SSS_Multi-Type-AAS.docx

Sources Sought Synopsis Barrier Arresting Kit (BAK)-14M NSNs: 1710-01-592-1368 1710-01-592-6278 1710-01-592-6279 1710-01-593-9460 And Type-H NSNs: 1710-01-585-3129 1710-14-534-7726 Major Programs Contracting Office

AFLCMC/WNKAC

Robins AFB GA

CAUTION:

This Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) will be used to identify potential sources in the industry that may be interested in acquisition opportunities with the Government. Additionally, this Sources Sought will be used to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities, experience to meet the requirements for the BAK-14, and the Type-H Aircraft Arresting System (AAS). If after reviewing the requirements, you desire to participate in the Sources Sought and Pre-Qualification, you should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability as well as completing the requirements in the Source Qualification Statement. If you lack sufficient experience/capabilities 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.). Additionally, for the current proposed acquisition, any potential offeror provide any reasons for which you may be considering not proposing. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this survey. However, this Sources Sought will in part, assist the Air Force in determining set-aside potential, as well as serve as a source qualification.

In accordance with FAR 52.215-3:

· The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this market research 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.

· Although “proposal” and “offeror” are used in this sources sought synopsis, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.

· This sources sought synopsis is issued for the purpose of market research only.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Below is a document containing a Purpose/Description for the BAK-14, and Type-H AAS. and a Contractor Capability Survey, which allows you to provide your company’s capability.

2. Attached is a Source Qualification Statement which outlines the requirements to be pre- qualified to bid on the upcoming BAK-14, and Type-H AAS requirement.

3. If, after reviewing these documents, 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.).

4. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged.

Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to Melissa Ethridge at melissa.ethridge@us.af.mil, Christopher Greene at christopher.greene.37@us.af.mil, and Wesley Hardy at wesley.hardy@us.af.mil.

Purpose/Description:

This sources sought supports a potential effort for the BAK-14, and Type-H AAS and is being conducted to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements for qualification and production of these systems for use by the U.S. Air Force and our Foreign Military Sales (FMS) partners, as well as to obtain industry inputs that will be reviewed and considered for possible incorporation into the Government’s solicitation and resulting contract. If after reviewing the requirement, you desire to participate in the SSS, you should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability in meeting these requirements. If you lack sufficient experience/capabilities 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.).

Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this survey. However, this SSS will in part, assist the Air Force in determining set-aside potential. 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. The Government will not reimburse participants for any expenses associated with their participation in this survey.

Technical Order 35E8-2-8-1 and Zodiac Aerospace manual OM-9D01071-103/105/105 cover NSNs 1710-01-592-1368RN, 1710-01-592-6278RN, 1710-01-592-6279RN and 1710-01-593-9460RN which provides a description of the BAK-14M. Best Estimated Quantities (BEQs) for this acquisition are for up to 12 systems for fiscal years (FY) 26 – 30. Quantities are subject to change. A Contractor Capability Survey, included below, allows you to provide your company’s capability. If, after reviewing these documents, you desire to participate in the market research, you should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability in meeting these requirements.

The BAK-14M is a hook cable support system used in conjunction with the BAK-12 (or equivalent) AAS; the BAK-12 is necessary to safely stop hook equipped fighter aircraft in the event of an aborted takeoff or failure of the normal braking system during the landing roll. The BAK-14M simply provides a means to raise and lower a hook cable (engagement device) above and below a runway surface. In general, the BAK-14M has two main functions:

(1) It raises and suspends the hook cable 2-inches (minimum) above and across a runway surface when required by fighter aircraft during in-flight, takeoff, or landing emergencies.

(2) It lowers and removes the hook cable to a position below the runway top surface to prevent interference with airfield traffic not requiring or capable of using the hook cable.

The BAK-14M is not a standalone system, as the equipment has no energy absorption capability. It is simply auxiliary equipment and must be used in conjunction with a BAK-12 energy absorber (or comparable system). The BAK-14M has been designated as a Critical Application Item by the USAF being that it is essential to the BAK-12 performance or operation, or of the preservation of life or safety of operating personnel. The BAK-12 is designated as a Critical Safety Item by the USAF.

