REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI). The U.S. Army Installation Contracting Command, Directorate of Contracting, APG, MD, on behalf of the Aberdeen Test Center, is soliciting information in preparation for the competition of the ATC Simlulator and Test Enhancement Program (ASTEP). The new acquisition, herein referred to as ASTEP, may result in the award of multiple fixed-priced, commercial, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contracts intending to support 1) a continuing need for scientific and engineering support for unique simulation and test systems, 2) provide new simulation and test equipment for current and future test requirements and 3) rapid turnaround of emerging Simulator and Test needs related to the war effort without costly delays to high priority test programs Under the proposed process, ASTEP contracts will be awarded to vendors based on their ability to meet specific criteria (e.g.: the ability to carry out the Statement of Work (SOW). Prospective vendors would need to supply all necessary design, fabrication, assembly, integration, and test parameteres needed to support a specific upgrade or initiative. Purpose of this RFI: The primary purpose of this RFI is to gather information, comments, and suggestions from prospective vendors regarding the content of a proposed solicitation and statement of objectives. In addition, responses to the specific issues as delineated in the questions below are solicited. The information provided to the Government in response to this RFI will be used to develop the terms and conditions of the upcoming solicitation. ICC APG and the ATC welcomes any information submitted by interested parties in response to this request. Questions for Industry: Please respond to the following: 1. Do you have an interest in supplying enhancements and upgrades to existing simulation and test equipment at ATC? 2. Do you have comments regarding the proposed ASTEP contract? 3. What experience does your firm have in performing routine mainteneance, upgrade and enhancement on existing systems? 4. What experience does your firm have in providing new simulation and test equipment, and integration of your solutions in existing OEM test and simulation platforms? 5. What experience does your firm have in perfroming the following sample tasks which may be needed to perform ASTEP. a. Study and develop quantitative requirements, on a quick reaction basis for wide range of hydraulic and electrical simulation and test systems. b. Conduct concept studies concerning new test system techniques with rapidly evolving test requirements. c. Conduct engineering design of specific one of a kind test equipment and large scale test simulation instrumentation systems, including fabrication and/or preparation of performance specifications to be used as a basis for procurement actions. d. Study and develop test and measurement techniques as related to test simulators or commodity classes. e. Fabricate mechanical equipment from Government sketches and drawings to support test simulation systems. f. Fabricate and install mechanical equipment-in-place from Government sketches and drawings. g. Fabricate electronic systems from Government sketches and drawings or from contractor developed concepts or engineering designs. h. Design, implement, and verify embedded engineering software incidental to the development of test simulation. This RFI is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government, nor will the Government pay for any information submitted in response to this RFI. The anticipatedrelease date for the Draft Request for Proposal (DRFP) for ASTEP is October 2008. The anticipated release date for the final RFP is January 2009 with proposals due approximately 45 days after the solicitation release date. Award of contracts is contemplated for March 2009. Responses and questions concerning this RFI may be submitted via mail to ICC APG DOC, ATTN: Thomas Campana, 4118 Susquehanna Ave., Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD 21005; or via electronic transmission to Thomas Campana at
[email protected]. Information submitted separate and apart from commercial brochures will be treated as proprietary, if so marked. All responses shall be submitted by August 15, 2008. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released it will be synopsized in FedBizOpps and on at the Army Single Face to Industry (ASFI) website at https://acquisition.army.mil/asfi. It is the potential offerors responsibility to monitor these sites for the release of any solicitation or synopsis.