Land Based Strategic Deterrent (LBSD) Delivery Vehicle Request for Information (RFI). Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) is investigating potential concepts to support the LBSD Analysis of Alternatives (AoA) Study for the next generation deterrent system. This RFI initiates a concept call for transformational delivery vehicles meeting the Land Based Strategic Nuclear Deterrent Mission Need Statement (MNS) and LBSD Concept of Operations (CONOPS). In addition, the AoA will study each concept's potential as a multiple-use platform; that is, how it might satisfy, or partially satisfy, other AFSPC mission needs such as Prompt Global Strike and Operationally Responsive Spacelift. Concepts should address enhanced performance, decreased manpower and reduced maintenance and operations footprint. Commensurate with this concept call, this RFI requests an assessment of the feasibility, technical maturity and growth potential of the enabling technologies for each concept. This is one of multiple RFIs that will address the entire next generation deterrent system. The Air Force (AF) anticipates a future competitive evolutionary acquisition program starting in 2005 or 2006 to begin replacing the existing system in 2018. This RFI includes the following sub-system areas: propulsion, guidance, re-entry systems and re-entry vehicles. The next generation deterrent system may be based in existing Minuteman III (MM III) silos, with significantly updated supporting infrastructure, where necessary. The system may also use innovative deployment and basing strategies in addition to or in place of existing MM III silos, including but not limited to: mobile basing, fixed basing with mobile elements, new silo schema, etc. Operations, maintenance and logistics concepts should be addressed. A description of how this concept fits into the overarching weapon system infrastructure may also be addressed. Proposed infrastructure should comply with the DoD Joint Technical Architecture requirements, interoperability and survivability standards. All concepts should address applicability of the AF Enterprise Architecture Framework. AFSPC is soliciting concepts from Industry, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, AF Labs and Product Centers. The AoA study may construct Government alternatives from concepts submitted in response to this RFI. Alternatives will be evaluated based on cost and effectiveness. Effectiveness is assessed against the Measures of Effectiveness (MOEs) and Measures of Performance (MOPs) in the AoA Study Plan. Results of the AoA will be provided to key decision makers in anticipation of a future acquisition, but the government does not anticipate releasing the results. Interested parties should visit the LBSD website at www.hill.af.mil/icbm/lm4 to register and obtain additional information. The website contains the MNS, MOEs and MOPs, unclassified background information, desired system characteristics, acronyms, list of registered interested parties, industry day information as well as other information related to this effort. Access to classified weapon system information and Department of Defense Unclassified Controlled Nuclear Information will only be available to registered parties with appropriate security clearances on site at the ICBM SPO at Hill AFB, UT. RFI submissions should include: 1) A concept overview with description, diagrams, and interfaces; 2) Capabilities of the concept, mapped to the key attributes and the enabling technology with associated maturity needed to implement; 3) To the extent possible, life cycle costs/schedule associated with RDT&E, Procurement, Sustainment and Disposal; 4) Key performance characteristics to enable effective modeling and assessment; 5) Additional information or recommendations. Respondents are required to submit concepts via the format found at the website. Please limit company overviews associated with the submissions to two (2) pages. Classified information up to Top Secret may be submitted in separate appendices and marked accordingly. Total submissions should not exceed 50 pages for each concept. Provide five hard copies and four electronic copies (on compact discs). The evaluation team will use Microsoft Office 2000 or Adobe Acrobat Reader for evaluating electronic submissions. Proprietary RFI submissions will be protected consistent with markings. Responses are due by 5:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time, 21 November 2003. The Government anticipates an AoA Industry Day (ID) prior to submittal of the concepts. This ID will further describe the Government's AoA activities and vision for the future, and provide the opportunity for questions and answers. Details for this ID will be provided at the website. Questions may be addressed via the website. After the submission of the concepts, additional opportunities for questions/answers with registered individual respondents are anticipated. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS RFI OR TO OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this contemplated effort. This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as a request for proposal or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this RFI or the Government's use of such information. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or in part, any contractor's input resulting from this RFI. Responses to this RFI will not be returned. Whatever information is provided in response to this RFI may be used to assess tradeoffs and alternatives available for determining how to proceed in the AoA. The information provided may be utilized by the AF in developing its acquisition strategy and in its Statement of Objective and Performance Specifications. The information resulting from this RFI may be included/combined with other submissions in one or more alternatives considered in the AoA study. Any proprietary information that is submitted may be used in establishing requirements of the future system but specific information will be safeguarded as proprietary. Please note: Submissions may be viewed by non-Government personnel. Under separate action the AF may contract to provide services such as technical, evaluation, and acquisition management support. Any such service contracts will contain an organizational conflict of interest clause that requires service contractors to protect the data and prohibits the service contractors from using the data for any purpose other than that for which the data was presented. Such contractor(s) may be precluded from proposing on LBSD. NUMBERED NOTES: 13 (not available for foreign competition)!!
