LINKS_RFI.pdf

PR#: FD2060-22-31699

Request for Information (RFI)

Robins Air Force Base Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC)/WIU Special Operations Forces/Personnel Recovery (SOF/PR)

CAUTION:

This Request for Information is published for Market Research purposes only. The Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the repair data, capabilities, and experience needed to meet a broad scope of requirements for the Link 16 TacNet Tactical Radio (TTR).

These services shall encompass, engineering reach back, repairs, buys, spares, integration, software/firmware updates and future Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) Features testing on the Link 16 TTR installed on MC-130H, MC-130J, EC-130J, CV-22 and HH-60W aircraft. It has been determined to be cost prohibitive to buy the data or rights to the data from the original equipment manufacturer Reverse engineering has also been determined to be cost/time prohibitive.

The government does not own the data or the rights to the data needed to provide the broad scope necessary to supply and sustain the TTR.

Link 16 provides a secure network for the exchange of near-real-time tactical data and an enhanced situational awareness among network participants. Without access to the Link 16 network, aircrews will lose battlespace situational awareness data and the risk of blue-on-blue engagement will increase. The Link 16 TTR consists of the following Line Replaceable Unit (LRU).

Noun National Stock Number (NSN) Part Number TacNet Tactical Radio 5895-01-690-5868 N/A

The Government has determined that this system is a not a commercial item.

Contractor shall furnish all materials and services. The contractor is responsible for providing, utilizing and maintaining, all equipment and software required at their facility or a subcontractor’s facility to perform these services.

These services include engineering, Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) deliverables, hardware updates/maintenance, software/firmware updates/maintenance and modification, technical support, sourcing and procuring parts for repair and overhaul, engineer repair solutions, spares, integration and EMC Features testing. These activities are required to support MC-130H, MC-130J, CV-22, EC-130J and the HH-60W aircraft. The contractor shall provide timely support (by the most economical means) to maintain and resolve issues with the TTR.

The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for the Link16 TTR:

Data Link Solutions 855 35th Street NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52498 Cage: 081U3

This acquisition is restricted to the following source: Data Link Solutions (CAGE: 081U3). The supplies and services are available from only one (1) responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency requirements. Interested persons may identify their interest and capabilities. All potential offerors should contact the Buyer/PCO identified below for additional information and/or to communicate concerns, if any, concerning this acquisition.

PCO: Brian Canady, AFLCMC/WIUKA Phone: (478) 926-4430 Email: brian.canady@us.af.mil

Contract Specialist: Teisha Brown, AFLCMC/WIUKA Phone: (478) 468-2478 Email: teisha.brown@us.af.mil

This Request for Information (RFI) is for planning purposes only and is not a Request for Quotations or Proposals. No solicitation document exists, and a formal solicitation may or may not be issued by the Government as a result of the responses to this RFI. The Government will not be liable for payment of any response preparation expenses nor does the Government intend to pay for the information submitted in response to this posting. Contractors/Institutions responding to this market research are placed on notice that participation in this survey may not ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards.

Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or company sensitive information contained in their response.

52.215-3 – Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes

As prescribed in 15.209(c), insert the following provision:

Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997)

(a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(b) Although “proposal” and “offeror” are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.

(c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of market research in an attempt to overcome barriers to competition.

(End of Provision)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. The document(s) below contain a description of the Link 16 TTR effort, requirement and a Contractor Capability Survey. The Survey allows Contractors to provide their company’s capability.

2. If, after reviewing these documents, you desire to participate in the market research, you should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability in meeting these requirements.

Failure to provide documentation may result in the government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.)

a. Identify any areas of work that your organization believes should be broken out exclusively for Small Business.

3. Small Businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged.

4. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to the PCO.

PCO: Brian Canady, AFLCMC/WIUKA Phone: (478) 926-4430 Email: brian.canady@us.af.mil

Contract Specialist: Teisha Brown, AFLCMC/WIUKA Phone: (478) 468-2478 Email: teisha.brown@us.af.mil

PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION

The Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the repair data, capabilities, and experience to meet qualification requirements to provide engineering reach back, repairs, buys, spares, integration, software/firmware updates and future EMC Features testing for the Link 16 TTR installed on MC-130H, MC-130J, EC-130J, CV22 and the HH-60W aircraft. The contract strategy is to award a one year contract with four one year options (basic plus four one year option years).

The intended outcome is to provide and maintain the Link-16 TTR to provide a secure network for the exchange of near-real-time tactical data and an enhanced situational awareness among network participants. Without access to the Link 16 network, aircrews will lose battlespace situational awareness data and the risk of blue-on-blue engagement will increase.

The Government’s needs for engineering reach back, repairs, buys, spares, integration, software/firmware updates and future EMC Features testing for the Link 16 TTR are required in order to support current combat aircraft operations. The Link16 TTR is currently manufactured to specifications by Data Link Solutions, the OEM. This system has special characteristics, which if not conforming to the original design, could cause failure of the system. Failure of the Link 16 TTR would impede SOF Combat Crews from the ability to perform their mission thus the possibility of grave danger and/or capture by opposing combat forces.

CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY

Part I. Business Information

Please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners:

Company/Institute Name:

Address:

Point of Contact:

CAGE Code:

Phone Number:

E-mail Address:

Web Page URL:

Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 336413

Communication Equipment Repair and Maintenance.

