Support for NRC’s Force-On-Force (FOF) Inspection Activities

THE U. S. NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION (NRC) is issuing this Sources Sought Synopsis as a means of conducting market research or as a market survey to determine the availability and potential technical capability of the business community to provide all management, supervision, administration, and labor required for the facilitation of the NRC’s Force-on-Force (FOF) inspection activities.  The Contractor will be required to provide logistical support and expertise in Engagement Simulation Systems (ESS)/Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement Systems (MILES) equipment and weaponry required to conduct approximately 20 to 25 inspections (i.e., 40 to 50 FOF exercises) per year, in accordance with NRC’s site schedule.  The scope of the proposed support shall include logistical, maintenance, and on-site support for NRC-evaluated FOF exercises at approximately 57 NRC-licensed facilities that are on a triennial FOF inspection cycle. Each NRC FOF inspection may include multiple exercises. Services will be performed remotely to the NRC located in Rockville, Maryland. The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code assigned to this procurement is 541614, Logistics Management Consulting Services.

The purpose of this announcement is to provide potential sources the opportunity to submit information regarding their capabilities to perform work for the NRC in accordance with the requirements outlined below.  All interested parties, including all categories of small businesses (small businesses, small, disadvantaged businesses, 8(a) firms, women-owned small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, and HUBZone small businesses) are invited to submit a response. 

The capabilities package submitted by a vendor should demonstrate the firm’s ability, capability, and responsibility to perform the principal components of work listed below. The response should also include past performance/experience regarding projects of similar scope by listing the project title, general description, period of performance, the dollar value of the contract, and name of the company, agency, or government entity for which the work was performed.

THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AT THIS TIME. This request for capability information does NOT constitute a request for proposal. Submission of any information in response to this market survey is purely voluntary. The Government assumes no financial responsibility for any costs incurred.

BACKGROUND:   This project supports Title 10 of the Code of Federal Regulations Part 73, which requires the NRC’s evaluation of its licensees’ ability to provide assurance that they can protect against the threat of radiological sabotage. As part of the effort to improve FOF testing at NRC-licensed facilities, the NRC has taken steps to enhance the realism of engagements between the nuclear facility’s security forces and postulated mock adversary forces during FOF exercises. For efficiency and flexibility in this effort, the NRC requires use of ESS and MILES equipment and weaponry. The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Enterprise Assessment contractor has been supporting the NRC in these FOF exercises since October 1, 2012 under an Interagency Agreement. However, DOE’s contract will expiring in February, 2027, therefore, the NRC needs to find an alternative vendor who is capable of providing these services with very little or no ramp-up time. 

CAPABILITIES REQUIRED:

The NRC is seeking to identify commercial organizations capable of providing the required logistical support to enable the NRC licensees to become familiar with the ESS/MILES equipment being used in the FOF exercises, provide instruction on how to mount licensee-provided equipment to the ESS weapons to reflect the licensee’s profile (i.e., sighting systems, slings, etc.), provide the necessary ESS/MILES equipment support during each NRC-evaluated FOF exercise, and conduct maintenance and cleaning of the equipment and weapons on an as needed basis.

Personnel working on this contract shall meet the minimum requirements for experience as follows:

Labor Categories Required and Position Minimum Requirements

ESS Support Manager/Senior ESS Specialist III* (One Full-time) - Current Armorer certification and ten-year minimum experience in management in order to manage the operation and liaison with the NRC in addition to ten-year minimum experience in operating and maintaining ESS/MILES equipment and weapons

ESS Armorer Technician III*  (Two Full-time) - Current Armorer certification with five-year minimum experience in operating and maintaining ESS/MILES equipment and weapons

ESS Armorer Technician II*  (2 Full-Time) - Current Armorer certifications with three-year minimum experience in operating and maintaining ESS/MILES equipment and weapons

ESS Armorer Technician I*  (3 Full-Time) - Current Armorer certifications with one-year minimum experience in operating and maintaining ESS/MILES equipment and weapons

Administrative Support Specialist I - (One Full-Time) One-year minimum experience in office administration

*NOTE:  These positions may require security clearances.  The clearance level depends on the type of access to classified information and the secure facilities that will be needed to perform the work.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The NRC anticipates that the Statement of Work (SOW) will include the following tasks and deliverables:

Task 1 - Perform Warehouse Property Inventory Check

The Contractor shall lease a warehouse for the storage of ESS/MILES equipment and three Logistical Support Trailers (LST) and three pick-up trucks.  NRC will provide the Contractor a hard copy list of NRC equipment currently being stored in the warehouse. The Contractor shall coordinate with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for updating the inventory of each equipment in the warehouse each year. During the length of this contract, the Contractor shall tag and track the warehouse equipment and shall notify the COR in writing if there is a discrepancy in the inventory, such as an item being missing or damaged. The Contractor shall work with the COR in maintaining an accurate list of property inventory.

