MFAT RFI.pdf

Request For Information (RFI) Guide For FAR 6.302-1 Acquisition Efforts

13 May 2024

Advanced Technology Anti Gravity Suit (ATAGS)

CAUTION:

The Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements for First Article Testing (FAT) and modifications of Advanced Technology Anti Gravity Suit, also known as ATAGS. The formal and technical name for ATAGS are the CSU-22/P and CSU-23/P suits. 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. The government will not reimburse participants for any expenses associated with their participation in this survey. The level of security clearance and amount of foreign participation in this requirement has not been determined.

Contractor shall furnish all material, support equipment, tools, test equipment, and services. The contractor is responsible for providing, maintaining, and calibrating all support equipment required at their facility or a subcontractor’s facility. Contractor furnished material or parts used for replacement shall equal or exceed the quality of the original material or parts.

The Government is the Engineering Source Authority (ESA) for the G-suits. G-suits requirements and qualifications/pre qualifications are met IAW (1) MSF880/5-ATP-GEN-0 REV B and (2) DoDM 4120.24 (SD-6), Defense Standardization Program. Vinyl Technologies Inc. has met all qualification requirements and is the only qualified source approved to date. Specifically, facility/manufacturing qualifications are met by the successful completion and approval of DoDM 4120.24 (SD-6), Defense Standardization Program. The G-suit production/First Article Testing (FAT) qualifications are met by the successful completions and approval of the ESA. The Government owns the G-Suit Technical Data Package (TDP) and Vinyl Technologies Inc. was the only Engineering Source Approved (ESA) for the system.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Below is a document containing a description of the ATAGS assembly requirement and a Contractor Capability Survey, which allows you to provide your company’s capability.

2. If after reviewing these documents, you desire to participate in the Sources Sought, 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.

b. No set aside decision has been made; however, the Government will determine the final strategy after thorough analysis of the small business responses and other market research available, considering the demonstrated interest and capability. Please ensure that you provide a thorough response to each question. If your company does not currently possess the full capability required to fulfill the entire requirement, what teaming/partnership/joint venture/subcontracting arrangement do you have in place to fulfill the government needs? Providing evidence of this arrangement, e.g. emails, letter, etc.

that demonstrates a united response to this RFI is highly encouraged, but not required. The evidence should state the type of arrangement and the role each member will fulfill. If you are only interested in being a subcontractor to the future awardee, state the portion of the work that your organization has capability of fulfilling.

3. Both large and 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:

Gail Bembry, email: gail.bembry.1@us.af.mil, phone number: 478-222-7406, Hunter Smith, email: hunter.smith.26@us.af.mil, phone number 478-222-0629.

5. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to: PCO, Alexis Davis, email alexis.davis.13@us.af.mil, phone number 478-222-1900, Buyer, Felicer Lewis, email: felicer.lewis@us.af.mil, phone number 478-222-0000.

mailto:brandi.moody@us.af.mil

Advanced Technology Anti Gravity Suit (ATAGS)

PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION

The government is conducting market research to identify potential sources to meet a modification capability for ATAGS (NSN 8475-01-455-0782 and 8475-01-506-7355) assemblies (trousers and bladder assembly). The critical application of ATAGS requires pre-qualification of any perspective supplier by the cognizant government engineering activity. Solicitation must be approved sources only. As specified by the procuring agency, Pre-qualification requirements have been established for sources wishing to qualify IAW (1) MSF880/5-ATP-GEN-0 REV B and (2) Facility/manufacturing qualifications are met by the completion and approval of DoDM 4120.24 (SD-6), Defense Standardization Program. The government’s anticipated strategy will be modifications to ATAGS and First Article Testing (FAT). The projected quantity for this modification is 8 suits.

The proposed acquisition strategy is a one-time buy in fiscal year 2024. The anticipated North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) for this requirement is 332721. This Market Research is requesting responses to the following criteria from businesses that can provide the required services under the NAICS Code.

This effort seeks to modify existing sustainment equipment integrity and maintain mission capability as related to anti-gravity suits. The Contractor shall submit First Article Testing (FAT) samples to be submitted for approval prior to the start of manufacture of production quantities.

All samples shall be representative of the materials, the components, the construction and the workmanship that would be intended for use in production items IAW pre-qualifications requirement (1) MSF880/5-ATP-GEN-0 REV B.

There are no samples available for potential suppliers to evaluate. If necessary, potential contractors shall furnish all material, support equipment, tools, test equipment, and services needed to fill this order. The contractor is responsible for providing, maintaining, and calibrating all support equipment required at their facility or a subcontractor’s facility.

This effort is for the procurement of the Advanced Technology Anti-Gravity Suit (ATAGS) which is a full coverage garment with bladders designed to counter G forces (or G-loc) experienced during maneuvers in high performance aircraft. Modified ATAGS mitigates fitting challenges, Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS), and equipment degradation.

