SOURCES SOUGHT
D -- Education Management System Support Services
- Notice Date
- 11/17/2004
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541511
— Custom Computer Programming Services
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Air Force, Air Education and Training Command, Maxwell AFB Contracting Squadron, 50 LeMay Plaza South Bldg 804, Maxwell AFB, AL, 36112-6334
- ZIP Code
- 36112-6334
- Solicitation Number
- Reference-Number-FA3300-AU-SUPPORT-SERVICES
- Response Due
- 12/3/2004
- Archive Date
- 12/18/2004
- Description
- SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS: THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS ANNOUNCEMENT; A MARKET SURVEY FOR INFORMATION ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. PLEASE DO NOT REQUEST A COPY OF A SOLICITATION, AS ONE DOES NOT CURRENTLY EXIST. A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL WILL BE POSTED IN THE NEAR FUTURE FOR A REQUIREMENT THAT WILL BEGIN ON 1 OCT 2005. THIS SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS IS SEPARATE FROM THE SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE POSTED ON 4 NOV 2004, SOLICITATION # FA3300-AU-SOFTWARE. NO REIMBURSEMENT WILL BE MADE FOR ANY COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PROVIDING INFORMATION IN RESPONSE TO THIS SYNOPSIS OR ANY FOLLOW-UP INFORMATION REQUESTS. THE PURPOSE OF THIS SYNOPSIS IS TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF POTENTIALLY QUALIFIED SMALL BUSINESSES. QUALIFIED SMALL BUSINESSES MAY BE INVITED TO PRESENT CAPABILITY BRIEFINGS TO A TECHNICAL PANEL AT MAXWELL AFB, ALABAMA. WHILE THE PURPOSE OF THIS SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS IS TO GAIN KNOWLEDGE OF POTENTIALLY QUALIFIED SMALL BUSINESSES, ALL POTENTIALLY QUALIFIED BUSINESSES ARE ENCOURAGED TO RESPOND. The Government is seeking qualified, experienced sources interested in performing the services identified in the attached summary of requirements. Qualified and experienced should be interpreted to mean performance of the activities listed in the summary specifically within the higher education domain, to include public and private colleges and universities, city, county, state and/or federal government agencies, or professional and/or continuing higher education programs for major corporations. This action is for the software services identified in the summary. The summary represents a broad snap shot of the requirements that could eventually be contracted. Therefore, the Government is requesting that interested concerns furnish the following information: (1) Company name, address, point of contact, telephone number and e-mail address. (2) Type of business, i.e., small, small disadvantaged, woman-owned, HubZone, serviced-disabled veteran-owned small business, etc. under North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 541511 which contains a size standard of $21,000,000.00. (3) Under which NAICS does your company usually perform all the services identified in the attached synopsis? Please include the rationale for your answer. (4) Which of the following would you see as your role in the performance of this potential requirement? (a) Prime Contractor; (b) Subcontractor; or (c) Other, please describe. (5) Based on your understanding of the requirements , what type of contract would you recommend? (a) Firm-fixed-price (FFP); (b) Fixed-price incentive fee (FPIF); (c) Labor hour contract or (d) Combination of the above (please describe); or (e) Other (please describe). Please include the rationale for your answer. (6) Provide no more than three (3) references for no more than three (3) of the most recent and relevant contracts performed within the last three (3) years. Include name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address of references. Also, provide a brief description of the work performed, contract number, total contract value, and period of performance. Contracts must be same or similar to the work described in the synopsis. (7) Please comment and make recommendations on the optimum length of the total contract performance period, with option years based on your experience with contracts of this nature. Please include reasons for your answer. (8) Please describe any customary commercial contract terms or conditions you feel would make any resulting contract more effective. (9) Performance of the work will be at Maxwell AFB, Al. E-mail responses to this request for information are preferred, and should be sent to: harold.melton@maxwell.af.mil, william.griffiths@maxwell.af.mil, or jackie.crawford@maxwell.af.mil. All questions must be submitted in writing and forwarded to the aforementioned points of contact. Mr. Melton can be reached by phone at 334-953-7461, TSgt Griffiths at 334-953-2443, and Ms. Crawford at 334-953-2560. Mailed responses should be submitted to the attention of Mr. Harold Melton, 42d Contracting Squadron, 50 LeMay Plaza South, Bldg 804, Maxwell AFB AL 36112-6334. The due date and time for responses to this synopsis is 1:00 pm Central Standard Time on 03 DEC 04. Attachment Synopsis of Requirement: Date: 17 Nov 2004 SUMMARY of REQUIREMENT for AIR UNIVERSITY?S SOFTWARE SUPPORT SERVICES I. OBJECTIVE The objective