Product Director Aerostats (PD Aerostats), is seeking sources to supply various services for the Surveillance System, Elevated Sensor, AN/DSY-1(V)1, or the - Persistent Surveillance Systems-Tethered (PSS-T) large systems through Foreign Military Sales.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This is a sources sought market survey. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Government is not seeking proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals. There is no solicitation available at this time. Any information submitted by respondents to this synopsis is strictly voluntary. Responders are advised that the US Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. This market survey does not constitute a Request for Proposals (RFP) or a request for sealed bids (IFB), nor does its issuance restrict the Government as to its ultimate acquisition approach. The Government will neither award a contract solely on the basis of this notice, nor pay respondents for any information that they submit in response to this Sources Sought request. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement. Product Director Aerostats (PD Aerostats), is seeking sources to supply approximate pricing and availability (P&A) data, including engineering/technical services, operations services, training and logistics support for planning purposes, preceding the acquisition of 10 74k-based aerostat systems, known as the "Surveillance System, Elevated Sensor, AN/DSY-1(V)1," or the "Persistent Surveillance Systems-Tethered (PSS-T) large" systems through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process. The purpose of the aerostat(s) is border security. These systems will be procured as new build systems and modified to meet the customer-defined payloads, while maintaining commonality in design, manufacture, upgrades, sustainment and operations with the US Government's AN/DSY-1(V)1 systems in use today. The intent is to support two (2) main payloads and substitution of main payloads with numerous alternate payloads. This includes the ability to support two (2) electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) cameras, or one (1) EO/IR camera and one (1) ground moving target indicator (GMTI) radar payload. PD Aerostats is determining the availability and technical capability of potential offerors to support PSS-T P&A, engineering/technical services, operations services, training and logistics services in order to further refine the program's acquisition strategy. Please submit all responses to the email addresses provided below no later than 24 February 2017, 1600 Eastern Standard Time (EST). The response should be a description of a vendor's capability to provide aerostat-sensor systems. It is important for the customer country's planning and budgeting that rough cost indications be included. Responses may include any and all aspects of an aerostat-based border security system that the vendor may feel to be of interest to the customer country, including technical capability, fielding, transportability, endurance, life-cycle, training, and operations support. Vendor provided information will not be shared outside US and partner country Governments. Vendor responses to this market survey/sources sought are submitted directly to the US Government, so export controls do not apply. ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE: 3QTR FY18 - 4QTR FY24. ANTICIPATED CEILING VALUE: Approximately $500M (USD) RESPONSE DUE DATE: Interested parties should submit responses electronically no later than 24 February 2017, 1600 EST via e-mail to Matthew Ebner, ACC-APG, matthew.c.ebner.civ@mail.mil; Thomas Frank, thomas.m.frank.civ@mail.mil; and William Kwan, william.k.kwan.civ@mail.mil. CONFIDENTIALITY: No classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. Proprietary information is acceptable but must be marked as proprietary. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s). QUESTIONS TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT: All questions pertaining to this announcement are due within five (5) business days after release. Only one (1) set of questions per company will be accepted, and must be submitted via e-mail via e-mail. Telephone requests will not be accepted. PROGRAM OBJECTIVE: PD Aerostats is seeking sources to supply approximate P&A data, including engineering/technical services, operations services, training and logistics support for planning purposes, preceding the acquisition of 10 74k-based aerostat systems, known as the "Surveillance System, Elevated Sensor, AN/DSY-1(V)1," or the "Persistent Surveillance Systems-Tethered (PSS-T) large" systems through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process. PSS-T is capable of persistent, integrated, networked, and multi-sensor information collection by operating aerostats for long periods of time from altitudes to maximize line of sight and field of regard. PSS-T will also provide the capability to carry communications extension payloads in support of the customer's operations. PSS-T supports the customer's situational understanding by providing indications and warnings, increased probability of positive identification of threats, and improved identity resolution through tailorable sensor and communications payload options in support of a wide range of operations. INSTRUCTIONS TO RESPONDERS: Please respond if you can support the entire requirement, or any portion of the requirement. Responses are requested outlining firms capabilities for providing engineering, operations, and logistic support services. Responders' solutions may incorporate teaming arrangements as authorized by Federal Acquisition Regulation 9.6. Small business concerns are encouraged to respond. Responses shall be submitted via electronic mail. The size per electronic mail cannot exceed 9MB. Responders are permitted to provide only ONE (1) response package. Submissions shall be compatible with the Windows XP operating system and be made, as appropriate, in Microsoft Office 2003 or more recent versions [Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel (data file should be .xls file format), Microsoft Project and Microsoft PowerPoint]. Excel files shall not contain any hidden cells, hidden sheets, locked formulas, or access data from any files that are not included with the response package. The response package shall not exceed 25 pages, and shall be delivered in an outline structure highlighted in the requirements section. Pages containing text shall be typewritten, on standard letter 8.5 quote mark x11 quote mark size paper. Each paragraph shall be separated by at least one (1) blank line. Drawings or other graphics shall be reduced only to the extent legibility is not lost. Each page shall be single spaced with a minimum of 12- point Arial font and no less than one (1) inch margins/borders. REQUIREMENTS: Responders are asked to provide a detailed approach for the following questions that include a summarization of past relevant aerostat operation, mission support equipment experience, and FMS experience. Responses should retain the outline structure provided below. Assumptions: * Provide 10 new PSS-T aerostats, Government-owned, Contractor operated (GOCO) arrangement to provide engineering/technical services, operations services, training and logistics support. After six months of operations, transition to Contractor-trained, host nation military user-level maintainer personnel. * The Contractor's user-level maintainer personnel shall have expertise to perform maintenance on aerostat platforms and associated support equipment to include, boom-lifts, forklifts, and generators. User-level maintenance tasks include but are not limited to preventative maintenance checks and services, troubleshooting, removing and replacing line replaceable units, removing and replacing sensors, monitoring/testing of helium purity, and installing/de-installing the system. * Plan for supporting original equipment manufacturer (OEM) hardware and software with limited data rights and/or proprietary sub-components and provide examples of existing relationships with relevant OEMs and suppliers. 1. Aerostats: Discuss your plan to provide 10 aerostat systems, with the following specifications: (a) Ability to lift 500 kg to 1500 meters (approximately 1,100 pounds to an approximate elevation of 5,000 feet) (b) 30 day mission capability (c) Mobile system (transportable and not at a permanent fixed site) (d) 4 kVA power to aerostat (e) Three fiber optic cables to provide data path between aerostat and ground control station (GCS) (f) GCS for local command and control with interface to customer network (g) Ground Support Equipment including aerial lift, fork lift and generators (h) All special tools and standard tools and equipment required to operate and maintain the system (i) System able to operate in 120 km/hour wind and survive in 165 km/hour wind (operate in winds of 65 knots, survive winds of 90 knots) (j) PSS-T large 74K system or similar (k) Each system to include initial site spares (similar to PSS-T large Prescribed Load List) (l) Additional total sparing provided as shared spares for all ten (10) systems (similar to PSS-T large Authorized Stockage List) (m) Assume 90% Operational Availability for spares planning 2. Radars: Discuss your plan to provide one (1) aerostat-mounted GMTI radar for each of the 10 systems, with the following specifications: (a) Capable of detecting and tracking ground targets (b) Integrated with EO/IR sensor for cross cueing capability (c) Telephonics APS-143G(V)l or similar 3. EO/IR Sensors: Discuss your plan to provide two (2) aerostat-mounted EO/IR sensors for each of the 10 systems, with the following specifications: (a) Each EO/IR sensor includes high definition wide angle optical camera, high definition narrow field optical camera, analog infra-red camera and laser range finder (b) Each camera to have numerous filters and variable focal lengths (c) Cameras to mounted in one sensor ball that is motion stabilized (d) EO/IR sensor to be designed to operate 30 continuous days on an aerostat (e) EO/IR sensor to have the ability to be driven to specific grid location automatically and manually (f) EO/IR sensor to simultaneously provide full motion high definition video from all three (3) cameras in real time to GCS (g) L3-WESCAM MX-20, or similar 4. Additional Payloads: Discuss your plan to provide support to integrate additional aerostat-mounted sensors for each of the 10 systems, for example, but not limited to: (a) Radios/communications payloads (b) Small, miscellaneous sensors and/or antennas 5. Operations and Maintenance: (a) Discuss how you would train and staff contractor maintenance technicians between the 10 aerostat systems, starting at the delivery of first system and running for five (5) continuous years. These contractor maintenance technicians shall provide technical assistance for all subsystems (aerostat, mooring system, GCS, EO/IR, radar, acoustic sensor, ground support equipment), and are to be stationed in the customer country. (b) Discuss how you would train and provide contractor personnel to support all 10 aerostat systems, for six (6) months, to perform the setup, installation, inflation, operation and operator maintenance tasks required for the aerostat systems and payloads. These crews will act as subject matter experts and trainers to foreign national (military) crews. (c) Discuss how you would train 230 foreign national (military) personnel (in English; both combined classroom and on-the-job training) to perform the setup, installation, inflation, operation and operator maintenance tasks required for the aerostat systems and payloads. Include providing manuals, procedures and processes required to perform the tasks. Plan to include training of foreign national military officers to be flight directors. 