69--Army Tactical Engagement Simulation System (A-TESS) Request for Information (RFI)

1. A-TESS Executive Summary The Army will use Army-Tactical Engagement Simulation System (A-TESS) to conduct live Force-on-Force (FOF) training for Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs), battalions, companies, platoons, squads, crews and individuals beginning in Fiscal Year (FY) 2017. A-TESS will support all FOF Live Combined Arms Training Strategies. Units will use A-TESS to train on mission-essential tasks. When used with an Instrumentation System (IS), A-TESS will provide the engagement data to the IS for use in developing the After Action Review (AAR). A-TESS will be used to train special operations units, fires units, mobility units, and sustainment units. A-TESS will support the execution of five principle-training environments. These are: Institutional, maneuver Combat Training Centers (CTCs), Home Station (HS), deployed training sites, and Regional Training Centers (RTCs). As A-TESS matures, it will exponentially enable live Force on Force (FOF) training anytime and anywhere. A-TESS will be an evolutionary, not a revolutionary, development in Tactical Engagement Simulation systems (TESS). A-TESS will initially combine the Instrumentable-Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (I-MILES) and One-Tactical Engagement Simulation System (OneTESS) Programs of Record (PORs) into a single POR. The Army will base A-TESS on components developed for those systems, found in the Live Training Transformation Family of Training Systems (LT2-FTS) product line. A-TESS will contribute new products to the LT2-FTS product line to ensure interoperability with the Live, Virtual and Constructive Integrated Training Environment (LVC-ITE). Incrementally, A-TESS will provide new and improved capabilities for direct and indirect fires, pre-surgical casualty assessment, improved battle damage assessments with equipment damage and maintenance status, grenade launchers, Counter Defilade Target Engagement System (CDTES), air defense, aviation, unmanned systems (ground and air), mine/mine sensors/mine clearing, non-lethal, directed energy, active protection systems. A-TESS will provide the open architectural framework to ensure interoperability and compatibility with existing I-MILES and future tactical engagement simulation systems (TESS), Instrumentation Systems (IS), constructive and virtual simulations and joint training systems. A-TESS capabilities will evolve as IS, Army combat systems, tactical communications, and constructive and virtual training system capabilities evolve. The open architectural framework will enable PMs to develop and integrate A-TESS components into their systems. PM TRADE will host be hosting an Industry Day on 9 May 2013, with the intent of conducting an open and active discussion on A-TESS, it's relationship to I-MILES and OneTESS as well an energizing technical discussion on the following current investment pillars of A-TESS: 1. Consolidated Product Line Management. 2. Architecture. 3. Live Training Engagement Composition. 4. Test & Training. 5. Test Beds. PM TRADE will be providing four (4) collaboration opportunities. These will be industry's opportunity to help shape, not only the A-TESS acquisition, but also the Program Management Office's organizational structure. Industry is encouraged to confirm their schedules with Mr. Kyle Platt (A-TESS Project Director) between 25 April 13 and 7 May 13 to facilitate an active, fruitful discussion. The A-TESS industry day has been coordinated with APM TRADE to directly follow the Standards Industry Day on 7-8 May 2013. Please see attachments for further instructions and information.