Sources_Sought_AE_31OCT23.docx

Aviation Electrician (AE) Training Systems

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

INTRODUCTION

Naval Air Warfare Center Training System Division (NAWCTSD), Orlando, FL, is seeking potential small business sources to procure four AE training systems for Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT). This announcement is to determine the availability of small businesses. NAWCTSD anticipates competing this requirement under Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 15. The Request for Proposal (RFP) release is anticipated to be the first quarter of 2024 and start of contractor performance is anticipated to be the third quarter of 2024. Responses received for this notice will serve as consideration for the Government’s decision to fulfill this requirement as a HUBZone set-aside. Additionally, the requested information will be taken into account for acquisition planning purposes.

If you are a small business interested in being the prime contractor for this effort, please be advised that the FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting, Deviation 2021-O0008 is now in effect which includes the definition of “Similarly Situated Entity” and provides a revised methodology for the 50% calculation for compliance with the clause. Small business primes may count “first tier subcontracted” work performed by similarly situated entities as if it were performed by the prime itself. Please read the full text of the clause deviation (52.219-14 Class Deviation 2021-O0008, Revision 1, dated 15 February 2023 at https://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/policy/policyvault/USA000277-23-DPC.pdf).

PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

AE training systems will be delivered to the Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) Pensacola facility located aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola, FL.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND

NAWCTSD is tasked by the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Program Office for Naval Aviation Training Systems (PMA-205) to procure four AE training systems for Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) specifically used for the Aviation Electrician’s rating as found in the AE Functional Requirements Document (FRD) in support of the training education provided at NATTC Pensacola. These trainers had existed in previous years, but all have been destroyed by natural disasters or removed due to the lack of functionality. Each training system shall consist of twelve (12) individual student station trainers with one (1) Instructor Operator Station (IOS). The IOS shall be networked to each of the 12 student station trainers to introduce faults and malfunctions to each of the student stations individually. These trainers are intended to provide hands-on interaction with physical equipment aided by a computer-controlled IOS interface.

The scope of effort varies by training system. The specific trainer requirements are noted in the following section below.

The new training systems will be used to provide enhanced training capability to meet the approved FRDs for Sailor 2025 Ready Relevant Learning Aviation Electrician's Mate (AE) Rating requirements.

REQUIREMENTS

Below are the general requirements for each AE training system:

· Flight Control Trainer

· Each student station trainer shall simulate generic aircraft landing gear control and flap control systems including provisions for student troubleshooting using computer-controlled simulated components, controls and test equipment.

· The system shall utilize electronic stimulated controls (simulating electrical, hydraulic, and/or pneumatic systems) and other mechanical features to simulate actions of generic landing gear systems.

· Each student station trainer shall contain simulated controls and indicators such as hydraulic pressure, utility hydraulics, flap control, emergency flap control, flap indicators, landing gear control, and landing gear indicators.

· Each student station trainer shall allow for the instructor to introduce an estimated 60 different flap faults and an estimated 87 different landing gear faults into the system for the student to troubleshoot. The government will provide the specific number of and details of faults in the specification documents.

· The instructor shall have a dedicated IOS that is networked to all of the student station trainers and allows the instructor to introduce the faults individually to each trainer. This IOS can be a simple computer station and shall not be connected to an outside network.

· Dual System Generator Trainer

· Each student station trainer may be programmed to exhibit both normal and malfunctioning modes of operation to demonstrate service routines, troubleshooting techniques, emergency conditions, and safety precautions while monitoring student performance.

· Have the functionality to teach students signal flow in aircraft representative systems in preparation for troubleshooting of specific system components (transformers, bus bars, terminal boards, voltage regulators, supervisory panel).

· Each student station trainer support structure shall be constructed from an aluminum alloy weldment or welded steel beam components with full swiveling and locking type casters.

· The display panel shall depict a simulated power distribution system and associated simulated test equipment.

· The display shall include but not be limited to the following:

· Emergency power kill switch

· Digital panel type frequency meter

· Power distribution system

· Power on indicator

· The trainer shall simulate the operation of a generic aircraft power distribution system for the student to:

· Perform a standard operational check.

· Utilize a multimeter to measure AC/DC voltages and impedances to isolate loose or shorted connections and defective parts.

· Utilize a simulated digital frequency counter to analyze circuit and signal characteristics.

· Employ logical troubleshooting and repair techniques to identify and correct power distribution faults.

· Apply relevant safety precautions.

· Each student station trainer shall have the functionality for the instructor to introduce an estimated 63 different faults into the system for the student to troubleshoot. The government will provide the specific number of and details of faults in the specification documents.

· The instructor shall have a dedicated IOS that is networked to all of the student station trainers and allows the instructor to introduce the faults individually to each trainer. This IOS can be a simple computer station and shall not be connected to an outside network.

· Aircraft Basic Electronics System Trainer

· Each student station trainer shall be a free-standing console with specific functions controlled by an internal computer system to allow the student to perform operational checks for normal system operation and troubleshoot instructor induced malfunctions.

· Each student station trainer shall simulate generic aircraft system functions to include arresting gear, speed brake, nosewheel steering, windshield and wing anti-ice/de-ice control, and indicators such as fuel flow, oil pressure, hydraulic pressure, and tachometer.