Technical Order 35E8-2-8-12 cover NSNs 1710-01-585-3129, and 1710-14-534-7726 which provides a description of the Type-H. Best Estimated Quantities (BEQs) for this acquisition are for up to 12 systems for fiscal years (FY) 26 – 30. Quantities are subject to change.

The Type H allows pendant cable retraction into a cross-runway trough from a desired cable raised height above a runway surface, used in conjunction with the BAK-12 (or equivalent) AAS. With the arresting system in the battery position, the tail hook of the aircraft engages the supported cross-runway pendant cable. The pendant cable is released through diagonal cuts found at the top of neoprene support blocks and the arrestment proceeds without further contribution by the Type H system. The design is suited for engagement by tail hook equipped aircraft. The retractable feature is required to lower the cable from the runway surface as desired so that the retraction prevents interference with traffic not requiring or capable of using the pendant cable. Each support box is set in-line and spaced equally with respect to one another on each side of the runway centerline. The cable support system can be radio or wire controlled from the tower or runway edge to control system position i.e., up or down position.

The Type-H is not a standalone system, as the equipment has no energy absorption capability. It is simply auxiliary equipment and must be used in conjunction with a BAK-12 energy absorber (or comparable system). The Type-H has been designated as a Critical Application Item by the USAF being that it is essential to the BAK-12 performance or operation, or of the preservation of life or safety of operating personnel. The BAK-12 is designated as a Critical Safety Item by the USAF.

CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY

Part I. Business Information

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:

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

Responses to the SSS will not be returned. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), a response to this notice is not an offer and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this SSS. Not responding to the SSS does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the SAM.gov website. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

Responses must be received no later than close of business November 30, 2024. Responses must be sent electronically via email or DoD SAFE (https://safe.apps.mil/) to:

· Melissa Ethridge (melissa.ethridge@us.af.mil)

· Christopher Greene (christopher.greene.37@us.af.mil)

· Wesley Hardy (wesley.hardy@us.af.mil)

An email must be sent to all listed above in order for you to receive a “Request a Drop-off” link for your responses to use DoD SAFE.

NOTE: This questionnaire/survey is for obtaining information only. Companies are encouraged to provide responses to this questionnaire but are advised that their participation is voluntary only.

Part II. Capability Survey Questions

General Capability:

1. Briefly describe your manufacturing/fabrication capabilities, equipment, size of your facility, and the nature of the goods and/or services you provide. Include a description of your current staff composition and management structure, including number of employees, what background they bring to the effort and what certificates they hold. Provide a list of any specialized capital equipment, unique capabilities and maximum part handling capability (L x W x H and weight) for your facilities.

2. Describe your past experience on the BAK-14, and Type-H AAS and/or capabilities similar in complexity, as identified in the requirement description, including pipeline/material management, system/sustaining engineering, repair, and overhaul of parts/components/vehicles. 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).

3. Does your company have any unique business practices that would impact cost or production of this item?

4. Has your company worked with any Government entity in the past? Include a few 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 not, how do you propose to ensure your company is compliant with federal regulations?

5. Do you have the capability in house to update Tech Manuals that incorporates the approved modifications or obsolete parts, or will this work be subcontracted out? Please explain.

6. Describe how you/your organization will identify and resolve parts obsolescence, and diminishing manufacturing sources and material shortages (DMSMS)?

7. What type of warranties do you provide? What is the scope of the warranties provided, and does it include technical support?

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

9. What would be the level or extent of coverage in your company’s standard warranty for the BAK-14, and Type-H AAS units of this configuration?

10. Would your standard warranty cover parts and labor at CONUS/OCONUS installations?

11. Describe how you support your product after it has been sold and delivered to the customer (i.e., resolving parts problems, design practices which avoid parts obsolescence, developing manual updates, product recalls, etc.).

