SSS_RFI_FA8629-21-R-5005.pdf

SPECIAL WARFARE PROGRAM OFFICE

SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND INTEGRATION CONTRACT

SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS/REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

FA8629-21-R-5005

1. NOTICE

This Sources Sought Synopsis/Request for Information (SSS/RFI) is issued for informational purposes and market research only. The Government will not reimburse any company or individual for any expenses associated with preparing/submitting information in response to this posting. This request neither constitutes a solicitation for proposals nor the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this effort. The information provided may be used by the Government in developing its acquisition strategy, statement of work/statement of objectives, and performance specifications.

Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained within their response as instructed later in this SSS/RFI.

This SSS/RFI is a follow-on to a 2018 request for information: “BATTLEFIELD AIRMEN

PROGRAM OFFICE SYSTEMS ENGINEERING AND INTEGRATION CONTRACT SOURCES

SOUGHT SYNOPSIS/REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (FA8629-19-R-5001) issued from AFLCMC/WISN in October of 2018. Related requests were sent at the same time regarding two other anticipated contracts, a Multi-Award Contract for procurement, and an Inventory Control Point contract to include an online ordering system known as Battlefield Airmen Rapid Refresh and Replenishment (BARs). Both of those contracts were awarded in 2020 as intended. (See Figure 1. “SWAGR New Program contracts” below).

The anticipated SE&I contract is the focus of this SSS/RFI.

This effort has changed since the original RFI and subsequent industry day sessions in the following ways:

- Procurement CLINs will be used for limited quantities of items, with larger quantities procured through other either direct contracts with Original Equipment Manufacturers/suppliers, or other contracts, such as the SW-MAC or DLA TLSP.

- This contract will be used primarily to integrate potential next-generation power and data management solutions, not develop that capability.

- Engineering and configuration management scope will be limited to the body-worn Special Warfare Assault Kit (SWAK) and any peripherals that require integration with the kit. Non-integrated peripherals or other customer systems that do not impact the cyber boundary of SWAK and will not be the responsibility of the SE&I contractor.

- Foreign Military Sales (FMS) support will still be an option.

- Terminology: Battlefield Airmen are renamed “Special Warfare”, and Battlefield Airmen

Branch is now “Special Warfare Branch”, same office symbol (AFLCMC/WISN).

- AFSOC has expanded the former Special Operations Weather Team mission area to a new mission area called Special Reconnaissance. See paragraph 2.a.iii below for details.

2. BACKGROUND AND SCOPE

a. The United States Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Special Warfare (SW) Branch (WISN), Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, is conducting market research to identify potential sources to serve as prime contractor or subcontractor(s) for a Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I) effort. This contract is one of three contracts required to support the recently validated Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) Battlefield Air Operations (BAO) Family of Systems (FoS) Capabilities Development Document (CDD) as well as supporting additional Special Warfare (SW) and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customers (see Figure 1 below:

SWAGR New Program Contracts). Contract performance will primarily support the SW Program Office, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH and support to an operating location (known as SW-TISC, see para. 5. k. for more information) in the vicinity of Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC), Hurlburt Field, FL. Contract scope will include quantities supporting up to 4,500 operators across the Air Force SW Community (AFSOC Special Tactics, ACC Guardian Angel, and ACC Tactical Air Control Party). The SE&I contractor shall continue development of variants of a body-worn kit for all customers known as Special Warfare Assault Kit (SWAK).

Key mission areas supported by the SWAK and this contract:

i. Assault Zones (AZ): specific tactical zones of action, including drop zones, fixed-wing and rotary-wing landing zones supporting the forward projection of a force by air. AZ capabilities to be equipped under this contract include survey equipment for data collection and analysis, assessment of runway surface distress, and airfield geometrics to include obstacles and approach paths. Also required is equipment for airfield control, including airfield markings/lighting, signaling devices, airspace de-confliction tools, and navigational aids.

ii. Fires: equipping operators for close air support coordination of surface-based and air-to-surface fires, communications architecture, weapons data, digital fire support, and target designation and marking. (This mission is accomplished by personnel assigned to AFSOC and ACC).

iii. Special Reconnaissance (SR): This mission area expands on the former Special Operations Weather Team Role. SR Airmen conduct multi-domain reconnaissance and surveillance (R&S) across the spectrum of conflict with focus on lethal and non-lethal air-to-ground integration of airpower. USAF SR are AFSOC’s subject matter experts on principles of R&S, precision engagement, Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) operations, and electronic warfare/electronic attack (EW/EA). USAF SR answer information and intelligence requirements focused on providing Global Access for Joint Air Forces. Acquisition, procurement, and sustainment programs may involve C4I (computing and communications), robotics, vehicles/transportation, long-range weaponry, sensors and tracking equipment (personal, ground, and unmanned), and specialized mission equipment for EW/EA as well as traditional environmental (weather) observation and forecasting tools and software applications.

