Inactive

SOURCES SOUGHT FOR AVIONICS TEST BENCH SUSTAINMENT SUPPORT SERVICES The Department of Defense, United States Air Force (USAF), Air Force Test Center (AFTC), Specialized Contracting Branch (PZIE) at Eg... SOURCES SOUGHT FOR AVIONICS TEST BENCH SUSTAINMENT SUPPORT SERVICES The Department of Defense, United States Air Force (USAF), Air Force Test Center (AFTC), Specialized Contracting Branch (PZIE) at Eglin AFB is currently conducting market research seeking capabilities statements from potential sources, including small businesses (SB), 8(a), HUBZone, Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned (EDWOSB), Woman-Owned (WOSB), and Service Disabled Veteran Owned (SDVOSB) small businesses that are capable of the requirement listed below. After receiving this notice, all interested vendors should submit a response demonstrating their capabilities to meet the requirements above to the POC listed below. Proposals are not being requested or accepted at this time. As stipulated in FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not considered offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. No solicitation (Request for Proposal) exists at this time; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. The decision to solicit for a contract shall be solely within the Government's discretion. The NAICS Code assigned to this acquisition is 541330, Engineering Services, Military and Aerospace Equipment and Military Weapons, with a size standard of $38.5. Respondents should indicate their size in relation to this size standard and indicate socio-economic status (i.e. SB, 8(a), HUBZone, EDWOSB, WOSB, or SDVOSB). Respondents are further requested to indicate their status as a Foreign-owned/Foreign-controlled firm and any contemplated use of foreign national employees on this effort. The Government reserves the right to consider a small business set-aside based upon responses hereto for any subsequent action. All prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database to be awarded a DoD contract. No set-aside decision has been made. Note that a key factor in determining an acquisition to be a Small Business Set Aside is that small business prime contractors must perform at least 50% of the effort, as defined in FAR Clause 52.219-14. Any information submitted by respondents to this sources sought is voluntary. This sources sought notice is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government reimburse any costs associated with the submission of information in response to this notice. Respondents will not be individually notified of the results of any government assessments. The Government's assessment of the responses received will factor into whether any forthcoming solicitation will be conducted as a full and open competition or as a set-aside for small business, or any particular small business program. AFTC/PZIE requires sustainment support for existing Ball Aerospace-developed Avionics Test Benches. Support will be required for a period of five (5) years post contract award. Description of sustainment support is in accordance with the following: REQUIREMENT DESCRIPTION: OBJECTIVE: The objective is for the 96th Cyberspace Test Group (CTG), Eglin AFB, FL, to contract for all Systems Engineering and Technical support necessary to provide sustaining upkeep for four (4) Ball Aerospace-developed Avionics Test Benches (ATB) (previously called the Avionics Test Bed) throughout the life of the contract. It is anticipated that the 96 CTG dependency on the Contractor for sustainment functions will decrease over time as 96 CTG personnel gain proficiency. DESCRIPTION OF PRODUCTS AND SERVICES. The contract will be for Systems Engineering and Technical support for the ATBs owned by the 96 CTG throughout the life cycle of the system. The Contractor shall furnish all personnel, equipment, labor, tools, materials, supervision, transportation and other items and services necessary to provide sustaining support for four (4) Ball Aerospace-developed ATBs. Life cycle support is defined as the activity necessary to define concepts, define requirements, plan, manage, develop, sustain, modify, improve, train, field, and retire systems and system computer resources in a timeframe necessary to meet customer needs. Contractor Support and Services will typically occur at any of the following locations: the Contractor's site; 96 CTG sites at Eglin AFB, FL, San Antonio, TX, and Edwards AFB, CA; off-site test locations where the mobile ATBs are being used during test activities. The PWS will apply to system and allocated resource requirements necessary to promote system Reliability/ Availability/ Maintainability and productivity improvement needs in the following application areas: (1) Tactical/Operational, (2) Training, (3) Maintenance and Diagnostics, (4) Non-Tactical, and (5) Development Support. System upgrades generally will focus on enabling system capability to support evolving threat requirements. Hardware and software may be installed by the Contractor during scheduled visits or by site personnel. Examples of items and services to be provided by the Contractor include but are not limited to: technical engineering support, parts (e.g., spare parts, repair parts, new components related to upgrades), software support, technical engineering telephone and on-site support, reach-back support, cyber test requirements development, cyber tests design, and Avionics Vulnerability Assessment System (AVAS) software modules development, etc. DESCRIPTION OF THE AVIONICS TEST BENCH. The 96 CTG owns a total of four (4) ATBs (one fixed and one mobile test bench capability located at each of two sites, Eglin AFB, FL and Edwards AFB, CA). The ATBs are used to support the Avionics cyber testing mission. The ATB (is a Ball Aerospace test capability that uses Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)-developed, Government owned AVAS software as its central capability. This