SN-2017-15_Sources_Sought.pdf

Sources Sought - Consulting Services - Aircraft Onboarding

Special Notice Number: SN-2017-15

Agency: United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

Office: Forest Service

Location: National Interagency Fire Center – Boise, ID

RFI Issue Date: June 21, 2017

RFI Response Date: July 06, 2017

Submittal of Information:

The information requested by this Sources Sought shall be provided, in writing, by close of business (2:30 p.m. Mountain Time) July 06, 2017 to the following address:

U.S. Forest Service National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) 3833 South Development Avenue Attn: Mr. Robert Hoffman, Owyhee Building 106, Suite 1101-1 Boise, Idaho 83705-5354

Or, Via email to rhoffman@fs.fed.us

Synopsis: This Sources Sought is for Market Research and Planning purposes only.

Classification Code: “R425” Support – Professional: Engineering/Technical

NAICS Code: 541611 Administrative Management Consulting Services

Size Standard: $15,000,000 in annual receipts

THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS

SOURCES SOUGHT OR TO OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. This Sources Sought does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this contemplated effort. This Sources Sought is for market research purposes only and shall not be considered as a request for proposal or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this Sources Sought or the Government’s use of such information.

The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any contractor’s input resulting from this Sources Sought. Responses to this Sources Sought will not be returned. Whatever information is provided in response to this Sources Sought may be used to assess set-asides for the solicitation and to aide in validation of estimated rates for services requested. Any proprietary information that is submitted may be used as guidance for future solicitations however; specific information will be safeguarded as proprietary provided it is marked in accordance with FAR 3.104-4.

mailto:rhoffman@fs.fed.us

Contracting Office Address:

Owyhee Building – MS 1100 3833 S. Development Ave.

Boise, ID 83705

Primary Point of Contact:

Robert Hoffman, Contracting Officer rhoffman@fs.fed.us 208-387-5681

Description: The purpose of this announcement is to obtain market research regarding interested contractors who are capable of providing consulting services to support the implementation and or fielding of new US Forest Service C-130 assets into the US Coast Guard aviation systems. This will be accomplished by focusing on mission requirements, standardization, configuration management and control, and inventory management across agency programs of the US Forest Service and the US Coast Guard.

The Government has a requirement to assist in the development and implementation of management plans and associated program and project documentation that will be utilized to execute efforts that will support the transition of C-130 aircraft into the US Coast Contract aviation system. These support services will be used to assist the US Forest Service and the US Coast Guard in applying management and accountability measures to ensure that the agencies can verify that program objectives and requirements are met. Project management includes, but is not limited to initiating, planning, analyzing, executing and closing projects related to the integration of aviation assets into the US Coast Guard system.

It is anticipated that a solicitation for these requirements will be issued shortly after potential sources have been identified and the appropriate socio-economic set-asides can be determined.

Work Requirements: The following duties are those contemplated by personnel identified below:

1. Operations and Management Strategy Development

This support includes assist in the development and implementation of management plans and associated program and project documentation that will be utilized to execute efforts under this Contract. These support services include assisting the US Forest Service Fire and Aviation Management (FAM) program office in applying management and accountability measures to ensure that FAM can verify that program objectives and requirements are met. Project management includes, but is not limited to initiating, planning, analyzing, executing and closing projects. In addition, ensuring cross program integration of individual projects and effective associate contractor communications will be critical to overall program success.

2. Operations and Management Strategy Development

This support includes studies and analyses of operational requirements, integration management, US Forest Service and US Coast Guard policy and doctrine to generate technical information that enables the government decision-making process in identifying, articulating, and achieving performance objectives and allow the agency to meet mission requirements effectively and efficiently.

This type of support typically involves strategic needs assessments to facilitate development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), mission needs statements, operational requirements documentation, Concept of Operations (CONOPS), and alternatives analyses to ensure all operations and sustainment needs are addressed appropriately. The analyses will also identify areas where agency policy and procedures may need to be written or updated.

mailto:rhoffman@fs.fed.us

In addition, this support will assist FAM and/or US Coast Guard in evaluating, proposing, and implementing cutting edge, modern and automated organizational business model enhancements, through which FAM and/or US Coast Guard can more effectively monitor and manage the associated support contracts.

