Notice 693KA8-21-PSIR-APC-01.pdf

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Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Contract Opportunity Announcement beta.SAM.gov

Notice ID: 693KA8-21-PSIR-APC-01

Title: NAS VoICE A/G Protocol Converter (APC) Draft SIR & Sources

Sought/Solicitation of Interest

Issue Date: March 26, 2021

Industry Day Registration Date: April 8, 2021 at 5PM EDT

Response Date/Time: May 7, 2021, 5:00 PM EDT

Contracting Officer: Mary M. Johnson (mary.m.johnson@faa.gov)

1. Purpose

This is a pre-solicitation (PSIR) notice for the FAA’s VoICE over IP Communication Enterprise (VoICE) Phase 1 Air-to-Ground (A/G) Protocol Converter (APC) procurement. This notice serves the following purposes:

(1) Provides the draft Air-to-Ground (A/G) Protocol Converter (APC) Statement of Work, and various J Attachments including CDRLS/DIDs, and solicits comments;

(2) Provides third draft of APC Specification and Analog Radio Control Systems IRD (J Attachments), and solicits comments;

(3) Provides third draft of APC (VoICE) Software Requirements Document (J Attachment) and solicits comments;

(4) Advises contractors of high-level acquisition strategy and source selection approach, including certain approaches the FAA is considering, and solicits comments and questions;

(5) Announces an APC Pre-Solicitation Industry Day; and

(6) Solicits information from prospective offerors to support the FAAs procurement strategy.

Industry input will assist the FAA in determining an acquisition strategy for an APC that will meet its needs. FAA would prefer to acquire commercial items via competition. To the extent that commercial items will not meet its needs, the FAA will consider competing for non-developmental items. Throughout this pre-solicitation dialogue with industry, the FAA is particularly interested in what particular requirements are not currently met by commercial items or, separately, may require development. The FAA will use information obtained to consider adjusting its overall requirements for the actual SIR.

2. Attachments/Links

− Notice 693KA8-21-PSIR-APC-01 − Attachment 01 FAA NAS VoICE Public Notices (PDF) dated March 26, 2021 − Attachment 02 Draft Statement of Work dated March 25, 2021

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− Attachment 03 Draft Section J Documents and CDRLs and DIDs dated March 25, 2021 − Attachment 04 Summary of Updates to Draft 3 of the APC System Specification and APC

Analog Radio Control Systems IRD dated March 25, 2021 − Attachment 05 Pre-solicitation Industry Comment Form (Excel file) − Attachment 06 Vendor Notification of Interest (Excel file) − Link 1 - FAA Acquisition System Toolset (FAST) − Link 2 - FAA In-Service Decision − Link 3 - FAA Contract Clauses

3. Disclaimer

This is not a screening information request (SIR) or request for proposal. The FAA is not seeking or accepting unsolicited proposals. The FAA is seeking interested sources that are capable of fulfilling the FAA’s requirements.

In accordance with A.M.S. Policy 3.2.1.2.1, this pre-solicitation notice is to solicit statements of interest and capabilities from interested business concerns and provide other acquisition information. This pre-solicitation notice also seeks to identify potential contractors for this work, including groups of business teams.

For questions about FAA’s acquisition policies, please visit the FAST website (https://fast.faa.gov), which provides the FAA’s Acquisition Management System (AMS) Policy and Guidance as well as provisions and clauses used by the FAA in its acquisitions.

Participation in this pre-solicitation notice is voluntary and respondents may choose to respond to all or some of the requests. Submissions in response to this pre-solicitation notice announcement must be relevant to the subject of the pre-solicitation notice. Responses will be reviewed by U.S.

Government employees and a limited number of Government support contractors working under non-disclosure agreements. The Government support contractors work for the following companies:

Advanced Sciences and Technologies (AS&T) ASRC Federal Capital Group CEXEC, Inc.

Chesapeake Consulting, Inc.

COBEC Consulting Cynthia Valdes LLC IT Strategy, Inc.

LS Technologies, LLC

MITRE

Noblis, Inc.

