Questions and Answers Posting-USCG MH-60T SIM-OFT-OTD.pdf

Question # Question Answer 1 In Section 1 specifies "The MH-60T helicopter fleet is expanding, requiring 3,500 annual flight hours by FY 2027 to train 60+ pilots, increasing from 210 pilots pre-FY 2024 to approximately 550 by FY2040." Can you clarify "60+ pilots" if the expected pilots in FY2024 is 210 and in FY 2040 is 550? 60 or more pilots (min of additional pilots in the training pipeline)

2 For both FFS and the OTD, the minimal simulator time is specified at 3500 hrs. in FY 2027. Will the simulator facility allow more than 8 hrs. of training per day to support the 3500 hrs., or is there a desire to have more than one simulator to support the 3500 hrs?

Yes, The simulator facility currently runs 16 hours of trainining per day and this will be the same for any new training devices.

3 Are there any requirements for visual databases of specific airfields or other terrain areas of interest for training? If so, will the government provide source data (DTED, imagery, etc) for these areas?

The Coast Guard uses a commercial global data base for its' visual content. All Coast Guard air stations should be represented. The government has limited DTED and imagery but will provide what's available.

4 Are there any specific requirements for Computer Generated Forces (CGF)? The visual data base should have the ability to insert and control models (military/civilian vessels).

5 Will there be a requirement for a brief/debrief station or a After Action Review (AAR) capability?

Yes, brief/debrief station will be required.

6 Motion simulation for a Level D FFS requires a substantial motion platform with significant power and floor load-bearing requirements (ex: 30cm floor thickness). These facility requirements limit the locations that a portable full-motion FFS can be installed, and setup and calibration after a move will be complex. Is the government receptive to meeting OTD needs with an FTD instead of an FFS? These do not require motion, even at FAA FTD Level 7.

Yes. The Coast Guard is receptive to solutions that do not include a FFS.

7 Is it acceptable for rear crew member operations such as hoist and sling loads to be trained in a rear cabin simulator that is separate from the flight deck simulator? Assume the rear cabin simulator and the flight deck simulator can interoperate in the same exercise as one aircraft.

Yes. This would be an acceptable solution.

8 Developing and proving the aircraft type-specific aero model for a Level D FFS requires instrumenting a real aircraft and recording flight data during a series of maneuvers. Does the government already have such data that it can provide as GFI? If not, will the government provide an aircraft that the contractor can instrument, and provide pilots to operate the aircraft to collect this data? The government has an aero model for the MH-60 and will provide it as part of the GFE.

9 A mixed reality headset instead of a projection dome for OTW visuals would make OTDs substantially smaller, lighter and simpler, and therefor more portable. Current headsets do not meet FAA FFS Level D requirements, but the FAA is starting to certify FTDs that use headsets. Is the government receptive to an FTD, or to lowering the Level D visual requirements to allow the use of MR headsets?

Receptive to lowering the Level D visual requirements to allow the use of MR as a visual solution.

10 What flight parameters and envelope establishes or defines “standard operations.” Details to be provided after contract award.

Do “flight conditions beyond standard operations” involve flight beyond aircraft limitations as outlined in the Flight Manual (altitude, airspeed, angle of bank, etc.)?

Yes, “flight conditions beyond standard operations” involve flight beyond aircraft limitations as outlined in the Flight Manual (altitude, airspeed, angle of bank, etc.).

12 Will additional flight tests/testing be required to develop aerodynamic models outside established flight limitations?

The government has an aero model for the MH-60 and will provide it as part of the GFE

Can you define the USCG baseline for MH-60T training standards by providing a list of MH- 60T training devices with respective fidelity level for each device currently utilized in the MH-60T training program (Level D, Level 7 ATD, Desk

Top Trainer (DTT), Computer Based Training *CBT), etc.)?

Level 7 FFS, Cockpit Procedural trainer (OTD) no motion, no secondary motion, six desktop trainers

Please include any MH-60T Program supported training devices currently used for training. USCG currently has 1 Full Flight Simulator for the MH-60T

Please include any MH-60T prototype devices currently available for training. No Prototype devices know to be in use 16 Who will act as the certification authority for the Level D FFS? Currently, USCG flight simulators are self-certified 17 Will the Level D FFS undergo FAA certification and continuing FAA qualification evolutions to maintain certification? No they will not 18 Please provide more specific requirements for the Operational Training

Device and what level of training device fidelity is desired (Level 5, Level 6, Level 7. "Level D Equivalent" is broad and typically not attainable in a mobile training device. Level 6, 3 degrees of freedom and secondary motion 19 Please provide the training objective(s)/tasks associated with the mobile

OTD? For example:

i. Preflight Procedures / Checklists yes

ii. Takeoffs & Departures yes

iii. In Flight Maneuvers yes

iv. Operational Maneuvers (hoisting, shipboard landings) yes

v. Instrument Procedures yes

vi. Landings & Approaches yes

vii. Normal & Abnormal Procedures yes

viii. Emergency Procedures yes

ix. Operations yes X. Post-flight Procedures yes

XI. Sensor System Operation yes 20 Will the OTD require a primary motion system with:

i. 3 degrees of freedom? yes

ii. 6 degrees of freedom? yes

iii. Or secondary motion system only (vibration cues)? yes

21 Is the OTD required to simulate flight control system forces, gradients, breakout forces, friction levels, and dynamics that reflect changing flight conditions and rotor loading? No it is not required 22 How often will the mobile training devices be transported, relocated, or moved? Approximately once a month 23 How many OTDs does the government anticipate will be required to meet

USCG training objectives. two 24 Please provide a list of items approaching obsolescence or aircraft systems approaching end of life that will require upgrades. Unkown Please provide a list of anticipated upgrades to include timeline and expected manufacturer (OEM)? Unkown

Does the government anticipate a requirement for facility construction (new construction)? Yes, we anticipate a requirement for new facility construction.

