SRP-4 Sources Sought

This synopsis is issued for the purpose of requesting interested firms to submit a Statement of Capability (SOC) expressing their desire to meet the Small Rocket Program (SRP) objectives and technical requirements. The Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP), Kirtland AFB, Albuquerque, NM, is contemplating the award of multiple Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contracts in support of the Small Rocket Program (SRP) that provides RSLP with small launch vehicles capable of sub-orbital ballistic trajectories and/or 0-400lb orbital payloads to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and other defined test objectives. This program will provide enhanced capability and flexibility in the development of commercial and/or RSLP sounding rocket launch vehicles and launch services, as well as small payload space lift launch vehicles and services, with the use of Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) or commercial boosters to meet a wide variety of mission requirements. The contractor will be required to integrate commercial stages, Minuteman, Peacekeeper and/or other solid rocket motors and liquid engine stages with government payloads. Contractor tasks include, but are not limited to: development of guidance and control systems; targeting launch vehicle; development of flight termination systems; resolution of range safety issues; providing launch services; and, performing post-launch analysis. It is anticipated that each SRP mission/effort will be competed among the IDIQ contract awardees. This will require, for most missions, the ability to develop, procure, and build flight hardware, and integrate and provide launch services from any of the national test/launch ranges, within 18-24 months from the time the delivery order is awarded. The ID/IQ contract ordering period is planned for seven years and will require flexibility in responding to unique technical requirements, vehicle quantity, and schedule changes. Dependent on the mission, the government may provide the following GFE: boosters, payload, facilities, launch vehicle transportation, and selected ground handling, launch, and support equipment. The Government is requesting interested firms submit a Statement of Capability (SOC) expressing their desire and ability to meet the SRP objectives. The request for information (RFI) objective is to assess established and new/emerging small launch and /or target launch vehicle contractors. As the notice has been modified since the previous SRP-4 RFI, potential offerors who responded to the earlier request are asked to submit a new or updated SOC. In addressing the technical requirements (1-5) below, contractors are encouraged to describe their current launch vehicle capabilities and their plans to develop future capabilities. The SOC should contain pertinent and specific information addressing these areas: (A) Experience: an outline of previous projects, specific work previously performed or being performed and any in-house research and development effort relevant to the specific task areas of this effort; (B) Facilities: availability and description of special facilities required to perform in the technical areas under consideration. Please also provide brief responses outlining your: industrial security clearance and storage facilities to support work at the SECRET level; cost reporting process, including status of cost accounting system; and mission timeline requirement (an alternative, if not the 18 to 24 month timeline outlined above). The responses provided in the areas above should contain information demonstrating ability to meet the following technical requirements: (1) Ability to design a variety of suborbital and/or small orbital launch vehicles using commercial and/or GFE stages, and other required hardware meeting all technical, mission, and safety requirements. This includes the ability to (a) design launch vehicles based on a range of motors and engines; (b) incorporate different national test range ground and safety requirements into the design of the launch vehicle systems; (c) design, develop, and test necessary modifications to the booster motor, to include guidance and control hardware and software, and attitude control systems capable of performing post-boost maneuvers. (2) Ability to perform a range of mission planning, targeting, and data analysis efforts. This includes ability to (a) target a variety of different launch vehicles or a single orbital launch vehicle; (b) coordinate mission parameters with outside agencies by providing trajectory data and vehicle characterization; (c) perform post-mission analysis of booster telemetry and sensor data. (3) Ability to fabricate and test necessary components and provide required modifications to the boosters and other required structures. This includes the ability to (a) manufacture and test attitude control hardware capable of performing required post-boost maneuvers; (b) fabricate, modify, integrate, and test guidance and control systems; (c) provide facilities, tooling, support, and test equipment for both hardware and software, which the contractor will maintain and utilize for testing, manufacturing, integration and analysis; (d) test hardware for vibration, shock humidity, and temperature for both individual components and integrated systems; (e) provide facilities to safely test individual components