Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) Increment (INC) 2 - Announcements

Amendment - 30 October 2019 Amendment - 12 November 2019 - Complete Revision Amendment - 3 December 2019 - Sources Sought detail addition and revision to anticipated event dates Amendment - 19 December 2019 - Question & Answer addition Amendment - 23 December 2019 - Industry Day Event Registration Instructions addition Amendment - 6 January 2020 - Industry Day CANCELLED - Notification ************************************************************************************************ INDUSTRY DAY EVENT ANNOUNCEMENT: The Industry Day Event scheduled for 13-14 January 2020 is CANCELLED. There is no estimate as to when/if one will be rescheduled. The Government will not be responding to questions pertaining to this notification. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DISCLAIMER: The invitation to attend and participate in the ERCA INC2 Industry Day Event does not constitute an invitation for bid or request for proposal (RFP), nor does it restrict the Government as to its acquisition approach for the anticipated requirement. Any procurement action, if one results, for the ERCA INC2 Program, will be subject to a separate, future announcement. The Government is under no obligation to award any related contract associated with this event. Further, it does not obligate the Government in any manner. The Government will not reimburse interested parties for any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this notice, or for preparing for or attending the Open forum or One-on-One Session. Participation in these sessions are voluntary. Releasable documents and information may be posted to BETA.SAM.GOV as they become publicly releasable. The posted information is provided for planning purposes only. Although not anticipated, The Government reserves the right to change the time, date, and/or location of this event; any changes will be posted to the ERCA INC2 - Announcement on the Beta.SAM.Gov website. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: This Industry Day Event is open to industry and interested NAMC members, who are Department of Defense (DoD) and United States DoD contractors with an active System for Award Management account (confirmed by cage code). A prototype project will not be awarded in response to this announcement. The purpose of this announcement is to provide members of the National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC), and industry in general, notification of the Government's intent to host an Industry Day Event. For information on the NAMC and/or how to become a member, visit the following website: https://www.defensemobility.org/. Should a Request for Prototype Proposal (RPP) be issued, the anticipated release would be around April 2020. It is anticipated that the Government will utilize the Ground Vehicle Systems Other Transaction Agreement (GVS OTA), W15QKN-17-9-1025 as the mechanism for RPP and award. The GVS OTA was awarded under the authority of 10 U.S.C. - 2371b, Section 815 of the 2016 National Defense Authorization Act, P.L 114-92. This award may allow for Follow-on Production in accordance with 10.U.S.C. 2371b(f), which states that, upon a determination that this competitively awarded prototype project has been successfully completed, this prototype project may result in the award of a follow-on production contract or transaction without the use of competitive procedures. The anticipated follow-on production quantity, if executed, is estimated at approximately 200 ERCA INC 2 vehicles. ********************************************************************************* Questions & Answers Question 1. Will the Program Manager and Cross Functional Team from Fort Sill be represented, or is the Army representation purely ammunition folks from Picatinny? Answer 1. The Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) Increment (Inc) 2 Industry Day is led by Project Office Self-Propelled Howitzer Systems, Product Lead ERCA Increment 2. Representation from other Army organizations is anticipated to include: Long Range Precision Fires Cross-Functional Team, Combat Capabilities Development Command Armament Center, and Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems. Question 2. Is the industry day to discuss the cannon-delivered area effects munition (CDAEM)/projectile portion of the ERCA Increment 2 program? Or something focused on the Paladin vehicle itself? Answer 2. The ERCA Inc 2 Industry Day will focus on vehicle development with anticipated presentations from supporting Army organizations regarding technologies that relate to the effort. Question 3. Is the solicitation for the gun system or the round? Answer 3. This is not a solicitation request. The posting pertains to an anticipated Industry Day supporting the ERCA Inc 2 anticipated requirement, and will focus on vehicle development with anticipated presentations from supporting Army organizations regarding technologies that relate to the effort. Question 4. What technology is used pertaining to the munition to the target? Does the munition use a laser for guidance into the target? Answer 4. This information is not anticipated to be presented during the ERCA Inc 2 Industry Day. ********************************************************************************** Sources Sought/Request for Information - Extended Range Cannon Artillery (ERCA) Increment (INC) 2 Program DESCRIPTION OF INTENT: THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. No contract/agreement will be awarded from this announcement. This is not a Proposal Request or an announcement of a forthcoming solicitation, nor is it a request seeking contractors to be placed on a solicitation mailing list. Response to this RFI is voluntary and no reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to it and any follow-on information requests. Data submitted in response to this RFI will not be returned. No solicitation document exists at this time, and calls requesting a solicitation will not be answered. DISCLAIMER: Reference herein to any specific commercial company, product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the United States Government or the Department of the Army (DA). The opinions of the authors expressed herein do not necessarily state or reflect those of the United States Government or the DA, and shall not be used for advertising or product endorsement purposes. PROPRIETARY INFORMATION: It is the responsibility of Industry, when providing any comments/responses, to properly mark such information that is considered proprietary or is otherwise restricted. The United States Government (USG) is not obligated to protect unmarked data. Nor is the Government obligated for like data in possession of third parties or for data which is afterwards placed in the public domain by the contractor or by third parties through no fault of the USG. Should the USG need to reproduce the protected data for distribution purposes between Government offices, all such data will be reproduced with restrictive legends in place. The USG acknowledges its obligations under the Federal Acquisition Regulation 3.104-4 to protect confidential information provided to the Government (18 U.S.C. - 1905). Pursuant to this statute, the USG is willing to accept any trade secrets or proprietary restrictions placed upon qualifying data forwarded in response to this RFI and to protect such information from unauthorized disclosure, subject to the following: Qualifying data must be clearly marked PROPRIETARY and be accompanied by an explanatory text so that the Government is clearly notified as to exactly what data so qualifies. Mark only data that is truly confidential. Do not mark data that is already in the public domain or is already in possession of the USG or third parties on an unclassified basis. Proprietary data transmitted electronically must have the PROPRIETARY legend on both the cover of the transmittal e-mail as well as at the beginning of the file. Proprietary information contained within the correspondence shall use the legends: "PROPRIETARY PORTION BEGINS" and "PROPRIETARY PORTION ENDS." Support Contractors: The Government sometimes uses support contractors in evaluating responses. Consequently, responses that contain proprietary information may receive only limited or no consideration since the Respondent's marking of data as "PROPRIETARY" will preclude disclosure outside the Government and therefore will preclude disclosure to these support contractors assisting the evaluation effort. The Government will use its best efforts to evaluate those responses that contain proprietary information without using support contractors consistent with the resources available. GENERAL INFORMATION: There is no risk to respondents for participating in this RFI. Participation in this effort is strictly voluntary with no cost or obligation to be incurred by the U.S. Government. The U.S. Government will in no way be bound to this information if any solicitation is issued. However, this is an important opportunity for industry to provide input on this program. This RFI, and all information herein, is for informational planning purposes only and does not constitute a - Proposal request of any kind, nor is it to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government. INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESPONDING TO THIS REQUEST: Responses to the RFI are due on 17 December 2019. It is ideal for response to be in white paper format but any format will be accepted. Responses received after the stated due date, whether received by email or by mail, may not be considered. It is the intent of the Government to address questions anonymously during the industry day. Thus questions should be posed without mention of proprietary information. Questions and answers resulting from this RFI may also be answered and provided to National Advanced Mobility Consortium (NAMC) members and posted anonymously to this website. Responses to this request for information should be sent via e-mail to Brianna Davis at USARMY.Detroit.PEO-GCS.MBX.ERCA-INC-2-Inquiries@mail.mil. You are requested to put "ERCA INC 2 RFI" in the subject line of the e-mail and attachments shall be in MS Word or PDF format. ANTICIPATED SCHEDULE OF MAJOR EVENTS: 17 December 2019 - Responses of this RFI submitted to the Government by interested industry partners 30 December 2019 - Registration closes. Last day to submit email requesting attendence for Industry Day Events (CANCELLED) April 2020 - Tentative Request for Prototype Proposal release. The Government anticipates soliciting the prototype effort through the NAMC. For information about the NAMC or for information about joining, please visit: https://www.defensemobility.org/ September 2020 - Tentative Target Award Date BACKGROUND On 25 September 2018, the Army Acquisition Executive (AAE) approved the initiation of the ERCA Family of Vehicles (FOV) middle tier acquisition (MTA), utilizing the rapid prototyping (RP) pathway in accordance with Section 804 of the FY16 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The objective of the ERCA INC 2 program is to achieve increased lethality by integrating a Government-designed extended range cannon and a Government-designed Ammunition Handling System, herein after referred to as the Autoloader onto either an existing M109A7 system or an existing system other than an M109A7 that meets system capabilities. The Autoloader includes separate projectile and propellant rotating magazines, a transfer mechanism (from storage magazines to