Sources Sought for Modifications to the Ground Multi-band Terminal (GMT) Data Collection Unit (DCU)

This announcement is for information and planning purposes only. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal and is not to be construed as a commitment by the government. The government will not pay any cost associated with the submittal of information solicited herein. Synopsis: The United States Air Force (USAF), Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), Military Satellite Communications Systems Directorate, Logistics and Operations Support Division (SMC/MCL) is looking for a source to build/manufacture or provide a Data Collection Unit (DCU) compatible with the AN/TSC-179 Ground Multi-band Terminal (GMT) system. The DCU will be required to provide connectivity between the GMT's subsystems and a Control, Monitor, and Alarm (CMA) system. Background: The AN/TSC-179 GMT is a tactical quad-band (C, X, Ku, and Ka) dual hub satellite terminal designed for worldwide deployment. The provided DCU will be required to interface with various Line Replaceable Units (LRUs): the Tri-band up and down converters, modems, Antenna Control Unit (ACU), High Power Amplifier (HPA) controller, Ka-band controller, local and remote fiber optic units, and Tri-band test translator. The DCUs will be required to provide common interface points between the control, monitor, and alarm laptop computer and the other equipment making up the terminal. The DCUs will be required to be located in GMT Cases B, C, E and F. The DCU's designed will need to be physically identical and interchangeable with another. The only change will be small modifications of their configuration (i.e. IP address and serial port type). The DCUs will be required to provide the primary CMA interface on the GMT. Control and monitoring of the GMT electronics is accomplished using serial and discrete interfaces within the DCU. The DCU will be required to provide circuitry to enable the Radiation hazard light whenever the HPA is transmitting and will provide conversion of the RS422 interface the HPA Controller uses to communicate to the HPA to fiber and back. Specifications Required for a Fielded GMT Data Collection Units: Available upon request. Design Drawings for Manufacturing/Technical Data Support: If later solicited, the Government would require delivery of drawings with sufficient detail to show the design of the unit to fully enable manufacturing of these units without needing any additional information. Unlimited Data Rights for the provided DCU will be required for drawings, maintenance/user guide and any software/firmware. At a minimum, the maintenance/user guide must provide procedures for maintenance repair, removal and replacement, disassemble, reassemble, operational tests and inspection for any removable components and for the Line Replaceable Unit (LRU), Preventive Maintenance Inspections and safety requirements. Drawings are required to be generated that show the complete design of the unit. These drawings must be compliant with MIL-STD-31000A, 12 December 2017, Technical Data Packages and include schematic diagrams to the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) and component levels, such that all information is available to remanufacture the unit. Support and test equipment (organizational and depot level) and depot level repair procedures and test procedures will be required. Schedule: This is market research and there is no timeline for when a Request for Proposal (RFP) will be released. Business Size Standard: North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 517919, "All Other Telecommunications, Earth stations (except satellite telecommunication carriers)". The business size standard for this NAICS code is $32.5 million. Instructions: Interested parties are invited to submit an unclassified Statement of Capability (SOC) by 11 January 2019 that addresses the ability to satisfy the above requirements to Mr. Patrick Clark at patrick.clark.19@us.af.mil. Oral communications are not acceptable. Statements of Capability: Interested parties who believe they would be able to supply and provide support for this unit that meets the indicated requirements are invited to submit an unclassified SOC which must include the following information: A. Company name B. Mailing address C. Points of contact with telephone numbers and email addresses D. Business size classification (large, small or other), E. Experience and specific work previously performed within the past 10 years that is relevant to this effort. F. Small businesses or small disadvantaged businesses are encouraged to submit a Statement of Capability. The SOC must clearly: (1) Demonstrate the Contractor's has proven system knowledge and capability to build or provide a DCU that can perform the listed requirements. (2) Identify how the provided DCU would perform based on a comparison to the relevant specifications. (3) Explain how the Contractor's product meets or will meet all of the specifications for the serial synchronous time division multiplexer without access to any additional technical data. (4) Show how the Contractor will comply with FAR 52.227-14; DFAR 252.227-7013, 7014, 7015; DFAR277.7202 and 7203, ANSI/EEE Std 829 and IEEE/EIA 12207; DFARS 227.7102 and 7103 for Unlimited Technical Data rights. The SOC may also include inputs on potential enablers or impediments to competition and small business goals or opportunities. An Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) Mitigation Plan submission is not required, but contractors should identify any potential OCIs. The SOC must conform to 8.5 X 11-inch pages with one-inch margins, with font no smaller than 12-point, not exceed twenty one-sided pages, and must be submitted by 11 January 2019, 4:00pm Mountain Time. The government will use the SOC to determine if there is sufficient interest and ability in the marketplace from qualified sources. The Government mandates participation from its Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I), and Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) contractors, during the analysis of SOCs received in response to this synopsis. All data received in response to this synopsis and marked or designated as "corporate" or "proprietary" information will be fully protected from release outside the Government except for the FFRDC, SE&I, and SETA contractors supporting SMC/MCL. Any information submitted in response to this synopsis is strictly voluntary. This synopsis is for information and planning purposes only; it does not constitute a request for proposal. Information herein is based on the best information available at the time of publication, is subject to revision, and is not binding on the government. The government will not recognize any cost associated with submission of a SOC. The government will use any information received for planning purposes in support of market research and to improve the understanding of industry capabilities in response to the SOC. An Ombudsman has been appointed to address concerns from offerors or potential offerors. The Ombudsman does not diminish the authority of the program director or contracting officer, but communicates contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate government personnel. When requested, the Ombudsman shall maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the source selection process. The Ombudsman is Colonel Trent Tuthill, SMC/PK, (310) 653-1786.