and integrated systems; (f) safely transport hardware, including rocket motors and pyrotechnic device; (g) obtain access to a manufacture and testing facility with facility clearance at the SECRET/NOFORN level. (4) Ability to plan and perform flight test operations from any government or commercially owned launch range (Reagan Test Site, Western Range, Eastern Range, Wallops Island, White Sands Missile Range, Kodiak Spaceport, Pacific Missile Range Facility, etc.). This includes: (a) planning launches from the range in accordance with relevant ground and flight safety requirements and mission requirements; (b) integrating and servicing boosters and payload using existing storage, missile assembly and integration and operations facilities. (5) Ability to provide program management activities, integrating systems engineering and other activities. This includes (a) experience interfacing with several independent payload contractors, government agencies, and range safety offices; (b) capability of efficiently integrating systems engineering disciplines such as configuration management, reliability, quality assurance, safety, manufacturing, etc.; (c) facilities and procedures for hosting SECRET/NOFORN meetings. The SOC must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the posting this RFI and is limited to 25 pages, size 11 font with 1" margins. All replies to this synopsis must reference SRP-4, FA8818-16-R-0022 (previously listed under FA8818-14-R-0021). Submit only unclassified and non-proprietary information if possible. If proprietary information is deemed essential, all proprietary information should be clearly marked and associated restrictions on Government use identified. Note: Both Government and Contractor personnel will be utilized for SOC evaluation. If proprietary information is deemed essential, Non-Disclosure Agreements will be executed. Any information submitted by respondents to this synopsis is strictly voluntary. The Government will not pay for any information that is submitted by respondents to this Sources Sought Synopsis. The Federal Business Opportunities, www.fbo.gov, will be the primary source of information for this acquisition. All responses shall include company size status under the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code identified below. Submit all responses to this synopsis to SMC/ADK, Attn: Cassandra Way, 3548 Aberdeen Ave SE, Bldg. 413, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5776. Firms responding should indicate if they are a small business, a socially and economically disadvantaged business, an 8(a) firm, a woman owned business, a historically black college or university or a minority institution. The government reserves the right to set this acquisition, or portions thereof, aside for small businesses, socially and economically disadvantaged businesses, 8(a) firms, historically black colleges or universities or minority institutions. For this proposed acquisition, the definitions in FAR 19.001 and small business size standard for NAICS 336414, size standard 1000 employees apply. Foreign firms are advised that they will not be allowed to participate in this acquisition. The research and test data produced under any resultant contract may contain Military Critical Technology List (MCTL) information whose export is restricted by Export Control Act (Title 22, U.S. Sec 2751, et seq.) or the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended (Title 50, U.S.C., App. 2401, et seq.). Only those companies who are on the Qualified Contractors Access List (QCAL) may receive such information. Request certification and registration from the Defense Logistics Services Center (DLSC), Federal Center, 74 north Washington, Battle Creek, MI 49016-3412 as soon as possible. If you are interested only in subcontracting possibilities, please indicate this clearly in your submission. Direct all technical questions pertaining to this notice to Angie Bradbury at unchu.bradbury.1 @us.af.mil. All other inquiries pertaining to this notice should be directed to Alicia Cawley, SMC/ADK at (505) 853-3781, email alicia.cawley@us.af.mil. This notice is for planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. This is not a solicitation announcement. The information provided may or may not result in further action. The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this information or otherwise pay for the information requested except as an allowable cost under an existing contract if so identified and in accordance with FAR 31.205-18, Bid and Proposal Costs. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing information in response to this Sources Sought Synopsis, or any follow-up information. An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the interested party to another official who can resolve the concern. Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and or/recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes. If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, the interested party may contact the ombudsman, Ms. Olalani Kamakau, SMC/PK, (310)653-1185, 483 N. Aviation Blvd, Los Angeles AFB, CA 90245. The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency. Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of information, verify due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the Contracting Officer. Request for Information/SB Tracking #: 14-029