C -- AFSCN Engineering and Technical Support

Sources Sought Synopsis This sources sought synopsis is being published for market research purposes only, to identify potential sources capable of providing engineering and technical support of the Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN). This is only a Sources Sought Synopsis and is not a Request for Proposal (RFP). No solicitation is being issued at this time and this notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. Any information provided by industry to the Government as a result of this sources sought synopsis is voluntary. Responses will not be returned. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges to the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses of the Government?s use of such information. The information obtained from industry?s response to this notice may be used in the development of a possible acquisition strategy and potential future RFP. Description 50 SW, Schriever AFB CO, is contemplating awarding an engineering and technical support contract for the Air Force Satellite Control Network (AFSCN). This contract would require engineering support for antenna obscura, mission integration, network-common data support, and possibly satellite and ground equipment simulations. AFSCN Mission/Background. The AFSCN is a global network of satellite Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C) assets, mission operations, and data transfer resources. The AFSCN supports manned and unmanned Department of Defense (DoD) and non-DoD programs, and United States sponsored programs of foreign governments. The AFSCN also provides support to spacecraft during pre-launch, launch, and early on-orbit activities. This support consists of tracking, orbit determination, acquiring and processing telemetry data, generating and transmitting commands, and the scheduling of AFSCN resources. Additional Location Changes. Because of changes in using command equipment, support requirements and directives, AFSCN support locations may be added or removed during the period of performance for this contract. Any changes will be coordinated with a minimum of 60 days lead time for contractor/50 SW mitigation. Technical Support Required: 1) Obscura: The contractor shall provide engineering and technical services for the development and sustainment of standardized obscura and radiation hazard (RADHAZ) data collection, storage and distribution for the AFSCN, including the development of an automated obscura analysis capability. The elements of this task may include, but are not limited to: - Periodic review of the obscura at each of the AFSCN Remote Tracking Sites. This may be accomplished by utilization of the automated obscura analysis tool, conducting technical interchange meetings and interviews with AFSCN customers, various DoD and Government organizations and/or their affiliated contractors; or, by performing site specific surveys. Specific dates, times, and locations for these evaluations will be determined in the detailed work statement. - Execute an engineering analysis of raw obscura and/or RADHAZ data. - Prepare and provide engineering reports detailing findings and recommendations for site and antenna-specific obscura and Transmit Inhibit Zones (TIZs), as well as reports, briefings and other engineering and/or technical documents - Prepare, test, assemble and distribute (upon Government approval) newly processed obscura/TlZ data. Archive these calculated values using a developed cataloging/configuration management system. - Provide system engineering support for process definition and data distribution. - Develop, maintain and update an automated obscura analysis capability. 2) Mission Integration and Network Support: The contractor shall provide engineering and technical support to users of the AFSCN in the research, development and integration of new satellites and systems into the AFSCN. This support may include, but is not limited to: - Provide technical expertise to assist in the connectivity and successful activation and integration of new satellite programs with the AFSCN. This expertise may include unique and specific AFSCN configuration and implementation techniques, knowledge of specific AFSCN Communication networking protocols and strategies, RTS interface details, and new program implementation requirements, such as the Inter-Range Operations Number Data Base development. - Provide engineering expertise to troubleshoot and resolve AFSCN satellite support problems, including developing and performing special tests to help troubleshoot, isolate and solve these problems. This support may be applied before, during, or after launch. - Provide technical insight of AFSCN and launch based activities during tests, rehearsals, launch and early orbit events, aid operator crew understanding of these infrequent, yet critical events. - Provide engineering support to new satellite programs and their associated satellite operations centers (SOCs), to include process and procedure familiarization in the interfaces with the AFSCN. . - Review and provide analysis for mission support of new and future satellite architectures, including reviews of Program Requirements Documents (PRDs), Program Support Plans (PSPs), Operations Directives, Interface Requirements Documents, etc. - Provide Network requirements and definition support to upcoming AFSCN customers. - Provide recommendations to AFSCN procedures, processes, and systems to avoid problems, and to simplify and streamline the AFSCN integration process for future AFSCN users. 