SEEK EAGLE MODELING, ANALYSIS, AND TOOLS SUPPORT (SEMATS) 4

EDITED (20260730): After reviewing the extract from the draft PWS, vendors interested in responding to this sources sought announcment should send a statement of interest that broadly matches their own capabilites and already-demonstrated experience to those services shown below. While links to your company's website are appreciated, your response should not simpy refer us to your website. THE BELOW INFORMATION IS EXTRACTED FROM THE DRAFT PWS FOR THIS FUTURE SOLICITATION. WHILE THE INFORMATIOIN IS DEEMED ACCURATE WITH REGARDS TO THE SCOPE OF WORK REQUIRED, THE USG RESERVES THE RIGHT TO AMEND THE INFORMATION AND TASKS PRIOR TO THE OFFICIAL RELEASE OF THE RFP PWS. 1.0 DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES 1.1 General. This is a non-personnel services contract to provide SEEK EAGLE Modeling, Analysis, and Tools Support (SEMATS) 4 services to the U.S. Air Force SEEK EAGLE Office (AFSEO). The government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the contractor who, in turn is responsible to the government. 1.1.1 Description of Services/Objectives. The contractor shall provide all management, personnel, equipment, supplies, facilities, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and other items and non-personal services necessary to perform SEMATS 4 as defined in this Performance Work Statement (PWS) except for those items specified as Government Furnished Property and services. The contractor shall meet the standards in this contract. This includes the planning, coordination, and surveillance of the activities necessary to ensure disciplined work performance and timely resources application to accomplish all tasks under the contract. The contractor shall be responsible for maintaining communication with the contracting officer (CO) and the contracting officer’s representative (COR), and to immediately notify both the CO and the COR of any problems that would prevent timely performance of this contract. The contractor is responsible for and required to implement, and maintain management control systems necessary to plan, organize, direct, and control all activities under this contract. 1.1.2 Scope. This Performance Work Statement (PWS) describes, in general, the required efforts under the SEMATS 4 Task Order (TO). The Contractor shall ensure that a broad range of expertise is available to support assigned tasks within mission responsibilities. The primary scope of the work is to provide software and data-based modeling, M&S, analysis, and tool and/or product development support. The scope includes professional engineering and technical support, management and non-technical support services for the AFSEO’s compatibility evaluation and mission planning processes and the development of M&S tools and products. The scope also encompasses network support services for an array of advanced M&S tools and high-performance computing resources as well as first line USAF Standard Desktop support. The SEMATS 4 scope does not include “inherently governmental functions” nor does it permit or include Personal Services. 1.2 Background. Air Force Pamphlet (AFPAM) 63-129, Chapter One, The SEEK EAGLE Program, defines the United States Air Force (USAF) standard process for aircraft-stores certification and designates the AFSEO as the organization responsible for managing all store certification activities. The mission of the AFSEO is to “deliver war-winning capability by expanding the compatibility of state-of-the-art stores on current and future generation aircraft, and by providing accurate combat weapon delivery software.” The AFSEO executes this mission by providing manpower, engineering tools, computer models and simulations, data, engineering rationale, and mission planning software applications necessary to safely load, carry, and employ inventory and developmental stores (e.g. weapons, tanks, pods) on fleet aircraft, along with the research and development necessary to influence follow-on aircraft and weapon system designs and production. Historically, the majority of the AFSEO mission has been focused on aircraft with externally carried weapon systems. As fifth-generation aircraft enter service and sixth-generation aircraft begin to materialize, the focus on carrying weapon systems in internal weapons bays will increase. In addition, weapon technologies continue to advance resulting in lighter weight weapons with complex geometric shapes, multiple aerodynamic surfaces, and advanced electronics. As these technologies mature and war-fighting capabilities increase, it becomes increasingly important to address aircraft-store compatibility issues. To understand the overall effects on aircraft performance and weapon employment characteristics due to advancing technology, extensive Modeling and Simulation (M&S), analyses, and test (both ground and flight), are required to assure safety-of-flight for the aircrew, weapon employment acceptability, and air worthiness. Expert skills and technological developments are needed to impact future aircraft and store designs/design changes for the purpose of providing maximum operational capability for the warfighter. The dynamic nature of the technical support requirements demands the availability of a workforce with flexibility and experience