Army National Guard eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) Program

INTRODUCTION: The U.S. Army Contracting Command - Orlando (ACC-Orlando) is issuing this Sources Sought Notice (SSN) on behalf of the Army National Guard's (ARNG) Readiness Center, eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC). ACC- Orlando is seeking to identify sources capable of providing professional services in the form of Exercise Control, Instrumentation Support, Battlefield Effect (BFE)/ Immersion (BFI) Support, and Equipment and Staff Support to the ARNG'S XCTC Program. The contractor shall provide: Program Management Exercise control Instrumentation and Communication Property Management Battlefield Immersion Battlefield Effects Emergent Threat Integration The result of this market research will contribute to determining the method of procurement, if a requirement materializes. Based on the responses to this sources sought notice/market research, this requirement may be set-aside for small businesses (in full or in part) or procured through full and open competition. Multiple awards may be made. All small business set-aside categories will be considered. Telephone inquiries will not be accepted or acknowledged, and no feedback or evaluations will be provided to companies regarding submissions. DISCLAIMER: THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) TO BE SUBMITTED. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. PROGRAM BACKGROUND: The mission of the XCTC program is to support and enable ARNG Brigade Combat Teams (BCT) to culminate home station training strategy in an integrated force-on-force training event as they prepare for future readiness-building events or operational deployment. The scope of the ARNG's XCTC Program involves training up to five BCTs at multiple locations within a training year and can require two Brigades (BDE) to train simultaneously within the same timeframe. The rotation is a 21-day multi-echelon exercise with a BCT, to include sourced enablers (as necessary and approved), focused on achieving Brigade Training Level 3 (T3) proficiency with practiced Command Posts and Staffs. Rotations are typically conducted regionally in an instrumented Decisive Action Training Environment (DATE) to replicate Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO). These exercises evaluate everything from operational and tactical to leadership skills and the effectiveness of communication systems in a contested environment. BCTs are expected to execute Reception Staging Onward Movement, Integration (RSOI), Platoon Situational Tactical Exercises (STX), Platoon Live Fire Exercises (LFX), Brigade and Battalion Command Post Exercise (CPX), Platoon and Company Field Training Exercise (FTX) with Mission Command at Echelon, Reverse Reception Staging Onward Movement, and Integration (RRSOI). The program is centered around five lines of effort: Rotational Design, Operational Environment, Instrumentation, Training Aids, Devices, Simulators, and Simulations (ITADSS), Operational Readiness, and Resources. The contractor should have a general understanding of Training Locations, Infantry, Stryker, and Armored Brigade Combat Team Readiness, Academics, CPX, FTX, LFX, OC/T, RSOI/RRSOI, Government Furnished Property, Event Life Cycle Events, Visual Modified Vehicles, Instrumentation, Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES), Opposing Force (OPFOR) Integration, Exercise Reporting, Readiness Partner Integration, Rotational Training Unit Selection, Enablers, Commodities, Exercise Capabilities, Distinguished Visitors, and Senior Trainer Role. 1. Program Management. Provide the Army National Guard Collective Training (ARNG-TRC) branch with a high level of organization, strategic planning, and support of the XCTC Program Manager. The ability to orchestrate numerous teams, resources, and logistics while adhering to a strict timeline necessitates a systematic approach. Establish clear objectives, delineate roles and responsibilities, and create comprehensive workflows to ensure a seamless operation throughout the Event Life Cycle. Effective communication and availability to the XCTC Program Manager is the core of managing such exercises, as it is essential to synchronize the efforts of cross-functional teams and external stakeholders. Risk management strategies must be identified and mitigated for potential issues before they escalate. Additionally, data-driven analysis is critical to decision-making and continuous process improvements to adapt to changing circumstances and optimize performance. Tools and technologies must be established to track progress in real-time, ensuring tasks are executed on time to complete projects and objectives successfully. 2. Exercise control. Provide a centralized control system with dedicated teams for orchestrating scenarios, real-time adjustments, and oversight of all exercise objectives. These teams must oversee the exercises through the event life cycles, incorporate rotational and scenario designs planned to challenge the BCT, and ensure safety and compliance with rules of engagement throughout the XCTC rotation. Must be able to balance structure and flexibility, allowing the BCT to react to Live, Virtual, Constructive Integrating Architecture using threats and make decisions that align with the training objectives. Additionally, teams must be able to monitor the progress of the BCT and provide feedback. After-action reviews (AARs) through instrumentation and Green Book AARs are an integral part, where performance is evaluated, lessons are learned, and insights are documented for continuous improvement in future training rotations. Teams must be able to validate capabilities and readiness but also enhance operational cohesion and decision-making skills in a contested environment. 