The SEMCON Group, LLC Solentus Veracity Engineering https://fast.faa.gov/ https://fast.faa.gov/NFFCA_In_Service_Decision.cfm https://fast.faa.gov/contractclauses.cfm https://fast.faa.gov/

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If this announcement is being viewed from other than the System for Award Management (SAM) website, some information or attachments may not transfer correctly. Please check the FAA’s contracting opportunities website http://beta.sam.gov frequently for any updates and amendments to this announcement.

All costs associated with the preparation or submission of responses is the responsibility of the potential source. The U.S. Government will not pay for an information received or costs incurred in preparing the response to the market survey. Any cost associated with the market survey submission, therefore, is solely at the interested contractor’s expense.

4. Background

The mission of the FAA’s Voice Switch & Recorder (VS&R) Program Office’s VoICE over IP Communication Enterprise (VoICE) program is to provide a flexible, network-based voice communication enterprise system that will replace aging, increasingly expensive to maintain legacy voice switches. The VoICE program will also address Radio Control Equipment (RCE) obsolescence and End-of-Life (EOL) issues.

The VoICE program will replace voice switching core infrastructure at select ATCTs, TRACONs, and ARTCCs with a modern and supportable Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) enabled networked voice communication system.

The VoICE program will consist of multiple competitive procurements in a two-phased approach:

• Phase 1 will provide IP-analog interfaces (i.e., Air-to-Ground (A/G) Protocol Converter (APC) and Ground-to-Ground (G/G) Protocol Converter (GPC) Systems) through two procurements:

o The APC System procurement will involve deploying an A/G interface capability that converts analog voice/signaling (currently used by all FAA voice switches, radios, and RCE) to European Organization for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) ED-137-compliant VoIP. The APC System will also convert ED- 137-compliant VoIP to analog voice/signaling. The APC System will replace the aging RCE with an IP-compatible capability.

o The GPC System procurement will involve deploying a G/G interface capability that converts analog voice/signaling (currently used by all FAA VoICE switches) to European Organization for Civil Aviation Equipment (EUROCAE) ED-137-compliant VoIP. The GPC System will also convert ED-137 compliant VoIP to analog voice/signaling.

• Phase 2 will provide native-VoIP switching systems through one or more procurements with a priority to replace the voice switches at the ARTCCs and Core Terminal facilities.

The native-VoIP communications systems will use the APC and GPC Systems deployed with phase 1 for communicating with legacy analog interfaces.

http://beta.sam.gov/

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Since May 2019, the FAA has released fourteen (14) public notices associated with the VoICE program. The announcement details are provided under the Attachments/Links section of this announcement Attachment 1, FAA NAS VoICE Public Notices. The notices provide the background for the FAA’s upcoming approach to satisfying future voice switching needs.

Prospective offerors are encouraged to review the announcements.

5. APC Overview - FAA Legacy RCE and Anticipated APC

The intent of this overview is to describe, at a high level, the operation of both the FAA’s existing, legacy Radio Control Equipment (RCE) and the FAA’s planned Air-to-Ground Protocol Converter (APC). The APC will replace legacy RCE to support existing analog communication links and will facilitate the transition to VoIP (ED-137) communications links. Though not related to the RCE, the APC will also be providing a standalone VoIP interface for legacy radios.

RCE Overview (Present)

The FAA RCE is facing supportability issues and is only designed to communicate using analog interfaces. The RCE addressed air traffic control applications where audio and radio signals needed to be transported to remote radio facilities (i.e., off airport grounds). The use of the RCE system enables FAA air traffic control centers to cover a larger geographic area through the use of remotely-located radios and antenna equipment. The RCE provides simultaneous voice and data transmission over point-to-point leased 4-wire telephone lines. The RCE supports primary and backup telephone line capabilities as well as adaptable connection modes to support dual control and separate radio site configurations (i.e., a transmitter site and a receiver site).

Typical radio equipment requires control signals like push-to-talk (PTT) to key the transmitter. In addition, if the remote radio site includes standby radios, but only one antenna, a main/standby radio select control is also required. These control signals need to be transmitted to the remote radio site along with air traffic controller audio signals. The RCE supports simultaneous transmission of both audio and control signals over one telephone line, which reduces leased line costs that are associated with other alternatives that require separate voice and data transmission paths.

