Military Utility Assessments

Synopsis: This is a Request for Information (RFI). This notice is for MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY, and in no way obligates the United States Government to issue a solicitation or otherwise make a contract award. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is not seeking proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals. No reimbursement will be made for any costs associated with providing the information in response to this announcement. DTRA is seeking eligible performers who are qualified to conduct and accomplish the requirements specified in this RFI and the attached document. Submission Instructions: The responses shall: • Confirm the ability and interest to meet the intent and requirements stated in the attached document. • Identify any aspects of the attached requirement that cannot be met and any issues/concerns with the requirements as stated. • Assess and state whether the intent and testing can be accomplished within the timeframe and facility required as stated in the attached document. • Provide technical background and expertise and the process or approach the source would use in accomplishing the requirements. In addition, provide any applicable past performance the source has in accomplishing similar requirements. • Provide information and details on the test range facility that these test events would be held at and state whether the facility meets all of the specifications detailed in the attached document. The responses shall be limited to 10 pages (inclusive of text, photos, graphs, charts, etc.,) describing the source's ability to meet the requirements described in the attached document. Source's ability to meet the requirements should be supported by a description of the process or approach and, if able, past examples of meeting the requirements. Sources interested in this RFI are also asked to use a quad chart as a summary template for initial responses back to the Government. The quad chart should be a single presentation slide divided into four quadrants. A summary of capabilities; a summary of competitive advantages; a figure of merit; and relevant contact information should populate the quad chart. Any proprietary concepts or information should be clearly identified as such. For all RFI responses, an additional, nonproprietary cover page is also requested identifying your company name, technical point of contact, and contact information. The one page quad chart and the one page nonproprietary cover page are not included as part of the 10 page limitation. Submitted data and information will not be returned. Reviews and input on technical aspects of the responses may be solicited by DTRA from non-government consultants/experts who are bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements. A virus check should be performed prior to submitting any response. If a virus is detected, it may cause rejection of the file. All responses shall be submitted electronically no later than Wednesday, October 11, 2017 (1400 hours Local Time, Ft. Belvoir) to the Contract Specialist, Captain Troy Kinchen, email to [email protected]. Hard copy responses will not be accepted. Responses to this RFI will not be returned and shall become property of DTRA. Responses received after the exact time specified shall not be accepted. This is a Request for Information. There is no solicitation available at this time. Requests for Solicitation and inquiries related to same will not receive a response. This RFI is published for market research purposes only, and in no way obligates the Government to issue a solicitation or otherwise make a contract award. Any and all information submitted in response to this synopsis is strictly voluntary. The Government will not pay for any information submitted in response to this RFI and all information submitted shall become the property of DTRA. The Government makes no future guarantees of a request for proposal release related to the effort. The above technical material responses from companies will be used to inform a strategic plan for future DTRA investments. If a solicitation is issued it will be announced at a later date, and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from the responses to this announcement. RFI Details Below: Intent The Combating Terrorism Division of the Research and Development Directorate at the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is seeking responses from organizations/companies capable of conducting Military Utility Assessments (MUAs) and testing of government and commercial technologies in support of current and emerging Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction (C-WMD) requirements. Require Subject Matter Experts (SME) to support inter-agency coordination & collaboration with Bomb Squad Test Bed, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) First Responders Group, United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and Joint Service EOD Liaison Detachments. Requirements Utility Assessment Requirements The Contractor shall conduct the assessment events with DTRA & USSOCOM personnel observing. Utility assessments will be conducted for specified EOD-related technologies. Examples of systems of interest include: EOD ground and air robotics, x-ray imaging systems, explosive detection