Product Support Services

Purpose: The Army Contracting Command - New Jersey (ACC-NJ), Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000 is conducting a Market Survey on behalf of the Project Lead - Tactical Artillery Systems (PL-TAS) to identify personnel to conduct product support services for the M777 howitzers series, M119 howitzers series, Mobile Howitzer series, Location and Azimuth Determining System (LADS), and legacy survey programs, as well as potential future development updates to these systems. These services include Digital Retrofit activities and Field Support activities that support the PL-TAS mission. Description: This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for information and planning purposes, as a means for the Government to conduct market research, identifying interested parties and their capability to support the Government's potential requirement to conduct product support services for the M777 howitzers series, M119 howitzers series, Mobile Howitzer series, Location and Azimuth Determining System (LADS), and legacy survey programs In Accordance With (IAW) the below positions/fields. This Request for Information is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or an obligation on the part of PL-TAS. The Government is interested in industry's capabilities to provide services to support M777 howitzers series, M119 howitzers series, Mobile Howitzer series, Location and Azimuth Determining System (LADS), and legacy survey programs through Program Management activities, Digital Retrofit Activities, and Field Service Support by Field Service Representatives (FSR). Services will require the ability to obtain security clearances, passports, visas, as well as experience in the Synchronized Pre-deployment Operational Tracker (SPOT) system. For planning purposes, this effort is anticipated to commence Second Quarter in Fiscal Year 2025. The United States Government forecasts it will require: 1) Digital Retrofit Services to provide Operator, Maintainer, and Fire Direction Center training to US Marines and Soldiers and other personnel identified by the Government on the M777 howitzer series, M119 howitzer series, Mobile Howitzer series as well as applying system updates, product improvements, and refresh initiatives as required, and to train personnel on safe operation and operator- and field-level maintenance of the M777 howitzer series, M119 series howitzer, and future Mobile Howitzer series, and prepare Programs of Instruction (POI) and Lesson Materials for those systems. Additionally, the Digital Retrofit services may include: -Assist in the preparation of retrofit/training sites, to include classroom setup. -Remove and replace Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) on the various systems. -Possess the skills to train personnel on the proper Simple Key Loader (SKL) loading procedures for installing Cryptographic Keys into the Platform Integration Kit (PIK), Improved Platform Integration Kit, Defense Advance GPS Receiver (DAGR), Inertial Navigation System (INS), and any other system on the howitzers or survey systems that require cryptographic keys. -Train on replacement hardware as applicable. -Assist Maintenance personnel with installation of new hardware/software when applicable. -Train on the Stand-Alone Muzzle Velocity Sensor System (MVSS). -Provide refresher training on conducting Digital Fire Control/Digital Fire Control System (DFC/DFCS) Confidence Checks. -Provide Refresher Training based on lessons learned from issues reported from the field and the theater of operations. -Assist the Logistician to ship, track, and issue replacement Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) for Digital Retrofit activities. -Develop Training Support PowerPoint presentations for the various systems. -Provide training on new software versions of training aides, devices, and simulators (i.e. Computer Based Trainer and PC Trainers). -Conduct testing in a controlled environment for software versions that are developed on all towed artillery equipment. -Provide support to fielding activities as the subject matter expert. -Serve as on-site software and hardware weapons technician, installing, troubleshooting and diagnosing equipment issues, and performing root cause and corrective maintenance on all howitzer artillery equipment. -Inspect and test howitzer artillery equipment, identifying and correcting deficiencies before equipment is scheduled for use or signed over to commands. -Assist in providing quality oversight of fielding activities with a focus on process improvements, technical documentation input, and Command-level briefings. -Provide reengineering input for improvement of current weapons platforms to support on-going and future operations. -Be familiar with operating a laptop computer with Microsoft (MS) Windows suite, executing programs in the Operating System (OS) environment, and be able to electronically troubleshoot and fault isolate Digital Fire Control System/Digital Fire Control (DFCS/DFC) failures, using Technical Manual directed procedures of mid-level complexity, as well as the embedded testability product implemented in current version of DFCS Software. -Instruct M777 howitzer series and M119 howitzer series DFCS/DFC, and Optical Fire Control (OFC) maintenance. -Install new software, firmware, and hardware in support of Digital Retrofit activities. -Conduct joint inspection of howitzers with Unit personnel prior to start of Digital Retrofit activities. -Train Advanced Field Artillery Tactical Data System (AFATDS) Operators, AFATDS Section Chiefs, and Fire Direction Officers (FDOs) on the currently fielded version of AFATDS as it applies to the firing platforms. -Manage and coordinate all Digital Retrofit Requirements. -Ensure all personnel and equipment are present for retrofit and training. -Track shipment of items required for retrofitting the weapons systems. 