of this summary is to describe the requirements of Air University (AU) at Maxwell AFB, AL for software services in support of AU?s education mission. This summary captures in general terms the software development support activities for all existing, planned, and future AU enterprise-level automated information systems (AIS). Typical software technical services and engineering support include capturing user and stakeholder requirements; coordinating with the appropriate AU agency personnel and performing tasks associated with enterprise architecture; capital investment planning; program/project management, identifying functional security, performance requirements, developing logical and physical database models; performing coding, testing, quality assurance, backup/recovery, design, program and system documentation, software maintenance, implementation; and maintaining interoperability between existing and future hardware and software applications. Software applications include, but are not limited to client-server applications, web applications, Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) integration, Government-Off-The-Shelf (GOTS) integration, and custom applications development. The systems provide support to all areas of the AU education mission including: 1) student enrollment and student registration records management; 2) student records administration; 3) course and class planning and scheduling; 4) admissions; 5) production/quota management; 6) curriculum/course management; 7) student and faculty evaluations to include academic testing; 8) faculty and staff administration; 9) institutional effectiveness/research management; 10) publications; 11) equipment resources; 12) financial management; and 13) general office automation. Software services are required to support the functions of the Headquarters AU Directorates, i.e., Central Registrar including Institutional Effectiveness and Course Planning and Programming. The primary AIS supporting the Central Registrar is a J2EE Java JSP based system on an Oracle 9i database. Support is also provided to several AISs in the various AU colleges/schools. These include, but are not limited to the following: Air War College (AWC) educates senior level officers (256 in-resident and 3,500 distant learners) to lead at the strategic level in the development and employment of air and space forces in support of National Security. The primary AIS supporting the AWC resident program is a web based Microsoft.net system on a MS SQL Server 2000 database. Air Command and Staff College (ACSC) is the Air Force?s intermediate professional military education school that prepares field grade officers (over 600 resident and 9,000 distance learners and seminar students) of all services, international officers, and U.S. civilians to assume positions of higher responsibility within the military and other government agencies. Today ACSC provides software services using a Cold Fusion application. The current strategic plan calls for taking the AWC Microsoft.net application and port it to the ACSC academic environment. Squadron Officer College (SOC) consists of the Air and Space Basic Course for 2nd Lieutenants and Squadron Officers School for Captains combined under one college. Together these two schools prepare young officers for challenges of the future and develop tomorrow?s expeditionary force leadership. The AIS supporting the SOC resident course program is a web based Java JSP based system using an Oracle 9i database. Ira C. Eaker College for Professional Development (CPD) provides professional continuing education and technical training to Air Force, International, and other DoD personnel. CPD has eight component schools that offer 83 resident and distance learning courses to over 9,000 students annually. A version of the SOC application was recently modified for CPD and is in final stages of being moved in its Comptroller course. Strategic plans call for taking this same application into the remaining seven schools to accommodate the uniqueness of each school?s requirements. Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) offers and awards job-related associate in applied science degrees that support the career transition of Air Force enlisted members. Over 161,000 students completed about 1.7 million semester hours of course credit through CCAF affiliated schools in 2001-2002. In the October 2004 graduating class, over 7,000 associate in applied science degrees were awarded. The primary AIS supporting the CCAF program is a J2EE Java JSP based system on an Oracle 9i database. This system is in its last major increment for development and should declare Full Operational Capability this calendar year (CY). College for Enlisted Professional Military Education (CEPME) provides PME curriculum for all enlisted education in the Air Force. CEPME schools support includes the Senior Non-Commission Officer Academy at Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, 15 Non-Commission Officer Academies and 68 Airman Leadership Schools (ALS) throughout the world. The AIS supporting the CEPME resident course programs is a web based Java JSP system using an Oracle database. This software system