Targets LV-Next RFI v16_PA Approved.pdf

Targets and Countermeasures (TC) Program Office

Targets Launch Vehicles - Next

Request For Information (RFI)

Approved for Public Release

2024-MDA-11732 (27 Mar 2024)

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.

Targets Launch Vehicles-Next Request For Information (RFI)

Agency: Other Defense Agency

Office: Missile Defense Agency (MDA)/ Targets and Countermeasures (TC)

Location: MDA-TCK, Redstone Arsenal, AL

Solicitation Number: MDA(2X)TCRFI(XX)

Notice Type: Sources Sought Announcement

NAICS: 541715--Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life

Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

PSC: H214 – Equipment and Materials Testing – Guided Missiles

Synopsis:

DESCRIPTION:

This Request For Information (RFI) notices is to support acquisition strategy development in accordance with (IAW) FAR Part 10.001 (a)(3) and identify capable sources to fulfill the high-level requirements described below. This notice is IAW Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)

Part 15.201.

This RFI is part of the overall market research activity. This is a market research announcement for informational planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), nor is it to be construed as a commitment by MDA. Information submitted will be considered as an exchange of information and may be used as part of future RFP(s), either as a single contract activity or under multiple contract actions. No RFP/solicitation will be issued at this time.

Participation in this effort is strictly voluntary with no costs incurred or obligations made on behalf of MDA. RFI responses will not be construed as an offer and will not be accepted by

MDA to form a binding contract.

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA), Targets and Countermeasures (TC) Program is conducting market research to 1) support Acquisition planning/acquisition strategy development, 2) determine industry’s interest and capability, and 3) inform the requirements development methodology as well as Acquisition/Contracting strategy; all to meet MDA’s need for the

Targets Launch Vehicles-Next capability.

The MDA is seeking capable sources for the:

Development, testing, production, and delivery of Launch Vehicles (LV) (including but not limited to solid boosters, liquid boosters, or modification of Government-furnished equipment (GFE)) with ranges from short-range ballistic missile (SRBM (1,000 km)) to intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM (+5,500) km));

Missionization (is the preparation and flight readiness of target assets, ordnance handling, and execution of mission reviews to support specific flight test objectives) and integration of GFE Payload Systems and Associated Objects into the LV; and, Flight Test Execution and support/operations.

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MDA Goals and Priorities:

The goal of TC is to provide SRBM to ICBM class target vehicles in support of MDA’s Flight

Test program. The intent for the Targets Launch Vehicles-Next capability is to establish launch services throughout the Atlantic and Pacific missile ranges. By leveraging the growing industrial base (traditional and non-traditional companies), TC intends to align its processes and procedures with industry engineering and quality/mission assurance standards, enabling payload integration (missionization) and launch services at reduced costs and increased frequencies in order to support the growing number of weapon system flight test requirements.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Responses to this RFI are due no later than April 27, 2024. Submit RFI responses via e-mail to

TC-FutureAcquisitions@mda.mil. To help aid with developing responses and understanding of the Missile Defense System, please go to www.mda.mil.

Data and research may be available via public/open sources.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, RFI submissions will be encrypted and only accepted electronically. All submitted information will be handled accordingly as marked.

Respondent’s information/documents submitted in response to this RFI will not be returned. The

Respondent’s information/documents should be complete, informative, and clearly demonstrate competencies and expertise in executing the requirements. MDA will not accept any responses submitted as classified information. Industry is encouraged to respond with information not constrained by proprietary data rights. If proprietary data is included in the reply, the respondent is responsible for appropriate markings on a paragraph-by-paragraph basis.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:

1. Respondents and/or Prospective Offerors (if a solicitation is issued) and its subcontractors/ suppliers must be United States firms/businesses and not foreign owned, controlled, or influenced.

2. Responses shall be single-spaced, minimum 12-point Times New Roman, not more than

30 pages, and describe corporate experience and/or relevancy in the areas described in the requirements scope. Do not submit generic corporate marketing materials for this

RFI. ROMs are not included in the 30-page response limit, but are limited to 2 pages per

Mission Profile.

