Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Launch Service (ELS) Contracts

The United States Air Force Space and Missile System Center (SMC), Launch and Range Systems Wing (LRSW), is contemplating issuing a Request for Proposal (RFP) to United Launch Services, L.L.C. for Launch Services in support of the Air Force. One (1) mission will be added to the existing EELV Launch Services (ELS) contract with United Launch Services, L.L.C. The one (1) Launch Services will include requirements for the following: Core Vehicle and Upper Stage, Payload Fairing, Payload Adaptor, Mission Unique Hardware, Mission Assurance Instrumentation, and Booster Storage Costs (if required). The RFP will be issued 15 days after publication of this Notice of Contract Action (NOCA). The Government may elect not to award any launch service (described above) as a result of this solicitation. FAR 6.302-1 states, "When the supplies or services required by the agency are available from only one responsible source, or, for DOD, NASA, and the Coast Guard, from only one or a limited number of responsible sources, and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, full and open competition need not be provided for." A J&A may permit Government missions to be awarded with less than full and open competition to United Launch Services, L.L.C. subject to the Competition in Contracting Act. The Launch and Range Systems Wing (LRSW) has developed a New Entrant Evaluation Plan (NEEP). The NEEP defines a structured approach for the Wing to evaluate potential new entrants to perform Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) launch services. A "new entrant" is any contractor other than current providers of EELV launch services. The evaluation plan identifies the business and technical requirements for a new entrant to be eligible for award of launch services. A business evaluation will determine the responsibility of the new entrant, including financial resources, organization and functional expertise, adequacy of production and launch operations facilities, and the ability to obtain necessary construction and environmental permits. A technical evaluation will determine the new entrant's understanding of, and ability to meet, EELV systems requirements, design maturity, adequacy of development and qualification activities, manufacturing process quality, and demonstrated system flight worthiness. The result of the new entrant evaluation process will be a formal determination by the Commander, LRSW, submitted to and approved by the Commander, Space and Missile Center, as to the ability of the new entrant to compete for EELV launch services. The intent of this plan is to ensure new entrants are provided a prompt opportunity to demonstrate their abilities (at their own expense), while protecting the Government's need to acquire systems that meet requirements. Any interested parties or new entrants may contact the PCO (address below) about receiving a copy of the NEEP. Responses from Small Businesses are encouraged. NAICS Code is 541712 with 1,000 employees. Any interested parties (or new entrants) must be: (1) U.S. manufacturers as defined in the 2005 Buy 3 Request for Proposal; (2) have successfully demonstrated two missions (intermediate or larger) that inserts payloads into their intended orbits; (3) meet the system requirements identified in the Operational Requirements Document (ORD II) as presented in the March 2005 System Performance Requirements Document (SPRD) for Buy 3; and (4) successfully completed the new entrant evaluation criteria (described above), at their own expense. Firms that did not perform under the Low Cost Concept Validation, Engineering and Manufacturing Development, and Initial Launch Services contracts, yet believe they can satisfy technical requirements and solicitation provisions as contractors for the EELV launch services, are encouraged to submit a Statement of Capability and qualification (limited to four (4) pages, 10 pt Times New Roman font, single spaced) addressing the above criteria within seven (7) calendar days of this synopsis to: LRSW/PK, Attn: Ms Cathy Butler, 483 North Aviation Blvd, El Segundo, CA 90245-2808. Prior EELV experience has shown that the new entrant certification time period may be longer than the acquisition timeline for the missions identified in this NOCA. Therefore, other interested parties are welcome to use this NOCA and the described New Entrant Evaluation Plan to initiate activity towards qualifying their launch system for future EELV launch services. This synopsis is not a formal solicitation. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this synopsis, nor to otherwise pay for the information solicited herein.