AFSOC Contracted Close Air Support

Added: Jun 23, 2015 3:04 pm Modified: Oct 23, 2015 3:33 pmTrack Changes

This is a Request for Proposal (RFP) for Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command (HQ AFSOC) at Hurlburt Field, FL.  The period of performance is scheduled to commence on 15 January  2015. The initial period of performance will be 12 months with (3) three 12 month option periods. The Government will conduct a full trade off source selection in accordance with department and agency procedures. This requirement is set aside for small business under NAICS 481219 with a small business size standard of $15,000,000. It is the responsibility of the prospective offeror to review this site regularly for updates.  For information on Small Business Administration programs, please contact the Small Business Administration.

 "Notice to Offeror(s)/Supplier(s): Funds are not presently available for this effort. No award will be made under this solicitation until funds are available. The Government reserves the right to cancel this solicitation, either before or after the closing date. In the event the Government cancels this solicitation, the Government has no obligation to reimburse an offeror for any costs."

Added: Jul 16, 2015 4:20 pm Modified: Oct 23, 2015 3:33 pmTrack Changes

Added: Jul 16, 2015 4:20 pm

In addition to the original NAICS of 481219 - Other Nonscheduled Air Transportation, AFICA/765th SCONF would also like to include NAICS code 541330- Exception a -Engineering Services, Military and Aerospace Equipment and Military Weapons for which the size standard is $38.5M. 

This change will also extend the response date from 16 July 2015 to 22 July 2015 @1200pm CST.

Added: Jun 23, 2015 3:04 pm  

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION/SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS (RFI/SSS)
AFSOC Contracted Close Air Support (CCAS)

HQ AFSOC / AFICA 765th SCONF; Hurlburt Field, Florida

23 Jun 2015

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION/SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS (RFI/SSS)

FOR PLANNNING PURPOSES ONLY. THIS REQUEST IS NOT A SOLICITATION. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. REQUESTS FOR A SOLICITATION WILL NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE.

This RFI is being issued for the purpose of developing a potential viable solicitation that will best communicate the Government's requirements to industry.  Response to this RFI  is strictly voluntary and will not affect any Contractor's ability to submit an offer if, or when, a solicitation is released. However, we highly encourage your firm to respond.  The subject RFI is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment, implied travel, & relocation or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued.  There is no entitlement to payment by the Government of direct or indirect costs or charges that arise as a result of the submission of information in response to this RFI.  The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any improperly identified proprietary information.  Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations.

Respondents of this RFI may be requested to provide additional clarification information/details based on their initial submittals.

General and Project Information:

Headquarters Air Force Special Operations Command, Air Force Installation Contracting Agency (AFICA) 765th Specialized Contracting Flight (765th SCONF), located at Hurlburt Field, Florida which supports the 24th Special Operations Wing (SOW) seeks Live and Dry Close Air Support (CAS) and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) sorties to support AFSOC Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) initial and mission qualifications, currency and proficiency training throughout multiple CONUS locations. (Annex 1) The contractor would be required to provide all aircraft, personnel, equipment and support personnel required to perform these services. The 24 SOW is estimating 270 hrs of Live CAS in support of the Special Operations Terminal Attack Controller Course (SOTACC) and 700 hrs mixed (500 dry/200 live) in support of other Special Tactics Squadrons.  Dry CAS sorties would consist of operating and maintaining high performance tactically relevant aircraft for air-to ground tracking, targeting, and CAS/ISR operations, to include associated equipment systems that interface with various platforms and ground force personnel.  Dry CAS would simulate multiple delivery profiles to include low and high angle strafe, level, loft, pop-up, and dive deliveries. Live CAS will execute multiple delivery profiles to include high and low angle strafe with 7.62 guns, level, loft, pop-up, and dive in delivery of BDU-33's.  This action is to conduct market researchand identify potential offerors and industry interest in the effort as described herein.  All interested and qualified sources are encouraged to respond with questions and suggestions for the Government in order to mitigate risk if a requirement was to materialize.

This RFI/SSS does not constitute an invitation for bid, request for proposals (RFP), or request for quote (RFQ), nor does the issuance restrict the Government's acquisition approach.  Potential companies shall not consider this request as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services nor as authority for the Government to enter into negotiations.  Any information received is considered market research and may be utilized by the Air Force (AF) in developing its Acquisition Strategy, Performance Work Statement (PWS) and performance specifications and metrics.

This market research will be used to assess the availability and adequacy of potential business sources prior to issuing an RFP.  The Government will not respond to or conduct formal debriefings to businesses as a part of this RFI/SSS.  The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs associated with submission of the information being requested or reimburse expenses incurred to interested parties for responses to this RFI/SSS.