As shown in Figure 1, the RCE is comprised of a Local/Control RCE and a Remote RCE. Each RCE pair passes radio command and confirmation signaling for up to eight (8) remote radios.

These 8 radios comprise 2 frequencies (a VHF and UHF pair that shares the same transmit and receive audio lines), with each frequency having 2 transmitters (Main & Standby) and 2 receivers (Main & Standby). Each remote radio site can host multiple sets of Remote-Remote Radio Control Equipment (R-RCEs). Similarly, each control site would have multiple Control-Remote Radio Control Equipment (C-RCEs).

Respondents are encouraged to request RCE technical documentation, listed below, from the FAA Contracting Officer. These documents are not available under this notice, but will be provided separately, at the FAA’s discretion, by email upon request by any legitimate, interested company.

• 99-P55100T Interface Description, Physical Layer, Modem, RCE REV A 09/14/06

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• 99-P55101T Interface Description, Link Layer Messaging, RCE_051619

• 99-P55102T Interface Description, Configuration and Maintenance Messaging, RCE_051619

• 20041862 RCE System Manual: Radio Control Equipment Model CS-2330/RCE System

Manual Revision F

• 20041862 RCE System Manual Appendix C: Centralized Maintenance System (CMS)

Manual Revision F

• 20041862 RCE System Manual Appendix B: Maintenance Data Terminal (MDT) User’s

Guide Revision F

Note that the FAA has the right to share the RCE Source Code with contractors for Government purposes.

Figure 1: RCE System Overview

APC Overview (Future)

The FAA is preparing a new competitive acquisition for APCs. The APC will support communicating over both analog and VoIP (ED-137) interfaces. The FAA is planning on simultaneously replacing both the C-RCE and R-RCE with APCs. Based on this approach, the FAA is not requiring that the APC perform RCE emulation, but the FAA is requiring that the APC support a subset of legacy RCE functions per the provided draft APC System Specification (reference Attachment 3). Contractors have the option to incorporate the legacy RCE protocol design into their APC solution or provide their own design to meet the analog communications requirements for the APC.

PLEASE NOTE: The FAA is transitioning away from analog transport communications and expects to have the ability to begin that transition to IP-based transport at the start of the APC

C-RCE

TX Audio

RX Audio

TX Voice RX Voice

Radio Control

(F1 & F2) Radio Conf.

(F1 & F2)

Legacy

VCS

Legacy VCS Facility

Radios

Up to 8 Legacy Radios

2 Frequencies

4 Transmitters (Main & Standby)

4 Receivers (Main & Standby)

Analog Voice and Signaling Connections for up to 8 Legacy Radios

Analog Voice & Signaling

RCE Emulation RX Voice

Remote Radio Facility

Radio Conf.

(F1 & F2)

Acronyms:

C-RCE: Control-Remote Radio Control Equipment (Legacy) R-RCE: Remote-Remote Radio Control Equipment (Legacy) MDT: Maintenance Data Terminal CMS: Centralized Maintenance System

Radio Control Equipment (RCE) combines voice and radio control signals for transmission over single Analog Telco line

3/26/2021 693KA8-21-PSIR-APC-01 Page 6 of 13 implementation phase (i.e., at FAA In Service Decision). The FAA is therefore shifting it’s initial focus for the APC System procurement to emphasize the APC system’s ability to support IP transport services requirements (i.e., VoIP network connection between control and remote APC).

The FAA is deferring the delivery of the analog transport communication requirements (i.e., point-to-point analog phone connection between control and remote APC) until after it achieves In Service Decision, which authorizes deployment of a solution into the operational environment (reference https://fast.faa.gov/NFFCA_In_Service_Decision.cfm). The deferred requirements for analog transport communications associated with the shift in emphasis are identified (requirements are shaded) in the attached APC System Draft Specification and APC System to Analog Radio Control Systems Draft IRD (reference Attachment 3).

The APC will include its own management system, which will be separate from the existing RCE

CMS/MDT.

