RR-202 Sources Sought Synopsis.docx

REQUIREMENT TITLE: RR-202 Chaff NSN/Part Number: 1370016995750AQ Solicitation Number: FA8213-22-R-3020 Notice Type: Sources Sought Synopsis NOTICE: This is not a solicitation but rather a Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) to determine potential sources for information and planning purposes only.

The purpose of this Sources Sought is to conduct market research to determine if responsible sources exist, to assist in determining if this effort can be competitive and/or a total Small Business Set-Aside. The proposed North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) code for this requirement is 325920 - Explosives Manufacturing with a Small Business Size Standard of 750 (number of employees). The Government will use this information to determine the best acquisition strategy for this procurement. The Government is interested in all small businesses to include 8(a), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned, HUBZone, and Women-Owned small business concerns. The government requests that interested parties respond to this notice if applicable and identify your small business status to the identified NAICS code. Additionally, please provide any anticipated teaming arrangements, along with a description of similar services offered to the Government and to commercial customers for the past three years. Any responses involving teaming agreements should delineate between the work that will be accomplished by the prime and the work accomplished by the teaming partners.

Description This is NOT a Request for Proposals (RFP). NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS EXIST AT THIS TIME. The US Air Force Expendable Countermeasures (XCM) System Program Office (SPO) established the requirement baseline for the chaff air expendable countermeasure (AECM). The intent of this SSS is to assist XCM SPO in conducting market research to identify if a contractor is available who can satisfy the Government's requirements for supplying chaff.

Scope The production, acceptance, and delivery of Operational Chaff. Chaff is an advanced countermeasure developed with mmWave technology capable of producing high Radar Cross Section (RCS) across the desired spectrum. Chaff is designed to protect against radar-guided surface-to-air and air-to-air missiles.

OPSEC protection for all classified and sensitive information would be required. Security policy, procedures, and requirements for classified information are provided in DOD Manual 5220.22-M, National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM). Telecommunications security in accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Clause 252.239-7016 needs to be implemented as appropriate.

All Statements of interest should include the following additional data:

1. Company name, address, point of contact (POC), telephone number, fax number, email address to contact for any necessary clarification, to receive additional information, for additional data required by the analysis, and for information on any necessary non-disclosure agreements.

2. Company's business size, to include number of employees and number of years in the industry.

3. Applicable business size and/or socioeconomic statuses (i.e. Large Business, Small Business, Emerging Small Business, SBA Certified 8A Program Participant, SBA Certified HUB Zone Firm, Small Disadvantaged Business, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business, Veteran Owned Business, Woman Owned Business). Note: Small businesses that possess the required capability are encouraged to submit responses to this notice.

4. Possible teaming arrangements and delineation between the work that will be accomplished by the prime and the work accomplished by teaming partners.

5. Description of company's concept(s) for meeting the top-level required system capabilities listed at the beginning of this SSS.

6. Existing support and/or maintenance philosophies.

7. Description of type(s) of engineering work that is subcontracted.

8. Surge capability to provide a significant increase in support (e.g. rapidly identify, equip and employ resources) in the event of a surge in number, size, or complexity of projects.

9. Company's ability to manage and secure up to SECRET information.

10. Description of certified AS/ISO Quality standards.

11. Manufacturing capabilities to include capacity given current and future workload; Concerns with obtaining materials and/or components.

12. Description of facilities and equipment possessed to be able to perform capabilities and functions listed at the beginning of this SSS to include:

a. A dedicated Chaff production line;

b. An ability to accept material on site;

c. The ability to control the processing environment (Temperature and Heat) within the contractor’s facility;

d. Describe the anticipated monthly production rate which could be achieved.

13. Experience with manufacturing of chaff.

14. Testing - First Article Testing (FAT) and Lot Acceptance Testing (LAT):

a) What is your proposed lead-time requirement for FAT?;

b) What is the contactor's ability to perform testing onsite (range and equipment)? If not on-site, what support would be needed from the Government or a sub-contractor?

15. Does your company own the TDP?

Responding parties are requested to provide no more than 20 pages via e-mail to Lauren Johnston at Lauren.Johnston.4@us.af.mil. The response must be compatible with Microsoft Word 2010 or AdobeAcrobat DC reader.

NOTE: Please limit your response to related efforts no older than the past 10 years. This SSS is issued for the purpose of determining market interest, feasibility, and capability of sources and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Proposals (RFP), a Request for Quotes (RFQ) or an indication that the Government will contract for any of the items and/or services contained in this notice. The Government is only seeking possible sources and information for future needs. No solicitation document exists. However, respondents to this SSS will not be excluded from consideration for contract participation in any potential follow-on activity. All information received in response to this notice that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to this notice will not be returned. No reimbursement will be made for any costs to provide, develop, or relay information in response to this announcement or any follow-up information requests. Information contained herein is based on the best information available at the time of publication, is subject to revision, and is not binding upon the Government. Availability of formal solicitation, if any will be announced under a separate Federal Business Opportunities announcement.

The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement, if a requirement materializes. Based on the responses to this sources sought notice/market research, this requirement may be set-aside for small businesses (in full or in part) or procured through full and open competition. Multiple awards may be made. All small business set-aside categories will be considered. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding submissions.

All contractors interested in this potential future solicitation must be registered in System for Award Management (sam.gov).

Technical POC:

Andy Schirack Program Engineer, Expendable Countermeasures

AFLCMC/EBHCC

801-777-1984 Andrew.schirack@us.af.mil