· All simulated aircraft controls, gauges, and other components shall realistically resemble real aircraft items.

· Each student station trainer shall allow for the instructor to introduce an estimated 92 different faults into each of the systems for the student to troubleshoot. The government will provide the specific number of and details of faults in the specification documents.

· The instructor shall have a dedicated IOS that is networked to all of the student station trainers and allows the instructor to introduce the faults individually to each trainer. This IOS can be a simple computer station and shall not be connected to an outside network.

· Aircraft Jet Ignition System Trainer

· Each student station trainer shall contain a scaled down mockup of an F14 engine (or other aircraft engine as approved by the Government) containing specific simulated components that allow the student to perform an operational check of the simulated jet engine, and continue to troubleshoot the system using a simulated, computer-controlled multimeter to probe simulated test points on real cannon plug connectors.

· Each student station trainer shall simulate the voltage and resistance readings during normal operation and when a malfunction occurs.

· Each student station trainer shall simulate a Turbine Inlet Temperature (TIT) system and allow the student to troubleshoot faults introduced by the instructor.

· Each student station trainer shall contain a generic display of an aircraft cockpit as well as a generic throttle quadrant panel.

· Each student station trainer shall allow for the instructor to introduce an estimated 52 different faults for the student to troubleshoot. The government will provide the specific number of and details of faults in the specification documents.

· The instructor shall have a dedicated IOS that is networked to all of the student station trainers and allows the instructor to introduce the faults individually to each trainer. This IOS can be a simple computer station and shall not be connected to an outside network.

ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE (Estimated)

RFP: January 2024 Award: August 2024 Note: Exact award and delivery schedule will be promulgated at RFP.

ELIGIBILITY

The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 333310 (Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing) which carries a small business size standard of 1,000 employees. The Product Service Code (PSC) is 6910. Contractors shall answer #1 and #2 under submission details, when responding to this notice.

SUBMISSION DETAILS

All responses shall include the following:

1. Information about your firm.

Small businesses please address the following as appropriate:

a) Name and address of the firm.

b) Name of a primary Point of Contact (POC) for the response, including title and telephone number.

c) Identify your firm’s CAGE code.

d) Identify if your firm is considered a small business under the size standard (1,000 employees) associated with the chosen NAICS code (333310).

e) Identify your firm’s socio-economic status (please indicate all that apply: WOSB, EDWOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone, SDB, 8(a)).

f) Please address if your firm is interested in participating as a prime or subcontractor. If interested in the prime contractor role, please identify anticipated teaming partners and their role in the overall acquisition (specific capabilities/solutions that partner brings to the acquisition, size and status of the partner, CAGE code, approximate workshare, etc.).

g) To assist in our market research and determination of any applicable small business set-aside for this effort, if you are a small business interested in priming this effort and plan to utilize “similarly situated entities” to meet the Limitations on Subcontracting, please identify the name & CAGE Code of the specific firm(s) you intend to partner/subcontract with to meet the requirements as well as their SB size status under the NAICS that you as the prime would assign for their workshare. Information regarding any planned similarly situated entity should be included in answering any questions outlined in the Sources Sought Notice in order to assist the Government’s capability determination.

2. Information about capabilities

a) A written statement detailing the ability to meet the above requirement. The Government understands that minimal information is provided within this posting. Any historical contracts (provide only the contract number and brief overview) that have been executed or in the process of being executed that are similar to the scope of this effort is requested in your written statement.

Interested sources shall submit their written technical capabilities to provide the requirements described above. Detailed written capabilities must be submitted by email to Julide (Julie) Alonso at julide.n.alonso.civ@us.navy.mil and copy Allison Laera at Allison.m.laera.civ@us.navy.mil in an electronic format that is compatible with Microsoft Office 2010 applications (MS Word), no later than 1500 Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 16 November 2023. The submission of this information is for PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to procure any supplies or services. All information shall be furnished at no cost or obligation to the Government. Responses shall be limited to no more than TEN (10) pages. Verbal submissions are not acceptable. Information and materials submitted in response to this request WILL NOT be returned. Classified material SHALL NOT be submitted.

Questions concerning this requirement should be directed to the Contract Specialist, (Julie) Alonso, via email at julide.n.alonso.civ@us.navy.mil or by telephone at (407) 380-4261.

DISCLAIMER

THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. GOING FORWARD, ALL NEW ENTITIES REGISTERING IN GSA’S SYSTEM FOR AWARD MANAGEMENT (SAM), AS WELL AS EXISTING REGISTRATIONS BEING UPDATED OR RENEWED, WILL REQUIRE THE SUBMISSION OF AN ORIGINAL, SIGNED NOTARIZED LETTER IDENTIFYING THE AUTHORIZED ENTITY ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE ENTITY ASSOCIATED WITH THE DATA UNIVERSAL NUMBERING SYSTEM (DUNS) NUMBER BEFORE THE REGISTRATION WILL BE ACTIVATED. IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT ALL INTERESTED PARTIES BE AWARE THAT PROCESSING THIS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION MAY TAKE SEVERAL DAYS AND ARE PROACTIVE IN MAINTAINING THE SAM REGISTRATIONS IN AN “ACTIVE” STATUS AS THE GOVERNMENT CANNOT AWARD TO AN ENTITY WITHOUT AN “ACTIVE” SAM REGISTRATION.