A -- SOURCES SOUGHT, NPOESS EMD/PRODUCTION ACQUISITION

Notice Date

October 2, 2000

Contracting Office

Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, SMC -- Space & Missiles System Center, 2420 Vela Way, Suite 2420, El Segundo, CA, 90245-4659

ZIP Code

90245-4659

Solicitation Number

Reference-Number-synopsis-73

Response Due

October 26, 2000

Point of Contact

John Inman, Contracting Officer, Phone (301)427-2084, Email

E-Mail Address

John Inman (jinman@ipo.noaa.gov)

Description

The National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Integrated Program Office (IPO) is continuing to progress towards the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) and Production phases. The EMD/Production contract , which will result from a Request for Proposal (RFP) release anticipated for June 2001, will provide total system performance responsibility to a single contractor to develop and field the complete space segment, interface data processing segment, command control and communications segment, and launch support segment. The IPO awarded two Program Definition and Risk Reduction (PDRR) contracts in December 1999 resulting from RFP F04701-99-R-0500. That PDRR RFP clearly indicated that the future EMD/Production RFP would be open to all sources, including those that did not win PDRR contracts; but it also clearly indicated that all EMD/Production offerors would be required to (i) demonstrate a level of maturity at least equivalent to the level to be attained under the PDRR contracts; and (ii) deliver data equivalent to the deliverables required under the PDRR contracts (including a system review at the IDR level with PDR level for the NPOESS Preparatory Project (NPP) components of the IDP and C3 segments), all at no expense to the Government. This sources-sought synopsis is an invitation for all sources which contemplate submitting proposals under the future NPOESS EMD/Production RFP to identify themselves to the IPO. All sources which contemplate submitting proposals under the future NPOESS EMD/Production RFP should submit a brief capabilities statement to the contracting officer (John Inman, jinman@ipo.noaa.gov, 301/427-2084x162, 8455 Colesville Rd Ste 1450, Silver Spring MD 20910, jinman@ipo.noaa.gov) no later than 26 Oct 2000. This capabilities statement should include (i) the identity of the intended offeror; (ii) a summary of its capabilities regarding development and production of space systems, meteorological instruments, and ground data processing and command communications and control expertise; (iii) a proposed date no later than 13 Jul 2001 which the intended offeror intends to present an Interim Design Review (IDR) on a total-system basis including Preliminary Design Review (PDR)-level maturity on the NPP components of the IDP and C3 segments (the date must be flexible to accommodate the IPO's schedule); and (iv) a summary of the intended offeror's efforts already completed and planned for the future to obtain the required level of maturity described above. This capabilities statement is not required from the current NPOESS PDRR contractors. All sources which submit capabilities statements will be included in the EMD/Production RFP source list, and only sources which submit credible capabilities statements will be included in on-going market research efforts prior to release of the draft RFP. Credibility will be determined by the IPO, and responding sources will be notified if their capabilities statements are or are not credible. A source choosing not to respond to this sources sought synopsis may still submit a proposal when the NPOESS EMD/Production RFP is released, but that offeror will be required to demonstrate the maturity of its design within its proposal. The IPO contemplates that any such offeror will be at a disadvantage, and accordingly encourages all sources which contemplate submitting a proposal for the NPOESS EMD/Production RFP to reply to this sources-sought announcement as described above. You are advised that an Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from potential offerors during the down-selection phase of the acquisition. The purpose of the Ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the System program director or the contracting officer, but to assist in communicating offeror concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate Government personnel. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality regarding the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the source selection process. The Ombudsman, Mr. William Orzech, can be reached at (310) 363-0004. Finally, interested parties are notified that a webpage has been created where information of interest to potential offerors will be posted from time to time. This webpage is in the NPOESS Electronic Library at http://npoesslib.ipo.noaa.gov under the heading "Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) and Production". Note 26

Web Link

Visit this URL for the latest information about this (http://www2.eps.gov/cgi-bin/WebObjects/EPS?ACode=R&ProjID=Reference-Number-synopsis-73&LocID=901)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20001004/ASOL008.HTM (D-276 SN503109)