3. Company Information/Programmatic Responses: Programmatic responses shall address the following:

a) COMPANY PROFILE: Provide a profile of your company, including Company

Name, Point of Contact, Address, Telephone and Fax Numbers, Email Address, mailto:TC-FutureAcquisitions@mda.mil http://www.mda.mil/

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Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code and/or Tax ID Number, Facility Clearance Level, and applicable socio-economic business/company profile (e.g., Large/Small Business (SB), Small Disadvantaged, 8(a), 8(m) (both Woman Owned SB and Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned

SB), Tribally Owned entity, Alaskan Native Corporation, Hawaiian Owned

Organization, Service Disabled Veteran Owned SB, Historically Underutilized

Business Zone (HUB Zone) SB, other, etc.).

b) SIMILAR EXPERIENCE: If the respondent has similar experience or historical information available, MDA requests a consolidated table of experience based on the requirement scope with the below information:

1) contract number(s);

2) title and objective of contract;

3) contracting agency and point of contact information; and

4) scope, period of performance, and type of contract (e.g., fixed price, cost reimbursement, fee).

c) RECOMMENDED CONTRACT TYPE INFORMATION:

1) What is your recommendation for the contract type, fee structure, and general

Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) types? Based on industry best practices, what contract structure would you implement to execute the high-level requirements

(Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), standard contract vehicle type or

Other Transaction (OT) agreement, etc.)? Describe how your contract change order process has been used to expedite contract actions.

2) What would be your recommended contract duration/period of performance?

3) Would you recommend an incentive/award fee contract? What would be your recommended incentive/award fee criteria performance objectives and methodology?

4) Describe the documentation/information needed in a library to support your understanding of requirements and delivery of a proposal.

5) What other appropriate North American Industry Classification Standard

(NAICS) would you recommend for this effort? Provide rationale if any.

d) RECOMMENDED ACQUISITION APPROACH: MDA is considering Multiple

Award IDIQ encompassing target launch vehicles and services from Short Range to

Intercontinental Range (SRBM to ICBM) class. Other alternatives include Single

Award IDIQ contracts and/or Completion Contracts with options.

e) BARRIERS TO PARTICIPATE: What are the potential barriers to competition for this effort? How can MDA mitigate and resolve some of these barriers?

f) ORGANIZATIONAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST (OCI): What do you see as

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potential OCI issues? What would be the OCI mitigation strategy?

g) DATA RIGHTS: Will you assert any claims of limited or restricted rights for the

Government as part of your potential contract efforts (guided by Defense Federal

Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) requirements for types of technical data) such as contract data requirements lists, technical drawings, software, and hardware? Would your company sell the TDP to Government? DFARS defined categories of data rights are: 1) Unlimited Rights (UL); 2) Government Purpose Rights

(GPR); 3) Limited Rights (for Technical Data) (LR); 4) Restricted Rights (for

Computer Software) (RR); and 5) Special License Rights (SLR).

h) SMALL BUSINESS: Because one objective of this RFI is to determine the capability of small business to meet the requirements contained herein, and to inform the acquisition strategy with regard to setting aside any future acquisition for small businesses, MDA request the following information:

1) The prime small business contractor responding to this RFI must include their past experience in managing subcontractors on similar requirements, and if applicable, include subcontractor or teaming partners’ past experience applicable to requirements specified in this Sources Sought.

2) Responsible small businesses planning teaming arrangements to meet the support requirements listed above are expected to articulate the portions of work that the prime small business intends to perform as well as articulate the portions that subcontractors or teaming partners (if applicable) will perform. Responses must include business size and business socio-economic category of all subcontractors or teaming partners identified to perform work associated with the NAICS for this

Sources Sought.

i) UPFRONT INVESTMENTS: Summarize any expected new capital investment, upgrades / modifications and/or Government investments requirements.

j) COST ESTIMATE: Provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM): As part of the evaluation process MDA requires some basic cost estimates to assist in the development of the acquisition strategy. Respondents should provide an estimate of the baseline requirements documents, and the build, missionization, and execution of one or more of the 5 reference missions provided (see list of documents on page 10).