Based on the above NAICS Code, state whether your company is:

Small Business (Yes / No) Woman Owned Small Business (Yes / No) Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes / No) 8(a) Certified (Yes / No) HUBZone Certified (Yes / No) Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes / No) Service Disabled Veteran Small Business (Yes / No) System for Award Management (SAM) (Yes / No) A statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership).

The Sources Sought will be posted on SAM.gov until the automatic archive date, but responses will not be accepted after 01 May 2022.

Responses, via email in electronic format, must be received no later than close of business 5:00pm EST on 01 May 2022. Please ensure data is in a readable electronic format that can be received through a firewall. Attachments shall not to exceed 10 MB per email. Multiple emails are acceptable. Responses must be sent via email to the following:

PCO: Brian Canady, AFLCMC/WIUKA Phone: (478) 926-4430 Email: brian.canady@us.af.mil Contract Specialist: Teisha Brown, AFLCMC/WIUKA Phone: (478) 468-2478 Email: teisha.brown@us.af.mil

Questions relative to this market research should be addressed to the PCO.

Part II. Capability Survey Questions

A. General Capability Questions:

1. Describe briefly the capabilities of your facility and nature of the goods and/or services you provide.

Include a description of your staff composition and management structure.

2. Describe your company's past experience on previous projects similar in complexity to this requirement. Include contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, period of performance, agency/organization supported, and individual point of contact (Contracting Officer or Program Manager).

3. Describe your company’s experience in developing the NSN listed above that make up the Link 16

TTR.

4. Describe your company's capabilities for generating, handling, processing, and storing classified material and data.

5. Describe your company's capabilities and experience in generating technical data, engineering drawings and manuals. Identify what software programs are utilized to generate these data products and what formats are available for delivered items.

6. What is your company’s current maximum capacity per month for this particular type of requirement as other users are being held to the same timeline? Provide information on any facility reserves you may possess to increase capacity in the event of an immediate need do to critical operational mission requirements.

7. What quality assurance processes and test qualification practices does your company employ? Provide a description of your quality program (ISO 9001, AS9100, etc.).

a. Provide a detailed quality plan implementing AS9100 (or equivalent).

8. Describe your standard warranty and return process for goods and services furnished to the government for items similar in nature to this requirement.

B. Commerciality Questions:

1. Is there established catalog or market prices for our requirement?

2. If you offer this product and/or service to both U.S. Government and commercial sources, is the same workforce used for both the U.S. Government and general public?

3. Is our requirement offered to both under similar terms and conditions? Briefly describe any differences.

4. Describe your standard warranty and return process for goods and services furnished to the government for items similar in nature to this requirement.

C. Manufacturing Questions

1. Describe your capabilities and experience in manufacturing with regard to the requirements of this effort.

2. Describe your capabilities and experience in developing/modifying manufacturing procedures.

Include associated upgrade of technical orders and preparation of new technical orders.

3. Demonstrate your ability and experience in the manufacture of the same or similar components, which are currently utilized in the commercial or military environment by providing the following information on the same or similar items:

a) Contract Number

b) Procuring Agency

c) Contract Value

d) Number of assets shipped

4. Provide your commercial manual(s) or Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP) and your rights to these manuals and or ATP used in the manufacture and functional check of these or similar assets for Government Engineer review.

5. Describe your capabilities and experience in test, evaluation, and repair processes/procedures with regard to manufacturing the Link 16 TTR.

6. Describe your configuration management processes and how you identify and resolve parts obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources problems?

7. Discuss your process for addressing any fit, form, and or function issues that may arise out of the requirements of this effort.

8. Describe your process for maintaining inventory records and reporting on hand/work-in-process balance and manufacturing status to your customer.

9. Include a detailed listing of facilities and equipment, including quantities, required to satisfy the

a. Provide an outline of the proposed process, including inspections.

i. State the type of test procedures that are anticipated for this effort.

ii. State the type of inspection processes anticipated for this effort.

1. NDI/T.

2. Destructive testing/inspection.

10. How will your organization address the absence of drawings, specifications, technical data, test procedures, etc.

11. If the item cannot be manufactured in total, state what your organization can produce.

12. State any technology insertion ideas for the item that would be suitable for this effort.

13. Discuss any reverse engineering or item replacement opportunities that may be present.

D. Engineering Services Questions

1. Describe your services capabilities and experience with regard to the requirements of this effort.

2. Describe your capabilities and experience in developing/modifying procedures. Include associated upgrade of technical orders and preparation of new technical orders.

3. Demonstrate your ability and experience for the same or similar services, which are currently provided in the military environment by providing the following information on the same or similar items:

a) Contract Number

b) Procuring Agency

c) Contract Value

d) Services Provided

4. Describe your capabilities and experience in any required test, evaluation, and repair processes/procedures with regard to the required items.

5. Describe how you/your organization will identify and resolve parts obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources problems.

6. Discuss your process for addressing any fit, form, and or function issues that may arise out of the

7. Describe your process for maintaining inventory records and reporting on hand/work-in-process balance and manufacturing status to your customer as required.

8. How will your organization address the absence of drawings, specifications, technical data, test procedures, etc.