Sources Sought Synopsis Voice Communications Switch 17Nov22.docx

Request for Information

United States Air Force

Air Traffic Control Voice Communications Switch (VCS)

17 Nov 2022

FA8102-23-R-2003

Air Traffic Control

Voice Communications Switch (VCS)

PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION: The Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the production data, expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet qualification requirements to provide an Air Traffic Control Voice Communications Switch (VCS). The United States Air Force (USAF) will be replacing the legacy voice switch systems with a modern and supportable Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) enabled networked, voice communications system. The Government is seeking to procure approximately 100 Air Traffic Control Voice Switches. The scope of the effort would include procurement and installation services.

The VCS will:

· enable air traffic control to establish a network-based communications system

· provided improved aircraft flow capacity

· use open systems standards and/or commercial off-the-shelf equipment

· reduce equipment inventories

· improve equipment availability/supportability

· enable flexible allocation of access to communications resources to meet both strategic and tactical demands

· enable flexible user access profile definitions to assure secure access to the system and to enable defined roles to be performed

· provide scalability

· provide a fault-tolerant system

NAICS: 334290 - Other Communications Equipment Manufacturing

Size Standard: 750 Employees

PSC/FSC: 7G21/7G IT AND TELECOM - NETWORK: DIGITAL NETWORK PRODUCTS (HARDWARE AND PERPETUAL LICENSE SOFTWARE)

CAUTION:

This market survey is being conducted to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements for qualification and production of a VCS for use by USAF personnel. The 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.

Currently, the USAF has not drafted a complete requirement for this replacement and is in the process of finding a solution for the requirement. Please note once the requirement is fully realize it may require access to drawings or TCTO that may require a Joint Certification Program (JCP) with a current DD 2345 on file when these documents are available. These documents are currently not available for this RFI.

FAR 52.215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes.

Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997)

(a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this Request for Information (RFI) or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(b) Although "proposal" and "offeror" are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.

(c) This RFI is issued for the purpose of planning only (End of provision)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. If you desire to participate in the market research, you should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability in meeting the above 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.) identify any areas of work that your organization believes should be broken out exclusively for Small Business.

2. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged. All submissions will be reviewed IAW FAR Part 19 procedures.

3. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to Amanda Jones, Contracting Officer, by email amanda.jones.39@us.af.mil. In the subject of the email please include: Voice Communication System Replacement

4. Please provide the following the by close of business 17 Jan 23 via email to Amanda Jones Amanda.Jones.39@us.af.mil and Ashley Brink Ashley.Brink@us.af.mil. If you need a DoD safe link, send the request 48 hours before the closing date and we will send you a link for a file drop off from DoD Safe.

a. Capability Survey Response

b. draft Statement of Work and/or acceptable/suggested language

c. Previous Commercial Item Determinations and/or supporting documentation if any is available

d. Rough Order Magnitude (ROM)

CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY

TRN-48 D-TACAN RFNM

Part I. Business Information

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

· Phone Number:

· E-mail Address:

· Web Page URL:

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.

Part II. Capability Survey Questions

A. General Capability Questions:

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 and/or Program Manager).

3. What quality assurance processes and test qualification practices does your company employ? Please provide a description of your quality program (ISO 9001, AS9100, etc.)

4. What is your company’s current maximum production capacity per month? Provide information on any facility reserves you may possess to increase production capacity in the event of an immediate need do to critical operational mission requirements.

5. Are there specific requirements in the documentation that we provide that would currently preclude your product from being a viable solution to our requirement?

6. Include a detailed listing of facilities and equipment, including quantities, required to satisfy the requirements of this effort. Provide an outline of the proposed process, including inspections.

7. Does your company have experience in commercial packaging to ensure the product is safe and secure? How do you anticipate this requirement being packaged and shipped to multiple delivery locations both CONUS and OCONUS?

8. Please provide any examples of systems/kits that are same/ similar that your company has recently passed a successful physical configuration audit (PCA) or something similar to packaging quality control to include a parts checklist.

9. Does your company have a “IAT Level 1” certification IAW DoDI 8570?

B. Hardware Production Questions:

1. Describe your capability and experiences in the manufacturing/fabrication of voice communications systems.

1. Describe your capabilities and experience in modifying existing systems/ equipment (hardware and software) to solve maintenance and support problems in the depot environment.

2. Describe your configuration management processes and how you identify and resolve parts obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources problems? Do you anticipate any of these issues/ concerns with this list of parts?

3. Are there any known supply chain issues with this list of parts? How is this being resolved? Please provide recommendations if applicable.

4. Are any of these parts long lead items that would delay delivery?

C. 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 commercial sources, is the same workforce used for both the U.S. Government and general public? 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.

3. Do you consider this requirement to be a commercial requirement? If yes, please review the definition of a commercial product (1 – 6) found in FAR 2.101 and provide a clear statement about which part of the definition is applicable and please provide supporting evidence for this.

4. Are there known standard financing terms and or payment plans that are common in the industry for this requirement?

5. Do you have a draft statement of work or language that would be incorporated into a statement of work for our team to review and consider?

D. Contract Strategy Development

1. The Air Force is anticipating a FFP contract type for the procurement of the voice switches. There will be a first article requirement and the delivery will be 120 days after contract award and 120 days after first article approval. The delivery will be FOB Destination. From your company’s experiences, can you provide your company’s understanding of this strategy to include a preference of the different strategy if you think one exists?

2. The Air Force is anticipating a T&M contract type for the installation of the voice switches at each location. A FFP site survey will be required for each location to determine the scope of the install and material required to complete.

3. Do you have a recommended Source Selection Procedure for this requirement? Please review DoD Source Selection Procedures, dated 20 Aug 2022, and provided justification for your recommendation.

4. Please provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for this system/ kit? Please include sufficient detail to show significant cost drivers and make recommendations for money savings, if possible.

5. If an extended warranty was required could that be procured and how much would that cost? Please provide the kind of warranty item that could be covered under an extended warranty and suggested terms that are industry standard.

6. Do foresee any future concerns/issues/ or increased risk with this requirement?

7. Are there any special FAR/DFARS/AFFARS clauses or custom clauses that would be consider an industry standard? Please provide this with any needed justification.