support to provide technology, testing, evaluation, validation, verification, analysis and data analytics support for the detection, characterization, targeting and defeat of weapons of mass destruction, asymmetric threats, and threat networks.

RECO Sources Sought 23 DEC 2019 The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), Research and Development Directorate (RD), Enabling Capabilities Department (EC) is seeking potential sources for a new services contract to provide complementary services for test operations. RD-EC has operations on Kirtland AFB, NM (KAFB) and in the National Capitol Region at Fort Belvoir, VA. This potential requirement would support test operations based in RD-EC's KAFB location. RD-EC conducts a variety of test operations, primarily in support of the other RD program departments within DTRA, but also for other DoD and USG organizations when consistent with DTRA's and RD-EC's mission space. The operations categorized as - test may include typical test and evaluation of novel technologies or tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), or a more formal verification and validation effort to prove capability prior to deployment within the military theatre of interest. While a significant fraction of the testing effort occurs at RD-EC's defined test sites (KAFB, White Sands Missile Range, and the Nevada National Security Site), RD-EC has a mobile test capability that moves to whatever location is necessary to achieve the appropriate threat-relevant test environment. The services sought must integrate with other RD-EC contracts (Multiple-Award Construction Contract - MACC, A&E Design contract, Advisory & Assistance Services (A&AS) contract, Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I) contract, administrative services contract, and Government personnel (military and civilian) to provide an end-to-end test capability. The Government is seeking a fully-integrated approach that recognizes test deliverables are defensible data products, analytical tools, and tangible new capabilities for the Combatant Commands. Specifically, an end-to-end test capability includes all of the following aspects: Providing subject matter expertise to support the Government in translating customer requirements into feasible test objectives Providing a broad spectrum of research, modeling and simulation (M&S), other pre-test prediction methods and technology development in all CBRNE areas to establish a testable baseline and expected data Verifying suitable data will be acquired to meet the test objectives, and that systems are properly calibrated and verified in order to acquire defendable data Designing and developing cost effective instrumentation plans that will efficiently acquire the required data in CBRNE test environments within defined objective and threshold measurements with high confidence, as well as evaluating developmental instrumentation for new capability Researching, designing, developing, fielding and operating sensors and data acquisition systems necessary to ensure the collection of the maximum amount of data from the various systems deployed in and around test articles to determine whether test objectives are met Maintaining currency in state of the art and emerging/developmental sensors and data acquisition systems to ensure maximum effectiveness and to fill voids in testing equipment technology Maintaining and improving blast noise mitigation program to include improved methods for weather based blast noise predictions and understanding of infrasound propagation from explosions and other sources Providing an explosives support program which provides trained personnel, standard operating procedures, certifications and licensure, transportation and logistics management Performing assigned test execution tasks, which includes test design, test article fabrication and installation, dry-runs, dress rehearsals, post-test forensics, and remediation Evaluating test data in near real-time during test execution to ensure test objectives will be met, and recommending modifications that would improve results Incorporating appropriate metadata and performing data analysis based on the test instrumentation to yield data products, support data analytics, and capture technical conclusions from test events Employing M&S and other advanced data analysis techniques to identify the source(s) of any discrepancies from the pre-test predictions, and executing assigned tasks in additional tests that could help clarify any potential discrepancies Conducting research to identify value-added analytical tools that could be developed and implemented Developing test reports and briefings to communicate test findings and package any deliverable tools or capabilities developed or validated during the test Providing deliverable documents (test data, optical data, data reports, test plans, technical notes, final test reports, drawings, prototypes, etc.) Providing comprehensive contract administration including safety, environmental, security and operational support including maintaining equipment inventory Considering the nature of the deliverables from a successful test - defensible data products, analytical tools, and tangible new capabilities - can only be achieved by implementing a fully-integrated approach. Supporting only a subset of the above services, such as test execution, or even delivering acquired data, is inadequate in isolation. Specifically, RD-EC requires services that are complementary to existing contracts and Government functions to have an end-to-end test capability. Support for multiple concurrent activities is required. As the department name suggests, RD-EC is focused on providing enabling capabilities to the RD Directorate, as well as DTRA as a whole. As the threat evolves, this requires that RD-EC adapts and develops new capabilities. As a result, RD-EC has initiated capability development focus areas, with three-to-five year development plans, to optimize resource utilization and ensure all areas of DTRA's mission space are being considered. The aforementioned complementary services are needed to provide an end-to-end test capability in each of the following seven capability development focus areas. Given the classified nature of much of the work in these focus areas, the potential requirement is for 35% of contractor personnel to have Top Secret / Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) access authorization upon award, 50% to have Top Secret with the ability to attain SCI within 90 days, and the remaining 15% are expected to enter with and sustain a Secret-level access authorization. Penetrating Weapons Evaluation Program (PWEP) Focus Area: PWEP has two established and one anticipatory lines of investigation. RD-EC partners with internal (DTRA) and external (Services) customers to evaluate inventory, conventional weapons. Typical test events evaluate the