Figure 2 below illustrates the FAA’s approach to use an APC in three configurations. The three configurations are the following:

1. Local Legacy Radio-Air-to-Ground Protocol Converter (LLR-APC):

a. Provides VoIP VCSs with analog access to Legacy Local Radios (single frequency)

b. Needed for VoIP VCS acquisition; not needed to replace RCE functionality

2. Local-Air-to-Ground Protocol Converter (L-APC):

a. Replaces the Control-Radio Control Equipment (C-RCE) and provides analog interface with the Remote-Air-to-Ground Protocol Converter (R-APC). This capability will be deferred until after FAA ISD.

1. Provides Legacy VCS with access to analog port of R-APC via analog voice and signaling interface of L-APC.

2. Provides VoIP VCS with access to analog port of R-APC via VoIP port of L-APC.

b. Provides Legacy VCS with access to VoIP port of R-APC via VoIP port of L-APC (see Figure 2).

3. Remote-Air-to-Ground Protocol Converter (R-APC):

a. Replaces the Remote-Radio Control Equipment (R-RCE) and provides analog interface with the L-APC to provide remote access to up to eight Legacy Radios. This capability will be deferred until after FAA ISD.

b. Provides VoIP VCS and/or L-APC (VoIP port) with VoIP (ED-137) access to up to either eight Legacy Radios or eight IP Radios*.

*Note: For VoIP VCS and/or L-APC (VoIP port) with VoIP (ED-137) access, the R-APC can control either up to eight Legacy Radios or up to eight IP Radios, but the R-APC cannot control a mix of both Legacy and IP radios.

The contractor can make recommendations for covering the three configurations through either using the same APC component or different APC components for each configuration. For more detailed, technical information on the APC, please see the attached Draft APC Specification and Interface Requirements Documents (IRDs), all dated March 25, 2021 (reference Attachment 3).

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Figure 2: APC Configurations and Interfaces

6. Updates to Previously-Released Technical Requirements

6.1. APC Specification and APC to Analog Radio Control System IRD Attachment 4, Summary of Updates to Draft 3 of the APC System Specification and APC Analog Radio Control Systems IRD dated March 25, 2021,provides a high-level overview of the key updates that are incorporated into this third draft release of the APC Specification and the APC IRD (reference Attachment 3). These updates are based on Industry and FAA Stakeholder comments received on the second draft release (July 29, 2020). All updates can be reviewed in the attached third draft release of the APC System Draft Specification and APC System to Analog Radio Control Systems Draft IRD; both documents dated March 25, 2021 (reference Attachment 3).

PLEASE NOTE: Shading has been added to text, figures, and requirements to identify Analog Transport areas for APC communications links. The FAA anticipates these capabilities will be added later, after FAA In Service Decision (ISD), through an Engineering Change Proposal

(ECP).

L-APC

TX Audio

RX Audio

TX Voice

R-APC

TX Voice RX Voice

Radio Control

(F1 & F2) Radio Conf.

(F1 & F2)

Legacy

VCS

Legacy Voice Switch Facility

Radios

Up to 8 (Legacy or IP) Radios

2 Frequencies 4 Transmitters

(Main & Standby) 4 Receivers

(Main & Standby)

Analog Voice and Signaling Connections for up to 8 Legacy Radios

(ED-137)

ED-137

ED-137

IP Connections for up to 8 IP

Radios

VoIP (ED-

137) VCS’s

(ED-137)

Analog Voice & Signaling

Voice and Data Transmission via Analog

Protocol

RX Voice

APC connection paths (see “endpoint” numbers on diagram) 1 – 2: Legacy Voice Switch connection to Analog port of R-APC 1 – 3: Legacy Voice Switch connection to VoIP port of

R-APC

4 – 2: VoIP VCS connection to Analog port of R-APC 4 – 3: VoIP VCS connection to VoIP port of R-APC 4 – 5: VoIP VCS connection to Legacy Local Radio

Radio Facility

Notes:

-Single Analog and IP connections each support up to 8 Radios

- R-APC must be able to simultaneous handle both Analog & IP connections

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6.2. VoICE Software Requirements Document

The VoICE Software Requirements Document was released twice for industry comment, most recently on September 14, 2020. The attached update, dated March 25, 2021, reflects the following changes:

• Format updates (changing from bullets to numbering schema);

• Minor update in section 2.1, software classifications to identify "each"; and,

• Minor update in section 2.2.3, FRR to identify specific a percent completion required for acceptable Final Requirements Review milestone.

