J -- E-6B Contract Flight Crew Training Systems

NAVAIR Orlando Training Systems Division is seeking potential sources to support the E-6B pilot and aircrew training program conducted by Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron SEVEN (VQ-7) and Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training (CNATT) Detachment Tinker at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma. Work will be accomplished at Tinker AFB, OK and at contractor facilities as described below. The E-6B Take Charge and Move Out (TACAMO) airplane is a Navy configured Boeing 707-320 aircraft. A firm-fixed price (FFP) contract with an 8 - 10 year period of performance is anticipated. Details regarding this requirement are provided in the paragraphs that follow. The Government requires the following services for pilot and aircrew training: 1) Contract Instruction. The Contractor shall provide flight crew instruction for the E-6B TACAMO aircraft that meets established flight crew qualification standards upon completion of training. VQ-7 utilizes contract instructors to teach training courses from the podium/lecture, perform as flight trainer instructor/operators, facilitate training in the Learning Resource Center, and act as subject matter experts for development of future courseware revisions. Types of training courses required include Initial Qualification Training (IQT) for pilots and flight engineers, Instructor Upgrade Training (IUT) for instructor pilots and instructor flight engineers, Initial and Refresher Crew Resource Management (CRM) Training for flight and mission crew students, E-6 Instrument Ground School, and E-6 Refresher Training. Approximate annual student throughput for pilot training courses required is 40 students. 2) Flight Engineers. Currently the In-Flight Training (IFT) program utilizes Boeing 737 commercial aircraft acting as surrogate E-6 TACAMO aircraft to train flight crews in a flying phase following ground training. Flight engineers fly aboard the IFT aircraft to ensure student pilots are immersed in the same environment they would experience if they were aboard an E-6 aircraft. The contractor is to provide sufficient flight engineer instructors to accomplish approximately 2,000 flying hours per year. 3) E-6B Contractor Operation & Maintenance Services (COMS). As part of the Government's requirement, the contractor shall conduct a Navy COMS program to support resident E-6B training devices. In this program the contractor conducts all scheduled and unscheduled maintenance to keep the training systems in a Ready for Training (RFT) state. Currently there are two Operational Flight Trainers (OFT), a Navigator Trainer (NT), a Computer-Based Trainer, and a suite of maintenance trainers. The contractor shall be provided with a Material Support Package (MSP) consisting of spare parts and data to maintain training systems. The contractor shall replace parts consumed and provide data updates to the MSP as required. The contractor shall maintain the logistics necessary to operate assigned school house functions and assigned training devices. 4) E-6B COMS for E-6B Weapons System Trainer (WST). The Navy is currently under contract with L-3 Communications Government Systems, Inc to deliver an E-6B WST. The trainer is anticipated to be delivered in April 2006. Following one year of Contractor Logistics Support (CLS), the WST is to be supported by COMS. The contractor shall assume support of this new training device when the CLS period concludes. 5) Instructional Systems Development (ISD). The contractor shall conduct revision and maintenance on E-6B curriculum, write new curriculum when applicable, and maintain all computer-based training (CBT) associated with this program including the computer-based trainer device (4E13). At government discretion, an option shall be provided to assume responsibility for Maintenance Training curriculum and CBT. 6) Training Device Modifications - When applicable, the contractor would incorporate technical changes into the training devices. The price and schedule for trainer modifications will be negotiated as the requirements develop. The next planned modification is a visual upgrade to the two (2) existing 2F144A OFTs with contract award projected for fiscal year 07. For quick response modifications, the contractor shall provide on-site engineering services in support of the training devices at Tinker AFB. The contractor shall maintain currency of the trainer configuration management, software, and hardware changes for minor deficiencies. 7) Flying Training Phase - The flying training program is contingent on development and fielding of a contractor-owned, state-of-the-art flying training device. The contractor shall provide high-fidelity E-6B simulator training on a fee-for-service basis utilizing the current 737 IFT curriculum. The device required shall simulate the performance and functional operation of the E-6B aircraft and shall minimally meet FAA AC120-40B-Level D FTD certification requirements (FAA certification is not required) as adjusted by the Government. The contractor shall provide a complete package to train a student up to check flight. These E-6B training courses require classroom academic, laboratory (simulator), and practical training. To support these training courses, the contractor shall provide all certified instructors, support personnel required to operate and maintain the devices, and any additional labor required for supervising and administering classroom and simulator training. Instructor qualifications will be provided when the solicitation is issued. The ground phase of training will take place in the Government-furnished facility located at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma City, OK and the requirement for high-fidelity E-6B simulator training will be provided in a contractor-furnished facility. The Government will provide all required course curriculums/syllabi and any additional Government-specific courseware/materials needed for the ground training of E-6B pilots and aircrewmen. The contractor shall provide all required course curriculums/syllabi and any additional courseware/materials needed for the flying training phase of E-6B pilots and aircrewmen. Businesses capable of accomplishing the required services are invited to submit the following: 1) Company literature, brochures, or capability summaries. 2) Business size (i.e., large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a) certified business, woman-owned business, etc). For purposes of reporting business size, the applicable North American Industry Classification Systems (NAICS) Code for this requirement is 541330 with a size standard of $23.0 million. Please identify business size on cover sheet or first page of submission. 3) Past and/or current performance on similar contracts (include dollar value, complexity and point of contact information). Please limit past and/or current performance to the last 3 years. Information should be sent via e-mail to the cognizant Contract Specialist, Roxy Campos, at roxy.campos@navy.mil. Alternative submittal methods are via facsimile to (407) 381-8632 or by mail to: NAVAIR Orlando Training Systems Division, ATTN: Code 25321 (R. Campos), 12350 Research Parkway, Orlando, FL 32826-3275. Responses are requested on or before 29 October 2004. The submission of this information is for PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to procure any services, nor for the Government to pay for the information received. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT EXISTS AT THIS TIME. The Government anticipates issuing a draft Statement of Work at a later date for industry comment. Prior to issuance of any draft documents, the Government will post an announcement on FedBizOpps located at http://www.fedbizopps.gov. All questions concerning this requirement should be directed to Roxy Campos (roxy.campos@navy.mil or 407-380-4784).