Constructive Training Systems (CTS)

Brief Summary: The US Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) Acquisition Center in Orlando, FL is developing an acquisition strategy to award a multi-year Constructive Training Systems (CTS) contract. This effort will enable the Project Manager (PM) Constructive Simulation (ConSim) to execute its mission of acquiring, fielding and sustaining the constructive simulations used to support the Army's command and staff training requirements. The CTS contractor will provide constructive training systems as well as technical, management and professional engineering support services, for the Common Battle Command Simulation Equipment (CBCSE), Battle Command Training Capability-Equipment Support (BCTC-ES) and Joint Land Component Constructive Training Capability (JLCCTC) programs, which form the base of the CTS effort.
Background: JLCCTC is a software modeling and simulation capability that contributes to the joint training functional concept and the Army training mission area by providing the appropriate levels of model and simulation resolution and fidelity needed to support both Army and Joint training requirements. JLCCTC is comprised of two separate federations, Multi Resolution Federation (MRF) and Entity Resolution Federation (ERF). JLCCTC-MRF is a federated set of constructive simulation software supported by commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) hardware (HW) and software (SW) products. JLCCTC-MRF supports the training of commanders and their staffs in maneuver, logistics, intelligence, air defense and artillery. The federate models are connected by a combination of the standard High-Level Architecture (HLA), Run-Time Infrastructure (RTI), Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS), custom interfaces, the corps battle staff Master Interface (MI) and Point-to- Point (PTP). The JLCCTC-MRF is a Command Post Exercise (CPX) driver designed to train Army commanders and their staffs at division through echelons above corps. JLCCTC-MRF provides the simulated operational environment in which computer generated forces stimulate and respond to the command and control processes of the commanders and staffs. The JLCCTC-MRF models will provide full training functionality for leader and battle staff for the Army and the Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental and Multinational (JIIM) spectrum. JLCCTC-MRF provides an interface to Battle Command (BC) equipment allowing commanders and their staffs to train with their go to war systems. JLCCTC-ERF is a federation of constructive simulations, BC interfaces, data collection and After Action Review (AAR) tools. It stimulates the BC systems to facilitate battle staff collective training by requiring staff reaction to incoming digital information while executing the commanders tactical plan. The targeted training audience is comprised of brigade and battalion battle staffs, functional Command Post (CP) training, and full CP training. The JLCCTC new equipment training (NET) and fielding will be conducted utilizing a Hub and Spoke concept. There are 13 Hubs and the number of spokes varies from 0-4 for each Hub. NET will be conducted at the Hub during a 3-week period. Spokes will send their key personnel to the Hub to receive the NET.
CBCSE is a fundamental element of JLCCTC. CBCSE procures the COTS HW & SW products and network devices in support of the JLCCTC program and provides infrastructure upgrades as required for US Army Battle Command Training Centers worldwide. CBCSE procures common hardware platforms (CHP) capable of running each version of fielded JLCCTC software in support of Army constructive simulation programs to stimulate the Armys Command and Control (C2) communication systems to meet command and staff training requirements. Viability is ensured through a Verification, Validation and Accreditation (VV&A) process in conjunction with the JLCCTC simulation SW VV&A. CBCSE SW includes COTS operating systems, databases and desk top software. CBCSE has supported additional customer requirements in the past with the procurement of COTS HW and SW to support the establishment of two Battle Command Training Distributed Systems, the Defense Acquisition Universitys Simulation and Training Conference Facility located at Ft Belvoir, VA and US Marine Corps PM Training Systems Combined Arms Command and Control Training Upgrade Systems project.
BCTC-ES provides network equipment and technical tools that enhance the integration of constructive simulations to Army C2 systems, extend units communications capabilities, integrates C2 white boxes into Tactical Operation Center (TOC) sets, provides visualization of the common operating picture (COP) and ensures simulation-C2 thread functionality. BCTC-ES is the enabling link within a BCTC that supports JLCCTC/C2 stimulation. BCTC-ES components may be provided individually, in conjunction with a JLCCTC-ERF fielding, or as part of a new Military Construction, Army (MCA) BCTC. BCTC-ES provides significant battle command capability enhancement to include: networks internal to the BCTC Wide Area Network (WAN); Local Area Network (LAN) additions of and distribution to external TOC pads; training classrooms; Local Training Areas & remote sites; Radio-Wire Integration Systems to link constructive player work cells with a unit TOC across combat radio nets; Packet Radio Units both fixed and mobile to transmit virtual Unmanned Aerial Vehicle data/video between BCTC and a remote TOC; C2 Servers to link C2 white boxes into unit and HICON / EXCON TOC sets; and battle sight visualization tool to provide video feeds of simulations and/or C2 systems. In addition to the BCTC-ES requirements noted above, the new BCTC MCA projects will require the procurement of COTS HW, SW, furniture and infrastructure elements required to support the conducting of Battle Command Training.