technology provides a modular software and hardware architecture with a standardized set of interfaces that allows for rapid integration of simulation models and avionics hardware interfaces to the system. It delivers an end-to-end reference system that can be used to integrate current, new or updated technologies from platform program offices to validate and demonstrate capabilities in flight representative environments, enabling the discovery and mitigation of vulnerabilities. Additionally, AVAS provides automated support for setup and reconfiguration to create a highly configurable and repeatable testing environment. As new tests are required, configurations can be adapted quickly to set up a new environment. AVAS also provides the capability to record inputs from real weapon systems and replay the data back to a weapon system in the testbed environment. Another powerful feature is the AutoVal test script capability. AutoVal enables test engineers to create and execute test scripts that automatically generate inputs to the Unit Under Test (UUT) and check the correctness of outputs from the UUT. These automated tests allow for fuzz testing of interfaces and monitoring to observe the system's response. PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS. The Contractor shall provide engineers to assist the 96 CTG in supporting its Cyber mission. The Contractor shall provide all management, technical, and non-technical skills adequate for accomplishment of these efforts. Tasks described in the following paragraphs shall be performed predominantly on-site at the various 96 CTG facilities or at the Contractor's site. Program Management. The Contractor shall provide program management, to include support, administration and all tasks associated with the management of the overall program. Work includes but is not limited to: a. Provide contract work breakdown structure for updates. b. Attend technical reviews and audits and make presentations to and provide resources to the 96 CTG in the following reviews/audits: Contract performance and cost; quarterly status reviews and monthly status reports; technical reviews and audits; and written plans/summaries/reports/briefings addressing management and subcontractors, technical approach/methodology, schedules, travel, and incidental material/equipment for each update. Systems Engineering. The Contractor shall provide technical expertise in applying the systems engineering process throughout the system life cycle or development of new products and/or existing system products. This includes support for architecture tasks, analysis, setup and operation of the system. The systems engineering process will be applied during each level of system development using accepted government standards. Working as part of a government/ contractor team, the Contractor shall: a. Participate in meetings between the 96 CTG and 96 CTG customers/pertinent system related personnel (e.g., personnel representing the user, Product Assurance, and Configuration Control Board (CCB)). Minutes shall be prepared regarding system level changes and the resulting implication for the computer resources, ensuring that user requirements are clearly stated and understood, and that all concerned understand the potential effect on the system. b. Participate in all systems engineering related technical reviews. c. As requested, provide detailed task descriptions, allocation of system engineering, hardware, and software efforts and details on delivery of system engineering products. d. Participate in the development, installation, checkout, and maintenance of tactical and commercial software development environment (SDE) equipment and software. The software shall be tested in laboratory, tactical and operationally representative environments. The Contractor shall provide personnel to operate these SDEs. The Contractor shall provide support in modifying and updating all the associated SDEs as a result of system or software modifications made to the ATB for which the SDE was established. e. The Contractor shall thoroughly test and ensure ATB integration compatibility with the AFRL Vampire Military Standard (Mil STD) 1553 Databus Logger and the Cyber-Physical Intrusion Detection System (CIDS) software. f. The Contractor shall support Continuous Modernization and Improvement of hardware and software and methods to help ensure ATB development is responsive to the ever-changing cyber threat environment and the capability stays relevant and representative. g. Provide follow-on engineering support for specific weapon system assessments. ATB Contractor development support includes but is not limited to: • Providing assessment of requirements to configure the ATB for specified tests • Developing models to stimulate avionics LRUs appropriately for the test • Developing avionics hardware to support integration with the ATB • Performing integration of hardware and software to support testing • Modifying the ATB to support additional desired capabilities • Performing Reverse Engineering of LRUs to support integration with the ATB Developer's Interoperability Analyses/Requirements Definition/Tests. The Contractor shall participate in analyses of system interoperability requirements and interoperability tests and demonstrations. The Contractor shall work closely with Massachusetts Institute of Technology/Lincoln Labs (MIT/LL) and the 96 CTG on the development of the ACR Avionics Test Lab tool integration with the ATB as the foundational element. Developer's System Test Program. The Contractor shall participate in the development of a test program for a system when approved by the government. This testing will validate that all system requirements, both hardware and software, have been satisfied. System Demonstrations/Operational Tests/User Evaluations. The Contractor shall provide technical expertise, support, and prototypes, as required, of components, subsystems, or systems required by 96 CTG