Respondents should provide ROMs for each of the reference missions for which they have expertise. Each mission ROM must be separate and stand-alone. The ROM should highlight the initial capability, long lead-items, specialty items, materials, delivery, availability, and related costs in each area they can support. Cost estimates should be separated into non-recurring engineering (NRE) and recurring engineering

(RE) categories to perform high-level requirements listed. Cost estimates should include ground rules and assumptions. Interested parties should address costs or GFE requirements associated with, but not limited to the following Work Breakdown

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Structure (WBS). When addressing technical requirements, respondents shall use the corresponding numbering and provide a recommended CLIN type appropriate for that area—needed to support acquisition strategy. Respondents should ensure to specify which units were used (i.e. $k). At a minimum, the below WBS elements should be addressed in the RFI response:

Notional Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)

CLIN

Type

NRE RE Total Basis of Estimate

1 SRBM/MRBM/IRBM/ICBM Target Systems

1.1 Program Management & Systems Engineering

1.2 LV Development and Testing

1.3 LV Production

1.4 Software Development

1.5 Mission Support (existing and/or new hardware)

1.5.1 Missionization/RV Integration

15.2 Pre-Test Analysis

1.5.3 Test Execution

1.5.4 Post-Test Data Reduction, Analysis, & Delivery

1.6 Range Support

1.7 Integrated Logistics Support

1.8 Quality and Safety

1.9 Configuration Management

1.10 Detailed Description of Services (deliverables)

1.10.1 Configuration Management Plan

1.10.2 Quality Assurance Plan

1.10.3 Risk Management Plan

1.10.4 LV Integration, Missionization, and Test Execution Plan

1.11 Cybersecurity

1.12 Facilities

k) COST DRIVERS/COST TRADE OFFS AFFORDABILITY: The respondent should also address cost drivers, cost tradeoffs, assumptions, and any additional or expected future corporate investments or other anticipated costs not identified in the WBS. The respondent shall offer specific affordability alternatives and suggestions specific to the WBS element they are addressing.

- Minimum order quantity: Respondents should address any minimum order quantity limitations and provide a list of components that would require bulk buy in order for mission success. Respondents should address any areas in which an economic order would produce savings and identify that savings.

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l) PROTECTING INFORMATION ON FEDERAL AND NONFEDERAL SYSTEMS: Department of Defense (DoD) participates in a range of activities to improve the collective cybersecurity of the nation and protect U.S. data and interests. When working on DoD networks and when processing, storing, and transmitting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) on their own company’s network(s) (nonfederal system(s)), Contractors are required to secure DoD's information by leveraging the National Institute of Standards and Technology information security standards and guidelines. Describe your cyber robustness, resilience, and hygiene approach towards protecting information and your ability to meet cybersecurity requirements. For nonfederal systems, address your management approach for ensuring that CUI is properly handled in your company’s network and how CUI is managed and implemented throughout your supply chain.

At a high level, describe your company’s approach for addressing the requirements of DFARS 252.204-7012, “Safeguarding Covered Defense Information and Cyber Incident Reporting,” DFARS 252.204-7019, “Notice of NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment Requirements,” and DFARS 252.204-7020, “NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment Requirements.” At a high level, describe your company’s use of System Security Plans (SSP) and a Plan of Action and Milestones for internal (nonfederal) information systems handling controlled unclassified information. For federal systems, note your strategies for implementing the Risk Management Framework and how active continuous monitoring of cybersecurity controls is implemented.

4. Technical Capabilities: Technical responses should include an overall description of the proposed solution and provide detailed technical information on the topic to allow for the

Government’s understanding and assessment of the capability related to each of the reference mission ROMs provided. The descriptions should include schedule information for delivery of services and technical rationale for providing value to the Government.

Respondents should provide information on their ability to use existing assets and/or on their ability to procure, develop, construct, and/or maintain all of the necessary software, hardware, operational resources, and facilities needed for the proposed service

(“missionize”). Respondents should also describe other technical benefits of their proposed solutions in terms of their facility, support equipment, and other support capabilities. Technical Capability responses shall address the following:

a) TARGET DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, PRODUCTION and DELIVERY:

1) Describe your company’s technical solution and capabilities to deliver targets that meet some or all of a combination of the following key performance indicators:

(a) Payload Mass: 300 – 2000 kg

(b) Launch Vehicle Cut-Off Velocity: 2 – 7 km/s

(c) Launch Vehicle Cut-Off Altitude: 50 – 800 km

(d) Launch Vehicle Cut-Off Vertical Flight Path Angle: 0 – 85 degrees

Note: The Government understands that all combinations of all parameters will not be within the performance space for all vehicles (i.e. no single vehicle will

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likely achieve all parameters simultaneously).

