How to Win the SOF TEAMS IV Contract: A Guide for Government Contractors

Introduction

The U.S. Army Program Executive Office for Simulation, Training and Instrumentation (PEO STRI) is expected to release a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Special Operations Forces Training, Engineering, and Maintenance Support IV (SOF TEAMS IV) contract in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023. This contract will provide onsite simulator maintenance and support services for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne) (SOAR (A)) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and other locations as required. The estimated value of the contract is $46 million, and the duration is one year base plus four one-year options. This article will provide an overview of the historical background, RFP description, eligibility criteria, and potential challenges of this opportunity, as well as some tips on how to prepare a winning proposal.

Historical Background

The SOF TEAMS contract was first awarded in 2009 to NOVA Technologies, a small business that specializes in providing technology and support for military training systems. The contract was recompeted and awarded again to NOVA Technologies in 2014 and 2019, with Pinnacle Solutions as a subcontractor. The current SOF TEAMS III contract has a ceiling value of $62 million and is set to expire in January 2024. The SOF TEAMS IV contract is the follow-on effort to the current contract, and it is expected to have similar scope and requirements.

RFP Description

The SOF TEAMS IV contract will provide onsite simulator maintenance and support services for the 160th SOAR (A), which is the only special operations aviation force in the world. The 160th SOAR (A) operates a variety of rotary-wing aircraft, such as the MH-47 Chinook, the MH-60 Black Hawk, and the MH-6 Little Bird, to conduct night or adverse weather missions across the globe. The SOF TEAMS IV contractor will be responsible for maintaining and supporting the simulators and training devices that are used to train the pilots and crew members of these aircraft. The contractor will also provide engineering services, such as software development, configuration management, testing, and integration, to ensure the simulators are updated and compatible with the latest aircraft systems and mission scenarios.

The RFP for the SOF TEAMS IV contract is expected to be released in October 2023, with proposals due in November 2023. The award decision is expected to be made in February 2024, with a period of performance starting in March 2024. The RFP will be issued as a full and open competition under NAICS code 541330 – Engineering Services, with a size standard of $41.5 million. The RFP will be posted on beta.SAM.gov under solicitation number W900KK23RXXX1.

Who Should Participate

The SOF TEAMS IV contract is a great opportunity for government contractors that have experience and expertise in providing simulator maintenance and support services for military aviation units, especially special operations forces. The contractor must have a thorough understanding of the 160th SOAR (A)’s mission requirements, operational environment, aircraft systems, simulator architectures, and training objectives. The contractor must also have qualified personnel who can perform onsite services at Fort Campbell and other locations as required. The contractor must have a Top Secret facility clearance and personnel security clearances at the Secret level or higher.

The SOF TEAMS IV contract is also a potential opportunity for small businesses that can offer innovative solutions or niche capabilities that can enhance the quality and efficiency of the simulator maintenance and support services. Small businesses can either bid as prime contractors or seek teaming arrangements with larger contractors that can leverage their strengths and mitigate their weaknesses.

Challenges

The SOF TEAMS IV contract is not without challenges. Some of the potential challenges that contractors may face are:

• Competition: The SOF TEAMS IV contract is likely to attract strong competition from both incumbent and new entrants. The incumbent contractor, NOVA Technologies, has a proven track record of delivering high-quality services for the 160th SOAR (A) for over a decade. New entrants may have to overcome the incumbent’s advantage by demonstrating superior technical capabilities, past performance, or price competitiveness.
• Technical Requirements: The SOF TEAMS IV contract has complex and demanding technical requirements that require advanced skills and knowledge in simulator maintenance and engineering. The contractor must be able to maintain and support various types of simulators and training devices that simulate different aircraft systems and mission scenarios. The contractor must also be able to perform software development, configuration management, testing, and integration tasks to ensure the simulators are updated and compatible with the latest aircraft systems and mission scenarios.
• Security Requirements: The SOF TEAMS IV contract has stringent security requirements that require the contractor to have a Top Secret facility clearance and personnel security clearances at the Secret level or higher. The contractor must also comply with the Special Operations Forces Information Assurance (SOFIA) requirements, which are specific to the special operations community and may differ from the standard Department of Defense (DoD) information assurance requirements. The contractor must also protect the sensitive and classified information that is involved in the simulator maintenance and support services.

Conclusion

The SOF TEAMS IV contract is a lucrative and challenging opportunity for government contractors that can provide simulator maintenance and support services for the 160th SOAR (A). The contractor that wins this contract will have the privilege of supporting one of the most elite and versatile aviation units in the world. To win this contract, the contractor must demonstrate a deep understanding of the 160th SOAR (A)’s mission requirements, operational environment, aircraft systems, simulator architectures, and training objectives. The contractor must also showcase its technical capabilities, past performance, and price competitiveness.

If you are interested in pursuing the SOF TEAMS IV contract, contact us today at www.gdicwins.com. We will work with you to understand your strengths and weaknesses, develop a winning strategy, and deliver a high-quality proposal that meets or exceeds the customer’s expectations. We are always there when you need us and work 24/7 to ensure timely delivery of the documents as well as provide effective consultation to ensure proper management of your bid opportunities. Let us help you win the SOF TEAMS IV contract and grow your business.