Operational Environment Simulator

Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) is interested in assessing industry capabilities, technology and best practices for an Operational Environment Simulator (OES). The OES is conceptually similar to the Immersive Infantry Trainers currently in use aboard Marine Corps Bases; however, the OES will be intended primarily to support R&D of Marine Corps equipment in an operationally relevant environment. The Marine Expeditionary Rifle Squad (MERS) office at MCSC conducts the integration and configuration management of everything worn, carried or consumed by the Marine Rifle Squad and the integration of the combat equipped Marine into mobility platforms. MERS operates the Gruntworks Squad Integration Facility as an R&D integration and modernization laboratory. The OES is one of a variety of tools that will be used for the Marine Squad. The purpose of the OES is to determine the operational characteristics of combat equipped Marines in a relevant environment. The OES will simulate three environments for the AFRICOM, CENTCOM and PACOM theaters of operations. It is anticipated that the OES will replicate unique urban and suburban physical building structure atttributes for each of the three geographic environments, as if Marines were actually in each environment. Appearance, aesthetics, and other attributes should provide the aspect of actually entering an occupied space. The design will include structural integrity to support combat equipped Marines to negotiate every aspect of the physical environment to include crawling through a window, clearing up stairs to a second floor, and climbing over walls. All three distinct areas will be controlled in a centralized location. Human factors data collection will require ability to see and record Marines in every area for analysis. There are two secondary purposes for the OES. First, the OES will serve as an experimentation test bed for evaluating future training technologies for PM Training Systems based in Orlando FL. Second, the OES will also be used as an alternative training site for the Infantry Officers Course at Quantico VA. The OES is unique in that it will require the power and data capabilities to support the insertion of new training technologies and collect relevant data on their performance characteristics. The OES will be located within The Gruntworks Squad Integration Facility, a Butler Style building composed of girders and sheet metal with a solid concrete foundation and a 12 x 12 foot high bay door. The intent is to have a flooring surface suitable for safe negotiation of the OES as well as lighting that replicates the range from direct sunlight to different starlight conditions. There is no intent to control the temperature or humidity in the OES. The human factors data collection in the facility is a critical function in order to collect and process the Marines movements in the OES. Recording a Marine's movements throughout the simulator is required. The OES should have avatars that are capable of interacting with Marines and support Marines using and firing non-kinetic and non-tethered OES weapons. The desire is be able to capture data on shot placement and record the engagement cycle. MCSC will be conducting an industry day to provide interested firms the opportunity to understand the concept and vision of the OES, view the structure in which the OES will be placed, appreciate the provisions for power available, and gain an understanding of Government Furnished Material that could be made available. Drawings may be made available at the industry day. The industry day also will provide industry the opportunity to provide input and comments to the Government to assist in refining the Statement of Objectives (SOO), and to provide rough order of magnitude cost estimates that will assist in refining the scope of the project. A limited number of individual sessions can be arranged with the acquisition team to discuss company-specific ideas and concerns. Such one-on-one sessions will not exceed 30 minutes each and should include company qualifications and best practice ideas relevant to the OES. The industry day will be conducted on 18 March 2014 at the Gruntworks Squad Integration Facility on Marine Corps Base Quantico, Building 24017, Gilbert Road, Camp Barrett, Quantico VA. Companies wishing to attend the industry day and/or meet on a one-on-one basis should register by no later than 10 March 2014, 3:00 PM Local Time, by emailing Marlene Eubanks at marlene.eubanks@usmc.mil. Firms must include company name and address; names, phone numbers and email of individuals attending, whether attendees are U.S. citizens, and whether the firm desires a one-on-one meeting at the industry day. Each participating firm is limited to five individual attendees. Questions regarding this notice should be directed to Marlene Eubanks at marlene.eubanks@usmc.mil. Interested parties may also submit capabilities and experience descriptions, best practice information, and any information regarding commercial contractual arrangements. Firms should include business size information. This information should be submitted to marlene.eubanks@usmc.mil no later than 10 March 2014, 3:00 PM Local Time. All data received in response to this announcement marked, or designated, as corporate or proprietary information will be protected from release outside the Government in accordance with the Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act provisions. This RFI is for informational purposes only. This is not a request for proposal (RFP), invitation for bid (IFB), request for quotation (RFQ), or an announcement of a solicitation. No solicitation document exists. The submission of this information is for market research and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the government to procure any items or services, nor does the Marine Corps intend to award on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for the information requested. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of submission of responses to this RFI and Government use of such information.