This effort will require temporary duty worldwide to conduct JLCCTC new equipment training (NET) and fielding, field and NET for BCTC-ES components, support BCTC MCA projects and perform infrastructure upgrades. Security clearances up to and including Top Secret will be required to perform work under this contract.
Request for Information:
This RFI will be used as market research for the CTS effort and the analysis of this information will be used to determine the viability of a small business set-aside. The Government anticipates award of the CTS effort prior to the end of second quarter fiscal year (FY) 2009. The Government anticipates awarding one 12 month base year contract with four 12 month options using several contract types.
Interested parties are requested to review the draft documents provided with this announcement. Written responses are limited to 10 pages. Specific review/input is requested in the following areas:
Administrative Page Not to be included in page count:
a. Provide
" Company name and address
" Cage Code, DUNS and TIN
" Company points of contact (POC) for contracting and technical questions. Include office phone and mobile phone numbers as well as an email address.
" Company business size as it relates to the NAICS code for this effort.
" Cognizant Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) and address. Include specific auditors name and contact information if available.
" Cognizant Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) and address. Include Administrative Contracting Officer name and contact information if available.
" Audit reports concerning the adequacy of the companys accounting and purchasing systems. If an audit is in progress provide the appropriate agency and POC who is performing the audit and when the completed audit is expected. These Audit reports will not be part of the RFI page count.
" Any other available information (i.e. recent pre-award surveys) to support the determination of contractor responsibility in accordance with FAR Part 9.
" State whether your firm would be interested iin this requirement as a prime contractor or subcontractor.
b. Every page should have a header containing the company name, page number and date. Audit reports or other supporting documentation requested in this section shall be attached to the RFI as an appendix and annotated accordingly.
Technical:
a. Current Capabilities. Describe the current capabilities of your company and how they could be employed or tailored to ensure success of the CTS requirements. Please address the following in your white paper submission:
1. Describe your program management approach and configuration management methodology for executing the CTS requirements.
2. Discuss your supply chain management approach to include:
a. process used for vendor qualification,
b. property accountability
c. international shipping methodology/approach
3. Discuss how you will ensure timeliness of fault isolation during integration and how corrective action will be executed.
4. Describe your plan of operations for help desk support after fielding. Provide your methodology to cover 24/5 operations for exercise support tasks when required under CTS Additional Mission Requirements to include manning techniques and how you intend to work with developers/OEMs to provide solutions to PTRs.
5. Describe your collaboration techniques/tools and teaming approach that demonstrates your ability to efficiently and effectively to satisfy rapidly emerging CTS requirements or simultaneous fieldings.
6. Describe your new equipment training (NET) methodology and approach to develop, standardize, manage and deliver CTS NET and associated products.
b. Unique Capabilities. Describe any unique capabilities or support approaches beyond that described above which could be applied to support CTS that would further enhance support posture.
c. Past Performance. Provide relevant experience in the past 3-years providing training systems and related services involving: identification and providing COTS hardware and COTS software products; software support to COTS and application software; conducting trade analysis; developing and conducting new equipment training both in CONUS and OCONUS; installation and integration of communications infrastructures and networks; modeling and simulation end-to-end integration; contract transition services and retention rate of key personnel. The Government or customer technical and contract POC information shall be provided for each effort referenced in this section as well as the contract number associated with the effort.
d. Potential Teaming arrangements. Provide the potential team members you are considering for partnership in executing this effort. Describe their capabilities and/or their expertise and how the team will operate as one cohesive unit to successfully execute the CTS requirements.
e. This announcement does not constitute a request for proposal and the Government reserves the right to offer this requirement as a small business set-aside.
The closing date for this RFI is 3PM EDT on Monday,17 November 2008. Submissions may be made electronically to: gloria.bailey1@us.army.mil. To had deliver the RFI, please contact Ms. Gloria Bailey at 407-380-8508 prior to attempting to deliver your submission. Questions or concerns may be submitted in writing to Ms. Gloria Bailey at the email listed above.