Request for Information (RFI) for Multi-Use Satellite Commercialization Experiment (MUSCLE)

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. THIS REQUEST IS FOR PLANNING PURPOSES, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN INVITATION FOR BIDS, A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, A SOLICITATION, A REQUEST FOR QUOTES, OR AN INDICATION THE GOVERNMENT WILL CONTRACT FOR THE ITEMS CONTAINED IN THIS NOTICE. THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT REIMBURSE RESPONDENTS FOR ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH SUBMISSION OF THE INFORMATION BEING REQUESTED OR REIMBURSE EXPENSES INCURRED TO INTERESTED PARTIES FOR RESPONSES. Background & Description This Request for Information (RFI) by the USAF Space and Missile Center (SMC), Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) Directorate seeks industry feedback on reference documents that could be used to support an acquisition for the Multi-Use Satellite Commercialization Experiment (MUSCLE). MUSCLE is conceptually intended to support rapid acquisition of geosynchronous communication satellites and associated programs to prototype, demonstrate or satisfy an operational urgent need. As a contract vehicle, MUSCLE would acquire commercial satellite communication (SATCOM) bus capability. The MUSCLE bus would host geosynchronous communication payloads - either industry provided or Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). The MUSCLE scope would include: 1) delivery on-orbit of a small-medium weight class commercial bus with a high-rate RF subsystem, 2) ground terminals to interface to satellite planning/control center, and 3) satellite command and control software. A bus dedicated to only the payload or co-hosting with other commercial or military payloads may be considered, so long as all objectives can be met. User terminals and their mission planning/control are not included. It is anticipated that multiple programs could use this contract vehicle for future demonstration payloads. The first demonstration could potentially start in Government Fiscal Year 2012 (FY12), with the goal to provide an on-orbit capability beginning in FY15 through FY20 that enables payload demonstration, evaluation and residual operational capability. SMC solicits industry's questions, comments and areas/ideas for the government to consider relative to the four draft documents being considered for this effort: (1) Technical Requirements Document, (2) Statement of Work, (3) Compliance Documents, and (4) Contractor Deliverable Requirements List (CDRL). These documents will be provided upon request. Please submit requests by e-mail to the technical POC identified below with the following: name, organization(s), postal address, phone, and e-mail address. The Statement of Work is the least mature document at this time and it is expected to mature over the coming months. The government is especially interested in receiving, from industry, identification of those areas in the documentation that drive large cost and risk in terms of commercial satellite production. In addition to these general concerns, the government seeks answers to specific questions for industry provided in Attachment 1. Objectives Objectives of this RFI include the following: - Gather information from industry on draft documentation for a potential acquisition - Identify industry capabilities to meet draft requirements and tasks, specifically areas that affect cost, risk, and schedule, compared to nominal commercial satellite procurement - Support preliminary acquisition documentation and strategy development for a potential acquisition Responses This section contains all information required to submit a response. No additional forms, kits, or other materials are needed. SMC appreciates responses from all capable and qualified sources that meet the following format. A non-proprietary one page cover sheet should identify this RFI number & title, organization(s), responder's technical and administrative points of contact - including names, titles, postal address, phone and fax numbers, and email addresses. Please submit comments on the documentation in the provided template. Please clearly identify any critical comments. No telephone inquiries will be accepted. All inquiries (technical, contractual, administrative), questions, or clarifications of any kind must be submitted via email to the appropriate (POC) listed below. RFI responses must be delivered to the Contracting POC no later than 4:00 PM, Local Time, El Segundo, CA, on 21 Jan 2011. To the extent possible, all responses should be unclassified and for general access by the Government, other evaluators, and other respondents. All material provided (responses, discussions, questions/answers, and other data) that is not related to competition sensitive or contractor proprietary material may be provided to other respondents. Any material provided may be used in development of future solicitations. Any proprietary information submitted must be clearly and separately identified and marked and will be appropriately protected. The Government will NOT be responsible for any proprietary information not clearly marked. Any classified responses must meet the format and delivery instructions described in this RFI. In addition, classified delivery must be arranged in advance. Responses at classification levels above DoD SECRET are discouraged, but may be considered. Classified responses must include identification of their source of classification guidance. Disclaimers and Notes This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a program or contractual solicitation. SMC is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of submissions or of the information received, or to provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. The Government intends to use the information received in response to this RFI for planning purposes for which a formal Request for Proposal may result. However, the Government will not award a contract directly on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. Participants in review and evaluation of responses may include: The Government; Federally Funded R&D Centers (such as The Aerospace Corp, Lincoln Laboratory, and MITRE); Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) contractors (such as BAH, LinQuest); all are bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements. Regarding this RFI, no contact is allowed with these organizations except as may be arranged in advance with the point of contact (POC) listed below. Possible Government/Industry Exchange Meetings (GEMs) One or more informal GEMs may be held at SMC or other locations. The Government may request GEMs with individual respondents to enable questions/clarifications on their RFI response. Because of space limitations, the number of participants per organization may be restricted. GEM participants must be US citizens and must submit visit requests. Attendance at GEMs will be voluntary. SMC will not provide any cost reimbursement for GEM attendance. Points of Contact (POC) Contracting POC: Tracy Stroud, Procurement Contracting Officer (PCO) Phone: (310) 653-9489 Email: tracy.stroud@losangeles.af.mil Contracting Office Address MILSATCOM Directorate, Contracting 483 N. Aviation Blvd El Segundo, California 90245 Technical Point of Contact: (Documentation requests must include name, organization(s), postal address, phone, and e-mail address): Capt Lady Santos, COTR Phone (310) 653-9450 Email: lady.santos@losangeles.af.mil