3) Network-Common Support: The contractor shall provide engineering and technical services for the development, implementation and sustainment of an on-line electronic data repository of AFSCN Network Common data elements. The elements of this task may include, but are not limited to: - Evaluate the efficiency and over-all ability of the proposed system to satisfy mission requirements, including accuracy, timeliness, system security and data distribution techniques. Interviews and close collaboration with AFSCN customers may be necessary to effectively evaluate and design this system. - Propose recommendations to correct system deficiencies, improve system responsiveness while maintaining data integrity and control. - Upon Government approval of the proposed system, provide for system administration, configuration management, maintenance and sustainment. - Assist the Government Manager in the periodic review, evaluation and approval of all AFSCN Network-common database parameters and value changes. This support may be achieved through coordinating and exchanging working level information with AFSCN customers, various DoD and Government organizations and/or their affiliated contractors. - Document and archive these approved, up-dated values using a developed cataloging and/or configuration management system. - Inform and coordinate the approved changes with AFSCN users. - Provide system engineering support for process definition and data distribution. - Provide long range planning of AFSCN Common data, implementation, and distribution processes. - Provide technical insight and engineering expertise for the architectural development of the data system upgrades. 4) Satellite and Ground Equipment Simulation: The contractor shall provide engineering and technical services for the development and sustainment of a Satellite and Ground Equipment Simulation. The elements of this task may include, but are not limited to: - Provide engineering and technical support to AFSCN Users requesting satellite and/or ground communications simulations support. This support may require the development of unique test scenarios, testing procedures, and troubleshooting techniques. - Provide engineering expertise to troubleshoot and resolve equipment problems, including developing and performing special tests to help isolate and solve these problems. - Propose recommendations to correct system deficiencies, improve system responsiveness while maintaining data integrity and control by recognizing RTS directives, space vehicle commands, track information, and dynamic telemetry. - Develop, maintain and update any COTS software which may be associated with this equipment. 5) Directed Engineering. Contractor will conduct special engineering studies, analyses, and investigations as directed by the PCO in conjunction with the performance work statement (PWS). This support may require the development of special engineering/technical reports, briefings and presentations to a wide variety of audiences, with varying technical backgrounds. 6) Program Management. Provide management support for this AFSCN engineering and technical support effort, which may include, but not be limited to, management reports in the form of program management reviews and program status reviews which detail contract costs, schedule, and performance. Coordinate and exchange working level information with associate contractors and Government organizations to facilitate understanding of activities, exchange of data and coordination of schedules. NAICS Code The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 541330 (Engineering Services, (Military and Aerospace Equipment and Military Weapons)), with a size standard of $23M. Responses to this synopsis will be used for market research only. Statement of Capabilities: Interested parties are requested to submit a statement of capability addressing relevant technical capabilities in the following areas: 1) AFSCN background knowledge and technical expertise 2) Demonstrated experience with AFSCN obscura, mission integration, mission simulation and AFSCN common data elements 3) AFSCN Program management experience 4) Knowledge of AFSCN communications networks, equipment, software and pending changes. 5) Knowledge of DoD acquisition and contract monitoring requirements. Responses must be in chronological bullet format, starting with the most recent and must identify all items stated above. The statement of capability shall not exceed 10 single-sided pages in length. Responses may be sent via mail or email; however, responses must arrive in electronic form in Microsoft Word 98 or higher or in Portable Document Format (PDF). All responses must conform to 8.5 by 11 inch pages, with font no smaller than 12 point. Please do not include personnel resumes, as they will not be reviewed nor considered at this time. Respondents should indicate if they are a small business, a socially and economically disadvantaged business, 8(a) firms, historically black colleges or universities, and minority institutions. Submitted information shall be UNCLASSIFIED. The Government will not pay for any information submitted by respondents to this Sources Sought request. Contractors who believe they possess the desired expertise and experience should submit a statement of capability containing the above reference information to Ms. Stacy Reed or Kathryn Bernstein, 50 CONS/LGCZB, 210 Falcon Parkway, Suite 2116, Schriever Air Force Base, CO 80912-2116, or via email at stacy.reed@schriever.af.mil or kathryn.bernstein@schriever.af.mil. Responses must be received no later than 1530 (3:30 PM Mountain Time), Friday, 6 July 2007. All documentation shall become the property of the Government. NOTE: E-mail submissions are subject to size and type restrictions (typically limited to less than 1 megabyte in size and only non-executable attachments such as .doc or .pdf files) as well as any other appropriate network security measures. It is the submitter?s responsibility to verify the package was delivered or e-file was received and can be viewed. All responses must address each of the stated requirements.