Task 2 - Provide Recommendations for Purchase of ESS/MILES Equipment and Weapons

Per COR request, the Contractor shall conduct market research and provide recommendations for the purchase of replacement ESS/MILES equipment and weapons. These recommendations shall consider getting quotes from multiple sources, and reviewing the FAR’s list of mandatory sources, the GSA Schedule, and excess from other agencies. Following market research, the Contractor shall provide recommendations to the COR in writing with the item specifications, pricing, method of market research, and how the equipment and weapons would benefit the NRC.

Task 3 - Transport and Operate On-Site Logistical Support Trailers

The Contractor shall transport and operate on-site Logistical Support Trailers (LSTs) for the maintenance, storage, and issuance of ESS/MILES equipment and weapons approximately twice monthly. The Contractor shall support the NRC FOF exercises with qualified personnel and the use of three LSTs. The LSTs are configured to provide secure storage and transportation of the ESS/MILES equipment and weapons. Additionally, the LSTs shall serve as a point of issuance and return of exercise equipment. The Contractor shall retain sufficient spare equipment in reserve to ensure sufficient equipment is available. The Contractor shall maintain a lease for three trucks suitable for transport of the LSTs. The Contractor shall maintain service agreements and ensure scheduled preventative maintenance and timely repair of the assigned LSTs and trucks. The trailers and trucks shall be replaced or refurbished on a five-year depreciation schedule, as directed by the COR.

Task 4 - Set up Logistics and Exercises

1.  Coordinate Logistics for Exercises

As part of planning and preparation, the Contractor shall coordinate with NRC staff, licensee staff, and the mock adversary force lead (when applicable) regarding scheduling exercises, logistics, special needs (e.g., power supply or parking for trailer), and contingencies for en route emergencies, where applicable.

The Contractor shall ensure all logistical support for the NRC FOF exercises are accomplished (i.e., ammunition, weapons, administrative supplies, etc. are ordered and shipped to training sites). Weapons and equipment shall be appropriately tested (to ensure functionality), maintained, and prepared for transport.

Provide On-Site Support

1. Provide Set-up/Familiarization/CAF Support

The Contractor shall perform the following: 1) provide set-up and configuration of trailer; 2) provide ESS/MILES Safety Briefing and familiarity training presentations, to be presented either in-person by the Contractor or used in computer-based training (CBT), as appropriate, to NRC-licensee/utility security force and mock adversary force personnel, which shall include information such as safety features of ESS/MILES; 3) assist licensee personnel with any requested modifications to weapons (e.g., mounting preferred optics) and assist with ensuring each individual’s weapon is properly sighted, according to site procedures); 4) perform inspections of MILES harnesses and weapons and associated MILES equipment prior to each FOF exercise; and 5) provide MILES and/or specially designated adversary gear to the mock adversary force, as well as support, as requested by the mock adversary director or NRC inspection team leader.

2. Provide FOF Exercise Support

Typically, two NRC-evaluated FOF exercises take place (i.e., on Tuesdays and Wednesdays). The Contractor shall: 1) ensure that an ESS/MILES Safety Briefing was conducted via in-person by The Contractor or by licensee CBT to all exercise participants prior to conducting each exercise. The briefing shall describe and present information such as the safe and seamless integration of MILES equipment into existing procedures and protocols for conducting FOF exercises; 2) provide for issuance and retrieval of ESS/MILES weapons and equipment; and 3) provide on-site support for NRC inspection staff and licensee controllers in addressing any issues with functionality of weapons and equipment. The Contractor shall coordinate with a Saab Technician on any Saab equipment-related issues and repairs, and on download of exercise data upon conclusion of each exercise.

3.  Coordinate with Saab Technician

The Contractor shall coordinate with the Saab Technician on ESS/MILES equipment and weapons inspections, preventative maintenance, and repair (as necessary). The Saab Technician shall support the FOF exercises by preparing MILES equipment for exercise activity and by producing a post-exercise MILES Activity Report (MAR). Upon completion of each exercise, a MAR shall be compiled by the Saab Technician from all MILES equipment used during each exercise. EA shall ensure that the Saab Technician submits the MAR to the NRC inspection team following the completion of each exercise. The Saab Technician’s responsibility shall ensure all MILES equipment is operational. The Contractor shall assign an expert MILES/ESS technician who shall provide a continuing interface with Saab on technical aspects of Saab support and expertise with Saab equipment operability.

Task 5 - Perform Quality Check of Government Property Post Exercise

Upon conclusion of the final exercise, the Contractor shall account for all NRC property and prepare the trailer for transport back to home location (or in some instances, directly to another licensee site).

