Obsolescence RFI / Industry Day

1.0 Introduction DLA Aviation (Richmond) is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) seeking solutions/guidance from the industrial/supplier base on how to stay ahead of the obsolescence curve. The Procurement Process Support Directorate (BP) is sponsoring an unclassified Industry Day to provide a collaborative atmosphere to discuss the opportunities and challenges of obsolescence management, potential mitigating strategies, and the way forward. Industry Day is scheduled for Tuesday, August 2, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Frank B. Lotts Conference Center located at Defense Supply Center Richmond (8000 Jefferson Davis Highway, Richmond, VA). Any updates will be provided as an amendment to the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) website. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This is NOT a Request for Proposal (RFP). 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. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. Any information submitted by respondents is strictly voluntary. 2.0 Background Obsolescence is influenced by the short life cycle of technology compared to the long life cycle of defense systems. It impacts our ability to buy, license, and obtain support for items.[1] DLA is evaluating the way that it manages obsolescence and researching ways to improve its approach in an effort to avoid delays in shipment of critical materials to the warfighter. [1] DoD, Defense Standardization Program Office. (2016, January 01). SD-22 Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages. p.2. Retrieved from https://assist.dla.mil 3.0 Objective The results of this RFI and Industry Day may be used to define a process to proactively address obsolescence and identify potential companies interested in this initiative. Please base your answers to the following questions on your knowledge and experience as it pertains to obsolescence: 3.1 Please describe your experience and current capabilities with obsolescence management. 3.2 How would you proactively address item obsolescence? 3.3 What incentives would encourage more suppliers to take part in obsolescence management? 3.4 What incentives would help drive innovation in obsolescence management? 3.5 What challenges do you anticipate involving incentives, cost sharing, identifying a schedule, and identification of obsolete items? 3.6 If you do not currently have additive manufacturing capability, who should be responsible for the costs associated with obtaining? 3.7 If the Government were to leverage obsolescence management techniques in a supply contract, to what extent is obsolescence management a competitive activity and does the Government's ownership or lack of data rights affect the competitiveness of obsolescence management? 3.8 Please provide any additional feedback you feel would enhance the program should we proceed with this initiative. 4.0 Instructions Responses to this RFI are due to Ariva Davis identified below by 5:00 PM US Eastern Standard Time, July 26, 2016. Respondents shall provide one (1) electronic copy (Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat formats) of their response. All RFI responses must be unclassified. Please submit your responses by email to Ariva Davis, Procurement Analyst, ariva.davis@dla.mil . 4.1 Industry Day Registration Pre-registration is REQUIRED. This is a no-fee event and seating is limited to two (2) individuals for each company as there is limited seating. Companies are required to email Ariva Davis, Procurement Analyst, ariva.davis@dla.mil no later than 5:00 PM EST on July 22, 2016. The following pre-registration information is needed: (1) Company Name, (2) Company size under the applicable NAICS codes (Small Business Administration business size classification), (3) CAGE Code, (4) a one page company profile, and (5) Name(s) and contact information for employees/representatives attending Industry Day. IMPORTANT: Attendees will be required to present a CURRENT Government issued photo ID (driver's license, military ID, or passport) matching the information provided above upon check-in. Please allow sufficient time for the check-in/verification process. Late registration and "walk-in" requests will NOT be permitted. 5.0 Summary THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to seek guidance and input for improving obsolescence management through contract incentives and emerging technologies such as additive manufacturing and to provide information on an upcoming Industry Day. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government.