58--Retrofit of the AN/TPQ-53 Initial Production (IP) Radar Systems - Sources Sought

This SSA is being issued to obtain information from interested sources regarding their ability to satisfy the requirements for the retrofit of 19 AN/TPQ-53 IP Radar Systems, program management support, and the system and production acceptance testing (SAT and PAT) of each retrofitted system. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this SSA, or to otherwise pay for the information requested. This SSA shall not be considered as an invitation for bid, request for quotation, or request for proposal. It shall not be used as the basis for a proposal. The Government anticipates retrofit will be accomplished under a firm fixed price (FFP) delivery order (DO) issued under the Global Tactical Advanced Communications System (GTACS) contract W15P7T-13-D-0010. The draft PWS is attached to this announcement. The AN/TPQ-53 Performance Specification (77A582901) is available upon request. Program Overview: The AN/TPQ-53 Radar System will serve as the Army's replacement for the AN/TPQ-36 and AN/TPQ-37 Radar Systems. The AN/TPQ-53 Radar System shall satisfy known, current, and future force concept requirements by interfacing with the global information grid and future force battle command systems. The AN/TPQ-53 Radar System provides the Warfighter with continuous and responsive counter-battery target acquisition for all types and phases of military operations. The AN/TPQ-53 Radar System is a highly mobile radar that will detect projectiles in-flight, as well as determine and communicate the firing point location of rockets, artillery and mortars (RAM). It will be deployable and capable of operation in varying terrain and climatic conditions. The system shall provide both 90 and 360 degree azimuth detection coverage against all threats at increased ranges, enhanced human machine interface, ease of programmability, and built-in capacity for growth. It also will accurately locate and classify hostile weapon locations at greater ranges and coverage patterns to permit more effective detection and counter-battery fires. Current and future forces have a critical and immediate need for a RAM locating system that provides 360 degree detection coverage to mitigate capability gaps in force protection and target detection. Current indirect fire detection systems lack the mobility and agility to meet the requirements of the supported force and are too large and slow to support units in all types of military operations. Brigade combat teams and field artillery brigades must quickly secure the operational area and the current counter fire systems introduce unnecessary risk to operations. Request for Information: In providing your response to this announcement, please ensure you address all of the following questions as well as provide any additional data/information you feel necessary for the Government to assess your capabilities in support of the retrofit. 1) Company name, cage code, point of contact and point of contact email address. 2) State whether your firm is interested in participating as the prime contractor or as a subcontractor on the AN/TPQ-53 radar contract. Companies that intend to be a prime contractor should clearly demonstrate that they possess the technology, design and production capabilities to meet the specified requirements. Any small business interested in participating as the prime contractor should clearly articulate their plan to satisfy the requirements of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting. 3) State whether your company is considered a Large or Small Business in relation to North American Industry Classification System Code 334511-Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing. Small businesses must identify any applicable socio-economic categories such as small disadvantaged business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, 8(a), woman owned small business, etc. 4) Identify potential partner/teaming arrangements or joint ventures that may be pursued to meet AN/TPQ-53 IP Radar retrofit requirements. 5) Summarize relevant experience with radar technologies. Identify any systems in development, systems planned for development, or fielded systems that may be used or leveraged to satisfy the requirements of the AN/TPQ-53 Performance Specification (77A582901). 6) Describe production and manufacturing capacity. Identify the length of time after contract award that production representative IP retrofit systems will be available for acceptance testing. Identify the minimum, maximum and optimal monthly production rate for the proposed system. Identify the lead time required to achieve each of these production rates. 7) Clearly identify assumptions on which your response is predicated. As a minimum, identify any required GFE/GFI on which the approach is predicated, and all required Government support anticipated. 8) Provide a milestone schedule for accomplishing the system retrofits. The period of performance in 36 months. 9) Identify major cost drivers for this action. 10) Provide any other relevant information you wish to share regarding your ability to satisfy the AN/TPQ-53 IP requirements. Submittal: Company information will be verified via the System for Award Management (SAM) data base. Responses to this RFI/SSA must be unclassified, and must not exceed 12 pages in length (includes cover page, and table of contents) with fonts no smaller than 11 point, and one inch margins. Each page of the submission shall contain the document identifier in the document header. Information is to be received in one continuous Microsoft Word, Microsoft PowerPoint or .pdf document. The Government will not reimburse responders to this notice for any costs incurred in responding, or in any subsequent exchange of information. All proprietary and restricted information shall be clearly marked. All documentation submitted shall become the property of the Government. The Government reserves the right to utilize and share with industry any information suggested, unless information is identified with proprietary or business sensitive markings and unique to your company. All interested firms are encouraged to respond to this notice by providing the information specified herein, on or before 1300 hours on 23 December 2014. Telephone requests for additional information will not be honored. Any responses to questions regarding this RFI/SSA may or may not be posted on the Federal Business Opportunities website, fbo.gov. Point of Contact(s): Contract Specialist: Kevin Cook, contact@example.gov Contracting Officer: Jim Farnsworth, contact@example.gov