ISR Test & Training Support

The Air Force 49th Wing and the 49th Contracting Squadron are currently seeking sources for a service requirement for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) targets, Joint Terminal Attach Controller (JTAC) personnel for conducting Battlefield Air Operations training activities, and directing aircraft training activities, and directing aircraft Multi-Spectral Targeting System (MTS) Electro-Optical; and Infrared sensors onto ground targets during Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) aircrew training at Holloman AFB, NM (HAFB). This is not a solicitation announcement. This notice neither constitutes a Request for Quote, nor does it restrict 49 CONS to an ultimate acquisition approach. No contract is anticipated to be awarded from this announcement and requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this announcement. Any information submitted by respondents to this notice is strictly voluntary. This Sources Sought Notice is in support of market research being conducted by the 49 CONS to determine potential sources capable of fulfilling all requirements associated with (ISR) on (HAFB). REQUIREMENT: The contractor shall provide labor, services, management and data to accomplish the tasks specified in the following paragraphs. Occasionally Government RPA crews travel to OCONUS locations to assist foreign nations in the training of their own RPA crews. In these cases, contract JTAC teams may be required to accompany the Government RPA crew training teams for purposes of assisting in training by providing the following services. Provide Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPA) and Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) subject matter experts (SMEs) with expertise in Command & Control and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C2ISR), Battlefield Air Operations (BAO) program equipment and software; special operations Training, Tactics, and Procedures (TTPs); infiltration and exfiltration techniques, and sister service capabilities and limitations. Provide combat-experienced SMEs to drive continuous improvements for all phases of RPA C2ISR and Surface Attack training and development. Historically, the requirement has been met by two, 2-man JTAC ground range support teams at Creech AFB and six 4-man JTAC ground range support teams at Holloman AFB. Ground range teams must possess a working technical knowledge of all of the above-mentioned tasks to work in conjunction with airborne RPAs to provide training scenarios to support the USAF Formal Training Unit syllabi. Teams shall act as both regional opposing forces and Blue Force JTACs, oftentimes simultaneously. The first year, JTAC ground teams would support four Holloman-based MQ-9s for 13 hours per day, averaging twenty-four 2-hour support missions per duty day (240 duty days per year, with the ability to surge to weekends and nights if the training unit requirements dictate - with a current estimate of 12 weekends per year). JTAC ground teams would support 3 Holloman-based MQ-1s currently for 13 hours a day, averaging twelve 2-hour support missions per duty day (240 days per year, with the ability to surge to weekends and nights if the training unit requirements dictate - with a current estimate of 12 weekends per year). Creech AFB-based MQ-1s have a smaller requirement that historically have been met by two, 2-man JTAC teams and will likely be absorbed by the Holloman AFB mission within 2 calendar years. Additionally, JTAC ground teams shall perform in the role of JTAC ground team in the RPA simulators at Holloman and Creech AFB ("PMATs" - Predator Mission Aircrew Training devices), specifically by standing in the PMATs and utilizing voice communications with student RPA crews to simulate ground personnel. In addition, the use of pyrotechnic and flash-bang and other devices are required for use each training day for realistic visual effects for student Pilots and Sensor Operators to simulate weapons effects for AGM-114 missiles and GBU-12 and GBU-38 bombs (currently approximately 8 missions per day). Support full time operational and test scenario development, planning, project management and execution of 49th WG and Department of Defense (DoD) training and test related exercises or demonstrations by acting as on-range ground data collectors for fielding of new software and Multispectral Targeting System capabilities (Target Location Error tolerance measurements, effective laser ranges, tactical acoustic testing scenario setups, range escort for scientific personnel, and exercise players.) Testing and evaluation of multi-camera systems to track personnel and vehicles requires personnel and vehicles to move in particular patterns, which would be required of the support test teams. Additionally, testing of new weapon accuracy requires ground range support in the form of a team on the ground to observe the employment and track technical data dictated by the