LISC FO Industry Day Questions and Answers - Final.pdf

LISC Follow‐on (FO) Industry Day Questions and Answers (13‐16 December 2021)

1. When will the bidder’s library be available?

The government understands that industry benefits from the bidder’s library as early as possible and having the library available at least 2‐4 months prior to the next industry day planned for Jan 2023 is the goal.

2. Are facilities management for the launch facilities separate from facilities management under the LISC FO effort?

Launch service providers or the government provides facilities management of the launch facilities.

LISC FO contains some scope for facilities management of range facilities at the Eastern Range (ER) and Western Range (WR).

3. Will the Range of the Future (ROTF) modernization projects be a part of the LISC FO contract?

LISC FO intends to set up the main contracting vehicle by which modernization efforts will be procured.

4. Is the ROTF business model going to be implemented by the LISC FO contractor?

Elements of ROTF priorities will be implemented through OM&S activities. For example, leveraging a service‐based architecture to support multiple users and various operations simultaneously will directly be enabled by the OM&S contractor.

5. Will LISC FO have both sustainment and development activities?

LISC FO is primarily for Operations, Maintenance, and Sustainment (OM&S) of the Launch and Test

Range System (LTRS). In addition, LISC FO plans to incorporate modernization efforts that will likely include developmental work, as well as the integration effort to bring these modernizations into the operational baseline for LTRS. Together, these efforts form the five task areas for LISC FO referenced in the government industry day slides: Operations, Maintenance, Sustainment, Integration, and

Modifications.

6. What do the acronyms MEN and WMN stand for in the slides?

MEN = Modernized ER Network

WMN = WR Modernized Network

7. Are there plans to support connectivity of LTRS with the Satellite Control Network (SCN) and the

Mobile Range Flight (MRF) and how will LISC FO enable this connectivity?

There are no current plans to enable direct connectivity with these systems.

8. Can the government facilitate meetings and discussions with Delta leadership at Space Launch

Delta (SLD) 30 and SLD 45 during site visits?

The government will try to schedule leadership discussions when planning the events.

9. Will small business goals be an evaluation factor or an award fee factor?

The LISC FO looks to maximize small business participation, but the small business strategy is in development with the assistance of the SLD 45 Small Business Office. More information will be available after an approved strategy is in place for the LISC FO.

10. How is the LISC FO and Range Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I) contract efforts related?

The LISC FO effort is direct services to the LTRS for operations, maintenance, sustainment, and integration of changes to the system. The Range SE&I effort is program office support services for government technical management of the LTRS.

11. Is there scope in LISC FO for any base operating support (BOS) at any range locations?

Scope for base operating support is separate to the LISC FO effort.

12. How does the government plan to hold large businesses accountable to any small business goals? How has the government performed in holding them accountable on past efforts?

The government plan to use a Small Business Participation Commitment Document (SBPCD). CPARs will also hold large businesses accountable.

13. Are there agency wide goals for small business that affect LISC FO small business strategy? How are the small business goals for LISC FO being derived?

The LISC FO team will work with The Small Business Administration Office when developing small business goals.

14. Will the RFP include desired small business participation levels?

The government intends to include its small business requirements in the RFP.

15. Are there Points of Contact for the SLD 45 Small Business Office?

Ms. Linda Bethke‐Cyr. linda.bethke_cyr@spaceforce.mil

16. What is the government rationale for not anticipating a small business set aside in any of the

LISC FO areas?

Market research has not yet indicated a set aside is appropriate in any of 5 task areas for LISC FO.

17. How can the government facilitate teaming small businesses with large businesses for the LISC

FO effort?

The government does not facilitate any teaming arrangements. A list of companies that participated in this event is posted to SAM.gov for reference.

18. What does the government mean by the term spaceport?

A spaceport is the location from which we launch to space. The ER & WR are spaceports today. We are looking forward to advancing development of this capability with standardized approaches and capabilities much like the airport models have developed over time. We recognize there are limitations within current DoD authorities and management approach to fully accommodate the rapid increase of commercial space launch demands. Ongoing ROTF activities include working to reform this model utilizing greater efficiencies and more appropriate use of resources, to include leveraging shared investments and recapitalization strategies, as well as examining different management structures and concepts of operation.