26 Is the intent to install the new devices in existing facilities? Yes, there is intent to install 1-2 devices in existing spaces.

Are there any data license requirements on the current flight training devices used in the MH-60T training program (Full Flight Simulator, Flight Training

Device, Avionics Trainers, Desktop Trainers)?

No there are no data license requirements

28 Please provide a list of companies or OEMs the government expects the seller will need to establish data license agreements with to manufacture an MH-60T Full Flight Simulator? N/A 29 Please indicate if the government will provide the data or data licenses required to design, build, install, and operate the MH-60T FFS and OTD? N/A 30 Will the additional 3,500 be flown in the newly built Full Flight Simulator? the additional flight hours will be used across existing and new simulators.

31 Do you expect delivery and acceptance testing of the newly built Full Flight Simulator to be completed by FY2027? Yes 32 What is the current annual MH-60T FFS availability requirement and utilization rate? 90% 33 Is classified data expected to be accessed via these training devices? Will the environment be connected to classified environments? No classifed data will be accessed via these training devices.

34 Does the 10-year timeframe for this opportunity include providing security management (i.e. ongoing device patching and updates, eMASS SSP submissions, security scanning, monitoring, incident response, and continuous monitoring activities)? Unkown 35 How many Level D Simulators are anticipated to be Procured ? Multi FFS & Or OTD/OFT 36 How many Operational Flight Trainers (OFT) are anticapited to be procured ? Multi FFS & Or OTD/OFT

What networking and/or cybersecurity requirments are anticapited?

If system is stand alone = minimal / if system requires connectivity = Standard Cyber security protocals are required.

38 What small business (or goals) are anticapited? Determined by FAR and Contracting Office for determination.

Will the USG make OFPand aircraft specific technical data available to the successful offerer? Yes

Is the USCG open to other types of training devices besides or in addition to just the FFS and OTD devices described in the RFI? I.e. –. Is the USCG interested in any supplemental training aids or devices to support a 550-pilot throughput envisioned by 2040? Or are we free to propose possible alternative solutions beyond the FFS and OTD?

Yes, the USCG is interested in all options available to meet training throughput needs

41 Does the USCG have an estimated number of FFS and OTDs that would be required to support a 550-pilot training throughput? Multi FFS & Or OTD/OFT

Portability: HC-130J cargo bay 10 ft x 9 ft x 41 ft Q: is 10’ the height or width dimension? Is 9’ the height or width dimension. We assume 41’ is length

The standard USCG HC-130J has a cargo hold that is 40 feet long, 10 feet wide, and 9 feet high

Can the Government confirm availability and ownership of MH-60T aircraft and avionics data package? I.e. Is there an existing Government-owned OFP?

The USCG currently owns and operates the MH-60T, having its own unique SAR and avionics package.

44 Does the USCG require or prefer motion for the Mobile OTDs? Motion is not required for OFT but if available = ideal

Can the Government provide a notional timeline for RFP, contract award, and Ready For-Training (RFT) dates? FY-25/26 award -- FY 27/28 delivered ready for use

“Compatible with MH-60T upgrades” Q1: Is this referring to aircraft upgrades (concurrency)? If so, who will be responsible for developing and integrating the simulator upgrades? I.e. – will the Government be able to provide BFI/BFE to support those upgrades? A develpoer or provider of upgrades may be required.

47 Q2: Does this mean avionics upgrades? yes 48 Will any of the simulation devices actually require FAA qualification, or are the standards used for civilian-equivalent level benchmarks for objective requirements and standards?

USCG will follow FAA standards, althought the USCG will self certify all systems for training needs.

49 If the Government does not own the OFP, will the Government make an aircraft available for flight testing and data collection to support the development of one.

Further dertimination of what is required to support development is needed, the USCG will make efforts to support development if required.

Will the USCG supply a SME during the design and development phase of the FFS/OTD to ensure both objective and subjective requirements are met successfully prior to delivery (reduce risk)? yes

51 What, if any, Government Furnished Information or Government Furnished Equipment can be expected to be provided? GFI will be made available to support development as required

52 Does the Government anticipate construction of new buildings/facilities to house FFS or does the Government expect that current infrastructure and space is enough to support FFS? If so, does the Government expect that more than one FFS will need to be acquired?

Multi FFS may be required, Housing limitations exist and the USCG is in process of supporting construction if housing Flight Simulators and related training devices.

53 OEM data packages and avionics hardware or re-host to include any avionics OEM license costs are major cost drivers. Does the Government anticipate being able to negotiate Government Purpose Rights on the aircraft or avionics? If not, does the Government expect to pay a one-time only fee that the USCG is then able to furnish to any and all quantity of simulators or devices? I.e.

– no double-dipping on OEM license fees since it has been paid once by the Government (and its taxpayers)

The USCG has OEM data packages available to support FFS/OTD/CPT/OFD development and or can support obtaining shuch licenses as required.

54 Can the Government provide a list of expected upgrades to include timeframe? not at this time

Will the FFS/OTD provider need to incorporate those upgrades as part of the initial contract or will contract modifications be expected once more information about the type and time of upgrade is known? A provider may be required to support upgrades