International Partners (IP) Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) Support Center (IPASC).

This announcement serves as a Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) issued for the purpose of Market Research in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10 - Market Research. This SSS is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation nor is this notice a request for proposal. DO NOT submit a quote or proposal in response to this synopsis. This requirement is being considered under NAICS Codes 541330 - Engineering Services (Military and Aerospace Equipment and Military Weapons), and the applicable size standard is $35.5M. Respondents to this notice should indicate whether they qualify as a small business under NAICS Code 541330 and identify your small business type(s)/certifications such as; Small Disadvantaged Businesses 8(a)s, HubZone, Service Disabled Veteran Owned Businesses (SDVOB), Woman-Owned Small Businesses (WOSB), Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned Businesses (EDWOB) Small Businesses, as well as Small Business Teams. If a teaming arrangement is anticipated, please provide a delineation of the work that will be accomplished by the prime, and the work team partners will perform. Any information regarding past performance on similar services provided to the Government or to commercial customers would be appreciated. The 50th Contracting Squadron (50 CONS) is seeking qualified Small Businesses for Market Research purposes to determine if sufficient sources are available for potential set aside to provide services to the International Partners (IP) within the IP Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) Support Center (IPASC). The requirement is a proposed follow-on effort to contract FA2550-13-C-8022. Anticipated Period of Performance: Phase-In - 5 Jul 15 - 2 Aug 15 Base Year - 3 Aug 15 - 2 Aug 16 Option 1 - 3 Aug 16- 2 Aug 17 Option 2 - 3 Aug 17 - 2 Aug 18 Option 3 - 3 Aug 18 - 2 Aug 19 Option 4 - 3 Aug 19 - 2 Aug 20 The IPs are Canada, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. The IPASC is the primary point of contact for the IPs and assists them with issues regarding architecture, testing, training, AEHF Satellite Communication (SATCOM) planning, global scenario database management, troubleshooting, deficiency reporting, resource monitoring and Communications Security (COMSEC). Interested parties must be knowledgeable in Foreign Disclosure Office (FDO) procedures with regard to data separation and export control and must be able to obtain International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR) certification and Department of State (DoS) approved Technical Assistance Agreements(TAA)s and applicable licenses prior to award of contract. The purpose of this notice is to identify small businesses that are capable and qualified to provide these services in the near future. All responsible, capable, and interested small business concerns serious about potentially submitting a proposal to provide these services are invited to respond with a Statement of Capabilities addressing the following questions: Q1. What experience does your company have with EHF communications planning, specifically with Mission Planning Subsystem (MPSS) Inc 7? Q2. What experience does your company have with AEHF Expanded Data Rate (XDR) terminal operations to include level 1 troubleshooting, specifically with the Navy Multiband Terminal (NMT) & Advanced Secure Mobile Anti-Jam Reliable Tactical Terminal (ASMART-T) Q3. What experience does your company have with International Partner (IP) flow control procedures used to ensure country specific mission planning data spillage does not occur between the United States (US) and IP countries? Q4. What specific experience does your company have with the following COMSEC devices? End Crypto Unit (ECU), Key Translation Element (KTE), Central AEHF Key Management Station (CAKMS), Local AEHF Key Management Station (LAKMS) Q5. Please explain your companies experience with developing SATCOM training courses, specifically AEHF XDR theory, MPSS mission planning, and AEHF crypto. Q6. Please explain your companies experience with International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Technical Assistance Agreement (TAA) approval process. Q7. Please explain your companies experience with Foreign Disclosure Office (FDO). Responses should also identify any Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI) (in accordance with (IAW) Air Force Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (AFFARS) 5352.209-9000 - Organizational Conflicts of Interest and include any additional information the respondent feels is critical to this notice. The Government requests that responses be limited to a maximum of fifteen (15) pages. Any information provided by industry to the Government as a result of this SSS is voluntary and the Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this synopsis. Written responses will not be returned. If you are not interested in supplying this service, no response is necessary. The Government will also be holding one-on-one meetings or telephone conferences with all interested parties. All interested parties are encouraged to participate in one-on-one exchanges to discuss survey responses between the dates of 8 - 10 July 2014, EXTENDED to 17 July 2014. Please send all meeting requests to Mitch Lewis at mitchell.lewis.2@us.af.mil. An Ombudsman (IAW AFFARS 5352.201-9101 - Ombudsman) has been appointed to address concerns from offerors or potential offerors. The Ombudsman does not diminish the authority of the Program Management Office (PMO) or CO, but communicates contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate Government personnel. When requested, the Ombudsman shall maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the source selection process. The Ombudsman can be reached at Headquarters Air Force Space Command, AFICA/ KS SCO, 150 Vandenberg Street, Peterson AFB CO 80914, (P) 719-554-5300, (F) 719-554-5299, afica.ks.wf@us.af.mil.