Task 6 - Conduct Post-Exercise Activity

Upon arrival at home location, the Contractor shall: 1) unload equipment; 2) clean, inspect and arrange for repair of equipment, as necessary; 3) arrange for scheduled maintenance of trailer and truck; and 4) conduct weapon inspection and cleaning.

Task 7 - Prepare and Submit an After-Action Report

The Contractor shall prepare an After-Action Report (AAR) describing the results of each site visit to the COR. The AAR shall address the planning and execution of each visit, expert consultation provided in each exercise, and a compilation of the daily reporting activity highlights.

Task 8 - Support Adversary Selection and Training and TTC Training

1.  Support Selection and Requalification Training of Mock Adversary Forces

The Contractor shall issue equipment and weapons to selectees and/or members during selection and training events of mock adversary forces, as directed by the COR. Armorers shall provide support during the selection and training events, to include Safety Briefings to mock adversary force selectees and members, to ensure safe operation of ESS/MILES. Upon completion of training, the Contractor shall collect and safeguard the ESS/MILES gear.

2.  Support TTC Weapons Course

The COR will contact the Contractor when the TTC has ample participation in its Weapons Course which is conducted in Chattanooga, TN. The Contractor shall provide one armorer, as well as provisional ESS/MILES equipment and weapons, corresponding to the number of classroom participants. The Contractor shall coordinate logistics of participation and support of the TTC training with the Weapons Course Coordinator.

GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY (GFP)

Government-furnished property used for supporting the NRC will be maintained at the Contractor’s warehouse facility. The property will be controlled and accounted for by The Contractor and NRC as required in the FAR. Acquisition and disposition of equipment will be conducted by The Contractor through coordination with the NRC COR.

The NRC has purchased three trailers for the Contractor to transport and operate as Logistical Support Trailers (LSTs) for the maintenance, storage and issuance of ESS/MILES equipment and weapons at the specified NRC facilities, approximately one to three trips per month, as determined by the NRC schedule. The Contractor shall retain trailers at the Contractor’s Warehouse Facility. The Contractor will ensure scheduled preventative maintenance and timely repair of the LSTs. The Contractor will also provide a schedule for replacement or refurbishment of the LSTs based on a five-year depreciation, as directed by the COR.

HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

If your organization has the capability and capacity to perform, as a prime contractor, all of the services described in this notice, then please respond to this notice and provide written responses to specifically address the requirements stated above in addition to the following questions. Please do not include any proprietary or otherwise confidential information in the response, and do NOT submit a proposal. Proposals submitted in response to this notice will NOT be considered.

Organizations responding to this market research survey should keep in mind that only focused and pertinent information is requested.  If significant subcontracting or a teaming arrangement is anticipated in order to deliver technical capability, organizations should address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements.  Submission of additional materials such as glossy brochures or videos will not be accepted and is discouraged.

ADDITIONAL MARKET RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. Organization name, address, email address, Web site address, telephone number, and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).
2. What size is your organization with respect to NAICS code identified in this notice (i.e., "small" or "other than small")? If your organization is a small business under the aforementioned NAICS code, what type of small business (i.e., small disadvantaged business, woman-owned small business, economically disadvantaged woman-owned small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, 8(a), or HUBZone small business), and confirm that you would be able to comply with FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting? Specify all that apply.
3. Separately and distinctly describe which of the required capabilities listed above that your organization possesses and indicate your organization's role (prime contractor, first tier subcontractor, and/or supplier) in related contracts.  Please also provide the contract number, contract type, customer name, address and point of contact phone number and email address, contract value, thorough description of supplies and services included in the scope of that contract, indication of how they are similar to the required capabilities described in this notice, period of performance (for services) or delivery date (for products), and any other relevant information.
4. Indicate whether your organization offers any of the required capabilities described in this notice on one or more of your company's own Federal Government contract vehicles (i.e., GSA Federal Supply Schedule contracts or Government-wide Acquisition Contracts) that the NRC could order from and, if so, which services are offered.  Also, provide the contract number(s) and indicate what is currently available for ordering from each of those contract(s).
5. Provide a standard, non-proprietary commercial price list or similar standard non-proprietary commercial pricing information for how your company sells, as a prime contractor, required capabilities described in this notice that your organization has experience providing.  Also, indicate what is included in that pricing.

Interested organizations responding to this Sources Sought Synopsis are encouraged to structure capability statements in the order of the areas of consideration noted above. All capability statements sent in response to this notice must be submitted electronically, via e-mail, to Carolyn.cooper@nrc.gov, either MS Word or Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), within 15 calendar days from the date of publication of this notice.  The subject line of the transmittal email must reference the notice ID number APP-27-CNRI-0001.

DISCLAIMER AND NOTES: Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s potential capability and capacity to perform the subject work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a pre-solicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in SAM.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.