committed to accomplishing current tasks as well as the development of tools and models required to influence future aircraft weapon systems necessary to meet future challenges. The transfer of models, simulations, and tools from the aircraft original equipment manufacturer (OEM) to the AFSEO and the Contractor is essential for the research and development efforts necessary to determine solutions to future warfighter requirements. The Contractor shall be proficient in the continued research and development of these OEM products for the purpose of the investigation of possible solutions, the evaluation of solutions, and the documentation of solutions for future warfighter outcomes and capabilities. This PWS requires systems engineering, requirements analysis, design, and development of applicable models and simulations, which will integrate into higher level system elements for the purpose of producing aircraft weapon system solutions. Open air, ground and flight testing will be required to validate the model and simulation predictions required for improved warfighter capabilities. Additionally, research and development activity and products produced from the Contractor, in support of the AFSEO, influence the design, development, and manufacture of future aircraft weapon systems, as well as upgrades to fielded systems. 1.3 Inherently Governmental Function. The contractor shall not perform inherently governmental functions as defined in FAR Subpart 7.5 in relationship to this PWS. 1.4 Period of Performance. This is a five-year contract with 1 basic year and four option years. 1.5 Location and Hours of Work. Accomplishment of the effort contained in this PWS requires work at Contractor and Government facilities across various geographical locations (primarily in the continental United States (US)). The primary location of work is Eglin AFB FL. Normal workdays are Monday through Friday except US Federal Holidays. Workers normally work eight (8) hours per day, 40 hours per week. Flexible working hours (i.e. flextime) are permitted when performance is on-site, within the following guidelines: flextime workers shall not start earlier than 0600 and not later than 0900. Core hours of work are from 0900 to 1500 daily. All employees, whether working on-site or remotely, are expected to be available during core hours. Shortterm situations may make performance in excess of 8 hours per day, 40 hours per week necessary on occasion. The Contractor must ensure that they can provide for this contingency. 1.6 Tasks. The primary scope of the work is to provide software and data-based modeling, Modeling & Simulation (M&S), analysis, and tool and/or product development support. The scope includes professional engineering and technical support, management and non-technical support services for the AFSEO’s compatibility evaluation and mission planning processes and the development of M&S tools and products. The Contractor shall conduct the activities and tasks outlined in the following paragraphs. 1.6.1 Multi-Disciplinary Computational Technologies. The Contractor shall develop, sustain and use current and next generation tools. 1.6.2 Software Development and Sustainment. The Contractor shall provide development and sustainment of software tools and applications to support the AFSEO mission. The Contractor shall identify and prioritize AFSEO tool requirements; provide annual strategic execution and project planning, inputs for budget estimates; and execute software development and sustainment projects. These duties include: 1.6.2.1 Providing database software development and sustainment for the AFSEO Compatibility Enterprise System (ACES) and any follow-on systems. The Contractor shall design, edit and sustain ORACLE and SQL Server relational databases; and integrate Common-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) software using Application Programming Interfaces to communicate with ACES when needed. 1.6.2.2 Providing development and sustainment of engineering tools for analysis of aircraft carriage mechanics and carriage interference characteristics to support store compatibility evaluations. This shall include modeling the aircraft store combination for computer simulation, running computer simulations, and documenting changes to existing analysis software. 1.6.3 Computer-Aided Design and Stores Integration. The Contractor shall provide M&S support to include development, testing, and debugging of 3-dimensional and animated modeling software. The Contractor shall work with advanced engineering computer hardware to produce models of, but not limited to aircraft, suspension equipment and stores. These duties shall include: 1.6.3.1 Managing engineering and technical support personnel involved in the digital modeling of aircraft, suspension equipment, and stores and associated test equipment. This includes planning and managing multiple projects and coordinating with Department of War (DoW) management. The Contractor shall also provide required M&S products, perform quality assurance, and perform configuration management of all models and programs produced by the Computerized Physical Fit (CPF) team. 1.6.3.2 Designing, creating, and/or modifying aircraft, suspension equipment, stores and associated test equipment models using engineering drawings of aircraft, suspension equipment, stores, loading equipment and other components and associated physical interfaces. The Contractor shall follow the requirements outlined in MIL-STD-1289D. The Contractor shall perform quality assurance of all models and programs. 