Production of Four A-29 Light Air Support Aircraft (LAS) for the Afghanistan Air Force (AAF)

Agency: Department of the Air Force Office: Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC)/Development & Integration (WWB) Location: Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio Interested vendors are encouraged to check this site often to view any updates and additions. The Government is interested in providing as much information as possible to interested vendors. If there is a particular document or specific information an interested vendor would like to see included in the Bidder's Library, please send that request to the Points of Contact identified herein. PLEASE NOTE: THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT SOLICITING PROPOSALS AT THIS TIME. NO CONTRACT WILL RESULT FROM THIS POSTING. 1.0 DESCRIPTION: This is a SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS (SSS) in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 5.2. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the United States Government (USG) to form a binding contract. The USG is conducting market research to identify, as potential sources and subcontracting opportunities, firms that may possess the expertise, capabilities, experience and necessary data to respond to all requirements to provide additional production of four Light Air Support (LAS) A-29 Aircraft for a Building a Partnership Capacity Program for the Afghanistan Air Force (AAF). In accordance with Buy American Act, the end-product must be manufactured in the United States. 1.1 BACKGROUND: - The LAS aircraft, designated as the A-29 LAS aircraft, is a non-developmental aircraft currently procured from Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC). SNC is presently subcontracting to Embraer, who is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) for their A-29 Super Tucano aircraft. The LAS aircraft mission includes conducting advanced flight training, surveillance, air interdiction, and close air ground support. - The LAS aircraft is a single-engine, turboprop, fixed-wing aircraft, with tricycle style, retractable landing gear, tandem two-place pressurized cockpit with ejection seats, capable of operating from semi-prepared air fields and employing various munitions from North Atlantic Treaty Organization compatible hard points. - The aircraft capabilities include external hard points to support an Electro-Optic Infrared (EO-IR) Sensor, external fuel tanks, and external munitions. This aircraft also supports day time Visual Flight Rules/Instrumentation Flight rules operation. - SNC currently supports the LAS aircraft production and all maintenance/supply requirements for the aircraft, Ground Training Devices (GTDs), and associated support equipment for LAS operations; therefore, the additional four aircraft must be compatible with the current configuration of both the aircraft and GTDs. - Contract period of Performance (PoP) is anticipated not to exceed 18-20 months. 1.2 REQUIREMENTS: The Contractor shall provide four production Light Air Support (LAS) A-29 Aircraft in the latest configuration with all required data and support equipment within 18-20 months from contract award. Any qualified sources must have in-depth knowledge of the A-29 aircraft and have the existing capability to perform all of the stated requirements at the time of contract award. The Contractor shall be able to maintain continuity of operations, avoid risk of a split fleet, and establish a contractual relationship with the OEM to ensure modification of the aircraft to its latest approved configuration, as to avoid the negative impacts of a multi-configured fleet. SNC is responsible for maintaining a Fully Mission Capable (FMC) rate of 80% for the entire fleet (to include the four additional aircraft); therefore, any qualified source must also establish a contractual relationship with SNC. Until aircraft are transitioned to USG/SNC, the Contractor shall be responsible for: 1) Procurement of four A-29 LAS aircraft built in the United States, to include applicable alternate mission equipment (AME) 2) Functional Check Flight (FCF)/acceptance of aircraft from U.S. manufacturer 3) Delivery of aircraft to Moody AFB. 4) Packing, handling, shipping and transportation of associated AME to Moody AFB. 5) Ensuring configuration management of aircraft hardware and software match current A-29 aircraft and A-29 GTD configurations, to include ensuring current A-29 LAS technical manuals fully support aircraft produced. 6) Program management and site management 7) Contract quality administration 8) Sustainment of each aircraft until such time as they are DD250/transferred to the USG, which would include: Field team support, aircraft maintenance, engineering services (including airworthiness, technical support, and aircraft modifications), and Contract Deliverables Requirements List (CDRLs) - All parts are subject to State Department/ITAR import and export approval. The Contractor shall be responsible for import and export licenses, technical assistance agreements, and approvals. - The Contractor shall implement procedures to protect Critical Program Information (such as proprietary data), systems, and components. - Embraer, the A-29 OEM, owns all technical data and software relevant to the A-29 aircraft. No data is anticipated to be purchased by the program office at this time. 2. CAPABILITY SURVEY: 2.1 Company Response - Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this market research. The results of this market research will be used to assess whether this effort will be a sole source, full and open, full and open after exclusion of sources, or small business set-side acquisition. It is advised that you provide a sufficient response to all capability questions to allow the USG to appropriately assess your capabilities. - Any information submitted by respondents to this SSS is strictly voluntary. This SSS does not constitute a RFP or an Invitation for Bid. SSS issuance does not restrict the USG's ultimate acquisition approach. The USG will neither award a contract solely on the basis of this notice, nor pay for any information that is submitted by respondents to this SSS. - Direct and concise responses are required and should clearly demonstrate your