was modified from the original system fielded to support the SOC. Implementation of the ALSs should be completed this CY and remaining enhancements in the subsequent year. Air Force Institute for Advanced Distributed Learning (AFIADL) provides distance learning methodologies and technologies to support instructionally sound learning throughout the service. This is accomplished through the Extension Course Program, the Air Technology Network and ADL consulting services. The primary AIS supporting the AFIADL course program is a COBOL, C programs and Oracle Forms based system with some ASP web components. While declared fully operational, maintenance and enhancements are ongoing (e.g. recent addition of electronic testing). Air Force Officer Accession and Training Schools (AFOATS) provide leadership and policy direction for the Air Force?s officer recruiting, training and commissioning programs at Officer Training School and at Air Force ROTC detachments at 144 universities. About 80 percent of the new officers who enter the Air Force each year come through one of these programs. AFOATS also directs the Air Force?s high school citizenship training program ? Air Force Junior ROTC at more than 744 Air Force ROTC units on high school campuses around the world. Currently, the AFOATS software application is maintained within its organization and is provided here for information only. 2. AIR UNIVERSITY MISSION AND VISION 2.1 Mission. Air University provides the full spectrum of Air Force education, from pre-commissioning to the highest levels of professional military education (PME), including degree granting and professional continuing education (PCE) for officers, enlisted, and civilian personnel throughout their careers. The university?s PME programs educate airmen on the capabilities of air and space power and its role in national security. These programs focus on the knowledge and abilities needed to develop, employ, command, and support air and space power at the highest levels. Specialized PCE programs provide scientific, technological, managerial, and other professional expertise to meet the needs of the Air Force. As the intellectual center for the Air Force, Air University provides consultation to senior service leaders and conducts research in air and space power, education, leadership, and management. The university also provides citizenship programs and contributes to the development and testing of Air Force doctrine, concepts, and strategy. 2.2.Vision. The world?s premier military educational institution, an intellectual center of air and space critical thinking, developing high quality men and women as an expeditionary force committed to our National Military Strategy. Educational Programs focusing on developing, employing, commanding, and supporting air and space power contributions, joint operational readiness, transformation, force development, contingency operations and engagement activities. Providing joint professional military education, experiences, and training to warfighters. 3. Air University Software Services Mission and Goals 3.1 Mission. Provide a full range of information system engineering services ranging from software project management, software systems development and maintenance, database management, release preparation and deployment, software testing, to troubleshooting problems, configuration management, architectural and server supports. We provide quality, flexible, customer-focused services that achieve consistent quality and continuous improvements in efficiency. In the dynamic Air Force environment change is a constant that requires astute planning and the ability to be flexible with the dynamics of changes. Unexpected requests for software support are common in the Air University environment. We expect our service provider to be able to respond effectively to these unexpected surges in workload. 3.2 Goals. Quality, flexible, customer-focused services that enhance Air University?s mission. 4. Functions 4.1 Software Project Management. Manages the development and implementation of new or modified information systems, subsystems, or equipment items to meet organizational cost, schedule, performance, and supportability criteria. Assures surveillance of critical program issues. Performs activities such as directing, controlling, or coordinating actions required to fulfill project goals. May include interaction with contractors, preparation of statements of work, and technical contract management. 4.2 Quality Assurance. Develops and facilitates software quality programs. Typical activities include: develops and refines metrics for use with statistical process control methods. Develops and validates audit criteria for application throughout the system life cycle. Reviews software programs and documentation to ensure compliance with standards. Performs independent assessment of configuration management and testing plans and procedures. Assists in strengthening areas found to be deficient during these assessments. 