Sources Sought Announcement for Emergency Power and Switchgear.docx

CUI

1. Background:

This is a Sources Sought synopsis being conducted pursuant to FAR Part 10, Market Research. This is an initial step in the planning process for the Emergency Power and Switchgear Automation Controls Repair Project, which is a new requirement for the 55th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska.

This project shall cover the comprehensive and extensive range of specialized engineering, procurement, programming, and installation services required to modernize, upgrade, and repair critical emergency power and automation control system components within the B1000 facility. Because the electric power sources supporting USSTRATCOM must operate as a "never fail" utility, the required services are designed to maximize system automation, operational resiliency, and fail-safe controls. To ensure continuous operation, all hardware and software changes implemented under this contract must be fully compatible with and maintainable under existing facility switchgear maintenance contracts and vendors.

These services shall be performed at both the Contractor's facility (for software programming and simulation) and on-site at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska (Building 1000). This includes but is not limited to:

Replacing and upgrading the existing GE/ABB Master A and Master B Programmable Logic Controllers (PLCs) with the latest hardware and software versions;

Programming/ Updating the GE Proficy Human Machine Interface (HMI) and underlying PLC logic to enable a manual "Island Mode" (separating the facility's primary critical electrical buses from commercial power for a closed-transition to backup generator power);

Programming a manual, simultaneous isolation of the Global Operations Center (GOC) from its primary commercial power feeds at the main utility service breakers via the HMI; configuring emergency generator test automation in situations when facility bus ties are closed and only one commercial source is active;

Implementing load bank controls for live-load generator testing; establishing role-based HMI view and control access restrictions;

Resolving physical PLC input/output (I/O) power distribution vulnerabilities through separate, individual module fusing;

Correcting local/remote switch annunciation and manual/automatic legends;

On-site integrated systems field testing and commissioning to verify new logic and automatic system recovery settings;

Delivering a comprehensive Sequence of Operations (SOO) document and supporting Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) report;

Providing a system restoration package containing all backup files, configuration methods, and software licenses; and Providing on-site training to facility maintenance personnel (including an instructional video).

As part of the Government's continuous information exchange with industry while formulating the acquisition strategy for the Emergency Power and Switchgear Automation Controls Gear Repair project, we request your assistance in determining if this acquisition shall be a total set-aside as authorized in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 19, Small Business Programs, or set aside under another provision of FAR Part 19. In order for the Air Force to make this determination, we are requesting information to gain knowledge about the capability of potential Contractors to meet contract requirements. This information shall allow us to determine whether small business concerns can satisfy the Government's requirement to obtain quality services at a reasonable price. Your response shall assist greatly in the formulation of an acquisition strategy that maximizes the participation of small businesses.

2. Instructions to Contractor This Sources Sought Notice is not a solicitation and shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government for any purpose, nor does it restrict the Government to an ultimate acquisition approach. All businesses capable of providing these services are invited to respond. Any information submitted by respondents to this Sources Sought is strictly voluntary. Respondents are requested to submit capability packages electronically, as described below:

Company Information: Provide company name, address, a point of contact with e-mail address and telephone number, Federal Cage Code, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS), business size (small business, 8(a) concern, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUB Zone small business, small disadvantaged business, women-owned small business, etc.,) and active facility security clearance level (If applicable). Your company must be registered in System for Award Management (SAM). To register, go to https://www.sam.gov .

Capability packages shall be one electronic copy. Capability package files shall be in MS Office format (Word, Excel or PowerPoint) or Adobe PDF format. All packages shall contain UNCLASSIFIED material only.

Capability packages shall not exceed 10 pages, each single side counting one page, 8.5 x 11 inch, with one-inch margins, and font no smaller than 10-point Times New Roman.

Capability package responses shall be sent via email to:

· Mr. Casey Hupton at casey.hupton.1@us.af.mil

· Mrs. Nichole Barragan at nichole.barragan.2@us.af.mil

3. Proposal Criteria

3.1 Technical Capabilities and Services Offering

3.1.1 Technical Capabilities Statement

The Contractor shall submit a brief narrative (not to exceed 3 pages) demonstrating their technical experience and qualifications across the following core task areas:

PLC & HMI Upgrades: Upgrading, replacing, and programming redundant Master PLCs (such as GE/Emerson, SEL, or ABB platforms), including experience translating legacy code and configuring HMI touchscreens for advanced operational modes (such as manual "Island Mode" bus isolation and simultaneous utility breaker shutdown).

