SOURCES SOUGHT
U -- Army National Guard eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) Program
- Notice Date
- 1/24/2024 10:49:08 AM
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541330
— Engineering Services
- Contracting Office
- W6QK ACC-ORLANDO ORLANDO FL 32826-3224 USA
- ZIP Code
- 32826-3224
- Solicitation Number
- W900KKSSNARNGXCTC
- Response Due
- 2/26/2024 1:00:00 PM
- Archive Date
- 03/12/2024
- Point of Contact
- Leatrice Frederick, Phone: (407) 384-5318, Jessica Wasser, Phone: (321)235-7619
- E-Mail Address
-
leatrice.j.frederick.civ@army.mil, jessica.l.wasser.civ@army.mil
(leatrice.j.frederick.civ@army.mil, jessica.l.wasser.civ@army.mil)
- Description
- Army Contracting Command-Orlando is seeking to identify sources capable of providing professional services in the form of Exercise Control, Instrumentation Support, Battlefield Effects (BFE) / Immersion (BFI) Support, and Equipment and Staff Support to the Army National Guard's (ARNG) eXportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) Program. The contractor shall provide: Program Management Exercise control Instrumentation and Communication Property Management Battlefield Immersion Battlefield Effects Emergent Threat Integration The mission of the XCTC program is to support and enable ARNG Brigade Combat Teams (BCT) to culminate home station training strategy in an integrated force-on-force training event as they prepare for future readiness-building events or operational deployment. The scope of the ARNG's XCTC Program involves training up to five BCTs at multiple locations within a training year and can require two Brigades (BDE) to train simultaneously within the same timeframe. The rotation is a 21-day multi-echelon exercise with a BCT, to include sourced enablers (as necessary and approved), focused on achieving Brigade Training Level 3 (T3) proficiency with practiced Command Posts and Staffs. Rotations are typically conducted regionally in an instrumented Decisive Action Training Environment (DATE) to replicate Large Scale Combat Operations (LSCO). These exercises evaluate everything from operational and tactical to leadership skills and the effectiveness of communication systems in a contested environment. BCTs are expected to execute Reception Staging Onward Movement, Integration (RSOI), Platoon Situational Tactical Exercises (STX), Platoon Live Fire Exercises (LFX), Brigade and Battalion Command Post Exercise (CPX), Platoon and Company Field Training Exercise (FTX) with Mission Command at Echelon, Reverse Reception Staging Onward Movement, and Integration (RRSOI). The program is centered around five lines of effort: Rotational Design, Operational Environment, Instrumentation, Training Aids, Devices, Simulators, and Simulations (ITADSS), Operational Readiness, and Resources. The contractor should have a general understanding of Training Locations, Infantry, Stryker, and Armored Brigade Combat Team Readiness, Academics, CPX, FTX, LFX, OC/T, RSOI/RRSOI, Government Furnished Property, Event Life Cycle Events, Visual Modified Vehicles, Instrumentation, Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES), Opposing Force (OPFOR) Integration, Exercise Reporting, Readiness Partner Integration, Rotational Training Unit Selection, Enablers, Commodities, Exercise Capabilities, Distinguished Visitors, and Senior Trainer Role. 1. Program Management. Provide the Army National Guard Collective Training (ARNG-TRC) branch with a high level of organization, strategic planning, and support of the XCTC Program Manager. The ability to orchestrate numerous teams, resources, and logistics while adhering to a strict timeline necessitates a systematic approach. Establish clear objectives, delineate roles and responsibilities, and create comprehensive workflows to ensure a seamless operation throughout the Event Life Cycle. Effective communication and availability to the XCTC Program Manager is the core of managing such exercises, as it is essential to synchronize the efforts of cross-functional teams and external stakeholders. Risk management strategies must be identified and mitigated for potential issues before they escalate. Additionally, data-driven analysis is critical to decision-making and continuous process improvements to adapt to changing circumstances and optimize performance. Tools and technologies must be established to track progress in real-time, ensuring tasks are executed on time to complete projects and objectives successfully. 2. Exercise control. Provide a centralized control system with dedicated teams for orchestrating scenarios, real-time adjustments, and oversight of all exercise objectives. These teams must oversee the exercises through the event life cycles, incorporate rotational and scenario designs planned to challenge the BCT, and ensure safety and compliance with rules of engagement throughout the XCTC rotation. Must be able to balance structure and flexibility, allowing the BCT to react to Live, Virtual, Constructive Integrating Architecture using threats and make decisions that align with the training objectives. Additionally, teams must be able to monitor the progress of the BCT and provide feedback. After-action reviews (AARs) through instrumentation and Green Book AARs are an integral part, where performance is evaluated, lessons are learned, and insights are documented for continuous improvement in future training rotations. Teams must be able to validate capabilities and readiness but also enhance operational cohesion and decision-making skills in a contested environment. 