DIGITALLY AIDED CLOSE AIR SUPPORT (DACAS) SERVICE

SOURCES SOUGHT PANNGB-20-P-0000005260 DIGITALLY AIDED CLOSE AIR SUPPORT (DACAS) SME SERVICE AT ALPENA CRTC, MI 49707 The purpose of this Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) is to identify potential sources and if this effort can be competitive or a Small Business Set-Aside. This SSS is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government and is for market research purposes ONLY. Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) is seeking business sources to include all set asides for a Digitally Aided Close Air Support Services contract. No solicitation is available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. This SSS is open to all types of businesses including small businesses. The information in this notice is based on current information available to date. This information is subject to change and is not binding to the Government. Any updated information will be provided in future announcements and posted electronically on the Federal Business Opportunities website at www.fbo.gov. Failure to respond to this Sources Sought will not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if issued. The service is located at the Alpena CRTC, MI 49707 (Alpena). The Government intends to award one contract Firm Fixed Price (FFP) for an ordering period of up to one year with two option year periods (total of 3 years). The proposed Standard Industrial Classification Code (SIC) is 8748 and the proposed North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) code is 541690. The size standard for this NIACS is $16.5 million. The Government will use this information to determine the best acquisition strategy for this procurement. The Government is interested in all businesses to include Small Businesses, Small Disadvantaged Businesses, 8(a), Veteran Owned Small Businesses, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, HUBZone Small Businesses, and Women-Owned Small Business concerns. The government requests that interested parties respond to this notice if applicable and identify your small business status to the identified NAICS code. The service will include the following requirements: Digitally Aided Close Air Support Services to include all personnel, equipment, tools, materials, supervision, and quality control necessary to perform Digitally Aided Close Air Support Expertise and Training Services. Background: Northern Strike is an annual National Guard Bureau-accredited Joint Combined Live Fire Exercise (CALFEX) conducted at the Alpena CRTC. This exercise provides accessible readiness opportunities for all Military Services and Components to achieve and/or sustain proficiency in conducting mission command, air and ground maneuver integration, and the synchronization of fires in a joint, multinational, decisive action, Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO) environment that is scalable to unit resource levels. The exercise follows a 12 month Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC) containing a number of events that ensure successful execution. These events allow participating units to coordinate, synchronize, and identify deficiencies in required resources. Northern Strike requires support through the provision of world class tactical and digital communications training to boost the warfighter's battle-tracking capability and enhance decision-making abilities for Joint Service leaders at all echelons. Requirements: The contractor shall work with Alpena CRTC Northern Strike staff to develop tactical scenarios, providing Subject Matter Expertise in Digitally Aided Close Air Support (DACAS) Doctrine/TTP. Coordinate and integrate with all unit Points of Contact (POC's) and Weapons and Tactics (WEPTAC) shops, range personnel, Spectrum Managers, and white cell exercise personnel to build Air Tasking Order (ATO) and create the training schedules. No later than the first day of every month and upon request, provide a report of unit participation status that tracks all planned training events, meetings/conferences, and project milestones to the Michigan air National Guard (MIARNG) leadership. Report will highlight and include recommendations for areas of concern. Answer Requests for Information (RFI's) through direct, or re-routing, information and connecting individuals in order to resolve the need for information. Maintain records of RFI's to show what was requested and how/when the RFI was resolved. Deploy Mobile Training Teams (MTT's) to participating units to ensure readiness prior to first day of exercise. MTT's consist of no fewer than two (2) instructors. Provide a team of Subject Matter Experts (SME's) that will visit each participating unit to brief digital networks, Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) expectations, and provide multiple days of training on their current field equipment and capabilities. Establish baseline and advanced understanding of current technology so units may leverage digital communications equipment to expedite the Close Air Support (CAS) kill-chain while providing real-time situational awareness between command and control, ground units, and air-support platforms. Baseline items required by CRTC: Digital Networking - A MTT will deploy to each exercise participant unit's home station, prior to exercise execution, to provide baseline introduction and academics, equipment familiarization (Unit's fielded systems), and integration with current Digitally Aided Close Air Support (DACAS) Doctrine/TTP. Data Links included into rotation are based on the participant unit's current capabilities. The networks may be Variable Message Format over Combat Net Radio (VMF over CNR), Situation Awareness Data Link (SADL), and Link 16. Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) - Basic Overview, Digital Fires, & Close Air Support Application. Special Warfare Airmen - Digitally Aided Strike Suite - DACAS Harris Situational Awareness (SA) - Configuration and employment Adaptive Networking Wideband Waveform (ANW2) - Communications Plan Application (CPA) and tactical implementation. Tactical radio communications: Radio types include but will not be limited to PRC148, PRC152, PRC117F/G. Antenna theory, system programming such as AM, FM, Satellite Communications (SATCOM), Variable Message Format (VMF), configuration, and tactical employment. Contractor personnel shall scale training on CRTC required baseline items for Annual Training; prepare metric to measure training success within units, work with CRTC Staff to develop tactical scenarios and provide Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) instruction as required after each mission. Provide on-call support from company home location to aid and assist in administrative, network/equipment troubleshooting, and scenario development. Attend Mid Planning Conference (MPC) and Final Planning Conference (FPC). During Execution, contractor shall provide personnel to support set-up, network configuration, and unit training support. Personnel will be on station at the Alpena CRTC throughout the entire event. Personnel will aid lane observer coaches (OC's) as required to aid in mission flow, facilitate pre-brief/debriefs, create capabilities overlap in case of emergency, monitor safety, and instruct to identify unit trends, develop new TTP's, and identify best practices for event improvement. Special Qualifications: Contractor personnel shall be proficient in Digitally Aided Close Air Support (DACAS) Doctrine and shall be able to instruct and fully administer DACAS programming as it pertains to both air and ground systems, regardless of Service Component (US Air Force, Air National Guard, US Army, US Navy, US Marine Corps). Contractor personnel shall be able to work with Joint Forces and provide services to any Department of Defense (DoD) or Other Governmental Agencies (OGA) responsible for applicable network operations. The contractor's employees performing work in support of this requirement shall possess or be eligible to receive and maintain a SECRET security clearance from the Defense Security Services prior to commencement of the period of performance. Phase-In / Phase-Out Periods: To minimize any decreases in productivity and to prevent possible negative impacts on additional services, the contractor shall have personnel on board, during the 30 Day phase in/ phase out periods. During the phase in period, the contractor shall become familiar with performance requirements in order to commence full performance of services on the contract start date. Statement of Capability (SOC) responses are requested to be submitted no later than 7 days after posting date and is limited to 15 pages. SOC must provide the following information for your company and for any teaming or joint venture partners: a) Name of Company/Address b) CAGE Code (if available); c) DUNS Number; d) Point of Contact; e) Phone, Fax number, email address; f) Web page URL; g) Size of Business (i.e. Large business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, 8(a), Veteran Owned Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business, HUBZone Small Business, or Women-Owned Small Business), U.S. or Foreign-Owned Entity h) Indicate whether your interest in this is as a prime contractor or as a subcontractor i) Expertise in providing Digitally Aided Close Air Support Services; and j) Demonstration of your company's past experience on previous efforts similar in complexity to this requirement. Include a listing of projects completed (both Government and private industry), a brief description of the work performed, period of performance, dollar value, contract number, agency/organization supported and individual point of contact. Indicate whether your company was the prime or subcontractor on these projects; if subcontractor, provide the name and Point of Contact of the prime contractor. Responses must be received no later than 3:00 P.M. EST on 16 March 2020. Responses shall be electronic to MSgt Aaron Bradby, aaron.m.bradby.mil@mail.mil. You may confirm receipt by calling MSgt Bradby at (989)354-6214. Only electronic submissions will be considered. Any costs incurred as a result of this announcement shall be borne by the Offeror and will not be charged to the Government for reimbursement.