test. These tests occur approximately every month, for an approximate total of 12 per year. Support testing and demonstration exercises by providing test and evaluation expertise for RPA test planning, test execution, range logistics, and post-test analysis and documentation. This requires training specialists that have RPA expertise to aid the test aircrew in identifying the requirements of a ground-based team in the field. Exercises will include demonstrations of new RPA capabilities to the warfighter from the 556th Test and Evaluation Squadron in the form of escorting RPA commanders onto ranges to observe capabilities, participating in Creech AFB and Nellis AFB exercises approximately 6 times a year for 1 week each (e.g., Silver Flag Exercise). Provide survivor/downed airman support for RPA Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) training, convoy operations and associated ground force activities in accordance with (IAW) the Formal Training Unit (29th ATKS, 6th RS, 11th RS) and Weapons School (26th WPS) syllabi. The CSAR syllabus requires approximately 2 CSAR events per flying day - approximately 240 flying days per year) for 1 Holloman-based MQ-9 crew (one Government student crew consists of 1 Pilot and 1 Sensor Operator) and 1 Holloman-based MQ-1 crew for a total of two hours each for this mission. Additionally, contractor shall make available Training Specialists who are available to act on the range and then travel to the crew location (Holloman AFB or Creech AFB) to debrief and instruct to crews of student pilots and sensor operators that had just acted in training scenario. Provide training on the proper use and practical application of remote RPA Video Down Link (VDL), specifically ROVER 4 and ROVER 5 systems, during classroom and field training scenarios for the MQ-9 and MQ-1 Formal Training Unit Students Programmed for Flying Training that year. Currently, PFT students for FY12 are 160 MQ-9 students and 120 MQ-1 students, to be spread out evenly across the 12 calendar months. Provide academic support to the RPA Formal Training Units' instructor staff, students and support personnel during classroom and preflight briefings. The briefings will take place during the academic portion of each Formal Training Unit class (currently 21 classes per year with growth potential). This training takes place at Holloman AFB, NM and each class can expect approximately three (2-4) hour briefings as instruction from JTAC SMEs monthly. Each class will be approximately 15 students, and oftentimes permanent party flight instructors will sit in on discussions for continuation training (approximately 5 additional personnel). Services provided by the contractor must include ground team support during a variety of mission profiles, including: intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance, route reconnaissance, convoy escort and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR). Additionally, aid MQ-1 and MQ-9 Instructor Pilots in developing daily training scenarios. Assist visiting operational units in planning daily training events, on each of approximately 240 flying training days per year, for 7 airborne RPAs flying for 13 hours each day in support of RPA and manned aircraft training and currency requirements. Specifically, maintain communications with the 29th ATKS scheduling office, the 11 RS scheduling office, the 6th RS scheduling, the 49th OSS range scheduling office, and the Fort Bliss 7th ASOS scheduling office to help facilitate coordination of aligning schedules for range ground support on a daily basis. Assist active duty ground teams in coordinating with RPAs when active duty units are visiting the RPA training or testing squadrons. Provide RPA support for government planning cells (an estimated 6 per calendar year) Joint Combat Search and Rescue, Joint Force Command, and other exercises within the Southern Ranges, the Nevada Test and Training Range, and the Fort Bliss/White Sands Missile Range/ Holloman AFB training range and airspace complex (commonly referred to as the "Triad"). Firms responding to this sources sought notice are also requested to provide the 49 CONS with capability statements, which need to include at a minimum: Company Name Point of Contact Name and Number Registered in System for Award Management (SAM) Business Status (8(a), Small, Hubzone, Woman-owned, etc). Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code Capabilities statement shall be submitted via e-mail to all of the following: julie.miller.4@us.af.mil and Garriet.Canteen@us.af.mil no later than 4:00 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST) Friday, 21 February 2014. Holloman AFB is located about 9 miles west of Alamogordo, New Mexico on Highway 70/82; 90 miles north of El Paso, Texas, and 60 miles east of Las Cruces, New Mexico. Holloman AFB resides in Otero County. You can view more information about Holloman AFB by visiting website http://militaryinstallations.dod.mil.