The Government has a need to modify ATAGS in support of the Chief of Staff of Air Force (CSAF) mandated FITMENT program. The FITMENT program is designed to improve the fit, comfort, and performance of flight equipment for small stature and female aviators. The ATAGS is a Critical Safety Item (CSI) and is the first program under the FITMENT effort which is a modification of the current CSU-22/P and CSU-23/P systems. This modification consists of five Engineering Change Proposals (ECP) that mitigates/resolves fitting and safety issues by providing a better fit for individual anthropometric ranges. The modifications are comprised of three G-suit lacing areas (side waist, thigh, and calf), custom tailoring alternative to the front waist panel, otherwise referred to as a "waist dart" or "custom waist modification", reinforced knee, a cover for the ATAGS waist slide fastener assembly, and lastly the Modified ATAGS will be manufactured utilizing new Long Staple II Nomex material. The draft Statement of Work (SOW) is attached to describe this requirement. The aforementioned five ECP's are AF developed, tested, approved and signed 1 Apr 2021 as permanent Safe to Fly (StF).

The Contractor shall manufacture/modify the current ATAGS CSU-22/P system with three of the aforementioned enhancements comprised of (1) extended G-suit lacing areas (side waist, thigh, and calf), (2) reinforced knee, (3) a cover for the ATAGS waist slide fastener assembly, and will be manufactured utilizing an alternative fabric (Milliken Synergy Nomex fabric) used prior to the current LS II Nomex fabric.

The aforementioned enhancement Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) (numbered 1-3) were AF developed, tested, approved and signed 1 Apr 2021 as permanent Safe to Fly (StF) with the LS II material. ATAGS will be made with Synergy and Style 7412 fabrics and incorporate the same enhancements previously evaluated on ATAGS made with LS II fabric. These ATAGS will be tested and evaluated per the First Article Process outlined in MSF880/5-ATP-Gen-0 Rev B. All Modified ATAGS will have a duplicate suit that has undergone the basic qualification testing which must follow MSF880/5-ATP-GEN-0 REV B where endurance testing is performed per ATP/ATAGS/ TI.14-1:ENDURANCE TEST. The anticipated performance outcome of services rendered by the contractor will be the on-time delivery (to the Government) of each asset meeting the requirements and quality standards and in serviceable condition.

The CSU22/P system has eleven sizes ranging 0-10 (resulting in 11 NSN's). However, only 3 sizes of each material, and a extra size is needed for the FAT testing. Detailed quantities are outlined in SOW.

Noun Part Number Trousers, Anti-G CSU22/P-22, CSU22/P-25, CSU22/P-28 Non Recurring Engineering (NRE) Technical Reporting

Advanced Technology Anti-Gravity Suit (ATAGS)

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:

• Government Proposed North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 541715

Based on the Government proposed 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).

Responses to the Capability Survey Part I and Part II must be received no later than close of business 21 June 2024. 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:

Please email your response to:

Buyer: Felicer Lewis, email: felicer.lewis@us.af.mil@us.af.mil, phone number 478-222-1900, PM: Gail Bembry, email: gail.bembry.1@us.af.mil, phone number 478-222-7406

Questions relative to this market research should be addressed to:

Buyer: Felicer Lewis, email: felicer.lewis@us.af.mil.13@us.af.mil, phone number 478-222-1900, PM: Gail Bembry, email: gail.bembry.1@us.af.mil, phone number 478-222-7406 mailto:hailey.allen@us.af.mil mailto:hailey.allen@us.af.mil mailto:gail.bembry.1@us.af.mil

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 with

ATAGS and critical flight safety aircrew equipment for 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). Has your company done any work specific to the ATAGS item currently in use, if so, please provide a general description of the completed work and results?

3. 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.

4. What is your company’s current maximum capacity per month for this particular type of requirement? 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.

What is the estimated repair time it may take your company to troubleshoot problems or issues with g-suits of different conditions resulting from the detailed Acceptance Test Procedures and requirements in acceptance criteria for Qualification Test, FAT, and Production Performance Test.

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

6. Provide a detailed quality plan implementing ISO 9001 (or equivalent).

7. Describe if your personnel and facilities are able to handle Secret level clearance required for discussions with the Government about items being modified. Provide a description of on-site secure building areas to accomplish modifications (storage of assets) and if access to an on-site Special Access Program Facility (SAPF) is possible.

8. Describe your company’s analysis, design, and manufacturing (including tooling) on site capabilities and their relationship to your core business practices.

9. Describe your company’s ability to remanufacture parts during this modification that are found to be defective but have no current source of supply. This may include designing replacement parts and manufacturing them in house or designing the parts and creating tooling to manufacture them. Note: Substitute parts must go through first article inspection or test (FAI or FAT) and received approval for use by AFLCMC/WNUS Engineering prior to use on repaired items.

10. Describe your company’s good standing with records of past performance on USG contracts for items of similar or related nature.

B. Engineering Services Questions:

1. Describe your services capabilities and experience with regard to the requirements of this effort. How would you address endurance test failures?

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

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 Provider

4. Describe your capabilities and experience in any required test, evaluation, and repair processes/procedures with regard to the required items. Do you have the capability in-house to do any of the following types of testing: endurance testing, leak testing, low pressure leakage testing, secondary restraint testing, and hose bladder strength testing?

5. Describe how you/your organization would handle repairing an item that comes in with one defect but in fact has several other defects discovered during disassembly.

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

7. Does you/your organization have the ability to design tooling (if needed) in house to manufacture obsolete parts that are needed to repair if provided basic drawings from the Government?

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

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

10. How do you track status of items through your organization and what artifacts or summary sheets (or test reports) are provided to customers once items are within standards?

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

12. Are you familiar with the deficiency reporting system several DoD branches use (JDRS) and how deficiencies are reported and addressed if they occur following repair of items?