99--Tower Simulation System - Sources Sought

*** REVISION II (04/18/2007): This announcement is revised as follows: 1) Due to security and planning requirements, it is now required that vendors provide a response in accordance with the "Vendor Response" section of the original announcement. Responses must be provided by 12:00 noon Eastern Time on April 25, 2007. As mentioned, this is necessary for both security and space planning purposes. Vendors that do not respond may not be permitted entry into Industry Day 1. 2) A revised Draft Statement of Work and revised Draft System Operational Program Requirements document are attached. *** REVISION (04/12/2007): This announcement is revised to include Notice #4 under the "Notices to Vendors" section of the announcement below. The attached Sources Sought Announcement is also revised. *** ORIGINAL ANNOUNCEMENT: GENERAL DESCRIPTION: FAA has a requirement for the design, engineering development, documentation, production, assembly, installation, checkout and facility interface at the delivery site of Tower Simulation Systems (TSS) for the TSS Program. This includes the associated program management, training, Contractor Logistic Support (CLS) including the setup and management of a Training System Support Center (TSSC), as well as the requirement to conduct a Technical Refurbishment Study. FAA anticipates that the Tower Simulation Systems will be available as Commercial Off The Shelf (COTS) items. The attached Draft Statement of Work and Draft System Operational Program Requirements document describe the needs and requirements of FAA with regard to this effort. Also attached is a Draft Demonstration Scenario script provided as an example and discussed further below. This acquisition will be conducted on a full and open competitive basis in accordance with the FAA Acquisition Management System (AMS). SOURCES SOUGHT / INDUSTRY DAYS: In an effort to provide interested vendors (herein after referred to as vendors) the opportunity to learn more about the TSS program, its requirements and the anticipated acquisition strategy for the effort, FAA intends to hold an industry day at or near FAA Headquarters in Washington D.C. on May 1, 2007. This will be known as Industry Day 1. Industry Day 1 will provide a forum for open discussion on the TSS program and give vendors the opportunity to ask questions and provide comments on the Draft Statement of Work and Draft System Operational Program Requirements document provided with this announcement. Additionally, during Industry Day 1 FAA will discuss the simulator demonstration which will be required as part of the evaluation for the TSS requirement. So that FAA may plan appropriately for Industry Day 1 vendors should respond to this Sources Sought announcement in accordance with the "Vendor Response" section below. After Industry Day 1 but prior to Industry Day 2, FAA plans to release the solicitation for this TSS requirement. FAA anticipates holding Industry Day 2 at San Antonio International Airport (SAT - San Antonio, Texas) on May 16, 2007, however this date is subject to change. It is thought that the information provided both in this sources sought announcement and at Industry Day 1 will be sufficient for a vendor to determine its ability to compete for this requirement and whether or not to attend Industry Day 2. FAA intends to provide in the solicitation a Demonstration Scenario script vendors will use to develop a scenario for use in the simulator demonstration to FAA. The attached Draft Demonstration Scenario script is provided to give vendors an idea of what the final script may look like. The purpose of Industry Day 2 will be for vendors to receive and collect information necessary to prepare for and perform the simulator demonstration. At Industry Day 2 FAA will provide to vendors access to San Antonio International Airport which will enable vendors to gather sufficient information to develop a visual database for that airport which will be used to run the scenario for the simulator demonstration. Vendors are cautioned that the investment of time, money and resources necessary to develop this database and later perform a demonstration of the scenario using their own simulator equipment is solely at the vendor's risk. FAA will not reimburse vendors for any costs associated with the demonstration. It is anticipated that all demonstrations will take place at the FAA Technical Center in Atlantic City, NJ; however this location is not yet firm and is subject to change. FAA anticipates that roughly six to eight weeks will be given from Industry Day 2 until the simulator demonstrations are to take place. VENDOR RESPONSE: Interested Vendors should respond to this sources sought announcement by providing the items listed below. Responses should be provided by 12:00 noon Eastern Time on April 25, 2007. 1. Notice of Intent - Each vendor shall provide an email to Ryan King at contact@example.gov indicating its intent to attend Industry Day 1. 2. List of Attendees - Included in or attached to the email, vendors shall provide a list of the representatives to attend Industry Day 1. The names and titles of the representatives shall be provided. 3. Questions/Comments - As a separate attachment to the email, vendors may provide questions and comments regarding the draft documents provided with this announcement. Questions and comments from vendors are not required. It is preferred that questions and comments be provided in Word format. 4. Point of Contact - Included in the email, vendors shall provide the name and contact information of an individual FAA may contact if necessary regarding this procurement. NOTICES TO VENDORS: NOTICE #1: Industry Day 1 will be held at or near FAA HQ in Washington, DC. The specific location and time will be provided at a later date on the FAA Contract Opportunities website. NOTICE #2: To be eligible to attend Industry Day 2 vendors must provide the names and titles of the representatives to attend Industry Day 2 not later than 12:00 noon Eastern Time on May 7, 2007. This shall be done via email to Ryan King at contact@example.gov. NOTICE #3: FAA prefers that not more than six representatives from each vendor attend Industry Day 1. FAA requires that not more than three representatives from each vendor attend Industry Day 2. NOTICE #4: In order to participate in this acquisition and to be considered eligible for award vendors must attend Industry Day 2. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: The TSS program is separate from the Air Traffic Controller Optimum Training Solution (ATCOTS) program. The ATCOTS program is anticipated to move forward regardless of the activities of the TSS program. This announcement is not intended to guarantee procurement of these services, and shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to enter into a contract. This is not a request for proposal. The Government is not liable for any costs incurred for the simulator demonstration or the development of a written proposal. Additionally, the Government is not liable for any costs associated with the preparation and submittal of inquiries or responses to this announcement and will not reimburse any firm for costs incurred responding to this public announcement or as a result of the Industry Days. Until further notice all updates and announcements related to this procurement will be communicated via the FAA Contract Opportunities website (http://faaco.faa.gov/index.cfm) which was used to post this announcement. Vendors are responsible for monitoring this website for updates to this procurement.