RFI Letter AFLCMC HBM Mobile Computer Signed.pdf

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19 July 2024

MISSION PLANNING MOBILE COMPUTER PROCUREMENT

(PROJECT: BLUE OCEANS)

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

AIRSPACE MISSION PLANNING DIVISION

HANSCOM AFB, MA 01731

THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) NOTICE ONLY and has been posted on multiple Government-wide point of entries (GPE). This RFI is for informational and planning purposes only, and it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP)/Request for Quote (RFQ)/Fair Opportunity Proposal Request (FOPR) or a promise to issue an RFP/RFQ/FOPR in the future. This RFI is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government for any actual procurement of materials, machinery, or services. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI are solely at the responding parties' expense. White papers shall be UNCLASSIFIED and shall not contain any proprietary information or trade secrets. Any white papers containing restrictive markings will not be read by the Government. Any response submitted by respondents to this RFI constitutes consent for that submission to be reviewed by Government personnel, Federally Funded Research and Development Center employees, and Advisory & Assistance Services contractor employees supporting AFLCMC/HBM employed by Odyssey Systems Consulting Group LTD, Leidos, and HX5 LLC, unless the respondent clearly objects in writing to the release of this information to Federally Funded Research and Development Center employees, and Advisory & Assistance Services contractor employees supporting AFLCMC/HBM.

1. SCOPE

The United States Air Force (USAF) Mission Planning Systems (MPS) is a collaborative Department of Defense (DoD) program that leverages technical solutions and practices for all DoD aerial platforms. MPS enables mission planners to create a flight plan based on multiple inputs including threats, targets, terrain, weather, aircraft performance capability, configuration, and other factors. The planner/aviator utilizes appropriate computing devices to accomplish the mission.

The Government intends to purchase as few as 652 but as many as 1,861 Mobile Computers.

These workstations are designed for use in airborne environments, built to endure rugged conditions including extreme temperatures, vibrations, and various environmental stresses such as rain, dust, and altitude changes. The typical form and fit of this completed unit usually consists of a high-performance 2-in-1 detachable tablet computer with a sleek and durable keyboard docking station. The package will include all essential peripherals and accessories. Items are strictly prohibited to include wireless communication (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.), built in microphones and cameras. All items purchased shall require a unified tailored warranty with a term of four years. During the warranty period the Government shall not allow the return of any

2 | P a g e component with the capability to store user data. See Attachment 1 – Statement of Work (SOW) for the technical requirements for this effort.

The Mission Planning Program utilizes a common PC Benchmark Software Tool called PassMark to assess system performance. This tool performs standardized tests and provides a report or score to associate the potential performance of the hardware being evaluated. Attachment 1 – SOW provides minimum PassMark scores that are currently under consideration by the Government.

The USAF assesses system performance using PassMark Performance Test during hands-on hardware evaluation as part of the RFP/RFQ/FOPR process.

a. Legacy Interface Challenge

These workstations are intended to be utilized with unique USAF equipment using legacy interfaces. Mission Planning users will require use of a PC Card Type II Advanced Technology Attachment (ATA) Flash Memory Card slots.

PC Cards are primarily used to transfer data between air gapped computers. Since the demise of the Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) in 2009 these components have become difficult to find. For the most part the use of USB connected card readers has provided a working solution.

b. Packaging Solution

The required packaging solution will require the device and associated components to be placed within a single durable cardboard box. The packaging solution will require testing and certification from an ISTA laboratory. The completed unit will also require unique markings and/or labeling.

c. Preferred Delivery Schedule

Prior to contract award, the Government will require Contractors to submit as many as five

(5) Mobile Computers for product evaluation. The primary purpose of the evaluation is to ensure that the offered configuration is compatible with Government developed software.

Only the winning Contractor’s evaluation articles will be retained by the Government and procured, all others will be shipped back to the unsuccessful Contractors at the unsuccessful Contractor’s expense.

After contract award, the Contractor will be required to submit a First Article, which is the first fully compliant (fully packaged) completed unit off the production line.

After acceptance of the First Article has been completed the Contractor will be required to submit fully packaged completed units.

2. RESPONSES

This RFI will be cross posted to multiple Government Points of Entry (GPE). Contractors are not permitted to provide more than one response.

