Development and Implementation of an Airworthiness Authority/Directorate

The 338th Specialized Contracting Squadron (338 SCONS) is conducting market research to gather pricing and availability from potential contractor's capable of providing Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS) based Military Airworthiness Training to establish and implement an Airworthiness Authority/Directorate for the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA)/Afghanistan National Defense and Security Force (ANDSF). Description 1.1. The 338th Specialized Contracting Squadron (338 SCONS) in support of the Air Force Security Assistance Training Squadron (AFSAT) is seeking information on interested contractors who can establish and implement an Airworthiness Authority/Directorate for GIRoA/ANDSF. 1.2. The objective is to provide a full range of training required to implement the European Military Aviation Requirements (EMAR) defined by the European Defense Agency (EDA), develop an EMAR-based system tailored to the Afghanistan-unique operating environment, ensure the Afghanistan airworthiness staff operate in accordance with NATO Resolute Support (RS)/US security requirements for all in-country activities (location would be RS, TDY's to safe suitable locations), and align & integrate with Afghanistan Civil Aviation Authority (ACAA) policies where appropriate and as required by the GIRoA/ANDSF. 1.3. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: The GIRoA/ANDSF requires vendor/service provider to provide/establish: 1.3.1. Airworthiness Regulations Development 1.3.1.1. Develop a detailed project plan to raise and implement a new military airworthiness framework for the GIRoA/ANDSF based on EMAR. 1.3.1.2. Generate a complete set of military aviation regulations, based on EMAR, which shall support an initial and continuous Military Standard ensuring ongoing and future success for the GIRoA/ANDSF Airworthiness Authority/Directorate. 1.3.1.3. Introduce regulations to the Afghanistan Air Force (AAF) based on EMAR 147 (approval of Maintenance Training Organizations) and EMAR 66 (approval of Engineer Licensing) while leveraging the existing AAF Maintenance Levels 3, 2, 1 framework being used by Contracted Logistic Support (CLS) maintainers: Level 3 - Apprentice (similar to USAF 3 Level) Level 2 - Journeyman (similar to USAF 5 Level) Level 1 - Craftsman (similar to USAF 7 Level) 1.3.1.4. Advise on the implementation of European Military Authorities Documentation for Recognition (EMAD R) to establish processes for the recognition of aviation products delivered from the United States, Russia and other nations as appropriate. 1.3.1.5. Developed Military Airworthiness Authority (MAA) regulations shall be provided in English and Dari. 1.3.2. Establish ANDSF Military Airworthiness Authority: 1.3.2.1. Contractor shall design, build and deliver training to identified Afghanistan (A) MAA staff. 1.3.2.2. Contractor to have the capacity to outsource/fill key positions on a temporary basis during (A) MAA development. 1.3.2.3. Create and deliver duty statements for (A) MAA staff. 1.3.2.4. Develop internal processes for (A) MAA to meet airworthiness regulations. 1.3.2.5. Provide a continuation training and mentorship program for (A) MAA staff and key appointments in the airworthiness framework (eg. Military Continuing Airworthiness Management (Mil CAM) and Quality Management (QM) System. 1.3.3. Establish Continuing Airworthiness Management Organization (CAMO)/EMAR M Processes and Procedures for the ANDSF 1.3.3.1. Assist the GIRoA/ANDSF in setting up and establishing processes and procedures to meet the requirements of the Afghan military airworthiness regulations, including EMAR M (Management), EMAR 147/66 (regulates approval of Maintenance Training Organizations and Engineer Licensing), and EMAR 145 (Requirements for Maintenance Organizations). 1.3.3.2. Provide the GIRoA/ANDSF with simplified efficient and repeatable processes for the conduct of continuing airworthiness functions and in the process, train them how to accomplish said functions. 1.3.3.3. Assist the GIRoA/ANDSF in developing a system to create and deliver duty statements for the CAMO staff and in the process, train them how do develop and create the system and deliver the duty statements. 1.3.3.4. Ensure GIRoA/ANDSF understanding of CAMO duty statements and have the capability to support/comply with the duty statement. 1.3.4. Provide Training Program 1.3.4.1. Provide initial and continuation training to Afghan and coalition parties on EMAR. 1.3.4.2. Provide initial and continuation training to Afghan airworthiness Accountable Managers (AM) and Senior Operational Commanders. 1.3.4.3. Provide a continuation, competency-based training program. The Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) will be integrated into the Afghanistan Aircraft Maintenance Development Center (AMDC). 1.3.4.4. Provide and ensure linguist services are available for all training and mentoring sessions. 1.3.5. Provide MAA Audit Services 1.3.5.1. Develop and introduce a fully functioning audit program for the MAA to monitor the airworthiness of the GIRoA/ANDSF fleet. 1.3.5.2. Provide training and regulatory compliance service to the MAA to implement and control the developing airworthiness framework. 1.3.5.3. Train, develop, implement, and advise MAA staff on audit planning and techniques related to developing the airworthiness system. 1.3.5.4. Review and ensure appropriate level of competency is achieved by MAA staff. 