effectiveness of an inventory weapon against a threat-representative facility or a new tactic, technique, or procedure (TTP) for employing the weapon. In these cases, not only must an advanced suite of instrumentation be fielded to acquire performance data in a complex explosive environment, but extensive pre-test site characterization is required. This site characterization data, along with facility or test structure design information forms the basis of M&S for pre-test predictions. Detailed post-test analysis must either verify and validate impact and performance expectations or have the flexibility through M&S to explore potential sources of discrepancy. The second established type of testing focuses on evolutionary changes to existing weapons. Modifications needing evaluation might include new components, layout of components within the weapon, changes to the explosive fill, or inclusion of materials and components to enhance counter-WMD performance. Whether the test is static, inert, or live-delivery, as in the first line of investigation, employing tools for prediction, acquiring suitable data during test execution, and performing post-test analysis to verify and validate predictions or point to reasons for discrepancy are all required for success. Expertise expected is in geotechnical, site characterization, penetration effects, and in some cases confined spaces. Expertise in weapon/target engagement interactions and lethal effects that support weaponeering tool improvements for attack strategies against critical strategic targets is desired. The expense of full-scale testing often leads to a requirement for sub-scale testing to explore a larger variable set. As part of the test team, the potential offeror would participate in designing, conducting, and analyzing data from an appropriate sub-scale test in which the results may be required to be translatable to a full-scale test. The final focus area for PWEP is to be prepared to support evaluation of revolutionary conventional weapon concepts. Some of these may include novel guidance methods or new hypersonic delivery systems. Chemical / Biological Threat Testing and Evaluation Program (CBTP) Focus Area: The CBTP responds to requirements from the program departments within RD. The principal customer, RD-CX, requires large- and full-scale testing to complement other R&D efforts. In many cases testing seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of conventional weapons (inventory and developmental) in defeating facilities housing chemical or biological weapons agents, as well as determining the potential lethality of escaping agent not neutralized via the conventional weapon(s). While RD-CX's desire is to measure relevant data inside the threat facility, the harsh environment has required RD-EC to focus on stand-off characterization of emitted plumes from the facility post-attack. Stand-off characterization primarily seeks to determine species concentrations and partitioning between aerosols and vapor within the plumes. The offeror will participate in R&D efforts to make measurements within the threat facility or test structure (e.g., rapid thermal measurements), as well as advancing the characterization of the vapor and aerosol phases. Additionally, the offeror will assist the Government in designing the test structure or controlled release system to help ensure a meaningful large- or full-scale test is achieved that advances DTRA and USG capability moving forward. The downwind hazard posed by released agent is of concern to RD-CX, as well as RD-OPR and RD-CB. The contractor shall perform pre-test predictions using existing DTRA tools, as well as collecting relevant data to improve the M&S toolsets. The primary mechanism for improving DTRA's tools is detailed examination of post-test evaluations for discrepancies between the models and acquired test data. The potential offeror will also be involved in cutting edge R&D to develop an adaptive plume characterization capability, using hyperspectral imaging sensors and LIDAR to track the plume from a multi-component (i.e., a swarm) small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS). The heart of this system is to rapidly update model predictions of where the plume is expected to go based on the micro-wind environment. Concentration measurements are made based on the plume boundary predictions, and then the model is updated. Whether in the ground-based testing or the developing sUAS plume characterization capability, success requires both advanced data analysis and data analytics coupled with sensor measurements to include both static and dynamic. Radiological / Nuclear Materials Detection Testing and Evaluation Program (RNMD) Focus Area: The RNMD focuses on providing an accurate threat-representative environment, along with suitable radiological and special nuclear material sources, a trusted instrumentation baseline, and the appropriate expertise to analyze data recorded during testing and apply vetted models. The Technical Evaluation Assessment Monitoring Site (TEAMS) is the principal testbed, although some testing occurs at the Nevada National Security Site, and other testbeds, as required to provide the appropriate environment and sources. RD-NT is the main customer for the RNMD focus area, but collaborative events occur with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction Office (CWMDO), US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), and other USG organizations. The potential offeror must have expertise in radiation detection in order to assist the Government with proper test design and establishment of an instrumentation baseline/control. The contractor must also be familiar with the application of common data analysis software tools like Gamma Detector Response and Analysis Software (GADRAS), and typical M&S tools like Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) transport code. In addition to having expertise in detection, the contractor must also be familiar with the USG TTPs employed when a potential threat nuclear or radiological device is found. The potential offeror must also have familiarity with emerging tools and techniques to screen large areas or cargo containers for threat devices. These may include miniaturized detection systems on sUAS, vehicle-mounted detection and mapping systems, and dismounted handheld systems. The contractor must have expertise in adapting common analysis and analytics tools to these new detection systems. Asymmetric Threat Testing and Evaluation Program (ATT) Focus Area: The ATT focuses on improvised and terrorist threats, as well as potential state-sponsored asymmetric threats. There are two main efforts in this focus area. The first involves characterizing unmanned systems that incorporate weaponization and/or elements of automation or autonomy. A significant test effort has been devoted to characterizing the discriminating