Model-Based Simulation Development and Advanced Concept Performance Assessment

Amendment 07: The MDA/DV Advanced Concepts and Performance Assessments directorate received 29 responses to RFI HQ0147-13-DV-RFI2. Based on the analysis of these responses, DV developed an acquisition strategy that continues its successful partnership with the Army Aviation & Missile Research, Development & Engineering Center and seeks opportunities to use MDA's Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer Research, and Broad Agency Announcement Programs to enhance MDA's model-based engineering and concept assessment capabilities. A separate competitive Request for Proposal will not be issued for this entire effort. If you have any questions please contact Marie L. Hickox, Contracting Officer, at marie.hickox@mda.mil or (256) 450-4660. Approved for Public Release 14-MDA-7679 (30 January 14) Amendment 06 posted on 01 October 2013 published Industry Day Questions and Answers revisions. Question #2 was updated to correct an error. Amendment 05 posted on 24 Sept 2013 published Industry Day Questions and Answers and an Attendees List. The Contracting Officer information has also been updated. Amendment 04 posted on 03 July 2013 adds "any" to paragraph number 8. Capabilitiy Statments should be submitted in support of any of the 14 categories outlined in the RFI. Amendment 03 posted on 01 July 2013 published the Industry Day Presentation and MDA's OCI Disclosure Form. Amendment 02 posted on 19 June 2013 changed the location for the Industry Day event. The morning session beginning at 0900 (CST) will be hosted at MDA VBIII, Redstone Arsenal. The following one-on-one sessions will be held at MDA Bldg 4505, Redstone Arsenal. Amendment 1 posted on 14 June 2013 changed the previously published dates. Industry Day is scheduled for the 28 June 2013. RFI responses are due the 10 July 2013. 1. DESCRIPTION: This is a request for information (RFI) and should not be construed as a solicitation announcement, invitation for bids, request for quotations, or a request for proposals. After reviewing the description of requirements, interested capable contractors are invited to respond to the following questions. (1) Can MATLAB/SIMULINK or other model based engineering tools be used in futuristic concept exploration activities and prove the effectiveness of end-to-end Model-Based Systems Engineering? (2) How can we combine model based engineering and traditional analysis tools to create innovative approaches to concept performance assessment? Please respond if you can fulfill the entire requirement. Responses should follow this format and be submitted electronically as one (1) complete document. This RFI is for informational purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to acquire any products or services. Additionally, your response will be treated only as information for the Government to consider. You will not be entitled to payment for direct or indirect costs that you incur in responding to this RFI. Furthermore, this request does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated or received for this effort. The information you supply may be used by the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) in developing its acquisition strategy, statement of work/performance work statements and/or statement of objectives. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary, restricted, or competition sensitive information contained in their response. The purpose of this sources sought announcement is to identify potential small business sources with the technical capability and necessary resources to provide innovative model based simulation development and advanced concept performance assessments using the following NAICS Codes: 541712 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology) and 541511 - Custom Computer Programming Services / Computer Program or Software Development, Custom.. The MDA Advanced Technology Advanced Concepts and Performance Assessment Directorate (DVS) is soliciting vendor capabilities to work cooperatively with government engineers from programs across the Advanced Technology portfolio. DVS requires a diverse team of analysts and systems, algorithm, software, and simulation engineers to provide research and development (R&D) for innovative model-based engineering and analysis approaches for the design, development, production, documentation, delivery, support, and sustainment of advanced technology concept models, simulations, visualizations, and tools. This team will use these innovative approaches, simulations, algorithms, and software tools to assess and analyze performance of technology components and concepts that may provide benefit to future Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) architectures. The government simulation and assessment laboratory is the foundation for the Advanced Technology "smart buyer" approach to technology concept assessment working closely with industry and Government engineering teams. Performers are required to maintain a "Top Secret" (TS) clearance with up to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), as required. DVS specifically requests innovative uses of the Matlab/Simulink and Open Architecture Simulation Interface Specification (OASIS) Simitar tools set for model based engineering in the development of advanced concept simulations. DVS prefers model based engineering tools but does make use of innovative non-model based simulations and tools when they provide significant analytical ability to assess a particular technology concept and this ability does not exist in current model-based tools. DVS controls a government Modeling, Simulation, Software, and Analysis (MSSA) laboratory with locations on Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, and Kirtland Air Force Base in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which are the primary development sites for all products. The Government provides full time IT support for the Lab and it contains analysis and simulation workstations and a high performance-computing cluster. The cluster and workstations use RedHat Enterprise 6.4 and Windows 7 Enterprise operating systems. The lab is not required to be staffed 24 hours a day, but is certified for continuous operation and unattended processing. This synopsis encourages maximum use of off-the-shelf existing models minimizing non-recurring engineering (NRE) development costs. MDA prefers maximum use of non-developmental items (NDI), commercial off-the-shelf (COTS), and Government off-the-shelf (GOTS) software available from either contractor or U.S. Government sources. DVS will only consider non-proprietary models, algorithms, simulations, and software. All simulations and software used on or developed for this contract will be non-proprietary with unlimited rights in Technical Data as defined in the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) 227.7103-5. Capability statements need to describe available non-proprietary models and any demonstrated experience through past and current performance in meeting all of the categories listed below. Also explain the company's effort in the past five years for the same/similar requirements. Include information such as contract number (indicate if your role was a prime or subcontractor), organization supported, contract value, Government points of contact (current telephone numbers and e-mail addresses), and a brief description of how the contract referenced relates to the requirements described herein. In addition, complete the capability matrix at the end of this notice, which identifies key performance requirements. For each of these requirements, put a check mark in one box: current capability, minor modifications, or major modifications. Then fill out the comment and reference sections. Reference the location of the details in your capability statement. MDA requests all interested parties submit a capability statement demonstrating their proficiency/experience with innovative model based engineering solutions using Matlab/Simulink or other model based engineering tools in any of the following categories: 1. Innovative approaches to technology concept analysis using high fidelity, closed loop, physics-based models. Include previous experience conducting similar high fidelity analysis over the past five years. 