JSTARS - Maintenance Steering Group (MSG) - 3 Inspection Requirements for Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM)
Sources Sought Synopsis
Maintenance Steering Group (MSG) - 3 Inspection Requirements for
Programmed Depot Maintenance (PDM) for
Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System (Joint STARS) E-8 Aircraft
CAUTION:
The Joint STARS Program Office is seeking responsible sources for performance of MSG-3 inspection procedures for PDM with lube for the fleet of E-8 aircraft.
Contractors/Institutions responding to this request for information/market survey are notified participation in this survey may not ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards. The government will not reimburse respondents for any expenses associated with their participation in the request for information/market survey.
BACKGROUND:
The E-8 is a modified Boeing 707-300 series commercial airframe extensively re-manufactured and modified with the radar, communications, operations and control sub-systems required to perform its operational mission. The most prominent external feature is the 27-foot (8 meters) long, canoe-shaped radome under the forward fuselage housing the 24-foot (7.3 meters) long, side-looking phased array antenna.
The radar and computer sub-systems on the E-8C can gather and display detailed battlefield information on ground forces. The information is relayed in near real-time to the Army and Marine Corps common ground stations and to other ground command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence, or C4I, nodes.
The antenna can be tilted to either side of the aircraft where it can develop a 120-degree field of view covering nearly 19,305 square miles (50,000 square kilometers) and is capable of detecting targets at more than 250 kilometers (more than 820,000 feet). The radar also has some limited capability to detect helicopters, rotating antennas and low, slow-moving fixed wing aircraft.
As a battle management and command and control asset, the E-8C can support the full spectrum of roles and missions from peacekeeping operations to major theater war.
Joint STARS evolved from Army and Air Force programs to develop, detect, locate, and attack enemy armor at ranges beyond the forward area of troops. The first two developmental aircraft deployed in 1991 to Operation Desert Storm and also supported Operation Joint Endeavor in December 1995.
Team Joint STARS men and women have contributed tremendously to overseas contingency operations, flying more than 130,000 combat hours in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, Odyssey Dawn, Unified Protector, Freedom's Sentinel, and Inherent Resolve. Their operational resume includes support of six Combatant Commands including U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Southern Command, U.S. Africa Command, and U.S. Europe Command.
Team Joint STARS was the first organization in the USAF to activate under the Air Force's Total Force Initiative as a "blended" wing. America's first "Total Force" wing, the former 93rd Air Control Wing, an active-duty Air Combat Command unit, and the 116th Bomb Wing, a Georgia Air National Guard unit, were deactivated Oct.1, 2002. The 116th Air Control Wing was activated blending Guard and active-duty Airmen into a single unit. In October 2011, the Active Associate construct was formed by the newly activated 461st Air Control Wing as a member of Team Joint STARS.
Team Joint STARS through the 116th/461st ACW, is the only unit operating the E-8C and conducting the Joint STARS mission.
PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION:
The Joint STARS Program Office is surveying the market to determine those sources qualified to inspect E-8 aircraft (Boeing 707 variant) using MSG-3. Specific requirements are in attached ‘Joint STARS MSG3 SOW' Microsoft Word document with accompanying ‘E-8 MSG-3 Inspection Deck' Microsoft Excel spreadsheet.
Requirements are outlined within guidance provided by USAF and Department of Defense publications. It is expected the Contractor personnel shall have the necessary technical skills and certifications to meet contract requirements. Interested firms should submit a written product demonstrating how they plan on providing technically compliant solutions for the Joint STARS weapon system during the support and sustainment timeframe listed. If a firm believes it would be competitive in providing necessary support and sustainment capability, then it should submit a product not to exceed 50 pages, with text of 12-font Times New Roman, and graphics should have no smaller than 10-font text. Commercial brochures will not be accepted. Without written permission from the respondent, the Program Office will not release to any firm, agency or individual outside of the Government any information marked "Proprietary."
LIMITATIONS:
Joint Interactive Maintenance Information System (JIMIS) references for servicing and inspection in the SOW are based on Boeing 707 aircraft general servicing and inspection procedures. References to T.O. 1E-8C-6WC-9, currently in development and not yet published, incorporate all tasks in attached ‘E-8 MSG-3 Inspection Deck' Excel spreadsheet.
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Responding firms should clearly indicate the following:
a. Experience in developing, testing, and producing systems similar to the E-8C;
b. Production capabilities sufficient to provide cost effective and timely solutions;
c. Previous platform integration and systems engineering expertise and experience, as evident in program success and citations from customers (firms should elaborate how they would propose a working relationship with another firm that has Total System Performance Responsibility (TSPR) for all upgrades made to the E-8C;
d. Government Furnished Equipment and/or Information required in order to perform the work;
e. A subcontracting plan for small business concerns;
f. The approach to coordinate logistics support planning activities with Northrop Grumman Corporation in order to support their Total Systems Support Responsibility (TSSR) sustainment contract responsibilities;
g. The approach to coordinate software development/integration activities with Northrop Grumman Corporation in order to support the Total System Support Responsibility (TSSR)
h. The approach in obtaining exact design/implementation documentation from Northrop Grumman Corporation to allow the performance of work described in this synopsis.
2. If, after reviewing these documents, you desire to participate in the market research, you should provide documentation that supports your company's capability in meeting these requirements. Failure to provide documentation may result in the government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.)
3. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged.
4. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to Capt Stacylee Johnson, Stacylee.Johnson@us.af.mil
5. Responses must be received no later than 12:00 p.m. EST on 04 October 2019. Responses must be sent electronically via AMRDEC SAFE (https://safe.amrdec.army.mil/safe/) to: stacylee.johnson@us.af.mil
PART I: Business Information:
1. Please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners:
a. Company/Institute Name
b. Address
c. Point of Contact
d. CAGE Code
e. Phone Number
f. Email Address
g. Web Page URL
h. Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 334511
2. Based on the above NAICS Code, state whether your company is:
a. Small Business (Yes/No)
b. Woman Owned Small Business (Yes/No)
c. Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes/No)
d. 8(a) Certified (Yes/No)
e. HUBZone Certified (Yes/No)
f. Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes/No)
g. Service Disabled Veteran Small Business (Yes/No)
h. System for Award Management (SAM) (Yes/No)
i. A statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership)
PART II: Capability Survey Questions
A. General Capability Questions:
1. Describe briefly the capabilities of your facility and the nature of the goods and/or services you provide. Include a description of your staff composition and management structure.
2. Describe your company's past experience on previous projects similar in complexity to this requirement. Include contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, period of performance, agency/organization supported, and individual point of contact (Contracting Officer or Program Manager).
3. Describe your company's capabilities and experience in generating technical data, engineering drawings, and manuals. Identify what software programs are utilized to generate these data products and what formats are available for delivered items.
B. Engineering Services Questions:
1. Describe your experience working mishap investigations and other Aircraft on Ground (AOG) issues.
2. Describe an instance where engineering assistance was provided to the government to resolve a Periodic Depot Maintenance (PDM) issue beyond the published technical orders.
3. Describe an example of when your capabilities and sustaining engineering expertise resulted in a cost savings.
4. How will your organization address the absence of drawings, specifications, technical data, test procedures, etc.?
Stacylee Johnson, Contract Specialist, Phone 4782223626, Email stacylee.johnson@us.af.mil - Adrian V. Oliver, Lead Contracting Officer, Phone 478-222-3629, Email adrian.oliver.2@us.af.mil