Note: Please see Launch Vehicle-Next Technical Parameters (provided in reference documents) for additional insight.

2) Describe your Launch Vehicle’s available payload volume and maximum payload capability. Describe your proposed technical solution to integrating GFE Payload

Systems and Associated Objects with your Launch Vehicle. Any NRE costs should be specifically identified in the associated ROMs & WBS. Please see reference documents for historical examples of FS (payload) common ICD and

Associated Object ICD.

3) Describe your recommended technical solution for flight test execution. Include limitations on how many LVs can be processed/executed concurrently, and how much time is required between executing flight test events.

4) Describe your Launch Vehicle’s Automatic Flight Safety System (AFSS) and its implementation. Include the LV’s ability to incorporate a third-party AFSS.

5) End-to-end digital enterprise: Describe your integrated digital approach

(engineering, formalized plans, methodologies, and accepted standards) that uses authoritative sources of systems’ data and models as a continuum across disciplines to support lifecycle activities from concept through disposal.

6) Respondents are required to show/demonstrate/prove the ability to fabricate classified hardware for Missile Defense testing.

b) NOTIONAL SCHEDULE: Provide schedules indicating expected and realistic durations for missionization, vehicle integration, and launch efforts, as applicable for each scenario ROM included in your response. Key events that should be identified in the schedules include:

1) Estimate of processing, integrating, and executing launch from order to delivery/flight;

2) Receipt of first requirements guidance from the government;

3) Any contractually binding events that impact the authority to perform work;

4) Decision dates for hardware procurements;

5) Last date for initiation of pre-mission analyses for delivery of critical data products to Missile Defense System stakeholders/users;

6) Last date at which major requirement changes (e.g., a redesign/retrofit; trajectory changes, hardware configurations and software builds) can be accommodated without schedule impact;

7) Last date at which minor requirement changes (e.g., selectable features, countermeasures, associated objects) can be accommodated without schedule impact;

8) Target delivery estimate to configure baseline vehicle from mission requirements to mission readiness.

c) PRE-MISSION ANALYSIS: The respondent should provide nominal analysis/data

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product delivery timelines (time spans for performing analyses/delivering products from Authority To Proceed (ATP) for critical analytical products such as three

Degrees of Freedom (DOF) trajectories, six DOF nominal and Monte Carlo trajectories, flight analyses/predictions, engineering drawings, etc. Innovative suggestions for reducing timelines and costs for pre-mission predictions are encouraged.

d) SYSTEMS ENGINEERING:

1) Describe the system engineering and integration processes and standards used to develop/evaluate alternatives presented. The respondents should describe their ability to perform pre-flight analyses and predictions; and design, procure, manufacture, assemble, and test target vehicles and components.

2) Describe design reviews including (as applicable) System Requirements Review (SRR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR) and Critical Design Review (CDR) planned or completed.

3) Describe Flight Preparation/Execution reviews: Mission System Requirements Review (MSRR), Mission Design Review (MDR), Pre-Ship Readiness Review

(PSRR)

e) QUALIFICATION TESTING: The mission integrator and component/service suppliers need to demonstrate that their proposed hardware/services comply with mission and range requirements. For all responses, the respondent shall describe any prior qualification history and the approach for performing any new qualification/certification necessary for a target mission. This includes, but is not limited to, range safety, environmental qualification testing, and performance testing.

The respondents are encouraged to offer new approaches to mission qualification that improve quality and/or reduce schedule. Include recommendations for varying levels of Quality and Mission Assurance as applicable based on flight test profile or objective performance.

f) SOFTWARE TESTING: Describe Software Formal Qualification Testing (FQT) and Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) planned or completed.

