Aerial Refueling Drogue - Variable Speed Drogue

Aerial Refueling Drogue - Variable Speed Drogue (VSD) Background: The Government is conducting market research to identify possible non-developmental sources that may possess the expertise and capabilities to produce a fully developed refueling drogue from build-to-print drawings. The drogue must meet the requirements specified in the Technical Drawing Package (TDP) for Variable Speed Drogue Program. Sample drawings from the TDP are available to interested sources responding to this RFI. The drawings/technical data can only be disseminated pursuant to DoD Directive 5230.25. This provides representative illustrations and definition of the types of operations and manufacturing capabilities needed. Review of these drawings will be necessary in order for a potential Offeror to provide a response. The Contracting Officer may only provide this information to qualified U.S. Contractors. Potential Offerors must immediately email to the Contracting officer, katherine.hamblin@us.af.mil and vanessa.pottinger@us.af.mil, the following information: Offeror Name: Address: Cage Code: Joint Certification Office (JCO) Certification Number*: Certification Expiration Date: Phone: Name of Offeror Representative: Date of Request: *A potential Offeror without a valid JCO Certification Number must acquire a valid JCO Certification Number before drawings/technical data can be disseminated. Instructions for obtaining this JCO Certification number are found at http://www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp/Default.aspx. OFFERORS WITHOUT A VALID JCO CERTIFICATION NUMBER MUST BEGIN THIS PROCESS IMMEDIATELY. Offerors are cautioned that these drawings/technical data are not authorized for duplication and may only be used to prepare a response for this RFI. The drawings/technical data will be secure attachments and offerors must request access through FBO. Once Contracting Officer confirms offeror request, the drawings will become available for viewing. The complete TDP will be provided with the Request for Proposal (RFP) should an RFP be issued. The TDP would include electronic files in several industry formats for drawings, math models, and model assemblies along with acceptance test procedures. Drawing file formats will consist of: DXF files, PDF files, and PLT files (Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 3.0). Model file formats would consist of: STP files and PRT files (Pro/ENGINEER Wildfire 3.0). Model assemblies will be compressed (zipped) folders containing ASM, PRT, WRL, XPR, and IDX files for Pro/ENGINEERING Wildfire 3.0. Acceptance test procedures will be supplied in PDF and MS Word format. The total requirement may be for the production and delivery of up to 71 drogues including initial spare parts to support operational use for up to 2 years (quantity to be determined). Initial delivery of six drogues would be required no later than 8 months from the date of contract award, and six drogues each month thereafter until the total production of 71 drogues is completed. Your response must address your company's capability to meet the drogues technical requirements, manufacturing schedule, and production/support capabilities. If after reviewing this information you desire to participate by responding to this RFI, you should provide documentation that supports your company's ability to produce a refueling drogue that meets these requirements. Failure to provide adequate documentation will inhibit the government's assessment of your capabilities. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.). Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are permissible. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for Small Business Purposes is 336413 - Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing. Please provide the following business information for your company, institution, or for any teaming or joint venture partners: Company Name; Address; Point of Contact; CAGE Code; Phone Number; E-mail Address; Web Page URL; and Size of business pursuant to (NAICS) Code. Based on the above NAICS Code, state whether your company is: Small Business (Yes / No); Woman Owned Small Business (Yes / No); Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes / No); 8(a) Certified (Yes / No); HUBZone Certified (Yes / No); Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes / No); Service Disabled Small Business (Yes / No); System for Award Management (SAM) (Yes / No). Include a statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership). Response to this notice shall consist of a short (10 pages or less) initial White Paper response describing your ability to produce the design in the TDP. The White Paper shall include the following details: (1) General statement of your company's capability and capacity to build the VSD and in the number requested; (2) Brief explanation of your experience in building similar complex build-to-print products; (3) Estimated production cost for each drogue; (4) Approximate lead-time for acquiring your product. Response should be in an electronic format that is compatible with Microsoft Windows and Office 2010. The data can be submitted on CD-R/DVD-R along with a paper copy. The CD should be provided to Ms. Katherine Hamblin at the address below not later than30 Jan 2015. Questions should be submitted to Ms. Katherine Hamblin at katherine.hamblin@us.af.mil and Capt Vanessa Pottinger at vanessa.pottinger@us.af.mil. The CD/DVD, cover label, and paper copy shall be marked "Proprietary/Competition Sensitive Information." Proprietary/competition sensitive information will be protected from disclosure. No classified information should be included in contractor submittals. This is a request for information only and is not a solicitation for offers. This notice is issued for market research purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or commitment to issue an RFP; however, the Government reserves the right to issue a solicitation based upon its needs and the results obtained from this RFI. The government will not reimburse participants for any expenses associated with the information provided in response to this RFI. Acknowledgment of receipt will not be made. Submittals will not be returned to the sender. The level of security clearance and amount of foreign participation in this requirement has not been determined. Point of Contact(s): Direct all requests and routine correspondence to the contracting office listed below: Capt Vanessa Pottinger, Contract Negotiator, Email vanessa.pottinger@us.af.mil Katherine Hamblin, Contracting Officer, Email katherine.hamblin@us.af.mil