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*** FAA Responses to Interested Party Questions *** The purpose of this announcement is to provide FAA responses to Interested Party Questions. While the Agency believes that interested parties do not... *** FAA Responses to Interested Party Questions *** The purpose of this announcement is to provide FAA responses to Interested Party Questions. While the Agency believes that interested parties do not require the information being provided to be able to submit capability statements to this market survey, the FAA has no reason not to provide information that may become useful if a Screening Information Request / Request for Offer (SIR/RFO) is issued for this requirement. 1. Can the FAA provide the list of the proprietary components of the TSS and by whom each is owned? FAA response: Yes, the proprietary MaxSim system software used in the TSS systems is made by Adacel Systems, Inc. The original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for all hardware components used in the TSS systems are provided in Section 3.12 of the draft TSS Statement of Work (SOW) which was included with the TSS Market Survey. 2. Has the FAA obtained the required updates, rights, and licenses for those proprietary components such that the successful bidder would be able to fulfill its requirements? FAA response: Yes, the FAA has obtained licenses to use the proprietary MaxSim system software in all TSS systems. 3. Can the FAA provide a list of all contractors supporting the TSS Program on both full and open and small business contracts? FAA response: The FAA currently has one TSS contract which was awarded in 2017. Adsync Technologies, Inc. was the small business set-aside, competed, awardee of this TSS contract. 4. Are you interested also in alternative solutions (for instance based on the same HW structure but new SW), for your system? (Given that you can achieve the same training capacity and quality, same size and distribution, but with lower LCC/TCO – when compared to today’s solution.) FAA response: The FAA will not consider an alternative system software for this TSS Support contract. The system software currently used in all TSS systems will be provided as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) and must be used in the new TSS contract. The FAA procures the system software for TSS systems from a separate contract. The FAA welcomes interested companies to submit a proposal for a new TSS system software contract if and when a FAA screening information request (SIR) is posted. *** End of FAA Responses to Interested Party Questions *** 1. INTRODUCTION/PURPOSE The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has a requirement for program management and technical, operational, maintenance and support services for the FAA’s Tower Simulation Systems (TSSs), which are used for training air traffic controllers at FAA Air Traffic Control Towers (ATCT). The purpose of this announcement is to conduct a Market Survey to solicit statements of interest and capabilities from interested vendors in accordance with FAA Acquisition Management System (AMS) Policy 3.2.1.2.1. This announcement is NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) NOR IS IT A REQUEST FOR QUOTE (RFQ). The FAA is not seeking or accepting unsolicited proposals. The FAA will not pay for any information received or cost incurred in preparing the responses to this Market Survey or associated activities. Therefore, any costs associated with the submission of responses are solely at the interested vendor’s expense. The nature of the competition that will be conducted for this procurement has not been finalized at this time. The FAA will review the responses to this Market Survey and will make acquisition decisions based on vendor responses and the FAA’s needs. The FAA may decide to do a full and open competition or set aside all or part of this procurement for small businesses, Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Business (SEDB) vendors that are 8(a) certified, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSBs), Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) small businesses, Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB), Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB) and/or Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB) vendors. The Principal North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 541512, Computer Systems Design Services, with a SBA size standard of $30M in average annual receipts. This Market Survey must not be construed as an obligation on the part of the FAA to acquire these services. Since this is not a RFQ or RFP, no results will be issued to the responding firms. No solicitation for these items exists at this time. If a solicitation is issued, it will be announced on the SAM.gov website. It is the vendor’s responsibility to monitor the website for release of the solicitation. The FAA may request that one, some, all, or none of the responders to the Market Survey provide additional information. No evaluation of vendors will occur based on this additional information, and vendor participation in any informational session is not a promise for future business with the FAA. All information, except that which qualifies under an exemption, provided in response to this Market Survey may be subject to release under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Information considered proprietary or confidential must be clearly marked as such. Any information not identified as proprietary or confidential will be used at the FAA’s discretion and may be publicly released without further FOIA disclosure review by the FAA or respondent(s). 