Sources Sought Synopsis - BDA Soft Basket 01Aug24.pdf

C/KC-135 Boom Drogue Adaptor (BDA) Assembly Soft Basket

NAICS: 336413

Size Standard: 1,250 employees

This market survey is being conducted to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements for qualification in the design and adaptation of a soft basket for use on the KC-135 Boom to Drogue Adaptor (BDA) assembly used for in flight aircraft refueling. The level of security clearance and amount of foreign participation in this requirement has not been determined. Contractors/Institutions responding to this market research are placed on notice that participation in this survey may not ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards as this survey is for planning purposes and may not result in a solicitation or contract. The government will not reimburse participants for any expenses associated with their participation in this survey. A Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost is requested but not required with each submission.

If, after reviewing the requirement, you desire to participate in the market research, you should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability in meeting these requirements.

Failure to provide documentation may result in the government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.)

PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION

The United States Air Force, through the Legacy Tanker Division (AFLCMC/WKD) is issuing this sources sought synopsis, pursuant to FAR PART 10, as a means of conducting market research to identify parties having an interest in and the resources to support this requirement for the design and adaptation of a soft basket for use on the KC-135 Boom to Drogue Adaptor (BDA) assembly used for in flight aircraft refueling. The current “Iron Maiden” is a hard basket and can cause damage to the receiver’s probe when they make contact. The Government will use this information to determine the best future acquisition strategy for this procurement inclusive of the need to do an Industry Day and/or Pre-solicitation Conference.

Part I. Business Information

The Government is interested in all businesses to include Large Businesses, Small Businesses, Small-Disadvantaged Businesses 8(a)s, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, Hubzone Businesses, and Women- Owned Small Businesses. The Government requests that interested parties respond to this notice if applicable and identify your business status with a description of similar services offered to the U.S. Government and to other 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 that will be accomplished by the teaming partners.

Please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners:

• Company/Institute Name:

• Address:

• Point of Contact:

• CAGE Code:

• Phone Number:

• E-mail Address:

• Web Page URL:

• Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code:

336413

Based on the above NAICS Code, state whether your company is:

• Small Business (Yes / No)

• Woman Owned Small Business (Yes / No)

• Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes / No)

• 8(a) Certified (Yes / No)

• HUBZone Certified (Yes / No)

• Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes / No)

• Service Disabled Veteran Small Business (Yes / No)

• System Award Management (SAM) Registration (Yes / No)

• A statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership).

Is your company interested in possible subcontracting opportunities? If so please describe in detail what part or parts of this requirement that your company capable or interested in performing.

All responses should be sent via: email. Responses must be received no later than close of business 02 September2024. If submitting email responses, please email to the email address given for the primary point of contact to Ms. Jordan Reimer, jordan.reimer@us.af.mil.

Part II. Capability Survey Questions

A. General Capability Questions:

Qualified contractors shall be capable of furnishing all required labor, facilities and equipment required to design, develop, model, test and produce a flight test capable prototype asset to meet defined performance requirements.

1) Describe briefly the capabilities of your facility and the nature of the goods and/or services you provide. Include a description of your staff composition and management structure.

2) Describe your company's past experience on previous projects similar in complexity to this requirement. Include contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, period of performance, agency/organization supported, and individual point of contact (Contracting Officer or Program Manager). If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated in order to deliver mailto:jordan.reimer@us.af.mil technical capability, organizations should address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements.

3) Describe your capabilities and experience in developing similar projects, including subcontractor involvement. Include any experience in project planning, work breakdown structures, resource allocations, schedule tracking, risk analysis and cost management.

B. Commerciality Questions:

1) Are there established catalog or market prices for our requirement? If you offer this product and/or service to both U.S. Government and other sources, is the same workforce used for both? Is our requirement offered to both under similar terms and conditions?

Briefly describe any differences.

2) Describe your standard warranty and return process for goods and services furnished to the government for items similar in nature to this requirement.

C. Contract Strategy Approach:

Based on the responses to this sources sought notice/market research, this requirement may be set-aside for small businesses or procured through full and open competition, and multiple awards may be made. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding their submissions.

THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AT THIS TIME. Any information submitted by respondents to this synopsis is strictly voluntary. The Government will not reimburse the respondents for any costs associated with their responses. This synopsis does not constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP), or an Invitation for Bids (IFB), nor does its issuance restrict the Government as to its ultimate acquisition approach. The Government will neither award a contract solely on the basis of this notice, nor pay for any information that is submitted by respondents to the Sources Sought request. The Government reserves the right to contact the submitting parties, on an as required basis, for further clarification on material provided. The Government will evaluate the information provided, include it into our document with our market research, and use it as needed during the development of the solicitation. In addition, the Government will use its evaluation of the information and other research to determine the sources that appear qualified to perform the work required by the Government.

Part II. Capability Survey Questions