1.3.6. Provide Contract Integration Consultancy 1.3.6.1. Provide EMAR training and support to CLS contractors (as required), to facilitate the transfer of airworthiness authority from CLS contractors to GIRoA/ANDSF. 1.3.6.2. Advise and report to CSTC-A and TAAC-Air in order to allow adequate time for them to be able to integrate EMAR airworthiness framework requirements in to the various PMOs future CLS contracts. 1.3.6.3. Provide advice to existing and future CLS contractors to meet the principles of the regulations, including advice on compilation of Expositions and supporting processes for EMAR 145 Authorized Maintenance Organization (AMO) compliance. 1.3.6.4. Advise and report on the alignment of AMDC and other relevant training organizations to EMAR 147. 1.3.6.5. Contractor shall conduct an initial analysis of GIRoA/ANDSF and determine shortfalls in personnel for implementing training based on the developing airworthiness framework. 1.4. Technology Transfer in accordance with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) 1.4.1. Contractor is responsible for obtaining all necessary approvals and clearances to allow the shipment of training materials to the customer country by either claiming an FMS exemption under the auspices of the applicable Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA), in accordance with the ITAR, Part 126, General Policies and Provisions, Sub-Part 126.6, Foreign-owned Military Aircraft and Naval Vessels, and the FMS program, or with an approved Technical Assistance Agreement (TAA), in accordance with the applicable ITAR, Part 124, Agreements, Off-Shore Procurement and Other Defense Services, Sub-Part 124.1, Manufacturing License Agreements and TAA through the U.S. Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. Also, regarding TAAs reference ITAR, Sub-Part 124.2, Exemptions for Training and Military services. Contractor shall ensure either of these approaches is successfully completed prior to training start, to include any subcontractor training required for each individual vendor. The Contractor shall be responsible for any subcontract and personnel management to insure there are no third party disclosure issues violating the ITAR. 1.5. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Air Force is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on SAM.Beta.GOV, https://beta.sam.gov/. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement. 2.0 Requested Information If your firm is capable of providing the requirements described in this RFI and Description of Requirement, please provide pricing and a Capability Statement with responses to all questions below, utilizing the existing numbering scheme for each response. Responses shall be limited to 10 pages and submitted via e-mail only to gregory.vistuba@us.af.mil. Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. 2.1. All interested parties are invited to provide the following information: 2.1.1. Company Name and CAGE code. 2.1.2. Mailing Address 2.1.3. Point of Contact (to include phone and e-mail) 2.1.4 Web site, if applicable. 2.1.5 State if your company is registered under NAICS code 611512 or not. 2.1.6. State if you company is ISO certified, and if so what certification is held. 2.1.7. State whether your firm is large, small, small disadvantaged, woman-owned small, HUB-Zone, veteran owned, service-disabled veteran owned, or 8(a) certified business concern for NAICS 611512. 2.1.8. Describe your capability to meet the technical training requirements described above and in the attached Description of Requirement. 2.1.9. Describe your experience with foreign governments and foreign military, as well as performance overseas. 2.1.10. Describe your experience with similar technical training requirements to include the type of contract. Please include contract number and a point of contact. 2.1.11. Describe your housing (to include security) and rest & relaxation trip expectations. 3.0 Industry Discussions 338 SCONS and AFSAT representatives may or may not choose to contact potential offerors. Such discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements, especially any development and certification risks. 4.0 Questions Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the Contracting Officer, e-mail address. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions will be answered by posting answers to SAM.Beta.GOV, https://beta.sam.gov/; accordingly, questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after 18 Dec 2019 will be answered. 5.0 Summary THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that can establish and implement an Airworthiness Authority/Directorate for the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan (GIRoA)/Afghanistan National Defense and Security Force (ANDSF). The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Air Force has not made a commitment to procure any of the items/services discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Any questions must be submitted in writing no later than 11:00 AM (CST), on 18 Dec 2019. All interested firms that possess the capabilities and capacities addressed herein are encouraged to respond to the notice by providing the information specified above no later than 11:00 AM (CST), on 2 Jan 2020. Any questions or information submitted is preferred in soft-copy form in either Microsoft Word and/or Microsoft PowerPoint and shall be provided via e-mail. Please send your responses or questions to the undersigned at e-mail: gregory.vistuba@us.af.mil