Joint Conflict and Tactical Simulation (JCATS) and Joint Theater Level Simulation-Global Operations (JTLS-GO), Request for Information (RFI)

INTRODUCTION: The U.S. Army Contracting Command - Orlando (ACC-Orlando) is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) on behalf of the U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training, and Instrumentation (PEO STRI), International Program Office (IPO) as a means of conducting market research to identify potential sources having an interest, capabilities and industry technologies available to provide a new and innovative strategy for the training and sustainment support of Joint Conflict and Tactical Simulation (JCATS) and Joint Theater Level Simulation-Global Operations (JTLS-GO) computer simulation systems at a single location overseas. This RFI is focused on ideas and strategies to deploy one (1) Subject Matter Expert (SME) to one of PEO STRI's International partners. This SME needs to be capable of providing efficient and effective JCATS and JTLS-GO on-site training and sustainment support for a period of two (2) years with an approximate commencement date of September 2023. The SME will be responsible for providing formal training and certification on: 1. JCATS: Operations Systems Administration Database Operations and Administration Training, Tactics, and Procedures After Action Review 2. JTLS-GO: Technical Control, Basic Modeling, Advance Modeling, Database Tools and Procedures, Exercise Preparation, and Analysis. Advanced Support Tools, Developing C4I Interface, Federation Management, Exercise Preparation, and Introduction to JTLS-GO for Analysis. PROGRAM BACKGROUND: JCATS is s a joint multi-sided, real-time, stochastic, high resolution, interactive computer-based simulation system that models force-on-force interactions from the Joint Task Force level to the individual person. It is a data-driven, effects and physics-based simulation that accurately replicates entity-level combat in observation, sensors, systems, weapons, munitions, and vehicle systems for land, sea, and air components. The model employs the same terrain data used in the military Command & Control mapping systems and utilizes validated military data and algorithms for digital terrain, Army Acquisition modeling, and Joint munitions data. JTLS-GO is an interactive, internet-enabled simulation that models multi-sided air, ground, and naval civil-military operations with logistics, Special Operations Force (SOF), and intelligence support. JTLS-GO has been primarily used as a training support model that is theater independent and does not require programming knowledge to operate effectively. The primary focus of the JTLS-GO system is conventional joint and combined operations at the Operational Level of War as defined by the Joint Staff's universal Joint task List JTLS-GO explicitly simulates air, land, sea, amphibious, and SOF operations. The Simulation supports low-intensity conflict and pre-conflict operations and support for Humanitarian Assistance Relief (HA/DR) scenarios. ACQUISITION STRATEGY - PLANNING INFORMATION: The Contract determination, including business size, full and open, set aside, and other will not be established until the US Government review of the market research has been completed and the Acquisition Strategy has been approved. North American Industry Classification System (NAICS): NAICS codes being considered for this effort is 541990 (All Other Professional, Scientific and Technical Services), with a Size Standard of $17.0 Million. The applicable Product Service Code (PSC) is R412 (Support- Professional Simulation). Contract Type: The Contract Type will be established based upon the Governments review of industry responses to market research and approval of the Acquisition Strategy. Funding Type: Funding is expected to be Foreign Military Financing (FMF), Foreign Military Sales (FMS), or appropriated using Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E), Other Procurement Army (OPA) and Operation and Maintenance Army (OMA) funding type and amount to be determined (TBD). SUBMISSION DETAILS: Interested contractors should submit a brief capabilities statement package demonstrating their ability to fulfill the functions and tasks described below (10 page maximum). Your responses to this RFI shall be electronically submitted to the Contract Specialist via email, metrisianne.d.rivera.civ@army.mil, with a copy (Cc) to the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) via email, andrew.w.echols.civ@army.mil and javier.u.perez.ctr@army.mil no later than 4:00 p.m. (EST) on 7 November 2022 and reference this RFI number in the subject line of the e-mail and on all enclosed documents. Information and materials submitted in response to this request WILL NOT be returned. DO NOT SUBMIT CLASSIFIED MATERIAL. Written responses to this RFI should consist of the following: Describe your management approach and processes that will be utilized to improve current training and certification capabilities, and procedures. Describe your experience and approach to effectively provide JCATS and JTLS-GO administrator, operator, maintainer, and site training and certification, Describe your company's experience in providing support to live, virtual, constructive and/or gaming simulation events/exercises, including event planning, test coordination, scenario development and