Stores and Payload Control Hardware Upgrade

DISCLAIMER THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS ISSUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH DFARS 206.302-1(D) AND PGI 206.302-1. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL AND IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. INTRODUCTION The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) (AIR-2.4.2.1) at Patuxent River, MD announces its intention for non-recurring engineering analysis for the upgrade and qualification testing of twelve (12) Government-owned Stores Payload Controller (SPC) units and technical support for the Weapons Systems Safety Explosive Review Board (WSSERB) with delivery of the updated model units to occur 18 months after contract award. Planned award is October 2019. BACKGROUND GE Aviation Systems LLC (GEAS) is the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the Stores and Payload Controller (SPC) which is part of the Stores Management System (SMS) used by the MQ-8B Fire Scout program for their Weapons Rapid Deployment Capability (RDC) effort. The current units owned by the Government are Model 2980B1/B2, but in order to provide expanded capability and additional interfaces to include an upgrade to the 1553 Interface and the Serial Interface of RS-422, they will need to be upgraded to the current model; Model 2980D1. This includes a non-recurring engineering analysis for the upgrade and qualification test and technical support for the Weapons Systems Safety Explosive Review Board (WSSERB). This additional capability will provide more robust interfaces for use on future potential weapons efforts. ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE The anticipated period of performance includes a base period of 18 months. The anticipated start date is 31 October 2019. SUBMITTAL INFORMATION Interested persons may submit a Capability Statement package identifying their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. Only Capability Statements received on or before 15 calendar days after the posting date of this Notice will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract action based upon responses to this Notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Capability Statements received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Capability Statements submitted should be pertinent and specific in the technical/management/business area under consideration, on each of the following qualifications. (1) Business: Due to the fact that GEAS is the OEM for the SPC hardware, each interested party (other than GEAS) must include either (1) a teaming agreement (or equivalent document) signed by GEAS indicating that GEAS agrees to partner with or be a subcontractor to the interested party for the contemplated procurement; or (2) a document (e.g., purchase order) indicating the interested party's ability to procure from GEAS the SPC units. (2) Execution: A description of the approach for obtaining and delivering the upgraded SPC units within 18 months after a planned October 2019 contract award. (3) Any other specific and pertinent information as pertains to this particular area of procurement that would enhance our consideration and evaluation of the Capability Statement. Interested parties are advised against submitting a Capability Statement that merely mimics information in this Notice, provides brochure-like information, or provides general information. Responses to this Notice are not to exceed 20 pages in length on 8.5 x 11inch paper with one inch margins and font no smaller than 10 points Time New Roman. The Government requests that respondents deliver responses electronically via e-mail in Microsoft Word or PDF format with proper data markings for unclassified and proprietary information no later than 15 calendar days after the posting date of this Notice. Classified material SHALL NOT be submitted. All submissions should include this Sources Sought Notice Reference Number, company name, company address, CAGE code, DUNS number, and a point-of-contact who is able to discuss the Capability Statement submitted. Point-of contact information should include name, position, phone number, and email address. Acknowledgment of receipt will be provided. All information submitted will be adequately safeguarded from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with FAR 15.207. All submissions must be clearly marked with the following caption: For Official Use Only, Releasable to Government Agencies for Evaluation Purposes Only. Responses that fail to comply with the above instructions or present ideas not pertinent to subject, may not be reviewed. All information received in response to this Notice that is marked proprietary will be handled accordingly. Information submitted in response to this Notice is submitted at no cost to the Government and will not be returned. The Government is under no obligation to provide responses or comments to information received from interested persons, but may request additional information following review. Note: If interested person is a foreign concern or if a U.S. interested person has a team member or partner who is a foreign entity, adherence to all International Traffic and Arms Regulations (ITAR) is required. Responses to this Notice shall be sent via e-mail to Breanne Jilcott at Breanne.jilcott@navy.mil. Responses transmitted by any other means (e.g., by telephone, telefax, mail, etc.), other than those transmitted by e-mail to Breanne Jilcott, will not be considered.