Quality Assurance (QA) System for USCG Aviation Logistics Center, Elizabeth City, NC

The US Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) in Elizabeth City, NC is in need of wireless, standalone, complete and ready for use computerized digital notification systems to assist with Quality Assurance (QA) requests from mechanics on the hangar floor. These systems will allow mechanics to request a QA without leaving the work area and will also make QA personnel instantly aware that a QA has been requested. This will benefit the product lines by increasing productivity of mechanics and improving QA personnel response times. In addition, these systems will capture and record data, such as response times and the number of requests made in a certain time period. Access to the US Coast Guard network for programming, software installation, and signal transmission will not be provided. The digital notification systems are to be provided for three divisions of ALC. The digital notification systems shall be standalone systems that function independently of the US Coast Guard computer network. Any software used to capture and record data shall also operate independently of the US Coast Guard Information Technology (IT) system. Each division requires a separate system. The systems shall have the ability to communicate with each other, such as when one shop needs a QA from another shop. Each system shall include a control unit, a receiver, a paging transmitter, a repeater module, and software to record and report data. The system shall include both visual and portable notification methods to alert QA staff that a QA has been requested. The portable output devices shall be pagers that will instantly inform personnel that a request has been made and provide the location of the request. The visual output system shall consist of monitors. These monitors will be provided and installed by the government. The notification system shall have the ability to connect to these monitors to display QA requests and review data. Both the pagers and monitors shall display data in real time to allow visibility of requests. The notification system shall also consist of touch screen input modules that can be programmed to meet the needs of each division. These modules shall be centrally located within the work areas of each hangar or shop and shall communicate wirelessly and instantaneously with the pagers and monitors to alert QA staff that a request has been made. The input modules shall be programmable to allow for calling QAs, Engineering, Supply, Safety, or other personnel as necessary for each division. The input modules shall be programmable to be able to request a QA, track when the QA begins the work, and track when the QA completes the work. The system shall also have the ability to record and track requests that fail QA inspection with the ability to record the reason the requests failed and what corrective action is needed. The system shall be programmable such that there can be at least 20 different reasons to choose from for the failed QA and the ability to add amplifying information. The system shall be able to track the time between the QA failure and the subsequent passing of the QA. The required system shall include transmitters and receivers to connect the input modules and pagers. These devices shall have a minimum reach of - mile, to facilitate transmission of signals throughout ALC divisions. The required system shall have data capture features so information such as the number of QA requests and response time can be recorded and reviewed periodically. The software shall also have the ability to generate reports using the data collected and include message escalation and routing features. The Versacall system currently in place in one of the shops shall be upgraded to meet all of the specifications above. The Contractor shall replace the current 5 calling stations with 5 input modules described above. The Contractor shall upgrade the existing control unit to be compatible with the input modules. The control unit shall be made compatible with the 6 pagers and paging transmitter existing with the current system. Please provide a capability statement and description of expereince as it pertains to the work described. The information provided must be in sufficient detail that the US Coast Guard can determine capability. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 334220, and the small business size standard is 750 employees. A set-aside determination has not yet been made. Interested parties shall submit their business size and shall include any applicable preference program (i.e. 8(a), HUBZone, Service Disabled Veteran Owned, Woman Owned and Small Business). Responses are due no later than July 1, 2014 by 9:00am EDT and shall be submitted via email to ginger.g.woodington@uscg.mil. This notice is for informational and market research purposes only. This sources sought notice does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website http://www.fbo.gov/. It is the responsibility of the potential respondents to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this potential requirement. The information provided in this sources sought notice is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The release of this sources sought notice should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. Respondents are advised that the US Coast Guard will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this sources sought notice.