A pre-bid/pre-proposal conference will be conducted at Aerospace Corporation, Bldg A8 (basement), El Segundo, CA 90245 on 29 November 2005 at 0800 - 1200 hours for the purpose of answering questions regarding the Modernized User Equipment (MUE) Receiver Card Development solicitation. This conference supports the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Global Positioning System (GPS) Modernized User Equipment (MUE) Receiver Card Development Program, RFP # FA8807-05-R-0005. The conference will provide an opportunity for potential bidders to discuss the final RFP for the development contract [Post-PRDA activities] after it has been released. The current schedule for release is prior to 15 November 2005. System Description: The MUE Program is the user segment component of the GPS modernization effort. The objective of the MUE Program is to develop two form factors of receiver cards incorporating Y-code/M-code/C/A-code (YMCA) receiving and processing capability and the Protection of Navigation (PRONAV) security architecture. The MUE Receiver Program does not include any full-rate production activities. It is anticipated that future specific MUE receiver card procurements will be conducted by platform managers for receiver cards to fulfill specific platform requirements or by the Services to meet Service-wide needs. A Statement of Objectives (SOO) will be provided in the RFP package defining the Government's objectives for the current effort for which proposals have been requested. The two form factors that will be required are based on the current form factors for the Ground-Based GPS Receiver Application Module (GB - GRAM) and the GRAM - Standard Electronic Module-E (SEM-E). These receiver cards will be specified in Technical and Security Requirements for the Global Positioning System (GPS) Receiver Application Module - MOD SEM-E (GRAM-S/M) and the Ground Based GPS Receiver Application Module - (GB-GRAM-M) which will also be provided in the solicitation. Potential offerors must have the ability to process, maintain, and store collateral secret and special access required information. Scope of effort: The contract effort for the MUE Receiver Card Development is anticipated to have a duration of 9 months with a period of performance from March 2006 until December 2006. Upon successful completion of PDR activities, an option for an additional 39 months to complete the development of the two receiver card form factors is also included. This 39 month option includes delivery of each receiver card form factor (test articles) after 21 months and an additional 18 months of support to the Government during limited integration testing of the receiver cards (test articles). There are three options for the delivery of additional test articles. - one per receiver card form factor and one for only the Core Component of the receiver card - that may be exercised if more receiver cards are needed for testing or other research by platform program offices considering the use of the products from this effort. This conference will be a general session for all the participants from 0800 - 1100 hours. One-on-one sessions will not be provided. The Government has set aside the time from 1100 to 1200 for classified discussions. To receive classified documents the recipient must have a security clearance of at least Secret classification and authorization to act as courier. Security clearance and courier authorization must be on file at the following mailing address: Donna M. Kimball, PCO 2420 Vela Way, Suite 1866, El Segundo, CA 90245 This conference is Secret classification from 1100 - 1200 hours. Attendees List: All participants must submit their visit request and an alphabetized listing of the names of all attendees via fax to Holly Majiet at (310) 336-6983 (Voice: (310) 336-5038) by COB 23 November 2005. This information must be provided in advance in order to ensure access to the conference site and adequate seating for the conference attendees. Current documents for the program are available through the GPS Bidder's Library. Parties interested in accessing this information must apply at https://gps.losangeles.af.mil/gpslibrary where they must provide adequate justification for access, the requested contact information, and identify Capt Robert Maa'ao [(310) 363-5408] as their Government point of contact. This notice does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or an Invitation for Bids (IFB), nor does its issuance restrict the Government as to its ultimate acquisition approach. The Government will neither award a contract solely on the basis of this notice, nor pay for any information that is submitted by respondents as a result of this notice. Question Submittal: Bidders/Offerors are requested to submit all questions/comments to Lt. Mitch Syma, [Chief, Technical Working Group; Phone (310) 363-0947; Fax (310) 363-3844; mitchell.syma@losangeles.af.mil] by COB 18 November 2005. Questions provided in advance will be addressed on the day of the conference. Questions that are initiated during the conference may be addressed at the conference or deferred. The answers to all questions will be posted to the Bidders Library. Information provided at this conference shall not qualify the terms and conditions of the solicitation and specifications. Terms of the solicitation and specifications remain unchanged unless the solicitation is amended in writing. If an amendment is issued, normal procedures relating to the acknowledgment and receipt of solicitation amendments shall apply. Conference Record: A record of the conference shall be made and furnished to all prospective bidders/offerors. The record will include minutes of the meeting, including questions (on a non-attribution basis) and answers. 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 Col Robert Catlin, (310) 363-0887. DECLARATION: This publication is for information only and does not constitute a final Request For Proposal (RFP), government sponsorship of contractor charges against any government contract for proposal efforts, or a government promise to pay for any information received in response to this announcement.
