JSTARS Follow-on Support and Sustainment

Sources Sought Synopsis Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) Follow-on Support and Sustainment CAUTION: The Joint STARS Program Office is seeking responsible sources for the acquisition of a follow-on Joint STARS support and sustainment contract for the E-8C aircraft. The current Total System Support Responsibility (TSSR) contract (F09603-00-D-0210) was awarded in 2000 to Northrop Grumman Corporation and is in effect until October of 2022. The follow-on Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract will be an eight-year effort. Contractors/Institutions responding to this request for information/market survey are notified participation in this survey may not ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards. The government will not reimburse respondents for any expenses associated with their participation in the request for information/market survey. BACKGROUND: The E-8C is a modified Boeing 707-300 series commercial airframe extensively re-manufactured and modified with the radar, communications, operations and control sub-systems required to perform its operational mission. The most prominent external feature is the 27-foot (8 meters) long, canoe-shaped radome under the forward fuselage housing the 24-foot (7.3 meters) long, side-looking phased array antenna. The radar and computer sub-systems on the E-8C can gather and display detailed battlefield information on ground forces. The information is relayed in near real-time to the Army and Marine Corps common ground stations and to other ground command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence, or C4I, nodes. The antenna can be tilted to either side of the aircraft where it can develop a 120-degree field of view covering nearly 19,305 square miles (50,000 square kilometers) and is capable of detecting targets at more than 250 kilometers (more than 820,000 feet). The radar also has some limited capability to detect helicopters, rotating antennas and low, slow-moving fixed wing aircraft. As a battle management and command and control asset, the E-8C can support the full spectrum of roles and missions from peacekeeping operations to major theater war. Joint STARS evolved from Army and Air Force programs to develop, detect, locate, and attack enemy armor at ranges beyond the forward area of troops. The first two developmental aircraft deployed in 1991 to Operation Desert Storm and also supported Operation Joint Endeavor in December 1995. Team Joint STARS men and women have contributed tremendously to overseas contingency operations, flying more than 130,000 combat hours in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Odyssey Dawn, Unified Protector, Freedom's Sentinel, and Inherent Resolve. Their operational resume includes support of six Combatant Commands including U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Europe Command. Team Joint STARS was the first organization in the USAF to activate under the Air Force's Total Force Initiative as a "blended" wing. America's first "Total Force" wing, the former 93rd Air Control Wing, an active-duty Air Combat Command unit, and the 116th Bomb Wing, a Georgia Air National Guard unit, were deactivated Oct.1, 2002. The 116th Air Control Wing was activated blending Guard and active-duty Airmen into a single unit. In October 2011, the Active Associate construct was formed by the newly activated 461st Air Control Wing as a member of Team Joint STARS. Team Joint STARS through the 116th/461st ACW, is the only unit operating the E-8C and conducting the Joint STARS mission. PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION: The Joint STARS Program Office is surveying the market to determine those sources qualified to perform work under this effort. The contract is expected to include the following regarding support and sustainment of the E-8C weapon system: - General program management responsibilities including; planning, organizing, staffing, administering, and controlling all contract activities, and to ensure cost, schedule, and technical objectives are achieved. - Supply chain management of F74 within the constraints mentioned in "Limitations." - Diminishing Manufacturing Source and Material Shortages (DMSMS) to include Reliability, Maintainability, and Availability (RM&A). - Contractor Field Service Representatives (CFSRs) preferably with experience on large military or commercial aircraft, and more specifically, the Boeing 707 variant aircraft. - Execution and administration of a comprehensive Flight Crew and Mission Crew Training program for various aircrew positions and maintenance support for the Mission and Maintenance Trainer (MMT) and the Prime Mission Equipment Maintenance Training Device. This includes computer based training. - Establish and maintain a technical publications program IAW TM 86-01N, Air Force Technical Manual Contract Requirements including; Time Compliance Technical Orders (TCTOs) and conversion of current Joint STARS maintenance data to S1000D format. - Engineering support for the E-8C weapon system, including proprietary prime mission equipment. - Software engineering and software maintenance support within the constraints mentioned in "Limitations." - Develop and execute cybersecurity program encompassing the functions of; identify, protect, detect, respond, and recover IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management. Requirements are outlined within guidance provided by USAF and Department of Defense publications. It is expected the Contractor personnel shall have the necessary technical skills and certifications to meet contract requirements. Interested firms should submit a written product demonstrating how they plan on providing technically compliant solutions for the Joint STARS weapon system during the support and sustainment timeframe listed. If a