19. How are requirements for the spaceports being formulated?

Spaceports of the future will meet the same requirements as the ER and WR do today. Evolving business models to address efficiencies, standards, and capacity will be addressed through partnership discussions with the interagency, industry, and other state/regional spaceport authorities.

20. Will LISC FO have any involvement on any of the other spaceports or launch ranges?

The government is only planning on using the LISC FO effort to provide support for the Eastern

Range (ER) and Western Range (WR).

21. Do we support operations at other ranges?

The ER or WR can be a supporting range to other lead ranges for various operations, but support is from the ER or WR only. No direct support occurs at other ranges.

22. How does the LISC FO effort support new entrant approval? Are changes made to the range based on new customers?

Existing and new customers bring requirements for changes to the range. These requirements may flow to the LISC FO contractor for modification or incorporation into the LTRS baseline.

23. Does the government see benefits to using and encourage the use of joint ventures?

The government does not encourage or discourage use of joint ventures. Joint ventures are solely the decision of the contractor.

24. Will there be opportunities to meet face to face?

The government intends to host site visits as a part of the next industry day event. Face to face meetings will occur at that time.

25. Are there opportunities for industry to engage on Range of the Future Safety plans?

ROTF meets existing range safety requirements and does not anticipate developing separate safety plans.

26. Does the government see a need for LISC FO contractors to establish relationships with Original

End‐item Manufacturers (OEMs)?

The government does not intend to require relationships with OEMs. Any relationships established will be due to any need or discretion of the contractor.

27. Can the government provide more information on the AFSS requirements and timelines?

On 13 Nov 2019 Gen Raymond (AFSPC/CC) issued an “AFSS implementation” memo directing all spacelift customers at the ER and WR to fully transition to AFSS by Oct 2025 and existing T&E customers by Oct 2030. After these deadlines all range customers requiring legacy command destruct must self‐provision those capabilities. We remain committed to implementing this direction.

28. What challenges does the government see in the current contract?

One of the main challenges in the current LISC contract is the inflexibility of a C‐type contract. The government is investigating use of a D‐type (IDIQ) contract to provide more flexibility as desired for

LISC FO.

29. Does the government currently only have insight into LISC FO operations and maintenance or does the government work together as an integrated team?

Government has insight/oversight of ALL LTRS issues and works with all pertinent parties involved with the LTRS.

30. Will the government accept any white papers relating to the LISC FO effort?

The government will review white papers submitted. Any white papers submitted are at the discretion of the contractor and will not be paid for by the government.

31. Is there a master planning schedule or prioritized list of modifications used to determine which projects are pursued?

Yes. There is an approved Spend Plan for all projects associated with LTRS.

32. Are any public/private partnerships required for the LISC FO effort?

Yes, we have a Joint Venture with Ogden for software, maintenance and sustainment activities.

33. Will any space domain awareness or space traffic management requirements be a part of the

LISC FO contract?

Scope for space domain awareness or space traffic management is not currently a part of the LISC

FO effort.

34. What are the top three things challenging the LISC FO effort?

Uncertainty in launch tempo and ROTF requirements, integration of system modifications in a period of increased launch operations, and enabling speed and flexibility for change to the LTRS.

35. Does the government anticipate having the funding for LISC FO to match the timelines presented at industry day?

The government does not anticipate any funding issues for the LISC FO effort.

36. Does the LISC FO acquisition team work with the current government operations teams when developing the LISC FO strategy and RFP?

Members of 1 ROPS and 2 ROPS support review and discussion of LISC FO requirements and documentation.

37. Can a task order extend beyond the ordering period in the IDIQ contract?

The government does not currently have a defined ordering period and period of performance, but task orders are able to extend beyond the ordering period and the government is considering this while developing its strategy.

38. Are there any opportunities for more industry engagement prior to the Jan 2023 Industry Day #2 shown in the government briefing slides?

The government will try to identify additional opportunities for engagement. Please monitor

SAM.gov for postings regarding any further engagements.

39. How will modification projects be implemented in DevSecOps environment? Will firm requirements be known up front or will the project be more fluid as it executes?

The government is still determining the requirements for future software modifications projects. We plan to have more information in the draft RFP release.