7. APC Acquisition & Request for Industry Input

The FAA requests input related to the following topics and plans to discuss items in Section 7 with the exception of Section 7.1, Draft APC Statement of Work (SOW) and J Attachments. The FAA will discuss Section 7.1 if there is interest from industry reflected in the questions submitted with its Industry Day registration (reference Sections 7.3 and 8.2).

7.1. Draft APC Statement of Work (SOW) and J Attachments

The Draft Statement of Work (SOW), specification and other J attachments, CDRLS and DIDs are provided with this notice (Attachments 2 and 3). The scope of work includes all services and supplies required for the successful design, development, test, and implementation of the APCs, including program management, systems engineering, test and evaluation, delivery, and installation, integrated logistics support (including training), and operational support.

7.2. High-level Acquisition Strategy and Source Selection Approach

7.2.1. Acquisition Schedule

The FAA intends to release one (1) additional draft SIR in early May 2021 that will include Section B, Supplies or Services and Prices/Costs, Section H, Special contract requirements, Section L, Instructions, Conditions, and Notices to Offerors, and Section M, Evaluation Factors for Award. We anticipate issuance of the final APC SIR in December 2021. We anticipate award of the APC System contract by Q3 of fiscal year 2023.

Schedule dates for future activities are estimates only and are subject to change at the FAA’s sole discretion.

7.2.2. APC Contract (FAA Procurement Guidance T3.2.4 - Types of Contracts)

The FAA anticipates a single award but will reserve the right to make multiple awards.

The anticipated period of performance is date of award plus ten (10) years. We anticipate using a combination of contract types, under a single contract, for different aspects of the APC requirement.

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7.2.3. Applicability of the Buy American Requirements

Buy American requirements under the Buy American Act (41 U.S.C. §§ 8301-8305) and the FAA Buy American Preference (49 U.S.C. §50101) will apply to the APC acquisition.

Prospective offerors are encouraged to review FAA Acquisition Management System (AMS) Policy Section 3.6.4.1 and Procurement Guidance T.3.6.4 and become familiar with clauses provided under 3.6.4, Foreign Acquisition, which are available at https://fast.faa.gov/contractclauses.cfm.

7.2.4. Applicability of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Section 889, Prohibition on Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services

The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) Section 889 will apply to the APC acquisition. Prospective offerors are encouraged to review FAA Procurement Guidance T3.6.4 A 16, Certain Telecommunications and Video Surveillance Services or Equipment and become familiar with the following screening information request (SIR) clauses available at https://fast.faa.gov/contractclauses.cfm.

3.6.4-22 Representation Regarding Certain Telecom & Video Surveillance Services or Equipment

3.6.4-23 Prohibition on Contracting for Certain Telecom & Video Surveillance Services or Equipment

3.6.4-24 Covered Telecom Equipment or Services – Representation

7.2.5. Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) (Procurement Guidance T3.1.7 Organizational Conflict of Interest)

The FAA intends, as early as possible in the acquisition process and where possible prior to issuing an initial screening information request (SIR), to make every effort to analyze planned acquisitions in an effort to identify, avoid, neutralize or mitigate potential OCI's early in the NAS VoICE acquisition process. This early identification will not adversely affect the FAA’s policy for competition in accordance with AMS Policy 3.1.3.

Prospective contractors are encouraged to become familiar with both T3.1.7 and the screening information request (SIR) clauses identified below, and to notify the CO at the earliest possible time of any identified actual or potential OCI issues. FAA Procurement Guidance T3.1.7 Organizational Conflict of Interest, provides the FAA’s OCI policy, in full text. An OCI means that because of existing or planned activities, an offeror or contractor:

1. Is unable or potentially unable to render impartial assistance to the agency; or

2. Has an unfair competitive advantage; or

3. The offeror or contractor's objectivity is or might be impaired.

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The FAA’s screening information request (SIR) clauses are available at https://fast.faa.gov/contractclauses.cfm.

3.1.7-1 Exclusion from Future Agency Contracts

3.1.7-2 Organizational Conflicts of Interest

3.1.7-4 Organizational Conflict of Interest - Mitigation Plan Required

3.1.7-5 Disclosure of Conflicts of Interest

3.1.7-6 Disclosure of Certain Employee Relationships

Prospective contractors should be ready and capable of responding to OCI clauses included in NAS VoICE SIR.