iv. Personnel Recovery (PR): equipping pararescuemen to prepare, recover and reintegrate isolated personnel. PR capabilities include, but are not limited to: PR information management, locating survivors, rescue and recovery tools, analyzing environmental conditions, mass casualty management, recovery support, and reintegration.

v. Enabling Capabilities: common across all mission sets and career fields; include mission management, friendly force detection, geo-locating and range finding, visual augmentation, communications, unmanned capabilities, infiltration/exfiltration, and enhanced training.

b. The Government awarded contracts for two related efforts in 2020: an Inventory Control

Point contract and a Multiple-Award Contract (MAC). The MAC contract will be used to procure larger quantities of end-items, when deemed most beneficial to the government. The SE&I contractor shall establish a method to communicate configuration information for all items that have been delivered to the users (to include software configuration) to the ICP Prime.

c. The highest anticipated security clearance required for personnel or facilities is Secret.

Figure 1: SWAGR new program contracts Note: MAC awardees as of 1 Feb 2021: ICP Awardee

Federal Resources IAP Worldwide Services WS Darley & Co.

US21

ADS

TSSI

Quantico Tactical

RRDS

3. CAPABILITY GAP

SW operators use a human-based family of subsystems, enabling SW operations across the full range of military operations. Some equipment items will be integrated with SWAK, including, but not limited, the following: an End User Device (EUD) for mobile computing, power and data

ICP contractors management hardware, communication devices, navigation devices, range finders, target designators, and sensors. The SW SPO needs a prime integrator to cooperatively integrate SWAK components including peripherals and software applications (apps) or plugins, into a body-worn information management system. The prime integrator will be required to lead a variety of efforts including, but not limited to, the following: software development, software and hardware integration, testing, training, technical support, configuration control, software sustainment activities, and conducting studies/analyses of future capabilities of the kit. More specific details are outlined in paragraph 5.

Figure 2: Special Warfare Assault Kit (SWAK)

4. INSTRUCTIONS TO POTENTIAL RESPONDENTS

Interested parties desiring to participate in this SSS/RFI are encouraged to submit responses that clearly demonstrate an ability to meet the stated requirements, or a portion of the requirements if interested in subcontract opportunities. Responses shall include the following information and address the questions below:

Company/Institute Name:

Address:

Point of Contact (to include phone number and email address):

CAGE Code:

Web Page URL:

Size of business pursuant to NAICS Code 541512, size standard $27.5 million dollars. Based on the above NAICS Code, indicate whether the company is:

Small Business (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified Women-Owned Small Business (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified Economically Disadvantaged Women- Owned Small Business (Yes/No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified HUBZone Certified (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified Veteran-Owned Small Business (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified Service-Disabled-Veteran-Owned Small Business (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified 8(a) Certified (Yes / No) Self-Certified or Third Party Certified SBA Certification Date: ____________ SBA Graduation Date: ______________

The NAICS code for this requirement, if applicable to the responding company’s capabilities, should be included in the company’s NAICS code listing in SAM. Responding companies may recommend NAICS codes that they determine to be more appropriate for the effort for the Government’s consideration.

State whether the company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, indicate the country of ownership).

State whether the company is interested in being a prime contractor or subcontractor for this requirement.

5. GENERAL REQUIREMENT

The SE&I prime integrator will be responsible for developing, testing, integrating, delivering, training and sustaining SWAK with some combination of current and future integrated ancillary equipment across the four mission areas and enabling capabilities.

a. The SWAK software suite includes the following Government-off-The-Shelf (GOTS) and compatible Commercially available Off-The-Shelf (COTS) software products:

i. United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Tactical Assault Kit

(TAK) family of software for use by SW operators [GOTS]. The TAK family of software includes products designed for systems with Android, iOS, and Microsoft Windows operating platforms.

ii. SWAK software developed under current and prior contracts for the program office, which includes BA Datalinks, High Performance Flexi Modem (HPFM), CRC plugin, JTAR plug-in, AO Update plug-in, NET-T, Network Enabled Weapons (NEW), Stack Tool plug-in, EZSK plug-in, DSIM, and BATDOK and BATDOK Lite. This also includes specific integration changes needed for Network Monitor and Serial Monitor.

i. Brief description of SWAK-developed software:

JTAR: Digital transmission of CAS request forms

AO Update: Digital Transmission of Airspace/CAS forms from JTAC to pilot BATDOK (point of injury casualty management application).

