG Gunnery

- Maneuver Combat Patrol

4.12.6 Engagement scoring standards shall be IAW TC 3-20.31 MMG Gunnery and TC 4-11.46 and other direct fire gunnery training guidance.

This includes areas such as: target kill, target exposure time, offensive engagements, defensive engagements, short halt engagements, vehicle exposure time, exposure break time, defilade time, etc.

4.12.7 The VCOT trainer shall replicate the Crew Gunnery Scoresheet (found in TC 3-20.31). Scoresheets shall be accessible by the operator at the end of a training exercise and shall be automatically updated after each training event. All fields of the scoresheet shall be fillable and scored by the software.

4.12.8 The trainer shall provide a replica of the Crew Gunnery Roll-Up Sheet. The fields of this form shall be auto-populated with the data from the Crew Gunnery Scoresheet.

4.12.9 Scoring criteria for qualification exercises shall be represented in accordance with the appropriate gunnery manuals.

4.13 Crew Records

4.13.1 Crew records shall be accessible from the training management system. The crew records need to be exportable via DVD/CD and meet all necessary Cybersecurity guidelines.

4.13.2 The contractor shall provide an interface for the Training Management System (TMS) application that accesses and displays student record and performance information.

4.14 Testing

4.14.1 The contractor and government will work together to develop a set of procedures based upon this statement of work to ensure the final product is in keeping with the government’s requirements. The Government Acceptance Procedure (GAP) shall be conducted to test the initial trainer prior to delivery. The GAT should occur no later than three months after contract award.

4.14.2 The government also requires On-Site Acceptance Testing (OSAT). The contractor and government will develop OSAT standards to test each trainer when delivered to specified sites. Upon government acceptance, the contractor should invoice the government for payment.

5.0 Tasks

5.1 System Installation. The Contractor shall prepare each trainer for shipment to the designated Government site(s). The contractor is responsible for proper installation of all hardware, software, and peripherals.

5.2 Training Support. The contractor shall provide a New Equipment Training (NET) plan, NET course package, and training sustainment plan for government review prior to first delivery. Additionally, the contractor shall provide materials to assist commanders in sustainment of training for I/Os.

6.0 Cybersecurity

The vendor will be responsible for meeting the following requirements for all 120 VCOTs; the original fielded 110, the new procurement seven and the upgrade of three for the duration of the ATO. All VCOTs shall meet all Risk Management Framework (RMF) requirements to obtain an Authority To Operate (ATO) statement from the ARNG Authorizing Official (AO) prior to first delivery. It is anticipated that the minimum requirements of this Statement of Work require that the VCOT operate only in a Close Restricted Network (CRN) environment. Therefore, the VCOT shall meet all Cybersecurity controls associated with the minimum baseline control set of Confidentiality (Low), Integrity (Low) and Availability (Low) to include a Privacy Overlay for retained PII. The vendor will be responsible for the adjudication of all controls within the eMASS tool and all required documents through the duration of the ATO under

RMF.

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

1. Subchapter III of Chapter 35 of Title 44, United States Code; also known as the “Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) of 2014”

2. Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)

3. DoD Instruction 8500.01, Cybersecurity, 14Mar14

4. DoD Instruction 8510.01, Risk Management Framework for DoD IT, 12Mar14

5. DoD Instruction 8582.01, Security of Unclassified DoD Information on Non-DoD Information Systems, 6Jun12

6. DoD 8570.01-Manual, Information Assurance Workforce Improvement Program

7. DoD 5220.22-Manual, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual

(NISPOM)

8. AR 25-1, Army Knowledge Management and Information Technology, 5Jan09

9. AR 25-2, Information Assurance, Rapid Action Revision 23Mar09

10. AR 380-5, Department of the Army Information Security Program, 29Sep00

11. AR 530-1, Operational Security (OPSEC), 19Apr07

12. ARNG, Information Assurance Program Policy, v2.0, 1Mar12

13. DoDI 5400.16, DoD Privacy Impact Assessment (PIA) Guidance

14. DoD 5400.11-R, DoD Privacy Program

15. DoD Privacy Impact Assessment (template) DD FORM 2930, Nov08

16. OSD, Safeguarding Against and Responding to the Breach of Personally Identifiable Information, 21Sep07

17. CNSSI No. 1253, Security Categorization and Control Selection for National Security Systems, 27Mar14

18. CNSSI No. 4009, Committee on National Security Systems (CNSS) Glossary, 6Apr15

19. Army Best Business Practices (BBP) 08-DC-M-0010, C&A Stand Alone IS and CRN, 10Oct08

20. ARNG-TR Guidebook of Mandatory Cybersecurity and Privacy Requirements

Important Note: The above list is not all inclusive and the Contractor (Vendor) is responsible to ensure that they are in compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, directives, executable orders and memoranda, as they apply to Information Technology and Cybersecurity.

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 the 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.