2. TSS DESCRIPTION AND BACKGROUND The TSS is a high fidelity, 3D visual display system that emulates air traffic control (ATC) operations at selected airports and is used to train air traffic controllers in a simulated operational ATCT environment. The TSS uses voice recognition technology and display systems that show a high-fidelity graphic representation of the airport environment, ground radar, communications, and airport radar systems for airborne movements. Each TSS is capable of loading visuals and scenarios for any airport in which a TSS Visual Database (VDB) has been built. The TSS can provide an unlimited number of different airport databases and can simulate operations as a “hub” airport or as a “satellite” airport. For example, a TSS operating as a “hub” airport at the Atlanta, GA Hartsfield international airport can, within minutes, display and simulate operations at nearby “satellite” airports such as Birmingham, GA and Montgomery, GA regional airports. Each satellite airport within commuting distance of the hub airport makes it possible to train developmental controllers at many nearby airports. In addition to developmental controller training, the TSS provides for refresher training and skill enhancement to heighten awareness of controllers for seldom seen operations and airport conditions. The TSS is also used to train controllers on new ATC procedures and operations. The TSS is a completely standalone system that realistically replicates ATCT operations and enables training to be conducted in a safe environment. It does not interact with operational air traffic control systems; poses no threat of service disruption; allows training to be independent of the density or complexity of actual air traffic operations; and is not connected to the internet for security purposes. The student “works through” an established set of scenarios during the course of their training. The TSS is also used in non-training applications. It supports the development and implementation of site surveys for proposed new construction on or near an airfield, as well as assisting in the planning of new runways or changes in local arrival or departure procedures in an accurate and safe simulated ATC environment. The FAA currently has 57 permanently installed TSS Large and Small systems with more than 200 VDBs located at 40 airports; the FAA ATC Academy in Oklahoma City, OK; and the William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic City, NJ. One of the 57 TSS systems is provided by the FAA as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) on the current TSS contract and is used by the TSS contractor for engineering design, test & evaluation, and maintenance support. The FAA also has 42 TSS Mobile Units which are smaller and transportable versions of the permanently installed TSS systems. See Attachment A to this Market Survey for the specific locations of each of the 57 FAA TSS Large and Small systems. A picture of a typical TSS installation is provided in Attachment B for informational purposes. 3. TSS SERVICES AND SUPPORT REQUIRED UNDER THIS PROCUREMENT The TSS program management, technical, operation, maintenance, and support services that will be required under the contemplated contract include, but are not limited to, the following: Program management Engineering services System maintenance Technical data management Integrated logistics support Hardware and software support Technical Help Desk support TSS operations training services On-site technical field support Procurement and installation of additional TSS systems Procurement and installation of TSS commercial off the shelf (COTS) hardware components and software for replacement/sustainment purposes Relocation of existing TSS systems and equipment Procurement, scheduling, deployment, and maintenance of TSS Mobile Units Development of new and modification of existing TSS VDBs, Models, Liveries (paint scheme of a model, e.g., airline logos, emergency vehicles, etc.) and Training Scenarios Procurement and installation of TSS hardware changes System hardware and software configuration management for each TSS system Specific requirements are included in the Draft Statement of Work (SOW) for TSS support, included as Attachment C to this announcement. Note: Contract Data Requirements Lists (CDRLs) and attachments referenced in the Draft SOW are not included as part of this announcement. Should the FAA release a solicitation for the requirements described herein, referenced CDRLs and attachments will be included with the solicitation as necessary. 4. CAPABILITY STATEMENT AND BUSINESS DECLARATION FORM Interested firms that believe they have the management, resources, and technical ability to meet these requirements, as defined herein and in Attachment C, should address each of the TSS requirements listed in Attachment D, Contractor’s Capability Statement, of this Market Survey in terms of your firm’s capabilities, qualifications, and experience. If an interested vendor is not currently capable in one or more of the TSS requirements listed in Attachment D, the contractor should include in their capability statement detailed plans for obtaining these currently unavailable capabilities no later than 11/15/2022. Responses from interested vendors must demonstrate experience and proven capabilities working with electronic systems technically equivalent to the TSS in an environment similar to the FAA ATCT environment with a proven record of providing timely and efficient support services. Required submission format: Electronic submissions only. Total number of pages to be submitted should not exceed 25 pages in Times New Roman 12 point font with one inch margins on all four sides. Note that the FAA’s email system is limited to receiving attachments that are not larger than 10 MB. Interested vendors are also required to complete and submit Attachment E, Business Declaration Form, and provide a copy of their SBA 8(a) certification letter, if applicable. Written questions or comments about this Market Survey must be submitted to Robert.C.Taylor-II@faa.gov and received no later than 4:30 PM EST on Friday, 2/4/2022. Phone calls will not be accepted. Any amendment(s) issued to this announcement will be published on SAM.gov. It is the interested parties’ responsibility to visit this website frequently to be informed of any changes to this announcement. All responses to this Market Survey must be provided in accordance with the instructions in this announcement and attachments by no later than 4:30 PM EST on Friday, 3/4/2022 to Robert.C.Taylor-II@faa.gov. Attachments: Tower Simulation System (TSS) Site Locations and VDB List TSS Installation Picture Draft Statement of Work – TSS Support Contractor Capabilities Statement Business Declaration Form