Pilot Study

Description: 1.0 Description The U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT), Research and Innovative Technology Administration, John A. Volpe National Transportation Systems Center (Volpe Center), Cambridge, MA, issues this Sources Sought to assist the Government in its acquisition strategy. This synopsis does not constitute a Request for Proposal. The Volpe Center is seeking potential offerors that are capable of recruiting, screening, and compensating Boeing 737 pilots for participation in for human-in-the loop study utilizing simulators and possibly participants for future simulator studies, possibly involving other modes of transportation. 2.0 Background The Volpe Center's Aviation Safety Human Factors Division's Human Factors of Flight Operations program is continuously developing human-in-the-loop studies to address FAA procedural, technical, and research questions. The overarching objective of this Sources Sought is to maximize the utility of our simulator investment by creating an efficient way to support the human-in-the-loop studies planned and envisioned by our scientists. 3.0 Scope The U.S. DOT is seeking a capability statement from all interested entities that are capable of recruiting, screening, and compensating Boeing 737 pilots for participation in human-in-the loop study utilizing simulators. Studies typically require one day or 6 to 8 hours participation at the Volpe Center facilities. Studies may consist of verbal briefing/debriefings, participation in simulated flight procedures and/or flight segments using the Volpe Center fixed- base flight deck simulator or other part-task simulations. The participants may be required to have the following specific characteristics for each study: - Professional Pilot - Minimum 1,000 hours Pilot in Command experience - Specialized experience requirement (e.g., RNAV/RNP procedure qualified) - Currency requirements both general flight experience and specialized procedures - Type rating requirements (e.g., B737, regional jet, executive jet < 18000#) 4.0 Submission Instructions All capability information submitted by respondents shall: - Summarize personnel and teaming partners, if any, having technical capabilities, knowledge, and expertise to perform the above tasks - Include past performance information including contract number; Customer (Government agency or private industry); Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) name, telephone and fax numbers; contract value and type of contract; period of performance; and description of product/services - Indicate whether they are a non-profit, large business, small business, or other small business type. Information provided should be sufficiently detailed in the area(s) above so the Government can assess the ability of the company to provide the described services All of the information sought should be conveyed in no more than five (5) pages. Page size is set at 8 x 11 inches; text font must be no smaller than 12 point; and text should be doubled spaced. Each response must reference the Sources Sought title and number. Interested entities must respond to this announcement in writing no later than July 13, 2012, 12:00 PM, Eastern Time. TELEPHONE REQUESTS WILL NOT BE HONORED. All responses must be submitted via e-mail to the Contract Specialist, Thomas Wilga at, Thomas.Wilga@dot.gov. Electronic attachments to the e-mail should be submitted in Microsoft Office 2007 (or earlier) productivity application formats or any format that can be imported by Microsoft Office, or PDF format. 5.0 Information Availability THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. This notice is for information and planning purposes only, and is a market research tool to determine the availability and adequacy of potential business sources prior to determining the method of acquisition and possible issuance of a Request for Proposal, including the use of any non-profit organization or small business program. This notice does not constitute a solicitation for bids, quotations, and proposals, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. The information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a competitive contract. The Government is not obligated to and will not pay for any information received from potential sources as a result of response to this Sources Sought notice. The Government will not pay for any materials provided in response to this synopsis and submittals will not be returned to the sender. Interested entities must submit summary statements that can be disclosed to the public with complete supporting information that is clearly marked as restricted if any of it is proprietary. The Government will use customary means to safeguard proprietary information, but only when such information is (1) clearly marked as proprietary; (2) is, in fact, information that could not have been obtained from another party or source; and (3) is otherwise deserving of such treatment under standards and processes described in the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Executive Order 12600.