T-38 Escape System Upgrade Program (ESUP) II

General Introduction: This announcement constitutes a Request for Information (RFI) only. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Human Systems Division (AFLCMC/WNU) is conducting a market assessment to identify potential sources and companies that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience with Air Force Ejection Seats (see Purpose paragraph on page 2 for list of requirements). AFLCMC is issuing this RFI to explore cost-effective options to provide this capability. The Government is issuing this RFI solely for information and planning purposes. The Government will consider responses to determine the acquisition strategy for Air Force (AF) ejection seats and ejection seat improvements, as well as future solicitations. This is not a request for a quote, request for proposals (RFP), or an invitation to bid, nor is this to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. The Government will not reimburse or pay for any information submitted in response to this RFI or any follow-up information requests. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party's expense. AFLCMC/WNU is not seeking proposals at this time, and will not accept or consider unsolicited proposals. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP. Small Businesses are encouraged to provide responses to this RFI in order to assist AFLCMC/WNU in determining potential levels of competition available in the industry, as well as helping to establish a basis for developing any subsequent small business subcontracting plan goals. An acquisition strategy is still being determined. Market research results will assist the Air Force in determining whether this requirement will be a full and open competition, a small business set-aside, or a sole-source acquisition. If a company is capable of some, but not the entire requirement stated in this Request for Information, please provide a response that explains the requirements for which you are capable. Note that if there is sufficient demonstrated interest and capability among small business contractors, then it may be determined that a small business set-aside is appropriate. A key factor in determining if an acquisition will be a small business set-aside is that two or more potential small business prime contractors must be capable of performing at least 50% of the effort, as defined in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.219-14, - Limitations on Subcontracting. If it is determined that a small business set-aside is appropriate, and your company anticipates submitting a proposal as the prime contractor for a small business set-aside, please provide specific details and rationale as to how compliance with FAR 52.219-14 with subcontracts are to be used, provide anticipated percentage of effort to be subcontracted and whether small or large businesses will be used. Respondents should clearly delineate any teaming and/or subcontracting arrangements and provide previous experience in teaming. If this effort is not set aside for small business, the Government will still consider using small businesses. Large and small businesses should provide a reasonable expectation for small business utilization as a percent of total contract value, as well as supporting rationale for the recommended percentage. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and the U.S. Government cannot accept any responses to form a binding contract. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor the beta.sam.gov website for any additional information pertaining to this RFI. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this inquiry. Respondents shall not construe this announcement as a formal solicitation. It does not commit the government to reply to the information received, or to later publish a solicitation, or to award a contract based on this information. The Government may contact companies if it requires additional information to fully understand the marketplace and/or comments to the requirements presented in the Draft Systems Requirement Document (SRD). Respondents should also state whether they are interested in being a prime contractor for this requirement or a subcontractor. Purpose: Gather information on the current state and availability of vendors which are capable of providing a production-ready ejection seat that meets the T-38 Escape System Upgrade Program - Increment II (ESUP-I2) Requirements for the T-38A and T-38B aircrafts. The Government is requesting feedback on the requirements contained within the Draft SRD. T-38 ESUP-I2 Requirements: Respondents can find ESUP-I2 requirements in the attached Draft SRD. Please document any feedback to each of the requirements. The scope of your comments should include the following: Your ability to meet each of the requirements with an estimated timeframe Recommended changes to the requirements based on your capabilities How the suggested changes impact the cost and schedule RFI Responses: Please provide your responses or questions to Diana Whilding, Contracting Officer at diana.whilding@us.af.mil and Benjamin Gatson, Contract Specialist at benjamin.gatson@us.af.mil by 12:00pm EST on 10 March 2021. Title e-mail responses in the subject line of the e-mail as follows: - Response to T-38 ESUP-I2 Request for Information #WNUK-21-006 Responses shall include the following information: Company/Institute name Address Point of Contact CAGE Code DUNS Number Phone Number E-mail Address Web page URL All prospective contractors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database to be awarded a DoD contract. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code for this requirement, if applicable to the company's capabilities, should be included in the company's NAICS code listing in SAM. The NAICS Code for this action is 336413, size standard 1,250 employees. Based on the NAICS Code, state whether your company qualifies as a: Small Business (Yes/No) Women-Owned Small Business (Yes/No) Economically Disadvantaged Women Owned Small Business (Yes/No) Certified (Yes/No) Date Certified: HUB Zone Certified (Yes/No) Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes/No) Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes/No) Statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign owned, please indicate country of ownership). Please provide the following (or similar) technical information: Feedback on the T-38 ESUP-I2 Program Requirements Compliance Matrix traceable back to the listed requirements in the T-38 Escape System Upgrade Program - Increment II (ESUP-I2) Requirements (as contained in the Draft SRD) Please provide the following (or similar) cost information: Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM): Page length should be no more than 1-2 pages. This section of your response should provide estimated costs associated with a production ready ejection seat. Specifically include seat unit costs associated with production. Production quantities total 118 seats, however costs should be broken out to enable possible ordering in incremented quantities. Estimates should also include installation costs, required support equipment, and training. Lastly, the Government is interested in obtaining technical data rights for demonstrated competitive procurement for the design of the T-38 ESUP-I2, spare parts, and equal or lower life cycle costs. Please provide your willingness to provide such technical data rights as well as a ROM for subject rights. A 15 year life-cycle estimate. Please limit your responses to no more than 35 pages, to include product sheets, test data, answers to the questions above; identify a representative to support further Government inquiries and requests for clarification of the information provided, if needed. The Government will consider marketing materials an insufficient response to this RFI. Respondents should indicate which portions of their responses are proprietary and mark accordingly, and all proprietary information must be clearly marked on the outside container and on the materials inside. The Government will handle all information properly marked as proprietary information. The Government is not liable for, or suffer any consequential damages, for any proprietary information not properly identified. Questions: The Government will answer responses to questions from interested parties promptly and will post on the beta.sam.gov website, unless some release of proprietary information is involved or the answer addresses a question specific to a company or that company's response. AF Points of Contact (POCs) for this RFI: Diana Whilding, Contracting Officer diana.whilding@us.af.mil Benjamin Gatson, Contract Specialist benjamin.gatson@us.af.mil Contracting Office Address: AFLCMC/WNU Bldg. 12 1981 Monahan Way Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433. The Government will answer all written questions by posting answers to this beta.sam.gov website, except as provided above. Additionally, questions must NOT contain trade secrets or classified information. The Government reserves the right to not address questions received after 10 March 2021.