This Request for Information (RFI) is issued by the Satellite Control and Network Systems Group, SMC/SN, to solicit information from industry that will aid the SPO in assessing the state of the art in training/simulation systems that could be standardized to train satellite command and control operators. Information obtained as a result of this posting may be used for the development of a future standardized training system at SMC for satellite command and control. Currently, a prospective satellite operator is trained on a system that is unique to the satellite they will ultimately be flying. This is costly in that numerous stovepipe training systems for the various missions must be developed and maintained. To reduce cost, a new vision for training that is modeled after Air Force flight training is being investigated for implementation. The new vision calls for a Standardized Space Trainer (SST) to be used at both IQT and Unit Training for AFSPC satellite operators. Standardized hardware, system software and networking capabilities (crew & positional training and HLA compliance for distributed training) are the core concept of SST. Software applications will be developed to execute system specific space ops unit training: GPS OCX, SBIRS, TSAT, etc applications would operate on Standardized Space Trainer just like opening Word, Excel, Photoshop, Quake, etc, on a desktop PC. Additionally, development of software for Space IQT to train students to fly a simulated generic military satellite with basic on-board functions is desired. This training will provide students with an overview of military satellite systems and their ground systems; fundamentals of space flight, orbital mechanics, etc.; knowledge of on-board sub-systems common to all satellites (non-payload specific); and fundamentals for establishing satellite contacts and conducting telemetry, tracking & control operations on a generic satellite system. After graduating from basic training, operators would be sent to specialized training where they will learn about specific mission satellites and how to perform command and control operations on them using the same training system. The desired standardized training system would support both types of training and have the capability to be customized to provide a similar look and feel to the system that the students would ultimately be using. This would imply a similar set of data displays, commanding functions, and a training fidelity satellite simulator modeled after the target system. The standardized training system should be COTS based and provide an environment that is easily customizable. In effect, the training system could consist of a PC with sufficient memory and speed, displays and a number of software applications running on an operating system that supports the basic and specialized training courses as well as different crew sizes and positions.The following information is requested: 1) Describe currently existing products that could be made to function as a standardized trainer for satellite command and control. Indicate if your company would be prepared to demonstrate such products to the government for evaluation. 2) Describe standard languages/tools that could be used by a developer to produce training-level satellite simulations that run under a standardized training environment. 3) Describe industry standards that exist for human/machine interface regarding the display of satellite telemetry data and satellite commanding. 4) If standards of items 2 and 3 do not exist, provide specific suggestions on how the Government might best develop such standards. 5) Describe the ability of a standardized training system to accommodate positional, crew, and distributed training. 6) Describe the ability of the user to modify training material, scenario scripts and system responses and basic error and/or fault injection for training scenarios to include automated trainee performance monitoring for evaluating training. 7) We also invite industry to comment on specialized features that have the potential to enhance a standardized trainer through the use of: 3-D visualization to present a graphical view of the actions taken that effect the satellite operations; and intelligent tutoring agents, an overview of the environment (space and terrestrial) and the potential affects the environment can have on satellite operations to include C2 of the satellite, and basic operations. Questions/concerns regarding this RFI shall be sent, in writing, via e-mail to Business Contact, Maj. Eric Dale Winger, Phone (310) 653-4254, Fax (310) 653-1508, Email Dale.Winger@losangeles.af.mil, Chief Engineer, Donald Sather Phone (310) 336-5649, Email donald.sather@aero.org This Request For Information is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a request for proposal (RFP) 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 submission of responses to this RFI and the Government's use of such information. Respondents of this RFI may be requested to provide additional information/details/demonstrations based on their initial submittals. Responses to this RFI are to be submitted and addressed to the Major Dale Winger at the above referenced email address, no later than 31 May 2006 Responses should include the name and telephone number of a point of contact having authority and knowledge to discuss responses with government representatives. The applicable size standard for NAICS code 333319 is 500 employees.
