Sources Sought for Analysis, Development, and Implementation of Manufacturing Technology for the Defense Industrial Base

SOURCES SOUGHT/REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY - Pursuant to FAR 15.2, this Sources Sought notice is being issued on behalf of the United States (US) Army Futures Command (AFC) Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC) Aviation and Missile Center (AvMC) for market research only. This Sources Sought notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes - it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue a RFP in the future. This Sources Sought notice also serves as market research in accordance with FAR Part 10. Responses to this notice will be used as part of the information gathered as market research that will be used to develop the acquisition strategy to satisfy a potential requirement. Solicitations are not available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. This notice does not constitute a commitment by the US Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. All information submitted in response to this

announcement is voluntary; the US Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate any respondent for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the US Government. Not responding to this Request for Information (RFI) does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities site (FedBizOpps). It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement.The US Government is exploring options for contractor performance of a new contract supporting manufacturing technology tasks intended to improve the defense industrial base through analysis, development, and implementation. Contract support is required to provide benefit to the US AFC CCDC AvMC Systems, Engineering Directorate (ED), Manufacturing Science and Technology Division (MST).BACKGROUND: The CCDC AvMC, is responsible for satisfying the needs of its customers through technical leadership in system development and innovative engineering and technical support throughout the life-cycle of US Army weapon systems. Moreover, there exists a need to support this endeavor through delivery of state-of-the-art manufacturing solutions to ensure the quality, affordability, maintainability, and rapid deployment of existing and yet-to-be-developed defense weapon systems. This mission would be accomplished through collaboration among government, industry, and academia development efforts. In addition, provision of disciplined training and implementation methodologies that ensure the rapid deployment of best practices to key stakeholders is expected. In order to ensure that the defense industrial base keeps pace with the rapid progression of advanced material and manufacturing applications to modern Department of Defense (DoD) systems, a focused initiative is required for the development and deployment of advanced manufacturing techniques. As such, support must also be provided for the DoD's transformation to more sustainable and maintainable use of high performance materials and manufacturing methods to include conservation of scarce maintenance and manufacturing funding through cost savings and cost avoidance.Types of potential manufacturing technology need areas shall include, but not limited to: US Army Aviation and Missile systems as well as Manufacturing and Enabling/Disruptive Technologies for the larger DoD industrial base.Aviation - Platforms/materials/structures, power systems, engines/propulsion systems, drives/rotors, mission systems, avionics/navigation, sensors, networks, data link and communication, survivability, sustainability, autonomy, manned/unmanned teaming (MUMT), unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), component cyber security and aviation ground support equipment/systems (AGSE).Missile - Target detection/acquisition/tracking sensors, missile electronics, seekers to defeat moving targets and air defense threats, guidance/control for improved precision and Global Positioning System (GPS)-denied precisions, lethality mechanisms, warheads, fuses, payloads, radar, datalink and communication, materials and structures, power systems, aerodynamics, navigation systems, modeling and simulation, energetics, component cyber security, propulsion systems for increased range and decisive effects, missile launchers, and support equipment.Manufacturing and Enabling/Disruptive Technologies - Innovation enablers, additive manufacturing, high energy creation and storage systems, directed energy, advanced materials/processes, advanced manufacturing techniques, manufacturing cyber security, modeling and simulation, virtual prototyping, robotics, automation, high temperature materials, lightweight & hybrid materials, flexible electronics, reclamation/repair technologies, and open system architectures for enhanced manufacturing productivity (digital manufacturing and Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)).This support includes, but is not limited to, manufacturing technology projects that benefit the US Army and DoD industrial base including manufacturing assessments, manufacturing process analysis and development, process demonstrations, and implementation of manufacturing solutions.REQUIREMENTS: The contractor shall:• Possess and maintain a strong and established connection with the National Network for Manufacturing Innovation (NNMI). Provide examples of leadership role in managing one or multiple Manufacturing USA National Institutes.• Actively participate in relevant manufacturing and defense related conferences.• Possess and maintain a strong and established relationship with CCDC AvMC Manufacturing Science and Technology Division. Provide evidence of local presence in Huntsville, Alabama working with CCDC AvMC.• Possess and maintain a strong and established relationship with aviation and missile prime contractors. Provide examples of manufacturing projects working with prime contractors such as Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Sikorsky, and Bell Helicopter.• Possess and maintain a strong and established relationship with DoD Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) program and other research & development groups within the DoD. Provide examples of direct support on previous DoD ManTech or US Army ManTech projects.• Possess and maintain a strong network to include relevant industry associations and academia partnerships.• Employ manufacturing SMEs in the areas of metals, composites, electronics, and additive manufacturing.• Possess and maintain strong and established relationships with US Army Depots. Provide examples of previous full-time experience working with AMCOM Letterkenny US Army Depot.• Must be immediately operational with capabilities to perform relevant DoD weapon system assessments, process improvements, implementation, and training. Provide previous examples of capabilities in each of these areas. ACC-RSA is seeking the following information:1. Respondents should furnish the following corporate information:a. Corporate Name and addressb. CAGE codec. Present Level of Facility Security Clearanced. Present level of facility safeguarding for classified information/ materiale. DUNSf. Business size classification for NAICS 5413302. Description of respondent's previous experience in Manufacturing Technology tasks intended to improve the Defense Industrial Base through analysis, development, and implementation. Potential respondents shall describe how they propose to successfully perform each of the requirements as listed above, assuming that all services provided by respondent would be accomplished in accordance with all applicable US laws, regulations, policies, and procedures.Interested parties should submit response not to exceed ten (10) pages and no smaller than twelve (12) point Arial font in Microsoft Word or PDF format. All submissions should include Sources Sought Solicitation Number W31P4Q-20-R-0020.GOVERNMENT RESPONSIBILITY: This sources sought should not be construed as a commitment by the Government for any purpose. Any information submitted by respondents to this Sources Sought is strictly voluntary. Please be advised that all submissions become government property and will not be returned.All information submitted will be treated confidentially and will not be released outside the Government. All submissions must be clearly marked with the following caption: Releasable to Government Agencies for Evaluation Purposes Only. The Government reserves the right to request further clarification to enhance the Governments understanding of the respondent's submittal. Responses that fail to comply with the above instructions, or present ideas not pertinent to subject, may not be reviewed. Aspects of the design that are proprietary or have usage restrictions such as licensing requirements or restrictions on modifications or operator servicing should be clearly identified. Appropriate proprietary claims will be honored and protected to prevent improper disclosure. In accordance with FAR Part 15.207, all responses will be adequately safeguarded from unauthorized disclosure.The Government requests that the Respondents deliver an electronic copy of UNCLASSIFIED responses Not Later Than (NLT) 12:00 PM Central Standard Time (CST) on Monday, 18 November 2019, to the contractual point of contacts: Ms. Candace Tucker, Contracting Officer, at candace.s.tucker.civ@mail.mil and Mr. Terrance Jennings, Contract Specialist at terrance.l.jennings.civ@mail.mil. No telephone requests will be accepted.Requests for additional information will not be honored, with the exception of technical questions or clarifications that are required for submittal responses.Requests for clarification or technical questions must be submitted in writing NLT 12:00 PM CST on Friday, 08 November 2019 via email to the contractual point of contacts: Ms. Candace Tucker, Contracting Officer, at candace.s.tucker.civ@mail.mil and Mr. Terrance Jennings, Contract Specialist at terrance.l.jennings.civ@mail.mil. No telephone requests will be accepted. Acknowledgement of receipt will be issued if request for return receipt is included with the response.