firm believes it would be competitive in providing necessary support and sustainment capability, then it should submit a product not to exceed 40 pages, with text of 12-font Times New Roman, and graphics should have no smaller than 10-font text. Commercial brochures will not be accepted. Without written permission from the respondent, the Program Office will not release to any firm, agency or individual outside of the Government any information marked "Proprietary." LIMITATIONS: Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and current sole source contractor, has developed a network of sub-contractor repair vendors, many, if not all, trusted sources of exclusive repair developed over 20 plus years. These repair vendors provide support and repair services for Joint STARS unique parts including; Prime Mission Equipment (PME and proprietary to the OEM), aircraft spares, and Peculiar Support Equipment (PSE), all otherwise known as F74. Additionally, software support for the Joint STARS weapon system has been a sole source relationship between AFLCMC/HBGC, 577th SMXG, and the OEM. As the prime integrator for sustainment and mission systems capability upgrades over the last two decades, OEM proprietary software code is evident throughout the E-8C aircraft battle management mission suite of systems. Additionally, the 577th SMXG is projected to provide software sustainment/modernization as the lead organization. They will continue partnering with the OEM for software/radar sustainment and modification until the weapon system is retired. If prospective vendor believes they could partner with the OEM or overcome the proprietary considerations of the OEM, they should consider providing information regarding support and sustainment of F74 parts and ability to provide software support services. Determination of data rights under consideration. INSTRUCTIONS: 1. Responding firms should clearly indicate the following: a.Experience in developing, testing, and producing systems similar to the E-8C; b. Production capabilities sufficient to provide cost effective and timely solutions; c. Previous platform integration and systems engineering expertise and experience, as evident in program success and citations from customers (firms should elaborate how they would propose a working relationship with another firm that has Total System Performance Responsibility (TSPR) for all upgrades made to the E-8C; d. Government Furnished Equipment and/or Information required in order to perform the work; e. A subcontracting plan for small business concerns; f. The approach to coordinate logistics support planning activities with Northrop Grumman Corporation in order to support their Total Systems Support Responsibility (TSSR) sustainment contract responsibilities; g. The approach to coordinate software development/integration activities with Northrop Grumman Corporation in order to support the Total System Support Responsibility (TSSR) h. The approach in obtaining exact design/implementation documentation from Northrop Grumman Corporation to allow the performance of work described in this synopsis. 2. If, after reviewing these documents, you desire to participate in the market research, you should provide documentation that supports your company's capability in meeting these requirements. Failure to provide documentation may result in the government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.) 3. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged. 4. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to Capt Stacylee Johnson, Stacylee.Johnson@us.af.mil 5. Responses must be received no later than close of business 30 June 2019. Responses must be sent electronically via AMRDEC SAFE (https://safe.amrdec.army.mil/safe/) to: stacylee.johnson@us.af.mil PART I: Business Information: 1. Please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners: a. Company/Institute Name b. Address c. Point of Contact d. CAGE Code e. Phone Number f. Email Address g. Web Page URL h. Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 334511 2. Based on the above NAICS Code, state whether your company is: a. Small Business (Yes/No) b. Woman Owned Small Business (Yes/No) c. Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes/No) d. 8(a) Certified (Yes/No) e. HUBZone Certified (Yes/No) f. Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes/No) g. Service Disabled Veteran Small Business (Yes/No) h. System for Award Management (SAM) (Yes/No) i. A statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership) PART II: Capability Survey Questions A. General Capability Questions: 1. Describe briefly the capabilities of your facility and the nature of the goods and/or services you provide. Include a description of your staff composition and management structure. 2. Describe your company's past experience on previous projects similar in complexity to this requirement. Include contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, period of performance, agency/organization supported, and individual point of contact (Contracting Officer or Program Manager). 3. Describe your company's capabilities and experience in generating technical data, engineering drawings, and manuals. Identify what software programs are utilized to generate these data products and what formats are available for delivered items. B. Engineering Services Questions: 1. Describe your experience working mishap investigations and other Aircraft on Ground (AOG) issues. 2. Describe an instance where engineering assistance was provided to the government to resolve a Periodic Depot Maintenance (PDM) issue beyond the published technical orders. 3. Describe an example of when your capabilities and sustaining engineering expertise resulted in a cost savings. 4. How will your organization address the absence of drawings, specifications, technical data, test procedures, etc.?