exercise support/implementation. With respect to all the aforementioned areas of your experience relevant to JCATS and JTLS-GO management and training, what gaps exist in your repertoire to support the specific JCATS and JTLS-GO SME skillset listed above and how would you fix them? With respect to the afore-mentioned management and training experience, specifically JCATS and JTLS-GO, please describe any and all gaps that may exist in your repertoire and how you will address these gaps. Is your company classified as a large or small business under NAICS code 541990; if small business, please indicate any applicable socio-economic status [i.e., 8a, Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), HUBZone, Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB), or Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB)] under NAICS 541990. *NOTE (LIMITATIONS ON SUBCONTRACTING): If you are a small business interested in being the prime contractor for this effort, please be advised that FAR clause 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting) (DEVIATION 2021-O0008) was updated in September 2021. The current clause adds the definition of - Similarly Situated Entity and the 50% calculation for compliance with the clause. Small business prime contractors may now count - first tier subcontractor work performed by a - Similarly Situated Entity as if it were performed by the prime contractor itself. To assist in our market research and set-aside determination for this effort, if you are a small business interested in priming this effort and plan to utilize a - Similarly Situated Entity to meet the Limitations on Subcontracting requirements, please identify the name & DUNS/CAGE Code of the specific firm(s) you intend to partner/subcontract with to meet the requirements as well as their SB size status under the NAICS that you as the prime would assign for their workshare. Information regarding any planned - Similarly Situated Entity should be included in answering any questions outlined in the RFI in order to assist the Government's capability determination. If you plan on subcontracting to other companies in order to deliver technical capability, please provide details on exactly which tasks will be assigned to those subcontractors; in addition, provide the names of those anticipated subcontractors, and list the anticipated percentage of small business subcontracting. INFORMATION SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: All responses to this RFI must be submitted electronically (via email) to the Army Contracting Command (ACC) and Program POCs identified herein. Responses shall include documentation of technical expertise and capabilities in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that your company possesses the necessary expertise and experience to compete for this acquisition. It is imperative that businesses responding to this RFI clearly articulate their capabilities. Instructions for submission are as follows: The submission page limitation is 10. Only email submission will be accepted. Use Microsoft Office 2015 compatible (.xlsx, .docx or .pptx) or Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro (.pdf) formats. Classified material shall not be submitted, nor will it be accepted. Material samples will not be accepted. Information papers may be submitted in a White Paper Format and will count towards the total number of pages allowed. The cover sheet shall include the following company information: name, address, URL, POC name and email address, Commercial Government Entity (CAGE) code number, SAM Unique Entity ID, business type and size, and a statement if your firm is or is not foreign owned, foreign controlled, or has foreign influence. All responses shall be sent via email to the points of contact identified herein. The deadline for submitting capability statements is 4:00 p.m. (EST) on 7 November 2022. DISCLAIMER: THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY. THE GOVERNMENT WILL USE THE INFORMATION RECEIVED TO DETERMINE ITS ACQUISITION STRATEGY. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS NOTICE IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND IS NOT BINDING ON THE GOVERNMENT. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION, INVITATION FOR BID (IFB), REQUEST FOR QUOTE (RFQ), OR REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP), AND IS NOT A COMMITMENT BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT TO PROCURE SUBJECT SERVICES/SUPPLIES. THE U.S. GOVERNMENT WILL NOT PAY FOR INFORMATION REQUESTED NOR WILL IT COMPENSATE ANY RESPONDENT FOR ANY COST INCURRED IN DEVELOPING INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT. ADDITIONALLY, ALL SUBMISSIONS BECOME GOVERNMENT PROPERTY AND WILL NOT BE RETURNED. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. NOT RESPONDING TO THIS RFI DOES NOT PRECLUDE PARTICIPATION IN ANY FUTURE RFP, IF ANY IS ISSUED. IF A SOLICITATION IS RELEASED, IT WILL BE SYNOPSIZED ON THE GOVERNMENT-WIDE POINT OF ENTRY WEBSITE (HTTPS://SAM.GOV). IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE POTENTIAL OFFERORS TO MONITOR THIS SITE FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PERTAINING TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO PROPRIETARY, CLASSIFIED, CONFIDENTIAL, OR SENSITIVE INFORMATION SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN YOUR RESPONSE.