1.6.3.3 Using approved programming languages to develop in-house fit check tools of aircraft, suspension equipment and stores that interface with Siemens UGS NX 5 software or Government directed equivalent. The Contractor shall develop user friendly Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) so personnel can perform fit checks without being fully trained in the UGS NX 5 software. 1.6.3.4 Providing support for editing, modifying, and maintaining Siemens UGS files. The Contractor shall design, modify, and maintain relational databases. 1.6.3.5 Providing configuration control for M&S data. The Contractor shall create and maintain model history sheets and develop and execute procedures for archiving all M&S data. 1.6.4 Computational Fluid Dynamics. The Contractor shall perform the evaluation of numerical solution methods, the implementation of these techniques in a production environment, and the performance of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analyses for aircraft and store configurations. The Contractor shall produce and maintain simulation algorithms, codes and pre/post-processing software tools developed specifically for CFD investigations. These duties shall include: 1.6.4.1 Creating 3-dimensional surface and volume grids necessary to generate CFD analyses. The Contractor shall use both structured and unstructured methodologies and shall apply these methods to solve complex aircraft/weapon configurations. The Contractor shall use CFD codes and associated tools supporting the dynamic, time-accurate analysis of bodies in relative motion. The Contractor shall support aerodynamic M&S related to aero-elastic effects, weapon carriage and release, and internal weapons bay physics. 1.6.4.2 Creating 3-dimensional surface and volume grids necessary to generate CFD analyses. The Contractor shall use both structured and unstructured methodologies and shall apply these methods to solve complex aircraft/weapon configurations. The Contractor shall use CFD codes and associated tools supporting the dynamic, time-accurate analysis of bodies in relative motion. The Contractor shall support aerodynamic M&S related to aero-elastic effects, weapon carriage and release, and internal weapons bay physics. 1.6.4.3 Estimating and documenting the time and cost of CFD analysis necessary to complete the store certification process. The Contractor shall document aerodynamic analyses and write justifications to support compatibility issues. 1.6.5 High Performance Computing Software Development. The Contractor shall develop software using an approved Government development process, targeted at High Performance Computing (HPC) hardware. The Contractor shall apply computer engineering principles, practices, and techniques to solve difficult and unprecedented design problems involving HPC hardware. These duties shall include: 1.6.5.1 Managing projects. The Contractor shall coordinate and direct major software development efforts to include HPC hardware optimization and Internet web-enabled applications. 1.6.5.2 Developing software. The Contractor shall develop, using approved Government processes, software implementations of complex software architectures in various computer science languages to simulate multiple physical phenomena on HPC hardware. 1.6.6 Project Management/Project Planning. The Contractor shall provide project management and project planning support using project portfolio management tools specified by the Government for compatibility recommendations to air worthiness authorities and test work requests (to include mission summaries) to test organizations. Examples of recommendations include Recommended Flight Clearances (RFCs), Risk Assessments (RAs), Engineering Letters (ELs), and Certification Recommendations (CRs). In addition, the Contractor shall provide support as described in the following paragraphs. 1.6.6.1 Pre-Project Planning/AFSEO Customer Interface. The Contractor shall ensure that aircraft technical support concerns are addressed early in the developmental phase for each project assigned. This shall include but is not limited to documentation technical reviews, participating in requirement and design reviews and Technical Interchange Meetings (TIM), providing engineering and analysis support, and providing flight and ground test support. 1.6.6.2 Project Planning. The Contractor shall generate a project strategy, to include cost, schedule and requirements for the applicable period of performance for each project assigned. The Contractor shall generate a Statement of Capability (SOC), Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) letter, Project Plan, test work requests, or other documentation as required by the Government. Financial status shall be tracked using appropriate JON and WBS codes, which will be provided by the Government. The Contractor shall begin the execution phase of the project when approved by the Government. 