equipment, remote firing devices, radio frequency (RF) countermeasures, chemical/biological/radiological/nuclear (CBRN) sensors, and other EOD tools. • Conduct industry engagement activities in support of future assessment events to identify potential assessment technology candidates. Industry engagements will include the following: o Interface with commercial SMEs regarding new products and market trends o Coordinate preliminary vendor demonstrations for presentation to DTRA and military representatives. • Conduct user assessments of technologies identified as possible solutions to support EOD C-WMD missions. Each assessment event will comparatively evaluate specified EOD-related technologies. A specified technology will consist of a piece of equipment, up to and including a control unit and down range operational unit. User assessments will require the following: o Coordinate with vendors/ performers to facilitate attendance o Development of assessment plan for DTRA approval prior to assessment event o Scenario-based venue configuration o Test article design, fabrication, and set up o Equipment/ system operations training o Documentation of equipment performance and user feedback Location Requirement • The contractor shall provide and maintain a list of potential locations for a variety of assessment scenarios and coordinate access to non-government assessment facilities/ venues to simulate operational environments, such as urban, desert, underground, harbor/ pier underwater. o DTRA will determine if a specified assessment will require a government location. In this event, DTRA will arrange for venue access. o Locations should include a test range area collocated with onsite, indoor classroom space.  DTRA will use classroom as staging and briefing area  Venue security classification (up to SECRET level) will be dependent on the type and nature of each assessment  Classrooms should contain Information Technology/Audio-Visual equipment  Capacity up to 20 occupants • The contractor shall provide general temporary storage for DTRA gear and equipment (approximately 160 square feet) Security Requirements • All assessments shall be managed at SECRET level unless otherwise indicated by DTRA Program Manager (PM). • DTRA desires event venues to be out of sight from public observation and physically secure due to potential equipment hazards. Scheduling Priority Requirements • Ability to schedule the assessment event with no more than an 8-week advance notice. • Minimum 2 assessments per year • Maximum 5 assessments per year Government Furnished Equipment for Each Assessment • Government systems for evaluation • Restricted test articles Test Site Assessment Requirements (different from above Utility Assessments) The Contractor shall provide full time on site personnel to conduct ongoing EOD-related technology assessments and testing at a government owned fixed site location in Aberdeen, NC. • Conduct testing of technologies identified as possible solutions to support EOD C-WMD missions. Test events will require the following: o Development of assessment plan for DTRA approval prior to test event o Scenario-based venue configuration o Electronic and EOD-related test article design, fabrication, and set up o Equipment/ system operations training o Documentation of equipment performance and user feedback o Operate RF test equipment, to include real time spectrum analyzers, signal generators, and oscilloscopes. • Coordinate with vendors/ performers to facilitate attendance. • Manage electronic test equipment to ensure proper operation, calibration and accountability. • Logistical support to assessment operations to include: test article/ fixture procurement, spare parts and other consumables as directed by the DTRA PM. • Operate machinery as required. • Contractor will be required to support site maintenance and improvements upon approval by DTRA PM. Security Requirements • All assessments shall be managed at SECRET level unless otherwise indicated by DTRA Program Manager (PM) Government Furnished Equipment for Each Assessment • Government systems for evaluation • Restricted test articles • Government computers, IT equipment, and network Staffing Requirements The following SME positions are required with each SME having a minimum six years of experience specific to C-WMD technologies and RF Countermeasures. Additional SMEs may be required to support larger or technology-specific assessments subject to approval by DTRA PM. Military Utility Assessments • Special Missions Unit (SMU) EOD Technician (x1) • Military EOD Technician (x1) • Civilian Bomb Squad Technician (x1) • Electrical Engineer (x1) Test Site Assessments • Senior Analyst (x1) • Electronics Technician (x1) Deliverables • Assessment/test plans prior to event execution • Assessment/test reports (assessment/test summary & system specific annexes), photographic annexes, and DVDs or videos as required • Test article fabrication RFI Submission Requirements • Up to a 10 page RFI narrative (including below) detailing capabilities/intent to meet RFI inquiries • Quad Chart • Past performance writing samples (i.e. test plans, final reports, and other related deliverables) • A list of potential military utility assessment venues and their capabilities • List or catalogue of materials/systems produced, manufactured, licensed, or endorsed by Contractor