6. Logistics: (a) Discuss how you would set up, staff, operate, and manage a contractor-run maintenance operation. Include concepts for spare parts, consumable bench stocks, inventory control, shipping, calibration, drawings, technical documentation, troubleshooting guides, and training/certification for maintenance personnel. (b) Discuss any special test diagnostic or specialized skill sets that you would recommend for aerostat operations. Include a list of top-level policies, guidance, and other relevant documentation and or recommendations for operator programs, such as: manuals, documentation, and training aids that your company uses to certify contractor operators. (c) Describe your process for establishing facilities to support warehousing/storage of parts, personnel operations, testing/training, and production efforts. (d) Discuss your company's top-level team process for policies on field/user-level maintenance. (e) Describe your process for spares demand analysis and stock levels at the sites and hubs. Include concepts for hub and warehouse development to support the systems in various geographical locations at a minimum logistics footprint. (f) Describe your Government furnished property management, control, and reporting processes. (g) Describe your procurement process to include major suppliers if known for materials to be used in sustaining minimum stock levels of spares and repair parts. (h) Describe your process for packaging, shipping and transportation operations to include both spare/repair parts and the entire system to meet commercial and military shipment directives and regulations. (i) Describe your concept for coordinating transportation of personnel to and from various geographical locations. (j) Describe your supply chain management concept for procuring equipment that has not been provisioned by the US Department of Army or has limited stock in the DoD supply system. (k) Describe your concept for providing accurate and timely inventory management in accordance with DoD standards for the aerostat systems at multiple locations. COMPANY INFORMATION: 1. Please provide the following point of contact information: Company: Address: Point of Contact Name: Point of Contact Title: Phone Number: Email Address: Fax Number: 2. Please identify your company's small business size standard based on the primary NAICS code of 541 -- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services/541330 -- Engineering Services. The small business size standard for this NAICS code is $35.5 Million. For more information refer to http://www.sba.gov/content/table-smallbusiness- size-standards. Please identify, if your business is categorized as a small business by the SBA, or any of the following subcategories: Small Business (SB) Concern, 8(a), Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), Woman-Owned Small Business, Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone), Veteran-Owned Small Business, or a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business. 3. Under the current SB recertification regulations, do you anticipate your company remaining a small business, under primary NAICS Code of 541 -- Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services/541330 - Engineering Services? If you are a SB please answer questions 3a & b. All others skip to Question #4. (a) What percentage of this requirement do you plan to perform in house (not sub-contract out)? Also indicate (with supporting rationale) if/how your company would be compliant given the restrictions identified in the Defense Authorization Bill 2013, which states that at least 50 percent of the total contract cost will be performed by the small business prime contractor or small business similar situated entities. (b) If you are a small business, does your company have adequate resources, financial or otherwise, to perform the requirement? 4. Please provide details regarding any anticipated teaming arrangements, strategic alliances, or other business arrangements to satisfy the stated requirements. Responders are requested to identify teams, indicating each team member's size status based upon the NAICS code of the work that the team member may be doing. Please list the process used in selecting the teaming members. 5. Is your company currently providing similar services to another government agency or other non-government customer? If so, please identify the agency or nongovernment customer (you may also include contract numbers for government customers). If you are unwilling to share your customer's identity, please address whether your company offers the same or similar services commercially. 6. Please identify your company's past and current customers to which you provided this type of service or similar services, including a customer/company name and point of contact, phone number and address/e-mail where they can be contacted. 7. Does your company have a Defense Contract Audit Agency approved accounting system? 8. Please identify the company's facility clearance level. Also indicate the number of company employees and their position(s) that currently possess or are eligible for SECRET and TOP SECRET clearances. Contracting Office Address: ACC-APG - Aberdeen Division C , 6001 Combat Drive, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005-1846 Place of Performance: ACC-APG - Aberdeen Division C, 6001 Combat Drive, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, 21005-1846, and the customer country. Point(s) of Contact: Matthew Ebner, ACC-APG, matthew.c.ebner.civ@mail.mil William Kwan, PD Aerostats, william.k.kwan.civ@mail.mil Thomas Frank, PD Aerostats, thomas.m.frank.civ@mail.mil Interested parties may identify their capabilities by responding to this requirement, no later than 12:00pm EST, TBD. All information submitted should support the offeror's capability to provide the items required, and shall be furnished at no cost or obligation to the Government. Responses must be in writing and must provide clear and concise documentation indicating an offeror's bona fide capability to provide these items. Verbal responses are not acceptable and will not be considered. Responses and questions concerning this requirement shall be submitted via email to matthew.c.ebner.civ@mail.mil and jennifer.l.mattessino.civ@mail.mil.