1.6.6.3 Project Execution. The Contractor shall manage the execution of the analysis and test activities according to the Project Plan to meet AFSEO's customer requirements for each project assigned. The Contractor shall maintain current project status (cost, schedule and performance information) in the SEMSS or equivalent database (as determined by the Government) for each project assigned. The Contractor shall use this information to brief AFSEO management on project status, as required. The Contractor shall support meetings and/or conferences that may require travel. 1.6.6.4 Project Documents. The Contractor shall coordinate, generate, track, and revise recommendation documents to airworthiness authorities for applicable aircraft and store combinations for each project assigned. 1.6.7 Compatibility Engineering and Analysis. The Contractor shall provide engineering and analysis to support the AFSEO as described in the following paragraphs. 1.6.7.1 Fit and Function. The Contractor shall provide store fit and function support to determine whether stores are physically compatible with aircraft IAW MIL-STD-1289D. These tasks shall include: 1.6.7.1.1 Reviewing sources of existing technical data. Examples of data sources include but are not limited to: official USAF technical reports, contractor and in-house reports, Memorandum for Records (MFRs), military standards, and drawings. 1.6.7.1.2 Estimating and documenting the time and cost of required fit and function analysis and testing necessary to complete the aircraft-store certification process. 1.6.7.1.3 Performing analysis to determine if a store can be loaded and maintained while on the aircraft, assess the store functionality, and perform digital and physical fit checks if needed. 1.6.7.1.4 Interpreting the results from all data sources and providing sound recommendations for loading, installation and functionality of stores. Additionally, the Contractor shall provide assistance with creation of loading and installation manuals. Lastly, the Contractor shall provide inputs as required to aircraft and store original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) that document engineering findings related to engineering analyses findings and conclusions. 1.6.7.2 Structural Load Engineering. The Contractor shall provide engineering and technical support in the area of structural loads and vibrations, acoustics, and/or thermal (as required) for stores, suspension and release equipment, and aircraft required for the store certification process. The Contractor shall support the entire aircraft store Evaluate Compatibility and certification process. The Contractor shall provide the Government with the required test plans, technical reports, computer software products, and computer documentation indicated in the duties below along with all other products required in each task. These duties shall include: 1.6.7.1 Reviewing sources of existing technical data to ensure compliance with MIL-STD-8591 for substantiation of recommended operating limits. Examples of data sources include but are not limited to: official USAF technical reports, contractor and in-house reports, MFRs, military standards, and drawings. 1.6.7.2 Estimating and documenting the time and cost of conducting required loads analysis, testing and reporting necessary to complete the aircraft-store certification process. Analysis requirements shall include but not be limited to any of the following: analytical aerodynamic evaluations (e.g. CFD), loads analysis, stress analysis, and vibration analysis. Testing requirements shall include but not be limited to any of the following: wind tunnel tests, static loads tests, ground vibration tests, non-instrumented flight tests, and instrumented flight tests. 1.6.7.3 Conducting analysis by manual and computer methods to evaluate inertial and aerodynamic loads and stress on aircraft, stores, and suspension and release equipment. This shall include using commercial and in-house developed software. 1.6.7.4 Developing and documenting required computer software and computer analysis methods using approved Government processes to create an in-house capability to analyze loads and stresses on the aircraft. This shall include using numerical methods to determine flexible aircraft loads from rigid airframe aerodynamic data, aerodynamic influence coefficients, structural influence coefficients, mass distribution data, 6-degree of freedom simulation data, and Finite Element Models (FEM). The Contractor shall develop and document any software necessary to perform this analysis. 1.6.7.5 Preparing and supporting off-site wind tunnel tests to gather store and/or aircraft loads data to support store certification efforts. This shall include determining test configurations, wind tunnel chamber conditions (e.g. Mach number, total pressure, angle of attack), and data requirements; developing a wind tunnel test plan; attending pre-test coordination meetings; making technical decisions during the test; and reducing the data. 1.6.7.6 Preparing, executing, and documenting static loads and ground vibration tests to gather store and/or aircraft load data to support store certification efforts. This shall include determining test configurations, worst case loading cases, and data requirements; developing a static loads and ground vibration test plan; attending pre-test coordination meetings; setting up of the test stand; controlling the test apparatus; making technical decisions during the test; reducing the data; and documenting the test results. 