3. Acquisition Program Support

Acquisition support includes technical writing and other direct assistance to FAM in areas that include but are not limited to pre-award planning, source selection, contract administration and management, contracts preparation, delivery orders, modifications, task orders, and other contract vehicles. For example, acquisition program support responsibilities will include:

• Providing input to the solution set described within Requests for Proposal (RFP) to achieve the desired proposal content. Generate different approaches (and assess associated risk) to gain desired efficiency and effectiveness.

• Reviewing, updating, modifying or developing new Performance Work Statements (PWS)/Statements of Work (SOW) as required, including associated Contract Data Requirements Lists (CDRL), Integrated Master Schedule (IMS) milestones, and Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) lists.

• Ensuring all of the efforts required to achieve RFP preparation and evaluation objectives are identified, visible, integrated, and likely to result in success. Identifying issues missed and backfill tasking. Provide insight/suggestions as to course corrections and emerging issues.

• Developing high level indicators and presentations designed to keep senior management apprised of progress.

• Facilitating meetings and discussions to resolve issues, and coordinating the associated logistics.

Note: Contractors that support drafting of a particular statement of work for a solicitation will be excluded from competing on that requirement.

4. Technology Insertion

Technology insertion will leverage human systems integration and systems engineering principles to evaluate new technologies and systems design and develop appropriate maintenance model implementation strategies across the entire spectrum of surface and aviation assets and facilities used by the agency. This support encompasses a wide range of asset integration/asset project office and technical evaluation support services to identify, articulate, and ensure technical integration and achievement of cost, schedule and performance objectives, risk assessment and mitigation, requirements definition and management, system test and evaluation, training, design evolution, command, control and communications interoperability, architecture, configuration management, supportability analysis, and software acquisition analysis to ensure optimal asset mission performance. Subject Matter Experts (SME) providing this support will collaborate with program managers and other government stakeholders to ensure seamless interoperability with other operational assets.

5. Supportability Services

These services include analysis and implementation of supportability measures in the form of life cycle product and Integrated Logistics Support (ILS) services used to assess and improve airframe, engine, avionics and C4ISR system design and performance. This includes reliability, maintainability and availability as well as logistics support processes, functions and technical data across the entire spectrum of aviation systems and components. This support will typically encompass the full range of logistics and life cycle products, metrics and data, to identify reliability, maintenance process and system availability deficiencies, determine root causes and develop solutions to ensure the systems meet Operational Availability (Ao) objectives.

Supportability services are an integral factor in overall system survivability, as well as a means to reduce vulnerability. Mission effectiveness is based on the equipment’s’ availability and ability to perform critical functions throughout the entire anticipated operational mission identified in the

CONOPS.

6. Economic Analysis

Economic analysis in the form of life-cycle cost estimates (LCCE) and business case analysis (BCA) will be performed for technology insertion and transformation efforts. The LCCE is the estimated cost of developing, producing, deploying, maintaining, operating and disposing of a system over its entire lifespan. The estimate, typically prepared for major program reviews, is used to acquire funding for a system throughout its lifespan. The BCA will be completed consistent with OMB requirements (i.e. CAP Tool for ABC) and costing methodology, outlining why an asset has been requested or included in the program based upon a comparison of other viable alternatives.

7. Safety Program Support

The services included will supplement safety program by assisting with the tracking of hazards and/or deficiencies, reporting aircraft accident facts. The services also include enhancements to and support implementation of required changes to the agency comprehensive safety program;

this includes aviation and ground safety, environmental, HAZMAT, and occupational safety. The services provided will apply best industry safety practices, complying with all relevant agency safety directives, including those specific to the agency, to the safety programs.

Personnel Technical Requirements and Experience Requirements: Interested parties shall provide their capability to support the following positions/experience levels:

All employees:

(a) Three (3) years engaged in direct maintenance or support of a U.S. Coast Guard (Coast Guard) Aviation Project Office (APO), or equivalent Department of Defense (DoD) C-130 multi asset integration office, and the execution of the Bi-Level Mission Support Model processes and procedures

(b) At least five (5) years’ experience in Coast Guard procedures is required, to include Coast Guard aeronautical engineering maintenance practices as defined in Commandant Instruction Manual CIM13020.1 (series) utilizing the Aircraft Computerized Maintenance System (ACMS), (c) Aviation Logistics Management Information System (ALMIS) and Aviation Maintenance Management Information System (AMMIS).

