MQ-8B Tactical Operational Flight Trainer (TOFT)

SOURCES SOUGHT FOR THE US NAVY'S MQ-8B TACTICAL OPERATION FLIGHT TRAINER (TOFT). The Department of the Navy, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD) Orlando, FL is seeking potential sources with the ability to produce a training solution that will satisfy the MQ-8B TOFT training requirement. The primary effort includes implementing a systems approach to training, analyzing requirements, producing, delivering, and installing three Vertical Take-off and Landing Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (VTUAV), MQ-8B Tactical Operational Fight Trainers (TOFTs), which are to be delivered to the Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island (NI) San Diego, California; Naval Station (NS) Mayport, Florida; and NAS Norfolk, Virginia. The requirement also includes a brief support period following delivery. The MQ-8B TOFT is a new device, based on the Navy's requirements to train MH-60R/S pilots and aircrew to be operators without utilizing the actual Fire Scout, MQ-8B Air Vehicle. The TOFT will utilize the actual VTUAV Ground Control Station Tactical Control System (TCS) and Route & Payload Planner software (as government furnished information (GFI)), Vehicle Management Computer (VMC) for vehicle status (as government furnished equipment (GFE)), simulated Air Vehicle Operator (AVO) and Mission Payload Operator (MPO) station functions, simulated Tactical Control Data Link (TCDL)/UHF for air vehicle command and control, and simulated voice communications (internal and external) to support mission training and rehearsal exercises for the Fleet. In addition, the systems will be designed to support Information Assurance (IA) and compliance with the Navy Aviation Simulation Master Plan (NASMP) interoperability requirements. The visual system will provide realistic displays at the AVO and MPO stations of the UAV's electro-optics, radar, and infrared sensors as well as controls, menus, and displays for operational control of training mission exercises. Electrical power for the trainer will be supplied by the government facility, but minimum site preparation for the trainer will be required. The Government has limited documentation available and no existing drawings of a TOFT. The MQ-8B TOFT will be designed to operate IAW the MQ-8B UAV NATOPS manual and the Training and Readiness matrix for the following capabilities, at a minimum: 1. Collect Mission Data 2. Create Mission Plan 3. Create Route & Payload Plan 4. Upload Plans 5. Perform Launch/Recovery Ops 6. Control Air Vehicle 7. Record Data 8. Manage VTUAV Communication, Frequency Setup 9. Transmit/ Receive (Phone/ICS) 10. Transmit/ Receive Voice UHF/VHF 11. Transmit/ Receive Tactical Control Data Link (TCDL) Voice 12. Transmit/ Receive UHF Data 13. Transmit/ Receive TCDL Data 14. Module Mission Payload (MMP) Control AV (Auto) 15. Format Payload Sensor Data 16. Record Payload Sensor Data 17. Identify & Designate Target 18. Distribute Payload Data 19. MMP Control GCS (Manual) 20. Compile and Perform Post-Mission Operations 21. Transmit/ Receive Ethernet Data 22. Transmit/ Receive Analog Video 23. Receive/ Respond to IFF Signal 24. Receive GPS Location Data 25. Receive Position Data 26. Perform Laser Designation 27. Produce/ Distribute Mission Video NOTE: Target Identification, Launch and Recovery Displacement (on deck), Net-Ready (interoperability with MH-60R/S, LCS (or other surface ships), P3, etc., simulators) and Operational Availability are Key Performance Parameters (KPPs). The trainer may be comprised of simulated equipment and software interfaced with stimulated GFE and GFI. The simulated Air Vehicle (AV) will be a realistic dynamic model based on an object oriented design providing realistic flight characteristics for the aero model and all subsystems modeled to include limitations and malfunctions providing form, fit and function of the actual MQ-8B. Written responses to this announcement should specifically address the following: 1. Information about your firm: a. Name and address of the firm b. Cage Code c. Size of business and if applicable any small business classification d. Ownership e. Names of two principals to contact, including title and telephone number f. Statement of intent to propose 2. Detailed capabilities to meet the requirements listed in this synopsis 3. Specific experience with: a. Implementation of Navy pilots and aircrew men training solutions b. Design, development and production of Navy and UAV trainers as described above with minimal technical data c. Experience with development and modification of simulated aerodynamic models and subsystems d. Experience with integration of a visual systems, target, and emitter databases e. Experience with NASMP/High Level Architecture (HLA) to support Navy Interoperability f. Production and delivery of simulation-based training solutions to address operator aircrew training requirements g. Production, integration, and delivery of simulated operational flight systems h. Addressing supportability and maintainability such as delivering hardware, software documentation and engineering drawings i. Determining initial provisioning requirements of spares to support trainer availability NOTE: Where applicable, for a. and b. above, include the following information: a. Government contract number b. Contract value c. Role your company played (Prime or Sub contractor...elaborate) d. Point of contact and current telephone number 4. A discussion of any customary business practices that might affect the firm's fulfillment of the requirement or its relationship with the Navy customer. 5. A statement as to whether the firm has the resource capacity to produce and deliver three MQ-8B TOFTs over a period 24 - 60 months. NAWCTSD anticipates a full and open competition. An Industry Day is anticipated 23 August 2010. More information will follow. This announcement is published for informational purposes only. This is not a solicitation. It does not constitute a solicitation and shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government. Responses in any form are not offers and the Government is under no obligation to award a contract as a result of this announcement. No funds are available to pay for preparation of responses to this announcement. No site visit will be permitted during the period of response to this announcement. It is requested that written responses be submitted as an attached Microsoft Word document, limited to 6 pages (front and back) and 12 point font size via email by 10:00 a.m. EDT. 12 July 2010 Email should be addressed to the following: Marcia Yount (Contract Specialist), marcia.yount@navy.mil Mandy Hayes (Program Manager), mandy.hayes@navy.mil There are no other prescribed format requirements of the response to this announcement, but all firms are request to follow the outline above. All firms responding to this announcement will be notified if a requirement is solicited. The results will be utilized to determine set-aside opportunities. All set-asides will be considered. The Department of the Navy will use the responses to the announcement to make an informed decision concerning the strategy it will pursue to meet its objectives and, if the Department of Navy elects to proceed with a procurement, to structure the solicitation to maximize commercial sector interest and encourage innovative and imaginative proposals. INTERESTED PARTIES ARE URGED TO PERIODICALLY ACCESS THIS WEBSITE AND THE NAWC TSD Business Opportunities Website at http://nawctsd.navair.navy.mil/EBusiness/Index.cfm. Primary Point of Contact: Marcia Yount (Contract Specialist), marcia.yount@navy.mil Contracting Office Address 12350 Research Parkway AIR 2.5.3.1 Orlando, Florida 32826-3224