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Contractors are strongly encouraged to offer candid feedback, as it plays a crucial role in the Government assessing the practicality of the requirements, both in terms of timeline and technical specifications.

Responses shall be in the form of a white paper that addresses three (3) specific sections:

1. Administrative; 2. Requested Information; and 3. Additional Information. Sections 1 and 3 of the white paper shall be single-sided pages, 12-point Times New Roman font. If responding on GSA, please follow the GSA format for response submission. White papers shall be UNCLASSIFIED and shall not contain any proprietary information or trade secrets. Any white papers containing restrictive markings will not be read by the Government.

Interested potential sources should provide their responses directly through the GPE. If unable to do so, Contractors may email the Contracting Officer, Mr. Kevin Fenton at kevin.fenton.1@us.af.mil and Contract Specialist, Mr. Earl Duncan at earl.duncan.2@us.af.mil directly.

The anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) is 334111. This may change depending on what contract vehicle is utilized.

All questions are due on or before 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, Thursday, 25 July 2024.

Answers will be posted to GPE not later than COB, Monday, 29 July 2024.

RFI responses are due on or before 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, Monday, 5 August 2024.

Additional questions may be submitted to the Contracting Officer, Mr. Kevin Fenton at kevin.fenton.1@us.af.mil and Contract Specialist, Mr. Earl Duncan at earl.duncan.2@us.af.mil.

All communications must include the PCO and Contract Specialist and may only be made via email; no phone calls will be accepted. If emails are not sent to all designated Points of Contact (POCs), as specified, there is a risk that they may not be received or responded to in a timely manner.

White Paper Format

Section 1: Administrative Provide administrative information (not included in the page count for Section 3, below), and shall include the following as a minimum:

1. Firm name, mailing address, cage code, Unique Entity ID, phone number, fax number, and name and e-mail of Firm’s designated point of contact.

2. Please list your Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, Historically Under-utilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small business, woman-owned small business, very small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran- owned small business).

3. Applicable contract vehicles your Firm has contracts with (GSA MAS, Blanket

Purchase Agreements (BPAs), Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contracts, etc.) to include contract numbers.

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4. Interest as a Prime or Subcontractor.

Section 2: Requested Information Attachment 2 – Clarifying Questionnaire is an Excel file containing a listing of questions in which the Government is requesting your Firm’s response. These questions are formulated in a manner to provide the Government insight into your Firm’s potential ability to meet certain aspects of the requirements currently stated within Attachment 1 – SOW, and an opportunity for your Firm to provide comments/feedback when your Firm determines that it is unable to meet a particular requirement, as currently stated. Your Firm’s responses to the Clarifying Questionnaire are highly critical to the Government’s market research and requirements definition for this effort. Your Firm’s responses will not be utilized for evaluation purposes, should a subsequent RFP/RFQ/FOPR be issued. Therefore, your Firm’s candid response to each question is requested and will be greatly appreciated by the Government.

Within the Clarifying Questions Worksheet of Attachment 2 – Clarifying Questionnaire, respondents are provided with a Topic and Information within Columns B and C, respectively, and relative question within Column D. Respondents are requested to only provide an initial “Yes” or “No” response, in Column E, to each question presented. If a respondent answers the applicable question with a “Yes” response, then no Comments/Feedback in Column F shall be required, but can be provided if desired; however, if a respondent answers the applicable question with a “No” response, the Government respectfully requests that the respondent provide “Comments/Feedback” in Column F to advise the Government why the respondent provided a “No” response to the question posed and any additional information the respondent identifies would be beneficial to the Government in its market research and requirements definition efforts. The Government requests that respondents answer all questions presented within the Clarifying Questions worksheet.

Section 3: Additional Information Section 3 should address additional relevant and recent information the respondent would like to include not listed in Section 2. Section 3 of the white paper shall not exceed 1 single-sided page, 12-point Times New Roman font.

Kevin W. Fenton Limited Contracting Officer ($10M)

AFLCMC/HBMK

Airspace Mission Planning Division

Attachments:

Attachment 1 – Statement of Work (SOW) Attachment 2 – Clarifying Questionnaire