In addition to the minimum requirements listed above, the following specific expertise is required for individual roles assigned to the C-130H transition team:

1. Program Manager/Senior Technical Analyst

The Program Manager shall have a minimum of three (3) years aviation product line management experience and three (3) years’ experience with an aviation APO. A strong knowledge of Coast Guard and Department of Defense (DoD) logistics and systems engineering practices and procedures is required. The person in this position must have an extensive knowledge of Coast Guard aeronautical engineering policy as outlined in Commandant Instruction Manual CIM13020.1 (series).

2. Aviation Life Support and Survival Equipment/Ground Support Equipment Project Manager

The Aviation Life Support and Survival Equipment/GSE Project Manager shall have a minimum five (5) years direct Coast Guard or Department of Defense aviation life support equipment experience and ground support equipment, one (1) year of shop supervision, and two (2) years aviation life support project management experience. This position may be required to service and inspect aircraft oxygen systems and perform scheduled survival equipment inspections.

Additionally, this position will be required to develop inspection procedures for aviation life support systems. Persons in this position must have a strong knowledge of military aviation life support systems.

3. Senior Logistics Specialist

Senior Logistics Specialist must be proficient in acquisition logistics and possess at least five (5) years of acquisition logistics experience as a logistics manager. Senior Logistics Specialists shall possess expert level experience and knowledge in all elements of integrated logistics support and be capable of developing and assigning all material type levels, conducting levels of repair analysis, conducting provisioning analysis to establish both unit and sector allowances. Personnel must be familiar with government software including AMMIS, ACMS, ALMIS, and CMPlus, and must be capable of executing MSG-3 analysis and supporting all elements of the bi-level model throughout each organizational element. This position will act as the contractor expert on Life Cycle Support methodology development.

4. Logistics Specialist

Logistics Specialist personnel will be required to have a minimum of five (5) years of acquisition logistics experience. The Logistics Specialists will provide logistics expertise to the asset project office in the logistics elements of maintenance management, supply support, technical data, design interface, support and test equipment, packaging, handling and transportation, and manpower and personnel. Personnel will be expected to assist in the development of internal asset project office process guides and desk guides. In addition to experience outlined in paragraph 4.0,

5. Technical Writing and Technical Analyst

Technical Writers and Technical Analysts shall have a minimum of three (3) years’ experience directly related to development of technical documentation and shall demonstrate a high degree of technical writing ability and be able to understand complex systems. An understanding of the Coast Guard is required. Technical Writers will be responsible for writing technical manuals, maintenance procedures, syllabi, training courses, and desk/process guides.

6. Item Manager

Item Managers shall have three (3) years’ experience supporting or maintaining naval, aviation, C4I or facility equipment indicating the aptitude to decipher technical information and have the ability to identify and manage supply items to support operational availability. Ability to research federal supply system to identify acceptable substitutes requires technical aptitude and ability to discern technical data. Understanding in the use of Coast Guard and Federal Supply Management Software including AMMIS, ACMS, ALMIS and CMPlus is required.

7. Senior Engineering Consultant

Senior Engineering Consultants shall have a minimum of ten (10) years’ experience in the appropriate engineering discipline including at least five (5) years in a management position and a minimum of five (5) years’ experience with Coast Guard Aeronautical Engineering and will perform research and prepare written reports as required on subjects including, but not limited to:

business process re-engineering, acquisition logistics, organizational transformation, change management, reliability centered maintenance, data management, and configuration management.

Company Information Requested:

Contractors who respond to this Sources Sought are requested to provide all of the following information in writing in response to this announcement and in accordance with the directions below:

1. COMPANY NAME

2. COMPANY ADDRESS

3. COMPANY POINT OF CONTACTS (NAME & TITLE)

4. POINT OF CONTACTS NUMBERS (OFFICE, CELL, & FAX)

5. COMPANY’S SIZE STANDARD (USING NAICS CODE ABOVE)

6. TYPE OF BUSINESS (SMALL, LARGE, ETC.)

7. PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE SUPPORTING THE ‘WORK REQUIREMENTS’ LISTED ABOVE

8. ABILITY TO PROVIDE PERSONNEL WITH THE EXPERIENCE AND SKILL LEVELS

IDENTIFIED ABOVE AND COPIES OF RESUMES FOR PERSONNEL ABLE TO MEET THE

REQUIREMENTS

Cost Information Requested:

Additionally, all interested contractors shall also provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) that includes the following costs:

1. PROVIDE A RANGE FOR ESTIMATED COST PER HOUR FOR THE POSITIONS

IDENTIFIED ABOVE UNDER ‘PERSONNEL TECHNICAL AND EXPERIENCE

REQUIREMENTS.’