3. Instrumentation and Communication. Provide options, tools, and systems designed to monitor, record, and evaluate the performance of the BCT in real time. This technology infrastructure is vital for capturing up to 5,000 personnel and equipment data, allowing for accurate after-action reviews and facilitating the overall training objectives. This system must be able to show formations from the individual level through Division formations. Additionally, this system must include laser engagement systems that simulate battle conditions, Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking for personnel and vehicles for movement analysis, and communication interception for command-and-control exercises. Additionally, drones and cameras provide aerial or first-person perspectives, while sensors relay information on environmental conditions and specific event triggers. Virtual simulations are integrated to replicate complex scenarios impractical or too dangerous to stage in reality. These tools must generate data, which is then processed through advanced software platforms to provide feedback on tactics, operations, strategy, and unit coordination. This instrumentation aims to create an immersive and authentic training environment that prepares the BCT for various operational variables while ensuring safety and learning outcomes. 4. Property Management. Provide an adequate staff support system composed of dedicated teams working behind the scenes to ensure seamless execution and optimal training outcomes. It is pivotal to orchestrate the accountability, supply, and movement of government-furnished property. This team must be able to focus on tasks related to exercise preparation, exercise support team infrastructure, exercise support equipment emplacement, and transportation back to the maintenance facility. This support also requires coordination with the training facility, training units, XCTC Program Office, Exercise Control, and other supporting activities to ensure the training units receive maximum benefits by minimizing external logistics and environmental support. Provide comprehensive logistics and field operations support for all government-furnished property. The Contractor shall maintain the appropriate spares for all instrumentation and infrastructure components. This team must be able to correct known deficiencies or implement recommended enhancements to the government-furnished property as appropriate. This team must provide continuous corrective and preventative maintenance, both at the depot level and onsite at XCTC field training sites. 5. Battlefield Immersion. Teams must test the BCT in an environment that closely mirrors the complexity and intensity of large-scale combat operations. Teams must integrate a range of mental and physical multisensory experiences and scenarios that challenge the BCT. Teams must consider using virtual technologies to expose and test the BCT to the unpredictable forces of force-on-force. Live, Virtual, and Constructive forces must be employed to simulate enemy tactics, forcing the BCT to adapt to dynamic threats. Teams will incorporate Visual Modification (VISMOD) platforms, drones, displaced civilians, and other variables to stress the BCT during rotations. 6. Battlefield Effects. Simulate realistic battlefield effects within the rotation to create an immersive effect on the BCT in a contested training environment. These effects must mimic the sights, sounds, and smells experienced during actual combat, psychologically conditioning, and preparing the BCT for future exercises or mobilizations. Teams should consider using controlled pyrotechnics and explosives to replicate ordinance detonations, smoke machines, or fog generators to recreate obscured visibility and sound systems that project the cacophony of gunfire, explosions, and vehicle movements. Additionally, special effects must be considered through makeup and moulage applied to actors or trainees to simulate injuries, adding realism and urgency to medical response during the rotation. These effects must be coordinated with the exercise control team to support varying tactical scenarios, emphasizing realism while maintaining safe training parameters. 7. Emergent Threat Integration. Integrate emergent threats to prepare the BCT for the dynamic environment. These evolving threats, from cyber warfare and unmanned systems to hybrid warfare tactics and information operations, require a multidimensional approach to Live, Virtual, and scenario planning. RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS: All capability statements sent in response to this announcement must be submitted electronically (via email) to the Contract Specialist identified below. Responses shall include documentation of technical expertise and capability in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that your company possesses the necessary functional area expertise and experience to compete for this acquisition. Additionally, respondents shall include information on current customers using their system. Customer information shall consist of the Customer/Agency name, address, point of contact name and phone number, and number of users and locations fielded for that customer. It is imperative that business concerns responding to this announcement articulate their capabilities clearly and adequately; if not capable of performing individual tasks or aspects of the functions described, describe the specific elements of the proposed requirement that would prevent or limit your capability to perform. 