3. Instrumentation and Communication. Provide options, tools, and systems designed to monitor, record, and evaluate the performance of the BCT in real time. This technology infrastructure is vital for capturing up to 5,000 personnel and equipment data, allowing for accurate after-action reviews and facilitating the overall training objectives. This system must be able to show formations from the individual level through Division formations. Additionally, this system must include laser engagement systems that simulate battle conditions, Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking for personnel and vehicles for movement analysis, and communication interception for command-and-control exercises. Additionally, drones and cameras provide aerial or first-person perspectives, while sensors relay information on environmental conditions and specific event triggers. Virtual simulations are integrated to replicate complex scenarios impractical or too dangerous to stage in reality. These tools must generate data, which is then processed through advanced software platforms to provide feedback on tactics, operations, strategy, and unit coordination. This instrumentation aims to create an immersive and authentic training environment that prepares the BCT for various operational variables while ensuring safety and learning outcomes. 4. Property Management. Provide an adequate staff support system composed of dedicated teams working behind the scenes to ensure seamless execution and optimal training outcomes. It is pivotal to orchestrate the accountability, supply, and movement of government-furnished property. This team must be able to focus on tasks related to exercise preparation, exercise support team infrastructure, exercise support equipment emplacement, and transportation back to the maintenance facility. This support also requires coordination with the training facility, training units, XCTC Program Office, Exercise Control, and other supporting activities to ensure the training units receive maximum benefits by minimizing external logistics and environmental support. Provide comprehensive logistics and field operations support for all government-furnished property. The Contractor shall maintain the appropriate spares for all instrumentation and infrastructure components. This team must be able to correct known deficiencies or implement recommended enhancements to the government-furnished property as appropriate. This team must provide continuous corrective and preventative maintenance, both at the depot level and onsite at XCTC field training sites. 5. Battlefield Immersion. Teams must test the BCT in an environment that closely mirrors the complexity and intensity of large-scale combat operations. Teams must integrate a range of mental and physical multisensory experiences and scenarios that challenge the BCT. Teams must consider using virtual technologies to expose and test the BCT to the unpredictable forces of force-on-force. Live, Virtual, and Constructive forces must be employed to simulate enemy tactics, forcing the BCT to adapt to dynamic threats. Teams will incorporate Visual Modification (VISMOD) platforms, drones, displaced civilians, and other variables to stress the BCT during rotations. 6. Battlefield Effects. Simulate realistic battlefield effects within the rotation to create an immersive effect on the BCT in a contested training environment. These effects must mimic the sights, sounds, and smells experienced during actual combat, psychologically conditioning, and preparing the BCT for future exercises or mobilizations. Teams should consider using controlled pyrotechnics and explosives to replicate ordinance detonations, smoke machines, or fog generators to recreate obscured visibility and sound systems that project the cacophony of gunfire, explosions, and vehicle movements. Additionally, special effects must be considered through makeup and moulage applied to actors or trainees to simulate injuries, adding realism and urgency to medical response during the rotation. These effects must be coordinated with the exercise control team to support varying tactical scenarios, emphasizing realism while maintaining safe training parameters. 7. Emergent Threat Integration. Integrate emergent threats to prepare the BCT for the dynamic environment. These evolving threats, from cyber warfare and unmanned systems to hybrid warfare tactics and information operations, require a multidimensional approach to Live, Virtual, and scenario planning. ACQUISITION STRATEGY - PLANNING INFORMATION: 1. Contract Vehicle: The determination of Contract Vehicle and Small Business Set Aside or Full and Open Competition will not be established until market research has been completed and the Acquisition Strategy has been approved. 2. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS): The applicable NAICS code for this requirement is 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services), with a Small Business Size Standard of $19.5M[D1] . The applicable Product Service Code (PSC) is U013 (Education/Training'Combat). *NOTE 01: The current SBA Table of Small Business Size Standards was updated 17 March 2023; since the beginning of 2022, the SBA has regularly updated the table to account for inflation. Businesses must update their SAM.gov profiles in order to have their small business status reflect the most current small business size standards. Until updated, the SAM profiles will continue to display the small business status under outdated size standards. *NOTE 02: In accordance with 13 C.F.R. 121.104, the current calculation for dollar (monetary) value based NAICS codes is average total receipts over the last five (5) completed fiscal years *NOTE 03: In accordance with 13 C.F.R. 121.106, the current calculation for employee based NAICS codes is average number of employees used for each pay period for the preceding completed 24 calendar months. 