SOURCES SOUGHT ANNOUCEMENT

For

NAVAL AVIATION ENTERPRISE (NAE) COMPLEX MEDIA AND COMPUTER-BASED TRAINING PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

DISCLAIMER

THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.

INTRODUCTION

The Department of the Navy, Naval Air Warfare Center Training Systems Division (NAWCTSD), Orlando, FL, is seeking potential sources with the ability to provide the necessary labor support for the life-cycle development, production, and modernization of complex media and computer-based training products for the Naval Aviation Enterprise (NAE) pilot, aircrew, and maintenance communities. This effort focuses on the procurement of technologically complex media assets and methods to include, at a minimum: static and fully interactive 2D and 3D models, professional instructional videos, conceptual animations/computer generated images, simple and complex games, adaptive instruction utilizing artificial intelligence, and artificial intelligence learning analytics. This encompasses all facets of the systems approach to training and includes the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation to develop Interactive Multimedia Instruction (IMI), PC-Simulations, Desktop Trainers with and without hardware, and Extended Reality (XR) solutions for the United States Navy (USN), United States Marine Corps (USMC), and other Government agencies.

This announcement is to determine the availability and technical capability of small businesses (including the following subsets, HUBZone Small Business concerns; 8(a) Small Business concerns, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business concerns, and Woman-Owned Small Business concerns) to provide the required products and/or services.

If you are a small business interested in being the prime contractor for this effort, please be advised that the FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting, Deviation 2021-O0008 rev 1 is now in effect which includes the definition of “Similarly Situated Entity” and provides a methodology for the 50% calculation for compliance with the clause. Small business primes may count “first tier subcontracted” work performed by similarly situated entities as if it were performed by the prime itself. Please read the full text of the clause deviation (52.219-14 Class Deviation 2021-O0008 rev 1 dated 02/15/23 at https://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/policy/policyvault/USA000277-23-DPC.pdf )

It is anticipated that a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract will be awarded, consisting of a (5) five year ordering period. The anticipated Request for Proposal (RFP) release is the second quarter of FY25. Start of contractor performance is anticipated to be first quarter FY26 inclusive of a 60-day mobilization period.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND

NAWCTSD conducts research, development, testing, evaluation, acquisition, and product support of training systems, to provide Inter-service coordination, and training systems support for the Army, Marine Corps and Air Force, and to perform such other functions and tasks as directed by higher authority. Integral to the success of meeting life-cycle training systems support is the acquisition of training products to support various communities within the Naval Aviation Enterprise. A review of the literature has indicated that training products that are immersive are instrumental in learning and proficiency. This contract is intended to provide a mechanism to rapidly obtain complex media and computer-based training products that increase the level of immersion for learners, ultimately enabling the fleet to train more efficiently. This requirement includes providing all labor, material, travel and resources necessary to analyze, design, develop, deliver, implement, and evaluate training solutions for up to five years. This is a new requirement with no incumbent.