1.6.7.7 Preparing and supporting non-instrumented structural loads flight tests to gather store and/or aircraft loads data to support store certification efforts. This shall include determining test configurations, flight test conditions, and tolerances; and providing risk assessments, test maneuvers, and data requirements. This also includes developing mission summaries; attending pre-test coordination, safety, and technical review meetings; reviewing flight test cards; inspecting the store and aircraft prior to flight; attending the mission pre and post briefings; inspecting the store and aircraft after flight; and documenting the test results. 1.6.7.8 Preparing and supporting instrumented structural loads flight tests to gather store and/or aircraft loads data to support store certification efforts. This shall include determining test configurations, flight conditions and tolerances, test maneuvers, and data requirements. This shall also include developing mission summaries, attending pre-test coordination meetings, safety/technical review meetings, reviewing flight test cards, inspecting the store and aircraft prior to flight, attending the mission pre and post briefings, verifying instrumentation calibration, assisting in setting up mission control room (e.g. Central Control Facility (CCF)), monitoring safety-of-flight parameters in a control room during the flight test mission, inspecting the store and aircraft after flight, reducing the data, and documenting the test results. 1.6.7.9 Interpreting the results from all data sources and providing sound operating limit recommendations (e.g. Mach number, airspeed, acceleration limits). 1.6.8 Electromagnetic Compatibility/Electromagnetic Interface Engineering. The Contractor shall provide support in the area of aircraft-store Electromagnetic Compatibility/Electromagnetic Interface (EMC/EMI) capability. These duties shall include: 1.6.8.1 Estimating and documenting the time and cost of required for conducting EMC/EMI analysis, testing and reporting necessary to complete the aircraft-store certification recommendation. 1.6.8.2 Reviewing sources of existing technical data to substantiate compatibility recommendations. Examples of data sources include but are not limited to: MIL-STD-464 (A, B, C), MIL-STD-461 (A-F), DoW Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO) reports, technical reports, contractor and in-house reports, MFRs, and drawings. 1.6.8.3 Conducting analysis of aircraft-store configurations using appropriate computational methods (linear, nonlinear, and computational electromagnetic) to evaluate the EMC/EMI characteristics. Additionally, the Contractor shall develop and sustain analysis software tools and models using approved Government processes for the purpose of evaluating EMC/EMI characteristics. 1.6.8.4 Preparing and supporting EMC/EMI testing including preparing methods of test, executing the test or assisting in testing, including the use of network analyzers, spectrum analyzers, precision instrumentation, antennas and low-loss hardware, collecting and analyzing test results, and preparing test reports. Testing can occur many bases and facilities. 1.6.8.5 Interpreting the results from all data sources and providing sound compatibility recommendations. 1.6.9 Stability and Control Engineering. The Contractor shall provide engineering and technical support in the area of aircraft stability and control required for the store certification process. The Contractor shall provide the Government with the required test plans, technical reports, computer software products, and computer documentation indicated in the duties below along with all other products required in each task. These duties shall include: 1.6.9.1 Reviewing sources of existing technical data for substantiation of recommended operating limits. Examples of data sources include but are not limited to: official USAF technical reports, contractor and in-house reports, MFRs, military standards, and drawings. 1.6.9.2 Estimating and documenting the time and cost of conducting the required stability and control analysis and testing necessary to complete the aircraft store certification process. Analysis requirements shall include but not be limited to any of the following: analytical aerodynamic evaluations including CFD and 6-degree of freedom simulation. Testing requirements shall include but not be limited to any of the following: wind tunnel tests, non-instrumented flight tests, and instrumented flight-tests. 1.6.9.3 Conducting analysis by manual and computer methods. This shall include modeling the aircraft store combination for computer simulation, running computer simulations to evaluate the aircraft stability and control characteristics, and modifying and documenting changes to existing analysis software for evaluating an aircraft's stability and control characteristics. Additionally, the Contractor shall develop and document analysis software using approved Government processes for the purpose of evaluating an aircraft's stability and control characteristics. 