Description:

The 24 SOW seeks support with Live and Dry CAS sorties in order to facilitate JTAC initial and mission qualification and currency.  Aircraft support will be conducted at multiple CONUS locations listed at (Annex 1).  Training wil consist of operating and maintaining high performance tactically-relevant aircraft for air-to-ground tracking, targeting, and Live and Dry CAS operations, to include associated equipment systems that interface with various platforms and ground force personnel.  In addition, the contractor shall provide aircraft, including but not limited to the Alpha Jet, A-4, L-39, L-59, BAC-167, MB-339, L-159E aircraft for use on this task.  The contractor will provide face-to-face mission debriefs to the JTAC instructors and trainees, focusing on Joint Publication 3-09.3, Joint Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Close Air Support (CAS) training.  The contractor shall provide all aircraft, aircrews, equipment and maintenance personnel to support Live and Dry CAS sorties flown. 

Instructions for Response:

Capability package responses shall include the businesses interest, qualification information, and past performance experience.  The packages must clearly present evidence that the interested party is fully capable of meeting the required services as described in the Scope of Services section of this RFI/SSS. Company brochures will not be considered adequate responses.

As this is a RFI/SSS document, initial prospective business responses should be in the form of a Capability Statement.  The Government recognizes that proprietary data may be submitted as part of this effort. If so, clearly mark such restricted or proprietary data.  The Capability Statement should include the following elements in this format:

1.  Prospective Business Identification  

a.  Company Name and Cage Code

b.  Address

c.  Phone Number

d.  Fax Number

e.  E-mail

f.  Point of Contact Information

g.  A website address that provides additional information about the prospective business

h.  The highest security clearance that your company currently holds.

i.  Identify whether your company is a Large or Small, Small disadvantaged, 8a, Woman- owned Small Business (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Woman-owned Small Business (EDWOSB), Veteran Owned Small Business (VOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), and/or HUB Zone Business (HBCU/MI).

j.  Identify if you are a large or small business under NAICS 481219.

k.  Identify average annual revenue for the past 3 years and number of employees.

2.  Describe your relevant capability to provide Live and Dry CAS listed at locations (Annex 1). A brief history of the prospective business, its experience and innovative approaches in providing the services listed above.

3.  Describe your plan for providing live munitions in support of the AFSOC CCAS effort. Requested munitions will be the BDU-33 and potentially 7.62 Strafing.  Training will primarily be conducted at Yuma Proving Grounds, AZ in support of the SOTACC and on select ranges listed in Annex1.  Please include information on your acquisition process to include past purchase invoices, storage and handling of munitions, and estimated cost per bomb.

4.  Explain the process your company utilizes to gain the certifications necessary to drop live munitions.  This will include the FAA certification to militarize commercial aircraft or recertify military aircraft purchased from foreign governments. How your aircraft get Weapons Danger Zone (WDZ) approval or certification. Contractor must be certified to drop live weapons on military ranges and provide a copy of HAF approval to employ ordnance. If you do not currently have the required certifications stated above, how long will it take you to gain them?

5. What is your company's aircraft maintenance plan? Include both your routine maintenance and depot level schedule. (i.e. 100 hr/500hr maintenance plan) Explain where your facilities are located for both routine and depot level maintenance. Is the work conducted in-house or outsourced to another vendor?  Disclose if you're partnered with other companies for maintenance.

6. Please advise your capability plan with staging aircraft at BOTH East and West coast areas as related to Annex 1.  What is your plan to minimize the amount of Ferry hours that the government will be charged?  Due to the level of effort the contractor must own at least 6 aircraft meeting the PWS requirements and provide the N number for aircraft listed in their proposal. The proposed training locations will be in the vicinity of Annex 1.

7. What is your DACAS solution? Contractor must have a demonstrated capability in executing Digitally Aided CASon contract with DoD JTACs. VMF protocol is preferred (BAO, BDAT, APASS, ATAK).

8. Safety: Must have proven safety practices with no mishaps, reportable incidents, or aircraft accidents within the last 5 years.  If there were any mishaps, please describe in detail the nature of the mishap. 

9.  The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this effort is code 481219. Please advise in your view, is the proposed NAICS code (481219) appropriate for this effort?

10.  Size standard is $15.0M

a. Identify size/socio-economic status and provide any other information that the AF should consider in reviewing the prospective business' response.

b. Businesses responding to this announcement should indicate their business size. "Small business" means small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, WOSB, and EDWOSB. If your business size is transitioning to other than "small business" in the next nine months, you must indicate this in your response.

