Basic Electronics Maintenance Trainer II (BEMT II) Notice of Intent

Intent of the Notice: Army Contracting Command - Orlando (ACC-Orlando), in support of the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI), Project Manager Instrumentation, Targets, Threat Simulators and SOF Training Systems, intends to negotiate a contract with Nida Corporation, on a sole source basis. Nida Corporation, according to Government market research, is the only responsible source that currently exists who can readily provide modernized capabilities for live electronics maintenance training to the U.S. Army. This acquisition will upgrade component-level trainer Basic Electronics Maintenance Training (BEMT) systems to a BEMT II configuration that will provide system-level training for select Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) or Additional Skills Identifier (ASI) producing courses. The contract is anticipated to consist of 1 base-year followed by four one-year option periods. A Sources Sought Notice was posted on 31 May 2017 (Basic Electronics Maintenance Trainer II (BEMT II) - W900KK-17-SSN-BEMT-II), where alternative virtual solutions were received; however, the Government has determined that a virtual training solution will not provide the necessary physical interaction and fidelity (i.e. use of fine motor skills required for electronic component handling and repair) that the Government requires. BEMT II capability requires a hands-on, live and constructive training solution, which market research has shown Nida Corporation as the only source to possess such a solution. Other sources would have to design and develop a hands-on, live and constructive training solution that would result in substantial duplicative cost. Additionally, since BEMT II is an upgrade of capability from BEMT, other sources would be required to duplicate specialized hardware (Student Training Console), software and courseware that is already in use. Therefore, award of this contract to another source would result in significant development into a hands-on, live and constructive training solution, and would not maximize reuse of current BEMT components. Per FAR 6.302-1(a)(2)(ii)(A), award to another source would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government that is not expected to be recovered through competition. Brief Description: PEO STRI has a requirement to procure modernization upgrades of the BEMT systems, converting existing systems to BEMT II systems. The BEMT II program is a technology refresh through replacement of obsolete hardware, outdated software, and courseware. The program will also include minor development to enable BEMT II software and courseware placement on local networks at each training site. Due to obsolescence and cost of sub-component repair, replacement of components is the best course of action to ensure the systems remains suitable and effective throughout the planned lifecycle while staying within cost constraints. Hardware, including the student training console, will be replaced by updated components compatible with new course ware and mandated operating system upgrades. The new software will meet Cybersecurity and Risk Management Framework requirements. These BEMT II systems will provide critical basic electronics training for more than 40 Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) to include 15E / F / J / N / X / Y, 35T, 88L, 89D, 91A / B / C / D / E / F / G / K / L / H / J / M / P / W / X / Z, 94A / D / E / F / H / L / M / P / R / S / T / W / X / Y / Z, 890A, and 948B / D. The BEMT is currently used for training at Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) institutions, National Guard, and Army Reserve readiness training sites. The BEMT II will be a stand-alone, non-system training device designed to support live training of students in all aspects of basic electronics, including theory and hands-on application. The BEMT II will provide a highly realistic training environment through various training scenarios that will require students to perform basic electronics tasks and allow instructors to assign lesson modules to either a class or an individual student. The BEMT II system will be configured with a combination of Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) equipment, consisting of computer workstations and, proprietary computer aided instructional devices (CAI), and proprietary software will have the capability for computer-based instruction, traditional text based learning, and hands-on practical exercise training. The standard system configuration classroom components will be a Server System (Server) that hosts the course content networked to an Instructor Operation Station (IOS) and to multiple Student Stations (SS). Also, soldering and de-soldering training will provide interactive, hands-on courseware comprising as a minimum: soldering and de-soldering techniques, soldering safety, wire stripping, tinning, splicing, as well as the use of applicable industry standard electrical and electronic connectors and connections in accordance with Institute for Interconnecting and Packaging Electronic Circuits-Joint (IPC-J) standards. Responses: Responses or challenges to this strategy may identify their interest and capability to meet the requirement and submit their response no later than 12:00 pm Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 23 May 2018 to the Contract Specialist, John M. Ebanks at john.m.ebanks.civ@mail.mil. The response must clearly show the firm's ability to meet the requirements stated above for a stand-alone, non-system training device designed to support live training of students in all aspects of basic electronics, including theory and hands-on application. As a reminder, virtual solutions will not meet the Army's requirements. The firm's response should also illustrate how it can minimize developmental cost and support a COTS solution that limits the Army's need to re-write programs of instruction. Disclaimer: This notice of intent is neither a formal solicitation nor a request for competitive proposals. No solicitation document is available and telephone requests will not be honored. No award will be made on the basis of unsolicited quotations or offers received in response to this notice. Any response to this notice must show clear, compelling and convincing evidence that competition will be advantageous to the Government. The intent of this notice is for informational purposes only. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this action based on this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. No reimbursement for any cost connected with providing capability information will be provided. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the Contract Specialist, John M. Ebanks at john.m.ebanks.civ@mail.mil or (407) 208-3202; or the Contracting Officer, Mr. Brian Serra at brian.d.serra.civ@mail.mil or (407) 208-3357.