signatures of threat sUAS. In particular, intelligence-based sUAS threats that might carry a type of WMD or be automated/autonomous have been evaluated in multiple test events. This work is expected to continue and be expanded to include unmanned ground, maritime, or cross-domain (i.e., incorporating unmanned systems in multiple domains - air, land, or sea) systems. The contractor will be required to design the appropriate testbeds and instrumentation suites to characterize these threats and identify unique signatures. The potential offeror may also have input into the design of countermeasures based on signature detection algorithms developed based on RD-EC test events. The second evaluates chemical, biological, and pharmaceutical threats when released in mass transit vehicles (i.e., commuter buses and railcars, as well as aircraft). The contractor will be required to design appropriate testbeds and instrumentation suites to assess the lethality of the threats, as well as conduct the test events and decontaminate test articles post-event. Expertise in data interpretation and translating the data acquired to human lethality estimates is also required. Customers of this part of the focus area seek mitigation measures, and the potential offeror will be engaged in the development and testing of these mitigation methods. Threat detection is a critical component of developing a mitigation method, and data analysis and data analytics are expected to contribute to detection algorithms. Combatant Command Counter Threat Testing and Evaluation Program (CCT) Focus Area: Specific requirements from the Combatant Commands are sensitive, but can be addressed in general terms. Elements of this focus area concentrate on supporting the detection, characterization, and defeat of adversary facilities producing or supporting the proliferation of WMD, as well as infrastructure linked to the delivery of threat WMD. The contractor will be engaged in end-to-end test events associated with identifying detectable signatures or development of characterization tools for threat-representative testbeds and test articles. Tools and TTPs in development are also routinely tested for effectiveness as part of multi-week test campaigns. The diversity of defeat methods requires expertise in many phenomenologies and technologies, from explosives to control systems to electromagnetic phenomena. Support of this focus area may require extended TDY to test locations with limited infrastructure. Weapon Effects and Partnership Programs (WEPP) Focus Area: The WEPP explores methods to enhance the survivability of buildings and key infrastructure or structural elements, equipment fragility, as well as personnel within these structures. Most commonly, test events in this focus area evaluate the impact of explosive devices, characterize the structural response, and determine blast pressure and fragment environments. In some cases, the potential offeror will be required to design representative test structures and test conditions, and develop an instrumentation plan (sensors and optics) to record the required data with sufficient fidelity to meet the test objectives. Materials and structural engineering, shock and blast phenomenology expertise, air blast and structural M&S expertise, and professional engineering licensure are required. The offeror can expect sub-scale to full-scale test events. Subscale experiments are conducted to minimize costs, when they can appropriately replicate the full-scale phenomenology of interest. The contractor will be required to support test events from beginning (test planning and design, test article fabrication and installation, pretest predictions) through execution (explosive operations, dry-runs, dress rehearsals) to the endpoint (post-test forensics, data analysis, documentation and data products that can inform future building design and construction). Additional expertise required in this focus area is verifying and validating performance and weapon parameters, developing blast mitigation measures and blast resistant designs, and expertise in weapon effects assessment tools (i.e., VAPO and IMEA). Research & Development Projects Focus Area (R&D): RD-EC has established an R&D focus area comprised of projects to develop specific capabilities or improve existing capabilities. These internally funded projects can be small in scope, and focus on the development of new phenomenological models, instrumentation/diagnostics, or data analysis methods and tools. Two recent projects provide relevant examples. First, a digital image correlation technique that was previously developed with two fixed fast-framing cameras to record rapid displacement changes in 3-D was extended to other applications by shifting the cameras to sUAS. Multiple test events and data analysis tools and techniques have been explored to extract high-fidelity data from the sUAS-based system of similar quality to the fixed cameras. In a second example, a novel thermal measurement capability was developed to support sub-millisecond thermal measurements in a blast environment. In future projects, similar to these two R&D examples, the contractor would be expected to support with test planning through analyzed data products that prove viability of the novel techniques. In some circumstances, RD-EC does provide more limited test support. In these cases, the full end-to-end test capability is not required or desired. These activities are collected in RD-EC's - Test Support Projects Focus Area, and an offeror will be required to provide one or more of the aforementioned services. Potential sources having the existing capability necessary to assist DTRA in satisfying the above requirements are invited to provide information demonstrating their capabilities. Information submitted should detail the organization's experience and expertise in the areas identified above, to include details regarding potential key personnel and their qualifications. Additionally, information should demonstrate how the requirement for data analytics and data analysis during end-to-end test planning for the Asymmetric Threat Testing & Evaluation (ATT) and Combatant Command Counter-Threat Testing & Evaluation (CCT) focus areas would be taken into consideration. Responses shall also include the following information: company name, address, point of contact, telephone number, email address, business size and small business status (if applicable), teaming partners and/or major subcontractors. It is requested that capability statements be limited to 25 pages in length. Within the 25 page limitation, the information submitted regarding the ATT and CCT focus areas shall be no more than five pages each. Please submit responses, no later than 24 February 2020. This synopsis is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a request for proposal, and is not to be construed as a commitment by the government.