12. Describe your capabilities and experience in configuration management to uphold Operational Safety, Suitability, and Effectiveness (OSS&E) on the BAK-14, and Type-H and/or capabilities similar in complexity.

13. What continuous quality assurance monitoring practices/procedures does your company employ? Please provide a description of your quality program (IAW ISO 9001:2015 or otherwise)

14. Is there any requirement which would preclude your product (or company) from providing a viable solution to our requirement or your company feels cannot be reasonably met? Please be as specific as possible when answering.

15. Please indicate how you price the following data items:

Pre-Production/First Article Test Procedures

Test Report

Provisioning

Technical Manuals

Training Materials (Instructional Media)

Conference Agenda

Conference Minutes

Engineering Change Proposal

Request for Variance

Request for Waiver

Manufacturing Capability:

1. Based upon the experience and composition of your company in today’s post-COVID market, what is your best estimate of production lead time for one (1) BAK-14 and one (1) Type-H under normal operating conditions?

2. Do you have to establish a new production line for each AAS type separately?

3. Can you provide a list of long-lead items as well as the estimated lead-time in months that you feel may impact production to obtain the long-lead items to support immediate emergency surge needs?

4. What is your shortest production lead-time After Receipt of Order (ARO) to support immediate emergency surge needs of the government?

5. Based upon your current facilities, staffing, and resources, what is your best estimate of maximum monthly production capacity of for the BAK-14, and Type-H AAS under normal operating conditions?

6. What is your maximum monthly production ARO of for the BAK-14, and Type-H AAS to support immediate emergency needs?

7. Describe how you would fill any short-term emergency (surge) needs the Government may have without impacting the sustained production rate. What is your maximum surge capacity?

8. The government anticipates an emergency surge production capacity of four (4) per month, can you support the immediate emergency surge needs of the government?

9. Can your current facilities support the immediate emergency surge needs of the Government, or would you have to expand your facilities by some means to support the surge need?

10. Would you be able to procure for the BAK-14, and Type-H AAS long-lead items at initial contract award to support immediate emergency surge needs?

Technical Capability:

1. Describe your company's capabilities and experience in generating, changing, controlling and distributing technical data, engineering drawings, test reporting, technical order development, and generating provisioning data. Identify what software programs are utilized to generate these data products and what formats are available for delivered items to include 3D modeling.

2. Do you have American Welding Society (AWS) certified welders and AWS certified weld inspectors? Do you have the experience and capability to weld 6061-T6 aluminum alloy?

3. Have you manufactured products that have the potential for galvanic corrosion, but incorporated measures into the manufacturing process to isolate dissimilar metals to prevent corrosion from occurring? An example is the use of steel alloy fasteners that are secured in aluminum alloys such as 6061-T6. Describe your experience in recognizing and remediating corrosion problems on Mobile Aircraft Arresting Systems and/or capabilities similar in complexity.

4. Describe your past experience in parts qualification, modifying parts and/or assemblies, and describe your processes for the BAK-14, and Type-H AAS and/or capabilities similar in complexity.

Contract Questions:

1. In light of the post-COVID environment, would your company be willing to provide proposed pricing on a Firm-Fixed-Price, requirements-type contract for longer-term contracts? I.e., 5, 8, 10 years? If not, what is the longest amount of time your company would be willing to propose pricing for?

2. Do you foresee your company seeking Government contract financing for an effort of this complexity and length?

3. In light of the post-COVID environment, would the addition of an Economic Price Adjustment (EPA) clause alleviate longer-term contract pricing concerns?

4. What is your risk mitigation plan to calculate pricing for a Firm-Fixed-Price contract, given the volatile market and global raw material shortages? Please explain.

5. In the event that the Government does not include contract financing or an EPA clause, how would your company mitigate the volatile market and global raw material shortages?

Subcontracting Questions:

1. Do you anticipate using significant subcontractors?

2. What aspects do you plan to use subcontractors for?

3. What percent of total cost would be through each significant subcontractor?