System Testing & Commissioning: Designing and executing integrated on-site systems field-testing and commissioning sequences to verify new automation logic under concurrent failure scenarios without causing operational downtime.

Hardware Repairs & Safety Upgrades: Physically installing control switches and relays, correcting local/remote switch annunciation/legends, and re-wiring primary and secondary I/O PLC modules to have separate, isolated circuit fuses.

Engineering & Recovery Deliverables: Compiling technical Sequence of Operations (SOO) documentation, compiling Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) reports, and developing system restoration software/hardware recovery packages.

A small business firm competing as a Prime Contractor must be able to fulfill at least 50% of the total requirement within its own company (reference FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting).

3.1.2 Key Personnel Resource Capability

The Contractor shall submit a matrix detailing the proposed personnel qualifications, educational background, and technical certifications for the key roles explicitly defined in the PWS:

Project Manager: Experience managing complex switchgear repairs, industrial control system (ICS) upgrades, or critical power automation projects.

Project Lead: Advanced expertise in PLC programming, HMI configuration, and compiling technical system documentation (SOO and FMEA reports).

Site Manager: Experience managing on-site physical installations, low-voltage control wiring modifications, and live-bus commissioning and testing in active operational facilities.

This project involves Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The Contractor shall require all personnel assigned to this contract to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) concerning the CUI and secure facility data associated with this project.

Evaluation Criteria:

Comprehensiveness of Technical Capability: The Government shall evaluate the Contractor's demonstrated ability to perform the full suite of specialized engineering, programming, and physical switchgear modification services required by the PWS.

Key Personnel Suitability: The Government shall evaluate the proposed key personnel's direct experience and technical credentials as they relate to switchgear controls and live-bus commissioning.

3.2 Prime Contractor Past Performance and Experience

3.2.1 Past Performance Submission

The Contractor shall provide two (2) detailed project summaries (not to exceed 2 pages total) completed as a Prime Contractor within the last five (5) years that demonstrate experience with critical power automation, industrial control system (ICS/SCADA) modernization, or medium-to-low voltage switchgear repair. For each project, please include:

A brief description of the project’s technical scope, complexity, and specific power automation features implemented.

The contract value, duration, and customer point of contact.

A summary of your company's role, subcontractor/OEM management, and successful execution of the commissioning phase.

Evaluation Criteria:

Relevance of Past Performance: The Government shall evaluate the size, scope, and technical complexity of the referenced facilities (e.g., military installations, major hospitals, or high-security data centers) to verify the contractor’s ability to manage similar critical utility projects.

3.3 Switchgear Outage Coordination & Emergency System Restoration Capability

3.3.1 Outage and Restoration Plan

The Contractor shall submit a brief technical summary (not to exceed 2 pages) outlining their approach to outage coordination and emergency system restoration in a continuous-operations environment. The summary shall outline the Contractor's methodology for:

Developing and executing highly coordinated, step-by-step Method of Procedures (MOPs) to perform physical wiring and PLC cutovers during scheduled, low-impact maintenance windows.

Maintaining power continuity utilizing dual-source ("A" and "B" power) configurations and coordinating transient transfers.

Emergency System Restoration: Executing a rapid rollback contingency to immediately reverse software/hardware changes, deploy legacy configuration backups (utilizing the recovery and restoration methodologies developed in accordance with PWS 1.4.13.1), and safely re-energize the switchgear in the event of an unexpected commissioning failure.

Technical coordination with USSTRATCOM J4 Facility Managers (Technical Representatives) and 55th CES host-base representatives.

Evaluation Criteria:

Technical Feasibility of Outage Methodologies: The Government shall evaluate the safety parameters, feasibility, and technical depth of the Contractor's proposed MOP and outage coordination methodologies.

Emergency Rollback & System Restoration Effectiveness: The Government shall evaluate the technical viability and speed of the proposed emergency rollback and restoration procedures (PWS 1.4.13.1) to ensure the facility maintains a "never-fail" utility posture during construction.

Outage Coordination Experience: The Government shall evaluate the Contractor’s demonstrated experience in safely planning and executing complex electrical outages and controls cutovers in active, highly secure, 24/7 operational environments.