Request for Information Project Manager, Short and Intermediate Effectors for Layered Defense Avenger Weapon System Support Synopsis: The Short and Intermediate Effectors for Layered Defense (SHIELD) Project Office is conducting market research to determine if there are potential sources with the capability to provide engineering and technical services in support of the Avenger Weapon System. In accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 15.201 (e), responses to this notice are not an offer and cannot be accepted by the U.S. Government to form a binding contract. No contract award is intended as a result of this request. The U.S. Government will not pay for information received. The Government Point of Contact will be Ms. Lillian Irby, U.S. Army Contracting Command-Redstone, and can be contacted via email: lillian.m.irby.civ@army.mil. EMAIL ONLY, NO PHONE CALLS. Administrative: In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not an offer and cannot be accepted by the U.S. Government to form a binding contract. No contract award is intended as a result of this request. The U.S. Government will not pay for information received. Per FAR 52.215-3, Request for Information (RFI) or Solicitation for Planning Purposes: a. The U.S. Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited, except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, bid and proposal costs, of the FAR. b. Although the term “proposal” may be used in this RFI, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. c. This RFI is for planning and market research purposes only and should not be considered as a request for proposals or as a solicitation to do business with the U.S. Government. Avenger System Overview: The Avenger mission is to provide a lightweight, highly mobile, shoot-on-the-move, day/night, short-range surface-to-air missile and gun weapon system. Mounted on an M1097A2 High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV), it engages Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, Unmanned Aerial Vehicle, and Cruise Missile threats. The Avenger M47A2 derivative system, termed Slew-to-Cue, receives cues to a track from an outside source and automatically slews to and follows the target beyond the line of sight. Avenger System Description: The Avenger Weapon System is a critical component of the Army’s Short Range Air Defense System (SHORADS). The system consists of: Two Standard Vehicle Mounted Launchers mounted on a turret A .50 caliber machinegun Forward Looking Infrared Laser Range Finder Environmental Control Unit/Prime Power Unit Auto-track systems and Identification Friend or Foe system Two 12V, 100 AMP lead-acid batteries connected in series (24V system power) 360 degrees continuously rotating, gyro-stabilized turret mounted on the HMMWV The fire unit can engage targets with missiles or the machinegun while on-the-move or stationery. The gunner can operate the system in-turret or from a remote location using the Remote-Control Unit. Scope of Work and Contractor Requirements: The SHIELD Project Office is conducting market research to identify potential sources capable of providing comprehensive engineering and technical services in support of the Avenger Weapon System and all derivative systems. Note : Proposers must have the required capability at the start of the performance period and must be able to perform all required tasks . Partial solution proposals will not be considered. Core Support Areas: The contractor will be responsible for complex system engineering, manufacturing, test equipment, logistics, and sustainment support. Support includes, but is not limited to: Engineering and Integration: Providing detailed technical expertise for Avenger Weapon Systems, Line Replaceable Units (LRU) (all variants), support equipment, and system interfaces. Designing and fabricating new solutions based on the current Avenger design to meet U.S. Government requirements. Performing complex system integration tasks. Providing software engineering and development for current and future software requirements. Providing in-depth system engineering analysis to support performance improvement, failure analysis, and other engineering activities. Testing & Analysis: Supporting test activities, including the assessment of test results. Providing design and technical support for existing and future contractor- and U.S. Government-owned test equipment. Performing reliability assessments and failure analysis with corrective action identification at the system and LRU level. Quickly and effectively analyzing and resolving hardware/software failures to restore operational capability. Logistics: Performing logistics functions, including technical manual generation/modification, maintenance support, system repairs and Field Service Representative support. Training and Fielding: Redesigning, replacing, installing, and training on all LRUs. Conducting training and system deployment, including New Equipment Training. Supporting sustainment training for deployed systems. Quality Assurance and Security: Complying with all Quality Assurance requirements (configuration management). Maintaining a facility compliant with all federal, state, and local requirements. Ensuring compliance with current DoW Information Assurance and Cybersecurity requirements. Meeting all contractor security, Communications Security, Federal, and DoW requirements, including Defense Security Service accreditation for both unclassified and classified information. Personnel Requirements: The U.S. Government requires a team of Field Service Representatives with expertise in Weapon Systems operation, sustainment, mechanical/electrical maintenance, physical security, and site maintenance. Security Clearance: Contractor employees will be required to hold and maintain a Secret security clearance. Operations: The contractor is responsible for the safe, efficient, and compliant operation and maintenance of Avenger Weapon Systems and sites. Response Instructions: Respondents must provide comprehensive answers to the following sections: Part A. Business Information: Please provide the following information for your company/institution and any teaming or joint venture partners: Company/Institute Name Address Point of Contact Phone Number Email Address CAGE Code DUNS Number Web page URL State (Yes/No) whether your company qualifies as a Small Business, Woman Owned Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, 8(a) Certified, HUB Zone Certified, Veteran Owned Small Business, Service-Disabled Small Business, or Central Contractor Registration. Provide a statement describing your company as domestically or foreign owned (if foreign owned, please indicate country of ownership). Part B. Capability Questionnaire: Capabilities Overview: Briefly describe your company’s capabilities, the nature of your goods/services, staff composition, and management structure. Past Experience: Describe up to five previous projects similar in complexity to this requirement. Include contract numbers, a brief description of work, period of performance, supported agency/organization, and individual points of contact (Contracting Officer or Program Manager). Defense Systems and Avenger Experience: What experience do you have planning and executing the deployment and sustainment of weapons/defense systems? Detail any specific experience with the Avenger Weapon System. Maintenance Support: Describe your experience providing maintenance support, particularly in foreign countries. Collaborative Operations: Describe your experience supporting military personnel and working collaboratively with another prime contractor. Security and Information Assurance: Describe your experience with Information Assurance/Cybersecurity and associated documentation, as well as your capability to generate, handle, process, and store classified material and data. Simultaneous Deployment: Describe your capabilities and experience deploying and supporting complex weapons systems at multiple locations simultaneously, including Foreign Military Sales countries. Risk Management: Identify the top five risks you foresee in executing an effort of this scope and the mitigation steps you would take. Subcontracting: If relying on subcontractors, identify who you would use, what percentage/portions they would perform, their experience, and your existing relationship with them. Personnel Staffing: Describe your approach to obtaining and retaining qualified personnel. How quickly could you secure the necessary workforce? Training Capabilities: Describe your experience in classroom and simulator instruction. What are the top five risks for your company in executing these training methods? Inventory and Logistics: Describe your process for maintaining inventory records, reporting on-hand versus in-work balances, and updating repair statuses for the customer. Part C. Financial Capability: Describe your financial capabilities to successfully perform a contract of this scope. Detail any other relevant topics, concerns, or information that will assist the Government in shaping its acquisition strategy. Additional Submission Instructions: All responses must be unclassified. Marketing material is considered an insufficient response to this RFI. Respondents should indicate which portions of their responses are proprietary and should mark them accordingly. The U.S. Government will honor appropriate proprietary claims to prevent improper disclosure. Questions pertaining to this RFI may be directed to the Army Contracting Command point of contact for up to 7 days after this RFI is published on SAM.gov. The U.S. Government must receive your RFI response no later than 15 days after this RFI is published. The U.S. Government will receive responses via email submission.