breech), and automated fuze setter. ERCA will extend the delivery range and rate of fire of current cannon munitions, leverage developmental projectile/propellant/fuze capabilities, and provide growth potential for additional cross-domain capabilities against both point and area targets. ERCA will enable effective and efficient engagement of vital targets at greatly extended ranges, providing dominant counter-fire, Suppression of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD), and responsive maneuver support, all while enhancing survivability, protection, and mobility for the system and crew. EXPECTED OUTCOME: Complete integration of an ERCA (INC 2) system Assembly of 4 prototype test assets to be delivered by 4th quarter fiscal year 2022 Participation of contractor in Government-led system-level testing Assembly of 18 additional prototypes to be delivered to an operational unit for evaluation by 4th quarter fiscal year 2024. Follow on Production is anticipated - approximately 200 ERCA INC 2 Vehicles. In accordance with the provisions of 10 USC - 2371b(f), any resulting prototype Project Agreement(s) under this effort may provide for a follow-on production contract or transaction to be awarded to the participants of the transaction without the use of competitive procedures, so long as the participants in the transaction successfully complete the prototype project. Note that the information provided within this section is for planning purposes only and is an estimate that is highly preliminary and subject to change based on the progression of the prototype project, funding, schedule and other considerations. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: Request for access to the documents listed below, assisting in answering the RFI questions shall be submitted to USARMY.Detroit.PEO-GCS.MBX.ERCA-INC-2-Inquiries@mail.mil. Requesting contractors should understand that the document is export controlled and stamped Distribution D: Distribution authorized to the Department of Defense and U.S. DOD contractors for Administrative or Operational use (26 November2019). Contractors should consider this when requesting access. If requesting, contractors should put "ERCA INC 2 RFI Supporting Document Request" in the subject line of the e-mail. Contractor's CAGE code shall be provided along with this request for evaluation to see if requestors qualify to receive the restricted documents which are also export controlled, meaning, the document contains technical data whose export is restricted by the Arms Export Control Act (Title 22, U.S.C., Sec. 2751 et. seq.) or the Export Administration Act of 1979 (Title 50, U.S. C., App. 2401 et. seq.), as amended. The posting agency will confirm with the Defense Logistics Information Service (DLIS), via the Joint Certification Program, that the contractor is registered and can receive the document. ERCA INC 2 Sources Sought Supporting Information SOURCES SOUGHT INTENT: The U.S. Army, Project Manager Self-Propelled Howitzer Systems (SPHS), Product Lead ERCA Inc 2, herein after referred to as the United States Government (USG), is interested in gauging industry interest relative to the potential integration and acquisition of an ERCA Inc 2 system. The USG would like to collect information regarding the following: 1) integration of Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) and Government Furnished Material (GFM) onto an existing M109A7 system and 2) the integration of GFE/GFM onto an existing system other than an M109A7 that meets system capabilities. Responses will be utilized to inform the ERCA Inc 2 acquisition strategy. This notice is being posted in an effort to engage Industry and inform potential industry partners and NAMC members of the ERCA Inc 2 development program, conduct market research about the challenges industry may face regarding system development, and identify Government deliverables that could reduce programmatic and technical risk. INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THIS RFI: Please respond to every question. Number each response with the appropriate question number. Questions do not have to be repeated in the response. A - No Response indication can be provided for those question with a - no answer. If a response will satisfy another question, state: - See response to question XX. Include relevant sales media and product manuals. If providing an ACROBAT formatted manual, annotate the manual to indicate which material is applicable to the questions. If preferred, include Internet Web links to locations where animations/videos may be viewed. If providing sales media and/or manuals containing a restricted distribution statement, issue a release statement indicating that the restricted material may be distributed to Army personnel involved with this RFI. Spell out any acronyms in their first instance. Clearly mark any proprietary information. If applicable, the front page of the response package should state, - Proprietary Information Contained. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION: Manufacturer a .Name: b. Mailing Address: c. CAGE: d. DUNs Number: Business Type (Check/Identify all that apply); 8(a) Minority Owned Disabled Veteran Small Business Hub Zone Small-Disadvantaged Large Business Women Owned 2. Personnel Responding to this Questionnaire a. Name: b. Title: c. Responsibility/Position: d. Telephone/Fax Numbers: e. E-mail address: Questions, comments, or concerns, should be addressed to the USARMY.Detroit.PEO-GCS.MBX.ERCA-INC-2-Inquiries@mail.mil mailbox . All product brochures and/or literature that cannot be sent via email can be sent to: Army Contracting Command- Warren, 6501 E. 11 Mile Rd, ATTN: Brianna Davis, SFAE-GCS-FC, BLDG 229, Mail Stop: 531, Warren, MI 48397-5000. QUESTIONS GENERAL Has your company ever been awarded a contract/agreement from the USG as a Prime Contractor to develop or produce a ground combat vehicle? Contract vs Other Transaction Agreement: a. The USG is considering utilizing 2371b, Other Transaction Authority (OTA) to competitively execute the prototyping phase of ERCA Inc 2. Does your company forsee any barriers to utilizing an OTA to award this effort? b. Conditions for use of a Prototype OTA are provided below. Is this achievable or does this present a barrier? Please explain. i. There is at least one nontraditional defense contractor or nonprofit research institution participating to a significant extent in the prototype project; ii. All significant participants in the transaction other than the Federal Government are small businesses (including small businesses participating in a program described under section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638)) or nontraditional defense contractors; iii. At least one third of the total cost of the prototype project is to be paid out of funds provided by sources other than other than the Federal Government c. If the Government requested a proposal respective to the requirement summarized in this document, would your company be proposing as a prime or as a subcontractor? i. Please explain any anticipated teaming arrangements ii. Summarize the project team, qualification roles, responsibilities, expected percentage of work and their non-traditional or traditional defense contractor status pursuant to 10 USC 2302(9). 3. Does your company forsee any issues with utilizing either Cost reimbursable or Firm Fixed Price Incentive Fee contract types? Explain any conflicts and/or propose other approaches with supporting rationale. 4. If the Government issued a solicitation respective to the requirements summarized in this document, what data would your company need in order to prepare a proposal? 5. The potential follow-on production effort may include ancillary services and ancillary items such as spare parts, technical manuals, contractor logistic support (CLS), etc. Does your company have the capability to support this part of the requirement? PATH 1 - Integration of GFE/GFM onto an existing M109A7 system. Anticipated GFE/GFM to be integrated would include, but not be limited to, the following sub-systems/items: Government-designed armament system (cannon, gun mount, breech, etc) Government-designed Autoloader Government-designed ERCA Pointing Control System (EPCS) What experience does your company have integrating large-scale, Government-developed technology onto existing systems? a. please describe your company's ability to adapt existing facilities, tools, equipment, processes, etc. for this purpose. 2. What experience does your company have with modifying a combat system to improve mobility performance at the 50 ton weight limit? a. What facilities would be utilized to perform this effort? b. What would be the lead time to facilitate? 3. What level (developmental or production) and type (CAD, drawings, installation manuals, ICDs, etc), including format (such as .PDF, .STP, etc.), of technical data is required of the existing M109A7 system to support system integration? 4. If the structural technical data of the existing M109A7 system was not provided, due to Intellectual Property restrictions, can the system-level integration work be executed in accordance with the schedule? a. Would delivery of system-level hardware supplement the technical data gap? b. Identify major risk areas regarding not receiving M109A7 structural technical data. 5. What level (developmental or production) and type (CAD, drawings, installation manuals, ICDs, etc), including format (such as .PDF, .STP, etc.), of technical data is required of the GFE/GFM to support system integration? 6. Would delivery of sub-system hardware of the GFE/GFM (such as Armament system and Autoloader), to be integrated onto the existing system, be required to be delivered to to the contractor during the integration phase? 7. Identify risks associated with conducting this work while supporting the FY24 asset delivery schedule. 8. Would access to an M109A7 or subsystems be required to prepare a proposal? a. If access was granted, how much time would your company need to assess the vehicle? b. If access to an M109A7 was granted how many people would need access? PATH 2 - Integration of GFE/GFM onto an existing system other than an M109A7 that meets system capabilities. Anticipated GFE/GFM to be integrated would include, but not be limited to, the following sub-systems/items: Government-designed armament system (cannon, gun mount, breech, etc) Optional use of the Government-designed Autoloader What existing vehicle(s) would your company propose to meet this set of requirements? a. Model number b. Manufacturing plant location c. Fully loaded combat weight d. Describe vehicles complexity (e.g. electronics, powertrain technologies, weapons system technologies, software development) e. Manufacturing rate 2. What experience does your company have integrating large-scale, Government-developed technology? 3. What level (developmental or production) and type (CAD, drawings, installation manuals, ICDs, etc), including format (such as .PDF, .STP, etc.), of technical data is required of the GFE/GFM to support system integration? 4. Would delivery of sub-system hardware of the GFE/GFM (such as Armament system and Autoloader), to be integrated onto the proposed system, be required to be delivered to the contractor during the integration phase? 5. Does your company have other ammunition handling technology that could meet the outlined capabilities? 6. Does your company have fire control software development capabilities? 7. Identify risks associated with conducting this work while supporting the FY24 asset delivery timeline.