Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Ground Sensors (SN) Radar Programs Request for Information

Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Ground Sensors (SN) Radar Programs Request for InformationNAICS: 334511Agency: Other Defense AgenciesOffice: Missile Defense AgencyLocation: MDA-SNASolicitation Number:  N/AReference-Number: MDA23SNRFI01DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A. Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited.Approved for Public Release 22-MDA-11291 (26 Oct 22)DescriptionThe Missile Defense Agency Ground Sensors Directorate (MDA/SN) is conducting market research to determine if sources capable of satisfying the Agency’s future requirements for the Missile Defense System (MDS) radars, including the Army Navy/Transportable Radar Surveillance and Control Model 2 (AN/TPY-2) and the X-Band Radar (XBR) aboard the Sea-Based X-Band Radar (SBX), exist.Future major requirement areas include (1) AN/TPY-2 and SBX Hardware and Software Development, (2) Production of AN/TPY-2 radars, components, spares, fleet refurbishment activities, and capability upgrades, (3) Warfighter (WF) support

requirements associated with AN/TPY-2 and SBX. Potential capability upgrades could include increased digital control and processing, additional detection, tracking, and discrimination capability to counter advanced and emerging threats, increased field of view, increased power and sensitivity, more reliable and supportable components, and improved self-defense capabilities.This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or promise to issue an RFP in the future.  This RFI does not commit the government to establish a contract for any supply or service whatsoever.  Further, MDA is not seeking proposals nor will it accept proposals.  All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the respondents expense.  Participation in future Agency transactions and procurement opportunities is not contingent upon responding to this RFI.  MDA will not provide feedback for any submission.X-Band Radar Major Requirement Area Descriptions:DevelopmentSoftware maintenance across the X-Band radarsCurrent software primarily developed in ADA languageAN/TPY-2 and XBR software upgrades across the X-Band radarsOpen architecture to accommodate integration of 3rd party algorithmsModular designNew capability developmentAcquisitionTrackingDiscriminationDebris mitigationElectronic ProtectionPost-Intercept AssessmentFault toleranceActive bias monitoring and reportingRadar Integrated Satellite Monitoring and Calibration (ISMC)Space Situational Awareness (SSA)/Space Domain Awareness (SDA)Target Object Map (TOM)Raid HandlingLong Range High SensitivityLow and High ElevationFull Azimuth CoverageHardware upgrades including:Digital Receiver/Exciter (DREX) and wideband digital Signal Processing (SP) architecture, Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWFG).Digital array architecture upgrades to the AN/TPY-2 Antenna Equipment UnitAdditional distributed, passive or active phased array panels to support mission objectives against advanced threats.  Performance information is desired for these potential upgrades.Re-architecture to optimize performance on an x86 based supercomputer and the implementation of a DREX.Performance improvements including, but not limited to, analysis and implementation of parallel processing, multicore computing, Field Programmable Gated Arrays (FPGAs), and advanced real-time processing capabilities.Re-architecture including, but not limited to, analysis and implementation of secure server configurations eliminating, mitigating and limiting cyber security vulnerabilities.Systems Engineering to support software, software databases, and hardware upgrades including new functionality and evolving threats. Systems engineering includes configuration management, requirements development and analysis, software capabilities performance assessment, qualification, formal test, and requirements verification.  Systems engineering support is also required to:Support radar system integration and test with the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon system at the THAAD prime contractor’s System Integration Laboratory (SIL) for development and flight test activities.Support radar system integration and test with Command, Control, Battle Management & Communication (C2BMC) weapon system at the C2BMC prime contractor’s SIL for development and flight test activities.Support United States Government (USG) and Foreign Military Sales (FMS) development and support efforts. Support software and hardware engineering technical reviews via incremental development such as Agile methodologies.Adhere to guidance and develop program documentation including but not limited to management plans, quality, safety, security, reliability, risk, program protection, cybersecurity, integration, interoperability, capability roadmaps, Concept of Operations (CONOPS), trade studies, cost, schedule and performance, working groups, contract execution, development oversight, and reporting.Develop and maintain AN/TPY-2 Operation Mission Plans/Profiles (OMPs) across several geographical