As noted in AMS Guidance 3.1.7A(1): The policy of the FAA is to avoid contracting with contractors who have unacceptable organizational conflicts of interest. It is not the intent of the FAA to foreclose a vendor from a competitive acquisition due to a perceived OCI, or in any way limit competition and prevent the FAA from getting responsible qualified vendors.

The FAA is committed to working with potential contractors to identify, avoid, neutralize or mitigate actual or perceived OCI situations in such a manner that does not adversely affect the integrity of the FAA’s competitive process, the mission of the FAA or the legitimate business interest of the vendor community.

7.2.6. APC Source Selection

7.2.6.1. The APC contractor will be selected in accordance with the FAA’s Procurement Guidance T3.2.2.3, Complex Source Selection. The evaluation methodology will be best value. Under this method, both cost/price and non-cost/price factors are assessed based on the evaluation criteria, and the SSO selects the offeror proposing a combination of these factors representing the best value to FAA (FAA Procurement Guidance T3.2.2.3(A)(1) 5 Selection Methodology).

7.2.6.2. The FAA is investigating the use of Procurement Guidance T3.2.2.3(B)9, Two- Phase Source Selection, through which the FAA would select the APC Phase Two contractor(s) based on APC Phase One evaluation criteria. The FAA is considering the following approach:

− APC Phase 1 / Screening Information. Screening information allows FAA to determine which offeror(s) are most likely to receive the award, and ultimately which offeror(s) will provide FAA with the best value. The screening information requested in the SIR would focus on information that directly relates to the key differentiators for the procurement.

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− APC Phase 2 / Solicitation for Offer. The FAA will request/solicit offers only from sources selected in Phase I. A request/solicitation for offer is a request for an offeror to formally commit to provide the products, services, or real property required by FAA under stated terms and conditions. The response to the request/solicitation for offer is a binding offer, which is intended to become a binding contract if signed by the CO. The request/solicitation for offer may take the form of a SIR, a proposed contract, or a purchase order.

7.2.7. APC Evaluation Factors

Selecting the appropriate evaluation factors and subfactors is key to the source selection process. The factors and subfactors provide insight into significant considerations the FAA will use to select the contractor who offers the best value. The evaluation factors and subfactors and their relative importance will clearly reflect the significant considerations of the APC acquisition. Reference FAA Procurement Guidance T3.2.2.3(A)(1)8, Evaluation Factors.

In addition to the typical management, technical, past performance, and cost/price evaluation factors, the FAA is investigating use of a separate and distinct cost realism factor. Reference FAA Procurement Guidance T3.2.3(1)(d)(5). If used, cost realism would not be performed under the cost/price factor.

Cost realism analysis is an objective process of identifying the specific elements of a cost estimate or a proposed price and comparing those elements against reliable and independent means of cost measurement. This analysis judges whether or not the estimates under analysis are verifiable, complete, and accurate, and whether or not the offeror's estimating methodology is logical, appropriate, and adequately explained. This verifies that the cost or prices proposed fairly represent the costs likely to be incurred for the proposed services under the offeror's technical and management approach. The cost realism analysis enables evaluators to determine each offeror’s most probable cost of performance. This helps mitigate the risk that the FAA will make an award decision based on an overly optimistic cost estimate.

Cost realism analysis determines whether proposed costs may be overstated or understated with respect to performing SIR requirements using the contractor’s unique and described methods in the cost and technical proposals. The offeror’s Most Probable Cost (MPC) is determined by adjusting each offeror’s proposed cost, and fee when appropriate, to reflect any additions or reductions in cost elements to realistic levels based on the results of the cost realism analysis.

The MPC may differ from the proposed cost and should reflect the Government’s best estimate of the cost of any contract that is most likely to result from the offeror’s proposal.

The MPC, not the proposed cost, is used for purposes of evaluation to determine the best value.