NET-T: digital messaging between aircraft sensors and the JTAC NEW: digital messaging between the aircraft munitions and the JTAC Stack Tool, display of Situational Awareness enhancing airspace deconfliction BADL: Tactical Data Link message engine, translator and Graphic User Interface software HPFM: GOTS Software modem utilized for Tactical Data Link messages DSIM: GOTS Simulation capability for VMF EZSK: digital form simplification for Assault Zone Surveys and associated data Serial Monitor: Belongs to the TAK Product Center but we make updates for specific peripherals that physically connect to the kit, to integrate with

ATAK

Network Monitor: Belongs to the TAK Product Center but we makes for specific peripherals, that allows a user to monitor all networks and addresses with control capability Cyber Reliant Corp. (CRC) Protect - Encrypts, Shreds and Stores data on device to ensure File Encryption compliance per NSA Dual DAR Capability Package

iii. The government reserves unlimited government purpose data rights for software developed under the current software contract and on the proposed SE&I contract

b. The SE&I prime integrator will be required to enter into non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) and Associate Contractor Agreements to accomplish software development, component integration, and testing.

c. The SE&I prime integrator will be required to support digital integration of tactical equipment, including but not limited to EUDs, body-worn power and data management equipment, GPS receivers, handheld range finders, integrated targeting devices, multiple man-portable tactical radios, tactical gateways and networks, and mission-specific peripheral devices.

i. The prime integrator will be expected to procure and integrate various hardware components to modernize SWAK. These tasks may be subcontracted if needed, subject to applicable clauses such as FAR 52.244-2, Subcontracts.

d. The SWAK software suite will need to sustain and modernize Command and Control (C2) capabilities in support of all SW mission sets. The prime integrator will be responsible for both sustainment and upgrades to current versions of SWAK that utilizes the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) family of software.

i. The prime integrator will also be responsible for development efforts (to include design, integration, and testing) on future versions of SWAK and associated software applications and plug-ins.

ii. Additionally, the prime integrator will support research, development, and maintenance of software that supports or enhances the SWAK software suite, including but not limited to Network Enabled Weapons (NEW), Hand-held Link- 16 radios, operations center integration, multi-channel radios, video data-link radios, assault zone survey database support, and wearable displays.

iii. The contractor will need to maintain the Dual Data at Rest capability of the SWAK system, as well as approved wireless capabilities.

e. The prime integrator may be tasked to perform studies and/or analyses of candidate technologies to meet the emerging mission needs of ST operators to identify the feasibility and to propose technical and engineering approaches to design, develop, and integrate system solutions to meet those emerging needs.

i. The prime integrator will be expected to integrate disparate, segregated capabilities into a single software user interface supporting various kit configurations in support of all mission areas performed by the ST community.

f. The prime integrator will support testing, demonstration, and fielding events for the SWAK deliverable, supporting test plan execution, to include Interoperability and Cybersecurity testing and certification processes.

g. The prime integrator will provide systems engineering support, configuration management, testing, and user documentation development for SWAK, to include, but not limited to, the following: Interface Control Documents (ICD), Software Development Plans (SDP), Procurement/Performance/Product Specifications (PS), Configuration Management Plans (CMP), Test Plans, user guides, and training guides.

h. The prime integrator will provide training and technical support to assist with the operational implementation of SWAK at SW units (CONUS and OCONUS).

i. Mobile Training Teams (MTTs) may be required for training the full SWAK system, specified capabilities of the SWAK system, peripheral devices, or new hardware/software releases as required by the government. Means of training may include Initial Skills Training, Refresher Training, New Equipment Training (NET), and Train-the-Trainer as required by the government.

ii. Types of technical support may include Help Desk (telephone, e-mail, web hosting) during normal business hours, and on-site Field Service Representative (FSR) support for exercises or other events as required by the government.

i. The prime integrator shall configure and maintain a SW Resources website for posting equipment documentation, training documentation, fielding notices and instructions, software, firmware, and other applicable documentation. Changes to the content of the website and user access to the website will be approved by the program office. The website will also provide access information to Help Desk support. Website access and usage metrics will be reported.

j. The prime integrator will be responsible for working with a number of Government organizations such as United State Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Air Force

Research Laboratory (AFRL), the DoD Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), and other S&T organizations. The prime integrator will also be required to establish ACAs with various commodity suppliers as well as SW SPO-sponsored Science and Technology (S&T) innovation contractors to manage external dependencies on applicable SW SPO interface control documents.

i. The prime integrator should leverage ACAs to enable technical interchanges in the pursuit of modifications or improvements to ensure SW-specific requirements are met.

ii. To enable transfer of equipment, the prime integrator may receive Government- Furnished Equipment and/or may be required to establish ACAs with the vendors delivering and sustaining equipment via separate BA contracts (reference paragraph 2, subsection b).