3. Contract Type: The determination of Contract Type will not be established until market research has been completed and the Acquisition Strategy has been approved. SUBMISSION DETAILS: All capability statements sent in response to this announcement must be submitted electronically (via email) to the Contract Specialist no later than no later than 4:00 p.m. (EST) on February 26, 2024 and reference SAM notice number and title in the subject line of the e-mail and on all enclosed documents. Primary point of contact: Leatrice Frederick Email: Leatrice.J.Frederick.civ@army.mil Secondary point of contact: Jessica Wasser Email: Jessica.L.Wasser.civ@army.mil (Cc) to the Technical Point of Contract (TPOC) via email, Capt. Cindy Llantoy cindy.m.llantoymosquera.mil@army.mil Responses shall include documentation of technical expertise and capability in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that your company possesses the necessary functional area expertise and experience to compete for this acquisition. Additionally, respondents shall include information on current customers using their system. Customer information shall consist of the Customer/Agency name, address, point of contact name and phone number, and number of users and locations fielded for that customer. It is imperative that business concerns responding to this announcement articulate their capabilities clearly and adequately; if not capable of performing individual tasks or aspects of the functions described, describe the specific elements of the proposed requirement that would prevent or limit your capability to perform. Written responses to this Sources Sought Notice should consist of the following: 1. Can you provide a detailed overview of your experience in designing and facilitating large-scale collective exercises for military organizations? 2. What is your approach to creating realistic and challenging scenarios that accurately simulate force on force in contested operational environments? 3. How do you ensure the safety and well-being of participants during the high-intensity and complex nature of these exercises? 4. Could you describe how your exercises incorporate the latest military tactics, techniques, and procedures to provide up-to-date training for military personnel? 5. What measures do you take to assess and provide feedback on the effectiveness of the training and the performance of the participants during these exercises? 6. Provide examples on how you tailor your exercises to accommodate the varying skill levels and roles of organizations that will be participating? 7. Describe in what ways you have integrated technology, such as simulations and virtual reality, into your training exercises to enhance the learning experience? 8. Outline the logistics and planning process you follow to manage and execute large-scale exercises, including coordination with other organizations, installations, and facilities? 9. Describe your experience with the management and accountability of government furnished property? 10. How does your team scale and adapt your exercises to meet the evolving needs and size of the organizations involved? 11. Provide examples or case studies where your company's exercises have led to tangible improvements in the organization's readiness and capabilities? 12. Only email submissions will be accepted. 13. Use current Microsoft Office compatible software (.xlsx, .docx, or .pptx) or Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro (.pdf) formats or later. 14. Classified material WILL NOT be accepted. 15. Material samples WILL NOT be accepted. 16. Information papers may be submitted in a White Paper Format and will count towards the total number of pages allowed. 17. The cover sheet shall include the following company information: name, address, URL, POC name and email address, Commercial Government Entity (CAGE) code number, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number, business type and size, and a statement if your firm is or is not foreign-owned, foreign-controlled, or has foreign influence. 18. Limit responses to 15 pages of technical content, including graphs/charts or pictures. The cover sheet and two pages of general corporate information, including past performance and key personnel, are separate from the page limit. 19. The minimum acceptable font size is 12 Arial. 20. All documents should be typed in single-spaced, single-sided pages, with at least one (1) inch margins. 21. A statement indicating if your firm is a large or small business under NAICS code 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services); if small business, please indicate any applicable socio-economic status [i.e., 8a, Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), HUBZone, Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), or Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)]. 22. If you plan on subcontracting to other companies in order to deliver technical capability, please provide details on exactly which tasks will be assigned to those subcontractors; in addition, provide the names of those anticipated subcontractors, and list the anticipated percentage of small business subcontracting. *NOTE (LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING): If you are a small business interested in being the prime contractor for this effort, please be advised that FAR clause 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting) (DEVIATION 2021-O0008) was updated in September 2021. The current clause adds the definition of - Similarly Situated Entity and the 50% calculation for compliance with the clause. Small business prime contractors may now count - first tier subcontractor work performed by a - Similarly Situated Entity as if it were performed by the prime contractor itself. To assist in our market research and set-aside determination for this effort, if you are a small business interested in priming this effort and plan to utilize a - Similarly Situated Entity to meet the Limitations on Subcontracting requirements, please identify the name & Unique Entity ID/CAGE Code of the specific firm(s) you intend to partner/subcontract with to meet the requirements as well as their SB size status under the NAICS that you as the prime would assign for their workshare. Information regarding any planned - Similarly Situated Entity should be included in answering any questions outlined in the SSN in order to assist the Government's capability determination.