2. System- and mission-specific analysis capabilities including development, staffing, approval, and maintenance of analysis plans and guidelines. Ability to analyze and aggregate very large data sets into coherent understandable white papers and briefings for senior leadership. 3. Ability to conduct quick turn analysis for configuring models, executing simulation runs, aggregating data, and developing briefings. 4. Ability to identify and specify modeling and simulation requirements that generate data required by various analysis plans and guidelines. 5. Innovative approaches to Matlab/Simulink simulation and software development. Include in your description COTS, GOTS, and non-developmental simulations immediately available. 6. Code generation from Matlab/Simulink for integration with external simulations or prototype hardware. 7. Booster, kill vehicle, and weapons system modeling and analysis. 8. Electro-Optical (EO) / Infrared (IR) sensor modeling and analysis. 9. Radio Frequency (RF) sensor modeling and assessment. 10. Threat modeling and analysis. 11. Use and integration with the OASIS and its government reference implementation known as Simitar. Include your past use of OASIS and methodology for transforming Simulink models into Simitar models. 12. Development of integrated end-to-end simulations of a diverse set of varying sensor and interceptor technologies. 13. Development of tactical representative algorithms for autopilots, guidance, navigation, control, tracking, classification, and discrimination. 14. Development of fast-running simulation testbeds capable of evaluating the performance of government and industry algorithms for autopilots, guidance, navigation, control, tracking, classification, and discrimination. DVS encourages acquisition strategy ideas on items 1-4 below. 1. Innovative approaches to simulation and software development using Matlab/Simulink. 2. Innovative approaches to conducting analysis of booster, kill vehicle, and sensor performance across a wide variety of technology concepts. 3. Description of risks and potential mitigation plans to the above innovative approaches. 4. Other input the respondent considers of importance. 2. INSTRUCTIONS: Participants will submit their response no later than 10 July 2013, 12:00 p.m. Central Time All responses must be electronic portable document format (pdf) only. Submissions must be twenty (20) 8.5 inch x 11 inch pages or less (to include the capability matrix table), with Times New Roman 12 pt font and one inch margins on the top, bottom, and sides. Foldouts (11 inch x 17 inch) will be counted as two pages. In addition to the 20 page unclassified white paper, participants also have the option to submit a classified annex. The annex format should also be in 8.5"x11" format and not more than 5 single sided pages in length with a minimum 12 pitch Times New Roman font . Fold-out charts for tables or graphics are not allowed. All information used and provided in the response will be marked and handled using U.S. Classification markings and information (e.g., no Foreign Government Information (FGI) or markings). The classified annex must be delivered via classified e-mail to steven.mcdonald@mda.smil.mil, through classified mail to the points of contact listed below; or, if coordinated in advance, in-person by an approved courier. Missile Defense Agency Primary ATTN: Steven McDonald Building 5224 Martin Road Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898 Phone: 256.450.4678 E-Mail: steven.mcdonald@mda.mil Alternate ATTN: Kristina Parmenter Building 5224 Martin Road Redstone Arsenal, AL 35898 Phone: (256) 450-4679 E-Mail: kristina.parmenter@mda.mil Please include the organization name, address, point of contact information, and type of business. Potential small business respondents must include the small business size status. These respondents must demonstrate registration in the Central Contractor Registration database with updates of representations and certifications to the Online Representations and Certifications Application as necessary, but at least annually, to ensure representations and certifications are kept current, accurate, and complete. As a general policy, contractors which provide advisory and assistance services to the Agency, particularly in the engineering, acquisition support, and the quality functional areas, cannot develop or support the development of the Agency's R&D efforts. This separation of contractual responsibilities is critical to ensuring the agency obtains independent and objective advice. 3. INDUSTRY DAY ANNOUNCEMENT An Industry Day is being planned for 28 Jun 2013, beginning at 0900 CST at the MDA Von Braun III Bldg, Redstone Arsenal. All scheduled one-on-one sessions will be held at MDA Bldg 4505, Redstone Arsenal following the morning event. The purpose of the morning session will be to discuss the general MSSA requirements. The afternoon sessions are intended for one-on-one sessions and a MSSA Lab tour with vendors interested in providing an offer as a prime contractor for this effort. Attendance is limited to three per company during the morning session. The one-on-one sessions will be limited to three individuals per team, including prime contractors and teammates, and will be limited to 30 minutes each. Registration for the one-on-one sessions is on a first come-first served basis. Registration will be closed at 1600 Central Standard Time three business days prior to the event or when capacity has been reached. The entire session will be classified; therefore, anyone attending the session must have a security clearance to at least the Secret level. Please register to attend the industry sessions using the attached Industry Day registration form. All attendees must submit a Visit Authorization Request (VAR) in accordance with the instructions in the attached VAR document at least 48 hours in advance of the date of the session. Read the VAR instructions carefully as no person will be allowed to attend without a processed VAR on file. Verbal or telephone requests will not be accepted. All industry day registration requests must be submitted in writing via e-mail to the points of contact listed above. SEE ATTACHED CAPABILITY MATRIX Approved for Public Release 13-MDA-7329 (4 June 13)