A -- Global Positioning System (GPS) Modernized User Equipment (MUE) Notice of Final RFP Release

The purpose of this announcement is to inform potential vendors of the intent of the Global Positioning System (GPS) Modernized User Equipment (MUE) Receiver Card Development Program to release a final Request for Proposal (RFP) on or after 27 October 2005. The response date shall be specified upon release of the RFP. Interested sources (primes or subcontractors) who have not previously responded should respond to this announcement. Additionally, interested sources should request access to this information through the established website. See paragraph entitled, - RFP ACCESS. System Description: The MUE Program is the User Segment component of the GPS modernization effort. The objective of the MUE Program is to demonstrate the - proof of existence of MUE by demonstrating the ability to develop MUE receiver card designs, certify them under PRONAV, demonstrate their compliance with the MUE TRD, and ability to develop PVT data using the M-Code signal. To demonstrate this ability the MUE Program seeks to let contracts to design, develop, fabricate, and document two YMCA receiver cards and their required internal support components based on the GPS Receiver Applications Module SEM-E/Modernized (GRAM-S/M) and Ground-based GPS Receiver Applications Module - Modernized Small Serial Interface (GB-GRAM-M-SSI). These requirements are available at the GPS website. Instructions on how to access this website are presented at the end of this announcement. The receiver cards will demonstrate the ability to receive and process the MUE signal as well as validate the Protection of Navigation (PRONAV) security architecture. Support for demonstration of MUE receiver cards is covered under this effort. The MUE Receiver Program does not include production. It is anticipated that MUE receiver card procurements will be conducted by platform managers for MUE specific to a platform or by the Services to meet Service-wide needs. To assist respondents in understanding the potential scope of this effort the following program objectives are provided as reference: 1. Design, develop, test, and document a YMCA compliant GRAM-S/M and GB-GRAM-M SSI, ensuring the receiver cards meet the requirements specified by the MUE TRD and other applicable requirements documents. 2. Implement a design for the receiver cards that optimizes performance, security, and safety, while allowing for the flexibility of the design to support emerging requirements/applications and minimizing the recurring costs of future YMCA receiver production. 3. Deliver government approved consolidated MUE Receiver Card Test Plans and procedures for the integration, functional, software, and security testing of both receiver cards. 4. Verify both receiver cards meet performance, environmental, security, and safety requirements, in accordance with Government-approved contractor MUE Receiver Card Test Plans, MUE Security Certification Plan and MUE TRD. 5. Generate detailed specifications for each receiver card and its interfaces. 6. Deliver complete documentation, data, and software for specifying the design, implementation, and production of the developed YMCA receiver cards including detailed information on the core components developed or selected for implementing the cards. 7. Support Government testing of the GRAM-S/M and GB-GRAM-M SSI cards, in accordance with the Government test and evaluation strategy. 8. Recommend modifications and enhancements to the GRAM-S/M and GB-GRAM-M SSI card requirements to ensure the implementation of common core receiver card components with the widest application. 9. Recommend modifications to the GRAM Protection Profile and to the MUE Security Certification Plan, as well as other related specifications, ICDs, and ISs. 10. Support demonstration of MUE receivers. 11. Implement a Configuration Management Process as appropriate, consistent with Military Standard - Configuration Management 973. Potential offerors must have the ability to process, maintain, and store collateral secret and special access required information. Contractual Issues: The MUE Receiver Card Development contract effort is anticipated to be a cost-plus award fee type contract with a period of performance of 48 months. It also includes special studies and support for the receiver demonstration on a cost-plus fixed fee basis. RFP ACCESS: The Government intends to issue a final Request for Proposal for the MUE program on or after 17 October 2005. All documentation regarding this effort can be obtained through the GPS Bidder's Library. Parties interested in accessing this information should apply at https://gps.losangeles.af.mil/gpslibrary where they must provide adequate justification for access, all contact information, and a Government point of contact (Capt Daniel Vore, SMC/GPUM, +1 (555) 000-0000). For contractual questions, please contact Donna Kimball at +1 (555) 000-0000 or Lt David Kindt at +1 (555) 000-0000. PROGRAMMATICS: An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from potential offerors. The purpose of the Ombudsman is to receive and communicate concerns from potential offerors when an offeror prefers not to use established channels to communicate his/her concern during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. The Ombudsman will communicate certain offeror issues, disagreements, and recommendations on this acquisition into the proper channels. The Ombudsman's role is not to diminish the authority of the program director or the contracting officer but to advocate an offeror's concern on a non-attribution basis. The Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern when requested by the offeror. The Ombudsman will not participate in the evaluation of proposals or the source selection process for this acquisition. The Ombudsman is the SMC Director of Staff, Col Robert Catlin. The director of staff can be reached at +1 (555) 000-0000. AVAILABILITY OF FUNDS: Funds are not presently available for this contract. The Government's obligation under this contract is contingent upon the availability of appropriated funds from which payment for contract purposes can be made. No legal liability on the part of the Government for any payment may arise until funds are made available to the Contracting Officer for this contract and until the Contractor receives notice of such availability, to be confirmed in writing by the Contracting Officer.