Request for Information - Market Capabilities for Refurb-2024.08.23.pdf

Request for Information

United States Army, Foreign Military Sales

M2A2 Operation Desert Storm (ODS) Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle Refurbishment

AUG 2024

General Information:

The United States Army, referred to herein as the United States Government (USG), is seeking information via this Request for Information (RFI), to assess the marketplace availability and industry capabilities for providing the necessary facilities, tools, parts, special tools and test equipment, and labor to refurbish legacy M2A2 Operation Desert Storm (ODS) Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles to meet 10/20 standards.

1.1 Intent:

Participation in this effort is strictly voluntary with no obligation incurred by the USG.

The USG will in no way be bound to information provided in response to this RFI if a solicitation is issued. This RFI is an important opportunity for industry to influence the development of and provide support for a potential future acquisition strategy for a vehicle refurbishment program for potential foreign partners. This RFI, and all information herein is for informational planning purposes only.

1.2. Clarification of this action.

Responses to this RFI will be used by the USG for informational and planning purposes only. Responses to this RFI are not considered to be contractual offers and cannot be accepted by the USG to form a binding contract or agreement nor will any contracts or agreements be awarded from this announcement. Information provided by the USG regarding potential contracts or agreements, as presented in this RFI are subject to change.

This inquiry does not bind the USG to solicit for nor award any contracts or agreements.

This RFI does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), nor an Invitation for Bid, nor is it to be construed as a commitment by the USG. Industry’s participation in this RFI is voluntary. The USG will not reimburse participants for costs associated with responding to this RFI. Data submitted to the USG will not be returned and will remain archived as part of historic USG records. Lastly, participation in this survey, while important to USG acquisition planners, is neither mandatory nor a requisite for future participation by any contractor in this RFI, any similar RFI, or RFP.

1.3. Proprietary information. The USG acknowledges its obligations under 18 U.S.C. § 1905 The Trade Secrets Act, to protect restricted information provided to the USG.

Pursuant to this statute, the USG is willing to accept proprietary restrictions placed upon data presented in response to this RFI and to protect such information from unauthorized disclosure subject to the following paragraphs.

1.3.1. Proprietary data may be submitted in writing and/or transmitted electronically and must be clearly marked “PROPRIETARY” with additional markings designating where “PROPRIETARY PORTION BEGINS” AND “PROPRIETARY PORTION ENDS”. Proprietary submissions shall be accompanied by explanatory text, so the USG is clearly notified regarding which data is proprietary and which is not proprietary. Electronic submissions shall additionally have “PROPRIETARY” markings on both the cover sheet and the transmittal email as well as the beginning of each file submitted.

1.3.2. Mark as “PROPRIETARY” only data which is truly restricted information and to which there is a legal property right.

1.3.3. Do not mark as “PROPRIETARY” data which is already in the public domain or is already in possession of the USG or third parties on an unrestricted basis. Do not mark data which is available to the USG or to the public without restriction from another source.

1.4. No classified data. Do not submit classified data at any time or instance in response to the RFI herein.

1.5. Disclaimer. The USG is not responsible for the public disclosure of unmarked data received in response to this RFI. Accordingly, RFI respondents shall ensure that technical data provided in response to this RFI shall be appropriately marked, as described in paragraph 1.3 herein, to ensure proper USG handling of the data. Should the USG need to reproduce the protected data for distribution purposes between USG offices, all such data shall be reproduced with restrictive legends in place. The USG may use support contractors in reviewing responses. The USG will review responses that contain proprietary information without using support contractors consistent with the resources available. In cases where support contractors may be utilized for review of proprietary information, the USG will use best practices to maintain protection of the information.

1.6. RFI response deadline. Responses to the RFI herein, shall be submitted electronically in Microsoft version 365 compatible software by 2:00 PM Eastern Time on 27 September 2024. Responses shall be submitted via email to usarmy.detroit.peo-gcs.mbx.croatia-bradley-program-office@army.mil.

Large files may also be sent electronically via Department of Defense (DoD) Secure Access File Exchange (SAFE) (https://safe.apps.mil/). If necessary to submit via DOD SAFE, please request a DOD Drop off from: Rachel Heaney, Procurement Specialist, rachel.r.heaney2.civ@army.mil.

