FMS - Ground Support Systems (GSSs) for Qatar.

The U.S. Air Force is Requesting Proposals (RFPs) for the procurement of three (3) Ground Support Systems (GSSs) for Qatar. The RFP will be released on or about 5 April 2021. Air Force Lifecycle Management Center Aerial Networks Division (AFLCMC/HNA), in support of Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOAs) to QA-D-SAC and QA-B-WYX intends to award a contract for the procurement and on-site deployment of three (3) Link 16 Ground Support Systems (GSSs) to support the operational introduction of a Link16 capability for the Qatar Emiri Air Force's (QEAF) F-15 aircraft and Apache Helicopters. The equipment consists of a tactical exerciser with advanced capabilities to support platform simulation, scenario generation, C2 emulation, SIM over LIVE sortie flights, mission recording and playback. The system can be used for all facets of mission preplanning, execution, aircrew briefing/debriefing, and instruction, and will feature a minimum of five IP connected workstations in a contained Client/Server relationship. This procurement will include: - Three (3) Deployable Link 16 Ground Support System (GSSs) to serve as training devices to provide real time support to tactical data link training requirements. - Unclassified GSS spares. - Installation & Site Acceptance Testing (I&SAT) of the deployed GSS and all operator and maintenance equipment familiarization services. - Three-year hardware & software maintenance/help desk support package. - Data as required over the life of the contract. The GSS will be capable of operating as a participant in live RF Link16 networks and in a stand-alone Link16 RF network. The system will have a host processor capable of initializing, interfacing with, and monitoring the activity of a Link16 network using a MIDS JTRS or MIDS LVT-1 and its variants such as LVT-4 or LVT-6. The system will support all the requirements of the associated Link16 terminals. Depending on the type of terminal, the system will include the necessary power converter to allow operations from normal 210/240V, 50/60 Hz outlet power as well as cooling for overheat protection. The system will be capable of supporting optimal line of sight operations from an omni-directional antenna compatible with the terminal and host configuration. - The Contractor will acquire and install all ancillary equipment including GPS and Link 16 antennas and RF cabling. The contractor is not responsible for any building infrastructure modifications or labor associated with routing cables or mounting antennas on masts. The following antenna and cables are example candidates that meet these specifications. - European Antennas, Part Number NSN 5985-99-758-6585 - LMR-600-DB Outdoor/Watertight PE Black 54093 The Contractor shall provide engineering services for requested services such as supplemental training, and in-country service calls, exercise support, travel and Other Direct Cost (ODC). The Qatari GSS is a tactical exerciser that has a tailored set of requirements for the Technical Requirements Document (TRD) for the Ground Support System (GSS). The offerors may be asked to demonstrate their solution during the Source Selection Process. To accommodate the lead times for equipment, the awardee will be required to deliver a functional systems at or before 90 days ARO. The GSS systems provides the following general capabilities: Robust tactical workstation capable of displaying datalink objects on various types of geographic maps and employs user aids to further define the tactical objects and activities represented by the messages. The GSS provides a multi-user environment where up to 20 workstations can be interconnected over an IP WAN/LAN A complete terminal interface package (TIP) that allows the GSS to interface to Link 16 terminals in a manner that allows initialization, control, status monitoring, data transmission/reception, and troubleshooting of terminal Interface Control Document (ICD). A Link 16 equipment suite that includes hardware wiring, power, cooling to host a Link 16 terminal, computers, GPS receiver, notch filters in both a fixed rack mount and transportable transit case configurations. Requirements for secure operations (EMSEC), Noise, and ruggedness also apply according to the user requirements. A data link processor (DLP) that conforms to specific Tactical Data Link TDL standards and implements a message implementation that meets or exceeds the coding and transaction requirements specified in the TRD. The mission functions supported for the DLP include Command and Control (C2), Surveillance for all environment categories, PPLI emulation for all environment categories, Track Management, Weapons Control, Mission Management, Electronic Warfare (EW), Text, Points, Pointers, Targets and Imagery. A platform emulation capability providing the operator an ability to create platforms and the system will generate the required messages to emulate the TDL interface. The GSS must provide for automatic generation of TDL messages in response to data link messages received at the GSS from a remote system where a subject of the received messages is a GSS emulated message. GSS objects that move must extrapolate properly according to speed, heading and incremental parameters for rate of climb/descend, acceleration, and turns. Display and report features for the time ordered messages implementing a variety of formats including HEX coding, DERG, user interoperable units. The GSS must process all received messages providing alerts and display of non-conforming messages. User defined message generation capabilities for every message in the implemented TDL standard. Message creation must allow the user to create messages without the need to reference the TDL catalogue. The message generation capability must provide for both conforming messages and non-conforming messages. Robust Scenario Generator (SG) that allows the operator to create a synthetic battlespace depicting platforms and time ordered messages that can be built offline and play online in a live environment. The SG must employ an HMI that allows rapid generation of elements with trajectories, waypoints, and activity points using point and click technologies as opposed to laborious data input of message fields. Special features pertinent to the use. These include but are not limited to: Time Slot Duty Factor (TSDF) monitoring, Pseudo-track creation to support Red/Blue fighter sortie applications, Range Training Office (RTO) that depict fighter shot quality based on received fighter messages, Special mission records to archive Link 16 activity, Fighter cockpit views on a GSS display, Operator directed changes to pre-scripted messages, Multi-level administrator accounts for GSS users, Remote control of any application from any workstation, Workstation network management and controls, Line of sight pictorials using algorithmic and DTED data on the tactical display, Chat feature among the GSS workstations, JREAP-C and SIMPLE protocols for external system connections over IP. This Notice of Contract Action constitutes a Request for Proposal (RFP). The Government intends to award a contract, based on the proposal that is the best value to the Government. A respondent must specify whether it is a large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a) concern, women-owned small business, HUBZone small business, veteran-owned small business or service-disabled veteran-owned small business. Also specify whether a respondent is a U.S. or foreign-owned firm. If a potential respondent would like a copy of the RFP, please provide Company name and Cage Code to the HNAK POCs listed below. Questions regarding this Notice of Contract Action shall be submitted in writing to the Contracting Officer, Ms. Edna C. Alonis, (781) 225-7040, email to edna.alonis@us.af.mil, and the Contract Specialist, Mr. David Valenzuela, (781) 225-4132, email to david.valenzuela.3@us.af.mil. Proposal due date has been extended from 7 June 2021 to 18 June 2021, 3:00 Eastern Daylight Time. Proposals received after this date and time may not be reviewed. Questions and answers shall be posted on the Government Point of Entry, beta.SAM website (www.beta.SAM.gov). All interested parties must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database. If not registered in the SAM database, interested parties may register on-line at https://www.sam.gov/portal/public/SAM/. OMBUDSMAN PROGRAM: In accordance with AFFARS 5301.91, an Ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition announcement. Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. The AFLCMC Ombudsman for Hanscom AFB is as follows: Lt Col Brian E. Miller, USAF Ombudsman AFLCMC/AQ-AZ Acquisition Excellence Directorate (937) 255-5512 or DSN (312) 785-5512 Email: brian.miller.15@us.af.mil 2640 Loop Road West Wright Patterson AFB OH 45433-7106