2) Product Support Technicians to travel to locations for maintenance and or testing and evaluation of PL-TAS assets and provide support in the logistical movement of testing and Equipment Training assets. Additionally, the Product Support Technicians may be required to provide specialized information to those who design, test, produce, operate, maintain, and store the howitzer systems and subsystems. 3) Field Service Representative (FSR) services which may include: -Traveling to locations identified by PL-TAS both inside the Continental United States (CONUS) and Outside of the Continental United States (OCONUS), including, but not limited to: -All 50 United States -Australia -Canada -India -Poland -Germany -Providing technical assistance to unit maintainers in order to restore a weapon to full mission capable status. -Providing feedback on parts usage/failure, technical data issues, overall weapon performance/maintenance issues, parts required, etc. -Provide on-site evaluation of critical system malfunctions/failures and assist the unit to facilitate the evacuation of the weapons beyond the capability of the maintainers or the FSR to repair. 4) International Training services, to act as the primary interface on behalf of PL-TAS with Partner Countries, Training Instructors, and Prime Contractor(s). Additional services may include: -Developing, planning, and coordinating training events. -Managing the logistics associated with the training courses. -Managing and attending training classes related to howitzer operation & maintenance, Optical & Digital Fire Control, Survey Systems, and quality assurance. 5) Program Manager: -Serve as a single point of contact between the USG and the contractor. -Submit reports and plans. 6) Location and Azimuth Determining System (LADS) Fielding and Retrofit services to train designated personnel on safe and correct operation and maintenance of the LADS and associated equipment. LADS instructors will be required to train initial instruction for the LADS system and apply future Modification Work Orders (MWO) and Maintenance Advisory Messages (MAM). The LADS instructors should have basic knowledge of survey methodology including establishing Survey Control Points, establishing Distant Aiming Points, moving survey control forward, fires procedures for Reconnaissance, Selection and Occupation of Position (RSOP), establishing firing points, gun laying procedures, establishing Orienting Station and End of Orienting Line. LADS instruction includes operating a laptop computer with MS Windows suite, executing programs in the Operating System (OS) environment, and following Technical Manual directed, mid-level complexity, electronic troubleshooting procedures. The LADS instructors shall conduct installation, retrofit, repairs, and assistance on vehicles associated with the LADS platform. LADS instructors will be required to perform equipment training in various locations, including OCONUS. 7) Supply Chain Liaison services, to serve as the coordinator, administrator, quality assurance representative and technical expert in direct support of PL-TAS. Services may include: -Performing receipt inspections, tracking inventories, managing retrofit items in the Defense Property Accountability System (DPAS). -Ensuring adequate stock to support retrofit schedule, verifying build standard of delivered systems, participating in assessment of returned hardware. -Preparing items for shipment to retrofit locations and coordinating returns to vendors. All interested vendors are requested to provide: Statement of capability describing the vendor's capability and concept(s) to provide Product Support Services for M777 howitzers series, M119 howitzers series, Mobile Howitzer series, LADS, and legacy survey programs. Company understanding of Digital Retrofit Services. Company capability of providing services outlined above. Company capability of providing services at OCONUS locations. Current experience providing services outlined above. Company ability to provide subject matter experts on various weapon and survey systems. Company possession of the necessary training, documentation, qualifications, experience, and clearances to provide these services. Rough Order Magnitude Cost to provide services to support M777 howitzers series, M119 howitzers series, Mobile Howitzer series, LADS, and legacy survey programs. Firms/companies are invited to indicate their capabilities by providing specifications, brochures, manuals, reports, demonstration videos and/or other technical data, as well as identification of current customers. This Market Survey is a Request for Information (RFI) ONLY and should NOT be construed as a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a commitment by the United States Government. The Government recognizes that proprietary and/or classified data may be a part of this effort. If so, clearly mark such restricted/proprietary and classified data and present them as an addendum to the nonrestricted/non-proprietary and unclassified information. As a result of this Request for Information (RFI), a Request for Proposal (RFP) may be issued. Please note, participation in this Request for Information (RFI) is completely voluntary by the vendor and as such all costs to develop the vendor's response are to be borne by the participating vendor. All interested sources are encouraged to submit their abilities/capabilities no later than Wednesday, 04 September 2024 1200 EDT, to: Megan Ross and Michael Gomez ACC-NJ-IC Bldg. 10, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ 07806-5000; email: megan.j.ross.civ@army.mil and michael.j.gomez50.civ@army.mil. Please include company name, address, telephone number, point of contact, brochures/literature, etc., and any prior performance relating to this effort. ELECTRONIC SUBMITTALS ARE PREFERRED. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION AND DOES NOT OBLIGATE THE GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE A SOLICITATION. As stated above, please be advised that the Government will not pay for any information submitted under this announcement.