1.7. RFI response submittal instructions. Electronic file formats will be compatible with Microsoft Windows 365 software. The subject line of your submission email or package submission must read “(Company Name) Response to M2A2 ODS Bradley Refurb RFI”. If submitting in multiple emails submission, please number your emails in subject line with 1 of 3, 2 of 3, etc.

1.8 RFI response format instructions. Please answer all of the USG Information Requested herein, as accurately and with as much detail as needed to effectively answer the information request. Estimations are acceptable in the response so long as they are identified as estimates. Please provide supporting information as needed. Supporting information includes descriptive language as well as objective numerically based data, schematics, specifications, layouts, brochures, or any other information which clearly and mailto:usarmy.detroit.peo-gcs.mbx.croatia-bradley-program-office@army.mil mailto:usarmy.detroit.peo-gcs.mbx.croatia-bradley-program-office@army.mil mailto:rachel.r.heaney2.civ@army.mil accurately supports the answer provided. Please spell out acronyms upon first use and provide a table of terminology and acronym definitions as part of the RFI response as necessary.

2. General Description of the M2A2 ODS refurbishment effort: The M2A2 Operation Desert Storm (ODS) Bradley is a legacy platform and will not be upgraded. The intent of this effort is for the vehicles to be provided as is and will not be operational upon arrival at the contractor facilities. The contractor would be required to provide all facilities, tools, parts, special tools and test equipment (STTE), fixtures and stands, and labor to move non-operational vehicles upon arrival and refurbish the vehicles to a 10/20 standard in accordance with the USG provided technical manuals. The contractor would be responsible for delivering the refurbished vehicles inclusive of all Components of the End Item (COEI), a Basic Issue Item (BII) package, an Authorized Stockage List package, and concurrent spare parts package. The contractor will be required to re-paint the exterior of the vehicles and touch up the interior paint of the vehicles. The effort is expected to require the contractor to demonstrate vehicle performance against a USG provided Final Inspection Record (FIR) prior to vehicle acceptance. Successfully passing the FIR documents that the vehicle has been refurbished as required per the contract and meets the standards. This allows the USG to then hand the vehicles over to the partner nation with confidence that repairs were successfully completed.

The USG plans to remove all Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) from the seed vehicles and have the LRUs refurbished through a separate program. The refurbished LRUs will then be provided to the contractor as Government Furnished Property for installation back into the vehicles. The USG plans to provide the following items as new or refurbished for installation into the vehicles: M240 machine guns, M242 enhanced Bushmaster Chain Guns, Defense Advanced Global Positioning Systems Receivers (DAGR), Radios, Smoke Grenade Launchers, and Driver’s View Enhancers (DVEs). The USG anticipates providing Operator and Maintainer level (-10/-20) Technical Manuals and Maintenance Work Orders as Government Furnished Information. The USG may not furnish a complete Technical Data Package (TDP) for the vehicles identified nor support equipment required. The contractor is expected to tell USG what information is needed to accomplish the task.

The contractor would be responsible for providing all other materials, STTE, fixtures, facilities, ammunition for FIR testing, ranges/range access for fire testing, and all associated labor.

The USG is anticipating deliveries would be required to begin in calendar year 2027.

Please provide a cover sheet with the following information.

1. Administrative Information:

a. What is your company’s name?

b. What is your company’s mailing address and website address?

c. What is your Commercial and Government Entity code (CAGE)?

d. What is your company’s Unique Entity ID (UEI)?

e. Where are your company’s facility(s) located?

h. Is your company located in a labor surplus area or a HUB Zone?

i. Does your company use a cost system that has been certified by the Defense Contract Audit Agency?

2. Person Responding to Questionnaire:

a. What is your name?

b. What is your title?

c. What is your company responsibility/position?

d. What is your telephone number/fax number?

e. What is your e-mail address?

Questionnaire: Please submit responses in the following format.

ID # Information Requested by the USG Industry Response, Detailed Description

1.1 General Company Name and Mailing Address; please

include affiliates and former names and manufacturing, headquarters and Engineering locations that would be used to support this effort.

1.2 General Point of contact Name and title and alternate

point of contact, office and mobile telephone, fax number, email address and mailing address

1.3 General Company Website address

1.4 General Data Universal Numbering System Number

(DUNS)

1.5 General Commercial and Government Entity Code

(CAGE)

1.6 General Unique Entity ID

1.7 General What is the business size (i.e. number of

employees) and eligibility under North American Industry Classification System

(NAICS) 336992

Please also identify any socio-economic identifications.