40. What is the relationship between the Capability Development Division (CDD), Portfolio

Architect, and the Program Management Division (PMD) at SLD 45?

The CDD explores new and innovative development solutions to range issues. The Portfolio Architect is at SSC and does not currently have a role in range requirements development. The PMD leads the acquisition efforts for ongoing SLD 45 services efforts to include the LISC FO effort.

41. Who makes the technical decisions for the LTRS baseline?

The LTRS Program Manager has the decision authority for the LTRS baseline.

42. Who has operational acceptance authority for modernization projects?

SLD 30/SLD 45 on behalf of SSC/S3.

43. Who will be responsible for the configuration management of the LTRS technical baseline?

The LTRS Program Manager is responsible for ensuring configuration management of the LTRS technical baseline.

44. What will be the resolution process for competing resources between operations, maintenance, and modifications for the LTRS?

The contractor is responsible for competing resources under its purview. Competing sources under the Governments purview will be delegated to the responsible Government party on a case‐by‐case basis.

45. Has the government considered any set asides for non‐profit research institutions?

Current market research has not yet indicated a need for a non‐profit set aside, but the government will continue to monitor as it develops its acquisition strategy.

46. Does the government plan to use a digital twin for the LTRS?

The government is analyzing the potential use of a digital twin in their systems engineering approach to LTRS.

47. Does the government use the Universal Data Library?

The government does not currently use the Universal Data Library for LTRS.

48. Does the government use automated test sets for fault detection?

The government uses automated test sets where applicable. These test sets would be a contractor responsibility under the LISC FO effort.

49. Does the government use predictive maintenance currently for the LTRS?

The government does not currently use predictive maintenance for the LTRS.

50. Will there be any studies performed for the ROTF effort?

The government may require some special studies to support ROTF initiatives. These studies will be tasked as appropriate within our varying contract and government capabilities.

51. Will the LISC FO contract be transformational to enable LTRS to become the ROTF?

The LISC FO contract anticipates a period of performance that will require it to be aligned to and enable the transition to the ROTF.

52. How stable will ROTF requirements be when the draft RFP is released in Jan 2023?

The government recognizes the need to minimize perturbations in the LTRS As‐Is, To‐Be, and Future

Technical Baselines as much as possible, but at the same time, we must continue to assess services the Ranges provide as industry and government needs continue to evolve. Accordingly, the draft

RFP will represent the requirements as we know them but they will be updated as needed.

53. Are the timelines from the government briefing set or in flux still?

The driver for the timelines is a need for OM&S support by 1 Oct 2024.

54. What can industry do to further help the LISC FO government team?

Please continue to monitor SAM.gov for future postings regarding this acquisition.

The following questions ask information that will only be available to industry after an approved acquisition strategy is in place. The government cannot answer these questions at this time:

55. Is the government intending to have multiple contractors involved in OM&S under the multi‐ award construct?

56. What is the government’s plan for Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI) between the Range

SE&I contract, the LISC FO contract and task areas, the launch service providers, test users, and any other range customers?

57. Is the government considering the use of existing government contract vehicles for use in the

LISC FO effort?

58. How many awardees under a multi‐award IDIQ? Will there be multiple pools under the multi‐ award IDIQ structure?

59. Is the government considering separating any of the 5 task areas into separate contracts?

60. Which FAR part is the government considering using for competition requirements?

61. Has the government identified any of the incentives that will be included?

62. Has a ceiling been established for the IDIQ yet?

63. What is the government plan for on‐ramping new contractors under a multi‐award IDIQ concept?

64. What period of performance is the government considering for the base task orders?

65. What is the proposal response time the government is considering as a requirement?

66. How far back in past performance is the government going to require from contractors?

67. What is the government’s plan for insight or oversight on the LISC FO contract?

68. Will the government consider a single prime contractor for all five task areas and rely on the prime contractor to solicit support for modernization efforts as necessary?

69. Is the government considering using any Other Transaction Authority (OTA) actions for the LISC

FO effort?

70. Are there certain dollar or percentage thresholds for subcontractors that will require them to provide past performance information?

71. Will bidders be evaluated on ability to support more than one (1) task area?