The Air Force Uniform Office (AFUO) and the Fire Resistant Air Force Equipment (FIRESAFE) Program Support Services

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT A NOTICE OF SOLICITATION ISSUANCE. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY. Any formal solicitations will be announced separately. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government nor will the Government pay for information provided in response to this RFI. 1. PURPOSE/GENERAL INFORMATION: The 77th Aeronautical Systems Group at Wright Patterson AFB, OH is seeking information from sources that are capable of providing support in the areas of development, acquisition, testing, engineering, computer aided design (CAD), fielding and program coordination for uniform clothing. The NAICS code that applies is 541690. All business sizes, to include small business and the sub-categories of small businesses, are being looked at during our market research phase. 2. BACKGROUND/DESCRIPTION: The Air Force Uniform Office (AFUO) and the Fire Resistant Air Force Equipment (FIRESAFE) Program are integrated product teams within the 77th Aeronautical Systems Group with responsibility for the design development test programs and sustainment of AF Uniforms and Fire Resistant (FR) equipment. The program support function shall include program support in clothing design, engineering, CAD pattern drafting and/or grading, prototyping, acquisition, textile technology, manufacturing, fielding and program support for a variety clothing/FR programs. Support services include, but are not limited to, market surveys, test planning, technical writing, technical reports, risk assessment, fit tests, data collection, analysis and reporting, draft and final procurement documents. Program support also includes development and implementation of program specific software tools as specified, using existing program applications and compatible with AFUO Microsoft software. Additional technical support involves the development and management of a database to track AF field test and uniform item development. The field test support function shall include the planning, implementation, analysis and reporting on field user tests as well as assuring the tests are conducted in accordance with Government approved test plans and protocol. The contractor will need to provide test articles; prototypes and patterns as directed by AFUO, insuring all requirements are met or exceeded. All fabricated test articles used will require a certified Air Force Optional Uniform Program manufacturer or other government approved method. Patterns provided shall be compatible with AFUO Gerber Technologies CAD equipment. All patterns shall be provided on media as specified by AFUO. Program development of a new item for use by AF members or a continuous-improvement initiative of existing items shall be accomplished. Request comments from interested parties to the following questions: 3. What is your business size? If you are a small business, do you also qualify under any of the sub-categories (8(a), small disadvantaged business, woman owned small business, veteran owned small business, HUB zone small business, service disabled veteran owned small business, and HBCU/MI)? 4. If you are a small business, would you consider submitting a proposal as a prime contractor? 5. In what socio-economic programs do you now participate (e.g. Mentor Protege, Indian Incentive, etc.)? What is the extent of your participation in these programs? 6. For small business consideration, would your firm be able to compete under NAICS 541690? If not, why? Please provide your recommendations concerning the proposed NAICS. 7. Should it be determined that a total set-aside for 8(a) small business or other small business subcategories is not feasible, the AFOU requires feedback on small business goals pertaining to large business. Please provide your thoughts on whether the following subcontracting goals, calculated on the basis of total subcontracting dollars, would be realistic: -Small Business 37% -Small Disadvantaged Business 5% -Woman Owned Small Business 5% -Hubzone Small Business 5% -Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business 3% -Veteran Owned Small Business 3% If you do not feel these goals are appropriate, request your input as to what goals would be appropriate and include supporting rationale. 8. RESPONSE GUIDANCE: Please include the following with your response: name and address of firm; size of business; capability statement; point of contact and telephone number, average annual revenue for past three years and number of employees, classification standard - i.e., large, small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), woman-owned, veteran-owned, service disabled veteran owned, HUBZone, etc., affiliate information: parent company, joint venture partners, and potential teaming partners. POINTS OF CONTACT: Please contact Arthur Beasley, Contracting Officer at Arthur.Beasley@wpafb.af.mil for further information regarding this acquisition. All inquiries should be in writing. A. If you desire to respond to this sources sought synopsis, you should provide documentation that supports your company's capability meeting the requirements stated in the following paragraph. Failure to provide documentation may result in the Government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities. If your company lacks experience n a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capability in order to perform that portion of the requirement. If subcontracts are to be used, provide anticipated percentage of effort to be subcontracted and whether small or large businesses will be used. Teaming and/or subcontracting arrangements should be clearly delineated and previous experience in teaming must be provided. Recent relevant experience in all areas should be provided. B. Capability Requirements -Please clarify how you would provide in-house labor to Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (7 personnel) and specify the proposed labor categories. -The program support function shall include program support in clothing design, engineering, CAD pattern drafting and/or grading, prototyping, acquisition, textile technology, manufacturing, fielding and program support for a variety clothing/FR programs. -Support services include, but are not limited to, market surveys, test planning, technical writing, technical reports, risk assessment, fit tests, data collection, analysis and reporting, draft and final procurement documents. Program support also includes: development and implementation of program specific software tools as specified, using existing program applications and compatible with AFUO Microsoft software. Additional technical support involves the development and management of a database to track AF field test and uniform item development. -The field test support function shall include the planning, implementation, analysis and reporting on field user tests as well as assuring the tests are conducted in accordance with Government approved test plans and protocol. The contractor will need to provide test articles; prototypes and patterns as directed by AFUO, insuring all requirements are met or exceeded. All fabricated test articles used will require a certified Air Force Optional Uniform Program manufacturer or other government approved method. Patterns provided shall be compatible with AFUO Gerber Technologies CAD equipment. All patterns shall be provided on media as specified by AFUO. -Program development of a new item for use by AF members or a continuous-improvement initiative of existing items shall be accomplished. - . Specify how will you address: fielding, data management, test and evaluation, program/project management and strategic communication for a variety of uniform programs (including FIRESAFE equipment)? C. Please provide responses no later than June 26, 2009, 1600hrs Central Standard time. Contracting Office Address: Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, HQ ASC - 1901 10th Street, Bldg 63 Wright Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7249, UNITED STATES Primary Point of Contact: Arthur Beasley Contracting Officer Arthur.Beasley@wpafb.af.mil Phone: 937 255-2198 Fax: 937 656-4318