1.8 General Has the company provided products and/or

services to the US Department of Defense (DoD) and in particular the United States Army previously?

If so, please provide the contract numbers and contract(s) award dates over the past 3 years and USG Point of Contact if available.

1.9 General Is your company owned and/or controlled by a

foreign entity?

If yes, please provide the owning/controlling country. Also state at what ownership percentage the foreign entity owns of the company.

1.10 General Would your company be interesting in

attending an industry day to view the seed assets for the contract?

1.11 General Would your company’s solution for refurbishing

vehicles rely upon subcontractor support?

If yes, please identify the anticipated subcontractor(s) and the aspect of the refurbishment program which is subcontracted.

Describe any anticipated subcontracting/teaming arrangements.

1.12 General Is your company able to do business directly

with the U.S. Government?

If no, will your company be able to do so in the next 6-12 months?

2.1

Facility Information

Please describe your facilities available to support the refurbishment of approximately 62 M2A2 ODS Bradleys

Provide information on size of facilities, location of facilities, lifting capabilities, painting capabilities, road testing, gun fire testing,

2.2 Are your facilities rated to secure weapons and

ammunition IAW DoD Manual 5100.76, Physical Security of Arms, Ammunition and Explosive (AA&E), Enclosure 9 Physical Security of AA&E at Contractor Facilities.

What Sensitivity Category (SRC) level is your facility capable of securing?

2.3 Does your facility have a rail on-load/off-load

area?

If not, how far away is the closest railhead?

2.4 Does your facility currently have the

capabilities to move non-operational vehicles of this size from a trailer or railcar to and around your worksite?

Please describe your capabilities.

2.5

Facility Information

Does the manufacturing facility(s) have sufficient capacity (i.e. adequate equipment utilization, storage space, facility space) to store GFM, vehicles, and refurbish approximately 62 M2A2 ODS Bradleys?

What production rate is your response assuming?

2.6

Facility Information

How many M2A2 ODS Bradleys is the company capable of storing prior to shipment?

How long can the vehicles be stored prior to shipment?

3.1

Refurbishment

Please provide total refurbishment lead time from contract award to delivery of the first refurbished vehicle.

Please consider the lead time for procurement of materials (e.g. steel/aluminum, suspension, track, cabling, etc.) through refurbishment activities, and final road test and firing tests.

Please do not leave this information blank, provide best estimates based on analogous platforms.

Timing data is for planning purposes only and is not contractual. The U.S. Army does not consider this information firm.

3.2

Please describe and include the expected refurbishment rate per month (please consider the tier 2 and 3 supply chain capabilities)

3.3

What is the lead time (work in process time) specifically for refurbishment activities?

3.4

Describe a plan for refurbishing the vehicles.

For instance, will the Army specific items be refurbished in bays on the same line as commercial equipment? If so, describe a plan for integrating the Army specific products into commercial efforts.

3.5 Please describe how your company addresses

material acquisition for parts that have been out of production for extended periods of time and may have no or limited active supply chains.

Please provide examples of vehicle platforms or equipment where your company was successful in mitigating these types of issues, to include challenges faced and how they were resolved.

3.6 Does your company currently employ or have

access to a workforce that is knowledgeable in analog technologies and equipment and the special tools and test equipment necessary for the analog technologies.

What types of analog platforms and equipment has your company worked on and what types of arrangements does your company have to recruit and retain the experience and skills necessary.

3.7

Please describe your previous experience with repairing/maintaining/refurbishing Tracked Combat vehicles or other combat vehicles.

If efforts are under previous US Department of Defense contracts, please provide contract numbers and POCs.

3.8

Refurbishment

Are there any identifiable constraints that your company can foresee with performing an effort such as this?

3.9

Please describe any concerns your company may have with performing an effort of this nature.

4.1

Contract General

What contract types would your company like for the Government to consider for this type of effort.

Please provide rationale for your recommendations.

4.2

Contract General

Please provide any additional information you would like the Government to consider when crafting this requirement and acquisition strategy.

--END OF RFI INFORMATION REQUESTED THANK YOU--