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7.3. APC Pre-Solicitation Industry Day

The VS&R Program Office will hold a virtual industry day, specific to this APC PSIR, on April 21, 2021 from 9:00am - 12:00pm EDT, via online collaborative webinar media. The purpose of the industry day is to allow discussion of the items listed under section 7.1 (reference Attachments 2 and 3, Draft APC SOW and J Attachments) and 7.2, High-level Acquisition Strategy and Source Selection Approach, above. The FAA requests that industry submit questions related to section 7.1, 7.2, and 7.4 with its registration, to ensure a response is available as part of the FAA presentation. The FAA will not discuss section 7.1 unless there is interest from industry reflected in the questions. This industry day event is intended to facilitate detailed acquisition interchange and discussion.

While the FAA appreciates all feedback provided by industry, including that provided real-time during the industry day event, if participants are not comfortable sharing feedback in a group setting, feedback may be provided in writing as part of the response to this announcement.

7.4. Sources Sought/Solicitation of Interest

In accordance with AMS Procurement Guidance T3.2.1.2, Market Analysis, and in support of the FAA’s commitment to expanding procurement opportunities for small businesses (T3.6.1, Small Business Development Program), the FAA seeks information from interested, capable contractors. Please review the Draft Statement of Work (reference Attachment 2) and determine if your company is interested and capable of fulfilling one or more requirements, either as a prime contractor, subcontractor, or through a teaming arrangement.

8. Request & Instructions for Submittals

8.1. The Government welcomes industry feedback associated with:

− Draft APC Statement of Work (SOW) (reference Attachment 2), Specification and other J Attachments, CDRLS and DIDs (reference Attachment 3 and Section 7.1 above).

− High-level Acquisition Strategy and Source Selection Approach (reference Section 7.2 above)

− Sources sought/solicitation of interest (reference Section 7.4 above)

Responses to Sections 7.1 and 7.2 must be submitted on the Pre-solicitation Industry Comment Form (reference Attachment 5).

8.2. APC Pre-Solicitation Industry Day (reference Section 7.3 above)

Interested parties must register to participate the virtual industry day event and submit questions (if any), related to section 7.1, 7.2, and 7.4, no later than April 8, 2021 at 5PM EDT. The FAA will confirm attendance no later than 5PM EDT April 16, 2021 and provide the webcast access information.

Registration Requests: For those interested in attending this event, please submit your request to 9-AWA-VoiceInfo@faa.gov with the following information:

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− Company name and address − Attendee name(s) − Attendee phone number; email address − List your company’s experience with designing, building, and deploying voice communication systems and if it has any systems currently in operation − List of questions related to Sections 7.1, 7.2 and 7.4.

8.3. Sources Sought/Solicitation of Interest (reference Section 7.4 above)

If interested and capable, complete and submit a Vendor Notification of Interest (reference Attachment 6). In addition, you may submit a one (1) page capability statement.

8.4. Submission of Information

With the exception of registration for the APC Pre-Solicitation Industry Day, responses must be submitted via e-mail to:

Mary M. Johnson Contracting Officer, AFN/AAQ-320 9-AWA-VoiceInfo@faa.gov

The email subject line must state the beta.SAM announcement number followed by the company name. Individual e-mail message size (i.e., email body text plus any attachments) must not exceed 10 MB. If more than one email is required to complete a respondent’s submission, then in the email subject header following the company name, state which submission in the sequence is contained in the given email and the total number of email submissions being made by respondent (i.e., Email 1 of 2, Email 3 of 3, etc.)

Industry feedback will be considered in the preparation of formal solicitations and it is the Government's intention that comments and responses will be distributed electronically to all potential Offerors via the SAM website. However, the Government does not commit to providing a response to any comments. The subsequent revision to the APC Draft Contract documents, based on comments received, remains solely at the Government's discretion. No comments, questions, or inquiries shall be made to any Government person other than the point of contact identified above. The Government is not responsible for any cost incurred by industry in responding to this notice.

All submissions in response to this announcement must be in writing and are due by 5:00 PM EDT on May 7, 2021. Submissions prior to May 7th are encouraged and will be accepted.

Telephone calls or paper submissions will not be accepted.

Submissions must include company point(s) of contact, title(s), telephone number(s), email address(es) and mailing address. Responses will not be returned. Any proprietary or confidential information contained in the market survey submissions must be appropriately marked.