REQUIRED CAPABILITIES

1. Information about your firm:
   1. Name and address of the firm
   2. Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code
   3. Size of business as it relates to the $47M size standard of NAICS code 541330 (Exception 1), and any applicable small business socio-economic classification
   4. Name of a primary Point of Contact (POC) for the response, including title and telephone number
2. Information about capabilities (Yes/No). If answering “No” to any of the below, please identify any teaming partner(s) that would provide the capability, if known. If you are a small business interested in priming this effort and plan to utilize “similarly situated entities” to meet the Limitations on Subcontracting, please identify the name & CAGE Code of the specific firm(s) you intend to partner/subcontract with to meet the requirements as well as their SB size status under the NAICS that you as the prime would assign for their workshare.
   1. Does your firm have experience developing curriculum for a military aviation community (i.e., Navy, Marines, Air Force, Army)?
   2. Does your firm have a minimum of a Secret Facility Clearance Level (FCL)?
   3. Does your firm have a minimum of a Secret Facility Clearance Level (FCL) with safeguard and generate capability?
   4. Does your firm have experience developing 3D Models via performing LIDAR scans or using a professional 3D modelling program and optimizing them for use in IMI or Extended Reality (XR)?
   5. Does your firm have experience developing shot plans, visual script storyboards depicting video scenes and sequence, and productions plans to support the capture, editing, and delivery of professional instructional videos with audio and/or voiceover?
   6. Does your firm have experience developing fully animated videos that contain fully rendered/animated imagery in motion?
   7. Does your firm have experience developing simple games that can be launched within IMI I-III? In a simple game, players make inputs by simple item selection or mouse and keyboard controls. A simple game is defined as a game containing a competitive element, whether via a win/lose condition set to a threshold (right wrong answer or move performed in a time limit or number of points gained or lost), or by pitting learners against each other as competitors.
   8. Does your firm have experience developing a complex scripted game that can be launched within IMI III? A complex game is defined as a game containing a competitive element, whether via a win/lose condition set to a threshold (right wrong answer or move performed in a time limit or number of points gained or lost), or by pitting learners against each other as competitors. In a scripted complex game, a player has more input options than simple item selection or keyboard controls, but there is no open world free play with real-time response. There is a script, or set level with predetermined features that will be present at every replay of the level. A player follows the script, making inputs using controls.
   9. Does your firm have experience developing courseware using Unity or other gaming engines?
   10. Does your firm have experience building adaptive training?
   11. Does your firm have experience developing courseware using artificial intelligence (AI) programming?
   12. Does your firm have experience building adaptive training using AI?
   13. Does your firm have experience building training with an embedded virtual avatar/intelligent tutor?
   14. Does your firm have experience utilizing a visual script storyboard tool when developing high end courseware (i.e., adaptive training, courseware using artificial intelligence programming, courseware using gamification or developed within a gaming engine, etc.)?
   15. Does your firm have experience using an agile process for developing courseware?
   16. Does your firm have experience developing courseware using Merge, Manage, and Modernize e-Learning Development (MELD)?
   17. Does your firm have experience developing IMI consisting of scenario-based complex branching, student interactions, and fully rendered animations/interactive 3D models?
   18. Does your firm have experience building training with gamification elements?
   19. Does your firm have experience developing training that is optimized for mobile devices?
   20. Would your firm be willing to participate in an oral presentation/demonstration as part of a Request for Proposal (RFP) evaluation factor?
3. Information about capabilities (Open-Ended)
   1. What labor categories do you typically assign to develop robust media assets? Please consider the following robust media in your response when identifying labor categories: Interactive 3D Models, Animation/Computer Generated Images (CGI), Professional Videos, Game Development.
   2. What labor categories do you typically assign to develop interactive multimedia instruction (IMI) consisting of scenario-based complex branching, student interactions, and incorporating fully rendered animations/interactive 3D Models?
   3. What labor categories do you typically assign to develop advanced interactive multimedia instruction (IMI) utilizing adaptive training, intelligent tutors, and/or artificial intelligence?
   4. What labor categories do you typically assign to develop PC Simulation, Desktop Trainers, or Extended Reality training solutions?
   5. Does your firm have any past experiences or recommendations on innovative practices/emerging trends within courseware development the Government should consider during future requirements development?
   6. Does your firm have an existing SBIR that could satisfy the requirements specified in this sources sought notice?
   7. Please describe your experience implementing advanced IMI with adaptive training on a Government hosted learning management system (LMS) (e.g., Navy e-Learning, MELD LMS, SHARP)?

ELIGIBILITY

The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code of 541330 (Exception 1); which carries a $47M small business size standard and the applicable PSC code is 6910.

SUBMISSION DETAILS

Interested sources shall submit their written technical capabilities to provide the requirements described above. Detailed written capabilities must be submitted by email to Kathryn Comellas-Deliz at kathryn.r.comellas-deliz.civ@us.navy.mil in an electronic format that is compatible with Microsoft Office 2010 applications (MS Word), no later than 1300 Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 25 August 2024. The submission of this information is for PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to procure any supplies or services. All information shall be furnished at no cost or obligation to the Government. Responses shall be limited to no more than TWENTY (20) pages. Verbal submissions are not acceptable. Information and materials submitted in response to this request WILL NOT be returned. Classified material SHALL NOT be submitted.

Questions concerning this requirement should be directed to the Contract Specialist, Kathryn Comellas-Deliz, via email kathryn.r.comellas-deliz.civ@us.navy.mil or by telephone at 407-380-8547.

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