Include requirements for autonomous flight safety system testing or IV&V, and the process for securing Range Safety Approval.

g) QUALITY, SAFETY, MISSION ASSURANCE: Identify your company’s quality, systems safety, range safety, and mission assurance programs, processes, and standards. Describe how your programs adhere to or meet industry standards and best practices. Describe how you would establish or implement a quality assurance program to assure adherence to all hardware and mission requirements for mission success. Provide listing of standards used in establishing your command media, and requirements/methods for validating the standards your programs. Provide recommendation levels of quality assurance.

h) PARTS, MATERIALS & PROCESSES: Describe your program, processes and

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standards used to implement and maintain a robust solution in regard to parts and processes integrity to industry best practices and standards. Provide listing of standards used in establishing your command media and requirements for these programs.

i) RISK: Describe risk management and mission assurance approach, capability, experience, and processes. Identify risks/opportunities in the approach or in Targets development in general. Describe what opportunities for mitigating risks to target mission success are inherent in the proposed solution. Demonstrate whether the system is DoD compliant and how.

j) PROPERTY MANAGEMENT: Describe your property management system.

Describe whether that system is DoD compliant and how.

k) OBSOLESCENCE: The respondent shall describe obsolescence planning and activities.

l) TARGET INTEGRATION AND TEST (I&T):

1) The respondent must describe/identify procedures and facilities required to perform the integration and test of the all-up-round target including payload.

The approach must define the special equipment required, safety considerations, and logistics unique to each. The respondent must demonstrate an understanding of the interface requirements and any risks associated to payload and LV integration.

2) The respondent must identify facilities and procedures required to perform pre-range integration and test, I&T on multiple launch ranges, and accommodate testing of integrated RV & AO target hardware and software.

m) LAUNCH EXECUTION:

1) Mission Management and Planning: The respondent should describe the approach for mission management and planning.

2) Launch Operations: The respondent should describe the approach for launch operations and expected Government Furnished Equipment and Government

Furnished Service, if any.

3) Post-Test Data Reduction, Analysis and Delivery: The respondent should describe the approach for Post-Test Data Reduction, Analysis and Delivery.

4) Logistics and Sustainment: The respondent shall describe the approach for logistics and sustainment. The respondent should describe the logistics planning for supporting mission activities from test ranges.

5) Facilities: The respondent shall define the facilities required to perform the proposed work. Description should include the facility type (such as missile

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integration, laboratory, storage, and/or administration), general characteristics, special requirements, and location. The respondent shall convey whether the facilities are new capital investments, existing facilities or upgrades, or facilities shared with existing tenants.

6) Transportation: The respondent shall define the transportation equipment and supporting resources required in support of the launches. The respondent shall state whether the required equipment is already available for use or if additional funding and/or design/fabrication is required.

7) Storage: The respondent shall describe all storage requirements.

n) LAUNCH SITES/RANGE FACILITIES: Describe your company’s capabilities for executing launch of target missions from Pacific and/or Atlantic ranges. MDA is interested in maximizing launch location flexibility. Innovative suggestions for increasing location flexibility, including ground-launch, air-launch, sea-launch, or other mobile-launch capabilities/methods to achieve mission flight profiles are encouraged.

FOLLOW UP

Based on the level of interest and the apparent capability of industry, MDA will request follow-up information from RFI respondents as needed. Information received from follow-up questions and possibly one-on-one meetings/presentations is considered part of the overall market research activity and will be conducted IAW FAR Part 15.201.

DOCUMENTS THAT CAN BE PROVIDED UPON REQUEST AND CLEARANCE

VALIDATION:

1) Targets Launch Vehicles-Next Technical Parameters (Classified)

2) Interface Control Documents (ICD’s) for launch vehicles and payloads (payloads such as

Re-Entry Vehicles and other Payload Vehicles)

3) FS Common Interface Control Document (ICD) and other ICDs as available

4) MBRV-8 (and other RV’s/Payloads) Loads and Environments Requirements as available

5) Associated Objects and Countermeasures (AOC) ICD

6) Cyber Requirements

7) Additional documents to be provided as available and determined during this Market

Research process

PRIMARY Points of Contact:

Market Research Lead: TC-Futureacquisitions@mda.mil

Contracting Officer: TC-Futureacquisitions@mda.mil

Contract Specialist: TC-Futureacquisitions@mda.mil mailto:TC-Futureacquisitions@mda.mil mailto:TC-Futureacquisitions@mda.mil mailto:TC-Futureacquisitions@mda.mil