11.  The responses shall be formatted as follows:

a. Page size shall be 8.5 x 11 inches; foldouts are permitted, but will be assessed towards the total page count.

b. Pages shall be single-spaced, single-sided. The Government considers each face of a sheet of paper containing information as a page. If a potential bidder provides material on both sides of a sheet, the Government will count this as two pages.

c. The font shall be Times New Roman and the font size shall be no less that twelve (12) point. Use at least 1-inch margins on the top and bottom and ¾ inch side margins.

d. Prepared using Microsoft Office 97 or higher and shall consist of one cover page identifying general company information. The cover page shall not count towards the 10 page limitation.

Questions regarding this RFI/SSS should be directed to the Contract Specialist, Jaime Collins, jaime.collins.2@us.af.mil,and the Contracting Officer, Capt Amanda Akimoff, amanda.akimoff.1@us.af.milWhen responding with questions to this RFI, populate subject line with: (Question/Suggestion) RFI/SSS FA0021-16-R-0001

Organizational Conflict of Interest:

Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) as defined and discussed in Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) Subpart9.5, Organizational and Consultant Conflicts of Interest, is a concern in all acquisitions across the Department of Defense. Early involvement with our industry partners is a key element of the OCI process, and it is critical for the Government to be able to identify any potential OCI issues as early as possible for an acquisition.  This would allow ample time to address and evaluate any potential OCIissues, if required, prior to contract award with minimal impact to critical acquisition schedules. Additional information about potential OCI issues is provided in a link that can be found at FedBizOpps website located at http://www.fbo.gov

Interested vendors are requested to evaluate your potential OCIissues with regard to this requirement for the required services, and the Vendor is encouraged to identify any OCI issues, as stated in FAR Subpart 9.5 to the Contracting Officer (CO).  This will assist the CO in determining if the vendor will need to submit an OCI Mitigation Plan for any solicitation that might result from this notice.

Due Date for Responses:

Capability package responses are due not later than 12:00 P.M. Central Standard Time, Thursday, 16 July 2015, and shall be sent electronically to the Contract Specialist, Jaime Collins, jaime.collins.2@us.af.mil and the Contracting Officer, Capt Amanda Akimoff, amanda.akimoff.1@us.af.mil ; Late responses may not be reviewed.

Responses to this RFI/SSS will not be returned.  When responding to this RFI, populate subject line with: RFI/SSS FA0021-16-R-0001.

Again, THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION/SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS (RFI/SSS) ONLY. THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. REQUESTS FOR A SOLICITATION WILL NOT RECEIVE A RESPONSE.  It is intended for market research and for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for the information submitted in responses.  Respondents will not be notified of the results. It is the responsibility of each company to monitor  https://www.fbo.gov/ for any further information or releases (if any).  All questions and/or suggestions will be considered in any potential requirement.

Scope of Services:

The primary focus of this RFI/SSS is to engage industry to provide questions and suggestions for possible Live and Dry CAS services for AFSOC, Hurlburt Field, Florida.  To reiterate the potential scope, the potential company shall supply all necessary aircraft, aircrews, equipment and maintenance personnel to support Live and Dry CAS sorties flown for multiple CONUSlocations listed in (Annex 1) and comply with CAS tactics, techniques, and procedures outlined in Joint Publication 3-09.3, J-Fire, AFI 11-214, local range procedures, and any other specific operating instructions related to operation of aircraft.

ANNEX 1

Potential Training Locations

The contractor should be prepared to provide aircraft for CAS training at or in the vicinity of these potential training locations:

EAST COAST:

•·         * Hurlburt Field AFB, FL

•·         * Avon Park Bombing Range, FL

•·         * Pinecastle Bombing Range, FL

•·         * Ft Benning, GA

•·         * Ft Stewart, GA

•·         * Ft Bragg, NC

WEST COAST:

•·         * Nellis AFB, NV

•·         * Cannon AFB, NM

•·         * Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA

•·         * Yuma Proving Grounds, AZ

Contracting Office Address:

427 Cody Avenue

Hurlburt Field, Florida 32544-5434

United States

Place of Performance: Hurlburt Field, Florida (Main) Hurlburt Field, Florida 32544

United States

Primary Point of Contact:

Jaime Collins, Contract Specialist

jaime.collins.2@us.af.mil

Phone: 8508844770

Secondary Point of Contact: Capt Amanda Akimoff, Contracting Officer

amanda.akimoff.1@us.af.mi

Phone: 8508846393