4.3 Software Configuration management. Applies configuration management disciplines (planning, identification, control status accounting, and auditing) to establish baselines and control all changes made to those baselines. Includes control of software configuration items such as documentation, software, hardware, and version releases. May develop configuration management plans, policies, and procedures. Could include evaluating contractor delivered management products and services. 4.4 Requirements Evaluation & Proposal. Performs functions, including assisting customers with tasks, directed toward formulation and definition of system/application requirements derived from educational institution functional processes including: student administration, student record management/ administration, curriculum development (including simulation), curriculum management, curriculum delivery, and/or organizational resource management. 4.5 Analysis. Supports application software development and/or maintenance throughout the life cycle, (i.e., initial requirements definition through implementation and post deployment support.) Assists end users in deciding which processes to automate, how to select software and/or equipment, and how to use available technology. Supports software design through specification development, coding, documentation, testing and implementation. 4.6 Design. Perform functions to ensure software design is consistent with the software requirements IAW Software Design Specifications and other life cycle documentation. Included in this is the requirement to work one-on-one with the customer in a Joint Application Design (JAD) relationship to bring out the true intent of the software requirements. 4.7 Development. Supports development of automated computer systems that provide all levels of information used to support the operations, planning, management, analysis, and decision-making functions. Typical languages include COBOL, 4GLs, and Java. May include implementation of Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) or Government-Off-The-Shelf (GOTS) applications or software components. Frequently includes use of database and communications systems. Using the output from the RAD session, continue to work with the customer to deliver the product exactly meeting the needs of the user. Service includes providing the software documentation. 4.8 Testing. Performs testing to ensure the system meets functional specifications as stated in the requirements documents. Typical activities include development of test objectives and approach; development of test plans, steps, and data; conducting the tests and preparing test reports. May evaluate hardware and software processing efficiencies. May include working as a project test director, evaluate contractor delivered test products and services. May perform Final Operational Evaluation (FOE) on fielded systems. 4.9 Implementation. Performs activities associated with software deployment. 4.10 Customer Support/Maintenance. Performs activities associated with providing customer support and maintenance of system/application. 4.11 Operations and Server Support. Manages coded instructions for the level of software that controls program execution (operating systems), manages system resources, controls data access and file structures, monitors and controls communications, provides utility services to ensure the correct versions are loaded and operational. Includes development or modification of unique utilities for the purpose of operational support, debugging integration of software routines, surveillance of operations system, and preparation of related documentation. 4.12 Database Management/Administration. Designs, develops, integrates, and/or maintains data base structures that provide security, validation methods to assure the integrity and efficiency of the database. This includes identifying and normalizing the data elements, building the schema, establishing security profiles, and creating and monitoring data base load procedures. Advises project managers, analysts, and programmers on data integrity or data base technology. May select, acquire, and implement commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) data base management systems. Manages operational databases to maintain data integrity. May include evaluating contractor delivered data base products and services. 4.13 System/Application Security. Duties primarily involve planning, development, acquisition, implementation, or evaluation of information systems security techniques and procedures. Prepares risk analyses, accreditation and certification packages. May include evaluation of security products and services. 4.14 Architectural and Engineering Support Services. Duties will include providing engineering support services for the AU systems (hardware and software) to maintain a proficient IT environment. This will include providing architectural service for the production of various models to meet Air Force CIO requirements. Services will also include providing recommendations to change the architecture and provide justification for the change.
- Place of Performance
- Address: Maxwell AFB, Montgomery, Alabama
- Zip Code: 36112
- Country: USA
- Zip Code: 36112
- Record
- SN00709413-W 20041119/041117211845 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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