1.6.9.4 Preparing and supporting off-site wind tunnel tests to gather aircraft stability and control data to support store certification efforts. This shall include determining test configurations, wind tunnel chamber conditions (e.g. Mach number, total pressure, angle of attack), and data requirements; authoring a wind tunnel test plan; attending pre-test coordination meetings; making technical decisions during the test; and reducing the data. 1.6.9.5 Preparing and supporting non-instrumented stability and control flight tests to gather data to support store certification efforts. This shall include determining test configurations, flight test conditions, and tolerances; providing risk assessments, test maneuvers including open loop and closed loop maneuvers, and data requirements; developing mission summaries; attending pre-test coordination, safety, and technical review meetings; reviewing flight test cards; attending mission pre and post briefings; and documenting the test results. 1.6.9.6 Preparing and supporting instrumented stability and control flight tests to gather data to support aircraft store certification efforts. This shall include determining test configurations, flight conditions and tolerances, test maneuvers including open loop and closed loop maneuvers, and data requirements. This shall also include developing mission summaries, attending pre-test coordination meetings, safety/technical review meetings, reviewing flight test cards, attending mission pre and post briefs, assisting in setting up mission control room (e.g. CCF), monitoring safety-of-flight parameters in a control room during the flight test mission, reducing the data, and documenting the test results. 1.6.9.7 Interpreting the results from all data sources and providing aircraft state (e.g. aircraft's configuration weight, fuel burn, drag indices) and sound operating limit recommendations (e.g. Mach number, airspeed and acceleration limits). 1.6.10 Flutter Engineering. The Contractor shall support the aircraft-store certification process by providing engineering and technical support in the area of aircraft flutter. The Contractor shall provide the Government with the required test plans, technical reports, computer software products, and computer documentation indicated in the duties below along with all other products required in each task. These duties shall include: 1.6.10.1 Reviewing sources of existing technical data for substantiation of recommended operating limits. Examples of data sources include but are not limited to: official USAF technical reports, contractor and in-house reports, MFRs, and military standards. 1.6.10.2 Estimating and documenting the time and cost of required flutter and vibrations analysis and testing necessary to complete the aircraft-store certification process. Testing requirements shall include ground vibration tests and instrumented flutter flight tests. 1.6.10.3 Conducting analyses by manual and computer methods to evaluate flutter characteristics for given aircraft and store configurations. This shall include using commercial and in-house developed software. If necessary, the Contractor shall modify and create computer simulation programs and document changes to existing analysis software. 1.6.10.4 Preparing and supporting instrumented flutter flight tests to gather data to support store certification efforts. This shall include providing risk assessments and determining test configurations, flight conditions, tolerances, test maneuvers, and data requirements. This shall also include developing mission summaries, attending pre-test coordination meetings, attending safety/technical review meetings, reviewing flight test cards, attending the mission pre and post briefs, verifying instrumentation calibration, assisting in setting up mission control room (e.g. CCF), monitoring safety of flight parameters in a control room during the flight test mission, reducing the data, and documenting the test results. 1.6.10.5 Interpreting the results from all data sources and providing sound operating limit recommendations (e.g. Mach number, airspeed, acceleration limits). 1.6.11 Store Separation Engineering. The Contractor shall support the store certification process by providing engineering and technical support in the area of store separations. The Contractor shall provide the Government with the required test plans, technical reports, computer software products, and computer documentation along with all other products required in each task. These duties shall include: 1.6.11.1 Reviewing sources of existing technical data for substantiation of recommended operating limits. Examples of data sources include but are not limited to: official USAF technical reports, contractor and in-house reports, MFRs, military standards, and drawings. 1.6.11.2 Estimating and documenting the time and cost of required store separation analysis and testing necessary to complete the aircraft-store certification process. Analysis requirements shall include but not be limited to any of the following: analytical aerodynamic evaluations including CFD and 6-degree of freedom trajectory simulation. Testing requirements shall include but are not limited to any of the following: wind tunnel tests (e.g. freestream, grid, trajectory, free-drop, and flowfield probe), static ejection tests, and instrumented flight tests. 1.6.11.3 Conducting analysis by manual and computer methods. This shall include modeling the aircraft-store combination for ...