customers for efforts such as demonstrations, operational testing, Warfighter experiments/evaluations, human factors optimization, personnel performance and other early customer evaluations. These customer evaluation units shall be provided for distribution to obtain needed feedback prior to final design and/or to facilitate maturation of the Technical Data Package. The Contractor shall also provide representation in an ATB User's Group forum meeting quarterly that will provide a venue for 96 CTG testers/users of the ATB to exchange test experiences and hear about external test user practices. Software Requirements. The Contractor shall perform software requirements analysis and development, software design, software integration, code and unit test tailored for the specific project. The Contractor shall provide ATB and specifically AVAS module development support with the ultimate long-term goal of transferring this knowledge and capability to the 96 CTG for in-house support. The Contractor shall also develop and conduct software test programs tailored for the specific project. The Contractor shall also perform Simulations and Support Software Development for systems/software specified by the government. The 96 CTG Project Lead will determine the kinds and number of technical reviews to be held for a simulation and support software build. Hardware Requirements. The Contractor shall perform analyses/development of the hardware requirements as allocated from the system requirements. The requirements analysis shall include the hardware/software interface, human factors, reliability, maintainability, and safety issues. The Contractor shall perform hardware design of systems, subsystems, and/or integration of hardware systems. Hardware design shall be documented by drawings. The Contractor shall produce prototype hardware for integration testing and production prove-out. Software formal testing shall be performed using the prototype hardware. The Contractor shall perform assembly and test for specific systems. The Contractor shall update and maintain the system hardware as directed by the Government. Accreditation Requirements. The Contractor shall assist the 96 CTG Information System Security Managers on documentation, supporting material, and identification of security controls for a Risk Management Framework accreditation. Training. It shall be the responsibility of the Contractor to adequately train all Contractor personnel. The Contractor shall develop and conduct tailored formal and informal system training for the customer and user. Training shall address ATB operation, AVAS software utilization, and Operational Test scenario development. The development of training materials, including content development, may be required. Training will typically be conducted at 96 CTG sites located at: Eglin AFB, FL; Edwards AFB, CA; and Port San Antonio/Medina Annex, TX. Formal Training should be augmented with tutorials, seminars, and timely overviews provided to the user/customer. The Contractor shall update training materials and provide additional training as required to address ATB software enhancements and expanded capabilities. Transition Support. There is a transition period following system development and prior to the 96 CTG assuming software support responsibility from another developer, during which time the 96 CTG typically assesses available support facilities, tools, technical data packages and system software supportability for the designated system. During transition, the Contractor shall perform the following tasks and report all technical findings. Working as part of a government/contractor team, the Contractor shall: a. Participate in the review of all software, software documentation, test results, and provide Reports to the government concerning supportability and deficiencies. b. Participate in: Assessment of the adequacy of hardware and software tools; development/modification of appropriate hardware and software support tools; establishment of appropriate hardware and software maintenance capabilities; assessment of system software and support software technical data packages and hardware support facilities; assessment of the software supportability environment; assessment of the software design for supportability and, if appropriate, interoperability capability. c. Provide demonstrations and provide input in evaluation/development/ modifications of computer resource life cycle documentation and post deployment support and plans. Software/Hardware Fielding/User Support. The Contractor shall provide resources for the fielding of the final product. This includes such things as copying the executable software to the media used to deliver to the end user, providing electronic distribution of the software, coordinating the distribution with the end user, maintaining distribution records of software versions installed on end user hardware, and delivering software/systems to the end user. The Contractor shall provide operational support for hardware systems and software products. Configuration Management (CM). CM is a high priority of the 96 CTG. The Contractor shall support consistent software versioning across the Avionics Test Bench inventory. The Contractor shall also ensure that the ATB systems underlying Windows Operating system is a current and patchable platform. The Contractor shall support a software change request process to address software deficiencies (deficiency tracking), requested enhancements, and usability improvements (engineering change proposals). The Contractor shall establish and implement a Developer Change Control (DCC) program in order to control daily change activity to hardware, software, documentation and drawings prior to formal baseline by the 96 CTG Configuration and Data Management (CADM) function and then work in conjunction with the CADM for changes to a formal baseline. Non-System Specific Support. The Contractor shall provide a broad-based