R -- Joint Communication Simulator Support

NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT - The Air Force Flight Test Center, Directorate of Contracting, Edwards Air Force Base, California, intends to solicit from, negotiate with, and award a new sole source, indefinite delivery/indefinite quantity contract to VIASAT, INC., 6155 El Camino Real Carlsbad, CA 92009-1602 for the following requirement in accordance with 10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (1), pursuant to FAR 6.302-1. Results of a sources sought synopsis number JCS2006V1, issued on 13 October 2006, which closed on 27 October 2006, resulted in two responses received, of which, only one was determined capable of meeting the government's requirement. A cost reimbursement contract is contemplated to include a contract period of five years from the date of contract award with five (5) one-year option periods. The purchase of these specialized engineering services and flight simulator support services include development, modification, integration, tests, test support, and documentation for additional signals, behaviors, and capability upgrades and additions for the JCS systems at Edwards AFB and Patuxent River Naval Air Station and the Link 16 Terminal Simulators and Low Volume Terminal (LVT(2)) at Edwards AFB CA. VIASAT, INC. has shown unique capabilities in developing communications simulators, and familiarity with the Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System (MIDS). ViaSat has experience with pulse and arbitrary waveform signal generation, RF distribution, RF control for phase and amplitude to replicate spatial and temporal angle of arrival to include interactive emitters, scenario simulation, and the understanding and insight into signals and their use. They also have extensive programming and simulator construction expertise including parallel programmable modules, field programmable gate arrays, imbedded processors and multiple interfaces from shared memory to message based networks. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code is 541330 and the Small Business size standard is $25,000,000 dollars. Offerors require in-depth knowledge of the JCS system architecture, RF components, inter and intra-system communications, staged signal processing, the embedded processors, processor operating systems and limitations, and signal characteristics and implementation in a fully coherent (spatial, temporal and informational) real-time operating environment. Personnel must also have an experienced understanding of the mechanization of Link-16 and the equipment involved to ensure proper development, integration, and performance for use within the Avionics Test and Integration Complex (ATIC) and Advanced Combat Environment Test & Evaluation Facility (ACETEF) and their existing systems. In addition, the ability to efficiently represent the basic simulation, configure network time slots, characterize the RF output levels and arrival based on platform location relative to the System Under Test (SUT), provide dynamic control, time slot ownership and relay, integration and synchronization idiosyncrasies, antenna pattern, and terrain consideration is required. Capabilities packages shall include, as a minimum: 1) evidence of past experience and related projects that covers the criteria above, with value/price of past efforts; 2) size of firm, large or small business; 3) whether or not these items and services are provided commercially to non-government agencies; and 4.) the capability to support the requirements as identified above. The Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this notice. If responses are not received by 4:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time, 24 May 2007, a Sole Source contract will be pursued with VIASAT, INC. See numbered note 22