ability to meet the stated requirements. Recent relevant experience in all areas should be provided. Teaming and/or subcontracting arrangements, including joint ventures, should be clearly delineated and previous experience in teaming must be provided. Marketing material is considered an insufficient response to this SSS. 2.2 Business Information In response to this SSS, please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners: - Company/Institute Name: - Address: - Point of Contact: - Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code: - Phone Number: - E-mail Address: - Web Page URL: - Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: Aircraft Manufacturing - 336411; Size standard: 1,500 employees. Based on this NAICS Code, state your company business size. If you are a Small Business (SB, WOSB, EDWOSB, SOB, 8(a), HUBZone, VOSB, SDVOSB), please explain whether your company would be capable of meeting the requirements of FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting. - Small Business (Yes/ No) - Woman Owned Small Business (Yes / No) - Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes / No) - Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (Yes / No) - Disadvantaged Women-Owned Small Business (Yes / No) - 8(a) Certified (Yes / No) - HUBZone Certified (Yes / No) - Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes / No) - Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes / No) - Large Business (Yes / No) - System for Award Management (SAM) Registered (Yes / No) All prospective contractors must be registered in the SAM database to be awarded a DoD contract. The Government believes the NAICS code for this acquisition is 336411. If you do not agree, please suggest a NAICS code and provide your rationale. The NAICS code for this requirement, if applicable to the company's capabilities, should be included in the company's NAICS code listing in SAM. 2.3 General Capability: - Describe briefly the elements of your company and the nature of the goods and/or services you provide. Include a description of your staff composition and management structure. - Describe your company's past experience on previous projects (no more than five examples) similar in purpose and/or complexity to this requirement. Include contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, period of performance, agency/organization supported, and individual points of contact (Contracting Officer or Program Manager). Include your company's responsibility/role as a prime and/or subcontractor on each of these projects.. - Describe your company's previous experience with the process of USAF military type certification. - Describe your company's previous experience with production of Light Air Support (LAS) A-29 Aircraft. - Describe your approach to establish and maintain agreements with the OEMs and vendors for data and technical support to maintain the LAS aircraft. Also describe successes working with data and technical support with foreign OEMs. - Describe your specific capabilities of working with Foreign Military Sales (FMS) contracts in the past and registration with the U.S Department of State to work with the country of Afghanistan for import and export of materials - Describe any other relevant topics, concerns, and information that will help the USG in forming an acquisition strategy. - Are there any commercial business practices unique to your industry/company? If so, please describe. Please specify if you intend to propose, either whole or in part, a commercial solution. - A plan for acquisition of requisite technical data and equipment in order to provide four A-29 aircraft in the latest configuration within 18-20 months of contract award. 3. ADMINISTRATION - An Ombudsman has been established for this acquisition. The only purpose of the Ombudsman is to receive and communicate serious concerns from potential offerors when an offeror prefers not to use established channels to communicate concerns during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. Potential sources should use established channels to request information, pose questions, and voice concerns before resorting to use of the Ombudsman. Potential sources are invited to contact AFLCMC's Ombudsman with serious concerns only: Lt Col Kenneth L. Decker, AFLCMC/AQ 1790 10th Street Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7630 Tel: 937-785-5512 Fax: 937-785-7916 kenneth.decker.1@us.af.mil - Interested parties who believe they can provide the required LAS aircraft may respond by submitting their response to the above questions in paragraphs 2.2, Business Information and paragraph 2.3, General Information, via email. Written responses to this synopsis shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona fide capability to fulfill this requirement. The intent of this notice is not a request for competitive proposals. Please submit all responses related to this notice, via email, to abby.kaelin@us.af.mil by 2:00 PM (EST) by 27 October 2016. - The USG does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this SSS or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection FAR 31.205-18, Bid and Proposal costs, of the FAR. Companies responding to this SSS are advised that participation does not ensure involvement in future solicitations or contract awards. The USG shall not reimburse any company or individual for any expenses associated with preparation or participation in this SSS. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this SSS. - A point of contact that can speak for the responding company should be identified to support further USG inquiries as well as explanations that might be needed with regard to the information provided. - Written responses to this synopsis shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona fide capability to fulfill this requirement. The intent of this notice is not a request for proposal. Responses shall be limited to 15 pages, 8.5"x 11"pages, in English, 12 point font, Times New Roman, and 1 inch margins. The response shall be provided in searchable ADOBE ACROBAT (.pdf) format. 4. Contracting Office Address: Attn: Abby Kaelin - Building 553 2275 D Street Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433-7218 United States Abby.Kaelin@us.af.mil