locations.Support Flight and Ground Test Planning, Execution, and Analysis.Software Engineering Releases (ER), Formal Releases (FR), and Maintenance Releases (MR) to support material release of capabilities for Technical Capability Declaration (TCD) and Operational Capability Baseline (OCB) concurrence.Support radar software Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) at the Government’s Software Engineering Directorate (SED).Engineering support for all X-Band radars to facilitate maintenance efforts which may include but are not limited to trade studies, hardware obsolescence studies, hardware redesign, technology insertion, and refurbishment efforts.Production ComponentsInstallation Kit of Electronic Equipment (IKEE)Spares for radar components (including GaN TRIMMs)Fleet refurbishment and upgrade activityDREX Upgrade KitsNext Generation Server/Network KitsWarfighter SupportSupport for wargames and exercises planning, execution, and analysis for all MDS ground-based sensors (SBX and AN/TPY-2).  MDA/SN anticipates the following types of support on an annual basis.Large Event Support (one event per year):SME support in pre-event analysis that indicates detailed expected system behavior during event execution, an execution support plan with subsequent event support, and post-event analysis that can be used to validate the pre-event analysis, and any requested post-event reporting.Medium Event Support (four events per year):SME support in limited or reduced pre-event analysis that indicates high-level or narrowly-focused expected system behavior during event execution, an execution support plan with subsequent event support and post-event analysis that can be used to affirm system behavior, plus any requested post-event reporting.Small Event Support (six or more events per year): SME support in a question/answer role during pre-event meetings or set-up, may participate or be on-call during execution, and be in an advisory capacity for post-event analysis.Provide MDA Test Event and Real-World Event (RWE) analysis briefings to WFs. Test events are those MDA-sponsored and conducted events that test new software and capabilities. Briefings to Warfighters (WF) help WF understand new capabilities so that they can create or update Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures (TTP). Real-World Events (RWE) are those missile launch events conducted by non-US entities that demonstrate new capability by those entities. These events are tracked and analyzed to make improvements to the Missile Defense System, and to provide updates to WFs who must defend against these capabilities.Estimate three test events per yearTwo meetings for each major test eventSix RWE briefings for each major test eventProvide support for Operational Mission Plan (OMP) Development.Support OMP Development Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs)Provide analysis needed to support WF and development equitiesProvide Education Sessions (ES) to BMD WFs on Sensor capabilities, upgrades, and performance.ES can include education support for new capability deliveries, operations support to the sensor managers during test operations and SME support for Tactics, Techniques and Procedures reviewOne, week-long ES per the Army Air and Missile Defense Commands (AAMDC) per year at any of the AAMDC OCONUS locations Up to four, five-day ES events in CONUSProvide support for development, fielding, and sustainment of the Forward-Based Mode (FBM) Planner Tool.Develop training materials for Planner operationAssist in deployment to Combatant Command (COCOM) and Service usersInitial set-up and trainingAssist User organizations in developing recurring and sustainment trainingProvide training for upgrades to Planner capabilityProviding reach-back support for Users as the initial contact point for Planner issues.Instructions for Submissions: No later than the 30 calendar days from the release date of this RFI, respondents are invited to prepare and submit the following (Classified information is not requested in responses):Executive Summary (not to exceed 5 pages or slides, excluding 1.d. below) that includes:A summary matrix indicating interest in one or more of the three major requirement areas listed above.Indication if the respondent possesses a facility clearance and to what level.Descriptive Data:Company NamePoint of ContactAddressTelephone and Fax NumbersE-mail AddressDUNS NumberCAGE Code and/or Tax ID NumberBusiness Size Standard and applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codesIndicate whether Government Furnished technical data, requirements documents, programmatic and operations information, standards, and Government directives and instructions would be required in order to facilitate the execution of the capabilities identified in response to this RFI.  List and describe this data (does not count toward page limit for Executive Summary).Indicate whether the respondent is currently performing as a MDA TEAMS or TEAMS-NEXT prime or subcontractor (include the contract name(s) and number(s)).For each major requirement area identified above in which the respondent expresses capability/interest, submit:White paper (not to exceed 10 pages) that discusses respondent’s capabilities, associated risks, and mitigation strategies to support the requirement areas identified in the Executive Summary.  