capability of general systems and computer resources expertise for the 96 CTG non-system specific mission tasks such as defined in subparagraphs (a) through (f). Working as part of a government/ contractor team, the Contractor shall: a. Provide common infrastructure systems facilities assessments and analyses. b. Participate in the requirements definition/development/implementation, demonstration and related training for state-of-the-art hardware and productivity tools. c. Participate in meetings, seminars and conferences, as required, for the 96 CTG non-system functions, including Software Process Improvement, Planning, Safety, Configuration Management, and Quality Assurance (QA)/Quality Control (QC). d. Participate in software process assessments, software process improvement planning, software process documentation, organization metrics collection, metrics analysis and metrics reporting. e. Conduct Research and Development of technologies for customer requirements. Research may be conducted with emerging technologies. f. Design and development of solutions using emerging technologies. g. Implement solutions, training and user support for tasks utilizing emerging technologies. Developer System/Software Quality Assurance Program. The Contractor shall use the 96 CTG QA procedures for reference purposes and shall establish and implement a developer system/software quality program. The system/software quality program shall be consistent with the 96 CTG QA plans, practices, the 96 CTG tools and operating procedures. The quality program shall apply to all deliverable products provided by the Contractor. The Contractor shall perform Quality Control (QC) under the umbrella of QA as defined per 96 CTG procedures. Systems Engineering Support to Acquisition. The Contractor shall support 96 CTG in assessment and execution of development by providing the following technical support to the three elements of the DoD acquisition decision-making support system. a. The Contractor shall support the development and analysis of technical requirements. b. The Contractor shall support development to technical documentation supporting 96 CTG and its customers in defining technical solutions. c. The Contractor shall provide the technical analysis supporting the DoD strategic planning, program development, and resource determination process. (End of Description) CAPABILITIES STATEMENT: All interested U.S. vendors should submit a response that explicitly demonstrates their capability to provide/perform the requirement stated in this notice. Details shall also be specified concerning the commerciality of the supplies to be provided such as previous contracts with commercial entities. The response should be brief and concise, yet clearly demonstrate an ability to meet the stated requirement. The response must not exceed fifty (50) pages, 8.5" x 11" paper, 12 pitch, Times New Roman font, with a minimum of one (1) inch margins all around. Responses should include the company name, CAGE code, point of contact, address, and phone number. Small businesses with only partial capabilities of this requirement are encouraged to submit their response demonstrating the portion of the requirement they are capable of providing/performing. This information will allow the Government to identify areas of possible breakout or possible subcontracting opportunities. All correspondence sent via email shall contain a subject line that reads "Avionics Test Bench Sources Sought". If this subject line is not included, the e-mail may not get through e-mail filters at Eglin AFB. Filters are designed to delete emails without a subject or with a suspicious subject or attachment. Attachments with files ending in .zip or .exe are not allowable and will be deleted. Ensure only .pdf, .doc, .docx, .xsls, or .xls documents are attached to your email. All other attachments may be deleted. Package sizes greater than 5 megabytes shall be submitted via the ARL Secure Access File Exchange, located at https://safe.arl.army.mil/. All responsible sources may submit information that shall be considered by the agency. If late information is received, it may be considered, depending on agency time constraints. All routine communications regarding the announcement should be directed to the contractual point of contact listed in this posting. The Government may or may not use any responses to this sources sought as a basis for a subsequent project/requirement. Any project/requirement developed from the sources sought responses may be the subject of a subsequent acquisition; any such subsequent acquisition will be posted in FedBizOpps.gov separately. Responses to this sources sought will not be returned. The Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received, or provide feedback to the respondents with respect to any of the information submitted under this sources sought. No requests for a bid package or solicitation will be accepted; a bid package or solicitation does not exist at this time. In order to protect the integrity of any possible future acquisition, no additional information will be provided and no appointments for presentations will be made in reference to this sources sought. Only Government employees will review submitted responses to this sources sought. Respondents are advised that employees of commercial firms under contract with the Government may be used to administratively process submissions and perform other administrative duties requiring access to other contractor's proprietary information. These administrative support contractors include nondisclosure agreements prohibiting their contractor employees from disclosing any information submitted by other contractors or using such information for any purpose other than that for which it was furnished. RESPONSES ARE DUE NO LATER THAN 3:00 P.M. (CENTRAL) ON 1 MARCH 2019. Direct all questions concerning this requirement to the POC Nick Griswold at nicholas.griswold.2@us.af.mil.