1. Can you provide a detailed overview of your experience in designing and facilitating large-scale collective exercises for military organizations? 2. What is your approach to creating realistic and challenging scenarios that accurately simulate force on force in contested operational environments? 3. How do you ensure the safety and well-being of participants during the high-intensity and complex nature of these exercises? 4. Could you describe how your exercises incorporate the latest military tactics, techniques, and procedures to provide up-to-date training for military personnel? 5. What measures do you take to assess and provide feedback on the effectiveness of the training and the performance of the participants during these exercises? 6. Provide examples on how you tailor your exercises to accommodate the varying skill levels and roles of organizations that will be participating? 7. Describe in what ways you have integrated technology, such as simulations and virtual reality, into your training exercises to enhance the learning experience? 8. Outline the logistics and planning process you follow to manage and execute large-scale exercises, including coordination with other organizations, installations, and facilities? 9. Describe your experience with the management and accountability of government furnished property? 10. How does your team scale and adapt your exercises to meet the evolving needs and size of the organizations involved? 11. Provide examples or case studies where your company�s exercises have led to tangible improvements in the organization�s readiness and capabilities? 12. Only email submissions will be accepted. 13. Use current Microsoft Office compatible software (.xlsx, .docx, or .pptx) or Adobe Acrobat 9 Pro (.pdf) formats or later. 14. Classified material will not be accepted. 15. Material samples will not be accepted. 16. Information papers may be submitted in a White Paper Format and will count towards the total number of pages allowed. 17. The cover sheet shall include the following company information: name, address, URL, POC name and email address, Commercial Government Entity (CAGE) code number, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) Number, business type and size, and a statement if your firm is or is not foreign-owned, foreign-controlled, or has foreign influence. 18. Limit responses to 15 pages of technical content, including graphs/charts or pictures. The cover sheet and two pages of general corporate information, including past performance and key personnel, are separate from the page limit. 19. The minimum acceptable font size is 12 Arial. 20. All documents should be typed in single-spaced, single-sided pages, with at least one (1) inch margins. 21. All responses shall be submitted to the contract specialist. ADDITIONAL RESPONSES/REQUIREMENTS: 1. What recent relevant performance (past five (5) years) and current work experience does your company have performing a program of this type, complexity, and similar nature? Please indicate whether you were a prime contractor. Please describe your level of effort and specific role. 2. What are your participation goal percentages of the total contract cost for these actions concerning Small Businesses, Small Disadvantaged Businesses, Women-Owned Small Businesses, Historically Underutilized Business Zones, Veteran Owned Small Businesses, or Service Disabled Veteran Owned Small Businesses? 3. Discuss your company's approach to managing each functional area and the methods you will incorporate to increase efficiency, reduce costs, provide high-quality training, and mitigate program execution risk. 4. Do you intend to submit a proposal if an RFP is issued? If yes, would you submit a proposal as a prime contractor or a subcontractor? CONFIDENTIALITY: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary information in any resultant solicitation(s). DISCLAIMER: This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It shall not be considered an invitation for bid, request for quotation, request for proposal, or an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. Your response to this notice is strictly voluntary and will be treated as information only. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise due to the contractor's submission of responses to this notice or the Government's use of such information. This Sources Sought Notice is not tied to any current request for proposal. Not responding to this notification does not preclude participation in any future request for proposal or other solicitation, if any is issued. The information provided in this notice is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Government does not intend to award a contract based on this notice. Feedback and evaluation information will not be provided to any firm regarding their capability statements.
- Web Link
-
SAM.gov Permalink
(https://sam.gov/opp/df62a75138154ea189f56ddbfeb386bb/view)
- Place of Performance
- Address: Arlington, VA, USA
- Country: USA
- Country: USA
- Record
- SN06944519-F 20240126/240124230045 (samdaily.us)
- Source
-
SAM.gov Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)
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