Note:  Risk mitigation strategies should address but are not limited to:Development or improvement of X-Band radar capabilities including experience, Agile software processes, and hardware/software testing.Production of AN/TPY-2 Radar system components. Mitigation of any production learning curve impacts (trained personnel, maintenance, and situational awareness, etc.).Failure examination and root cause analysis of failed weapon system components.A capability brief discussing (not to exceed 15 slides) the respondent’s capabilities to perform the requirement area(s) identified in the Executive Summary and relevant experience. The brief should include:A schedule estimate highlighting initial capability delivery/availability.If your response addresses a subset of a requirement area identified in the Executive Summary versus the entire requirement, address how any seams/gaps would be mitigated.Description of any experience with MDA Mission Assurance Provisions (MAP) and Parts, Materials and Processes (PMP) compliance.Description of any experience with configuration management processes and tools during development and production.Identification of any software Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) designations and experience with Agile processes.Because one objective of this RFI is to determine the capability of small business to meet the requirements contained herein, MDA requests the following information:The prime small business contractor responding to this RFI must include their past experience in managing subcontractors on similar requirements, and if applicable, include subcontractor or teaming partners’ past experience applicable to requirements specified in this RFI.Responsible small businesses planning teaming arrangements to meet the support requirements listed above are expected to articulate the portions of work that the prime small business intends to perform as well as articulate the portions that subcontractors or teaming partners (if applicable) will perform. Responses must include business size and business socio-economic category of all subcontractors or teaming partners identified to perform work associated with the NAICS for this RFI.If responding as a team, describe the team’s probable membership, organization, and approach.Proprietary information is neither sought nor desired by MDA. If such information is submitted, it must clearly be marked "proprietary" on every sheet containing such information, and the proprietary information must be segregated to the maximum extent practicable from other portions of the response (e.g., use an attachment or exhibit). Respondents are responsible for adequately marking proprietary information contained in their response.The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and its amendments have resulted in an increasing number of requests for copies of industry documents submitted to federal agencies. If a respondent’s submissions contain information that he/she believes should be withheld from such requestors under FOIA on the grounds that they contain “trade secrets and commercial or financial information” [5 USC§552(b)(4)], the respondent should mark its submissions in the following manner: The following notice should be placed on the title page: “Some parts of this document, as identified on individual pages, are considered by the respondent to be privileged or confidential trade secrets or commercial or financial information not subject to mandatory disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act. Material considered privileged or confidential on such grounds is contained on page(s) [enter page number(s)].” Each individual item considered privileged or confidential under FOIA should be marked with the following notice: “The data or information is considered by the submitter to be confidential or privileged, and is not subject to mandatory disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.”The Government intends to use third party, non-Government (i.e. contractor) support personnel as Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) in the review of responses received, including the review of any marked or unmarked proprietary information provided. Appropriate non-disclosure agreements have been executed between the third party, non-Government support personnel and the MDA and are on file with the MDA. A submission of a response to this RFI constitutes a grant of authority by the respondent to the MDA to allow access to Federal personnel and these third party individuals to any content of the submission that may constitute material with the ambit of the Trade Secrets Act, 18 U.S.C. 1905.A respondent’s information/documents submitted in response to this RFI will not be returned.Contracting Office Address:Missile Defense Agency, MDA-SNKBuilding 5224, Martin RdAttn: VBIII, Redstone Arsenal, AL, 35898, UNITED STATESPoint of Contact(s):Brandon A. Smith, Procuring Contracting Officer, Ground SensorsPhone 256-450-4689Email:  Brandon.a.smith@mda.mil