k. The prime integrator will be coordinating with the modernization and sustainment operations at the SW program office Operating Location (OL) in Fort Walton Beach, FL. This OL, known as the Special Warfare Technical Integration Support Center (SW-TISC), is a collaborative environment with resident authorities to troubleshoot and employ standard network and device configurations while rapidly developing and refining configurations of equipment (hardware, firmware, and software) in support of the SWAK. The SW-TISC ensures operational suitability and interoperability of the body-worn SWAK and components (current and future) integrated with that kit for deployed and in-garrison ST forces. The SW- TISC provides a laboratory test environment and on-site training laboratory. Included in the SW-TISC will be automated systems support, troubleshooting, and crisis response along with rapid development and engineering.

l. The prime integrator will be responsible for management of Government-Furnished

Equipment (GFE) and Government-Furnished Information (GFI) as directed and provided by the SW program office and other stakeholders. Government Property includes contractor acquired property in performance of the intended contract per FAR45.101(a).

6. RESPONSES, COMMUNICATION, AND ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS:

a. The Government may contact respondents to obtain additional information or clarification in order to fully understand a response. This may include discussions, site visits, demonstrations, etc. to further the Government’s understanding of a proposed effort, as well as the respondent’s understanding of the Government’s requirements.

b. Companies responding to this SSS/RFI shall outline their approach for costing the scope captured in paragraph 5. Identify innovative contract structures and/or strategies for rapid deployment of evolving requirements. Additionally, include any assumptions for the approach and specifically address data rights and technical data provisioning for integration purposes.

c. Assuming a five (5) year contract period of performance (POP), provide a rough cost estimate (i.e., a rough order of magnitude (ROM)) based on the SE&I tasks outlined in paragraph 5 as annual recurring costs, and include the assumptions (manpower and materials) driving contract costs. Provide the estimated number of Full-time Equivalents (FTE) required. If preferred, a verbal response may be given via telephone for this paragraph (d) only.

d. Please provide specific details and rationale as to how compliance with FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, will be achieved in the event the Government sets this requirement aside for small business. Include specific details regarding teaming arrangements, etc. If subcontracts are to be used, provide the anticipated percentage of effort to be subcontracted and whether small or large businesses will be used. If this effort is not set-aside for small business, small business utilization will be considered. Large and small businesses should provide a reasonable expectation for small business utilization as a percent of total contract value as well as supporting rationale for the recommended percentage.

e. Indicate whether the company is currently performing this type of work and whether the capability can be obtained under an existing Government contract. Provide the contract number(s) and Government points of contact accordingly.

f. Submit one (1) electronic copy to the program office as outlined below. Respondents shall limit submissions to 20 pages or less and should include technical and descriptive text to provide sufficient detail on how they will satisfy the requirements outlined in paragraph 5.

The submitted documentation becomes the property of the Government and will not be returned.

g. Respondents that submit proprietary data shall clearly mark the data with appropriate markings on the cover sheet and on each applicable page. Any proprietary data submitted may be handled by contract support services personnel who have signed an NDA. Any proprietary information received in response to this request will be properly protected from any unauthorized disclosure. The Government will not use proprietary information submitted from any one firm to establish the capability and requirements for any future systems acquisitions, so as to not inadvertently restrict competition. Any material that is not marked proprietary will be considered publicly releasable

h. The Government will not award a contract on the basis of this RFI. A determination not to compete this action based on responses received is solely within the Government’s discretion.

i. Broad industry participation for this Sources Sought is encouraged. U.S. and non-U.S. firms are permitted to respond to this SSS/RFI.

j. Responses to questions from interested parties will be promptly answered and posted on the GPO unless some release of proprietary information is involved or the answer addresses a question peculiar to a company or that company’s response.

k. This notice may be updated as additional information becomes available. Please check the

GPO site for updates to this announcement and register to receive e-mail notices of any updates to the GPO announcement. For more information on this SSS/RFI, please contact the Government POCs below. E-mail communications are preferred.

l. Please note that all prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award

Management (SAM) database to be awarded a Department of Defense contract. To learn more about this SAM requirement and how to register, please visit the SAM website at https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/#1

m. E-mail electronic copies no later than 16:00 EST, on to the below-listed contacts within

AFLCMC/WISK.

n. Please submit all responses to the below POCs:

Sarah Cooley, Contract Specialist

AFLCMC/WISK, 937-241-3615

Bldg 16, 1895 5th St Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7233

Sarah.cooley.1@us.af.mil and

Daniel Brewer

AFLCMC/WISK, 614-813-1637

Bldg 16, 1895 5th St Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7233

Daniel.brewer.13@us.af.mil