Added: May 12, 2008 4:30 pm
General Information
Document Type: Sources Sought Notice
Solicitation Number: TBD
Posted Date: May 1, 2008
Archive Date:
Original Response Date:
Current Response Date:
Classification Code: 99-- Miscellaneous
SetAsides:
NAICS Code: 491110 Postal Service
Contracting Office Address
United States Postal Service (USPS)
Material Handling CMC
8403 Lee Highway Dewey Bldg
Merrifield, VA, 22082-8150
Description
The USPS is currently seeking information on available technology and supply sources in the area of Mail Processing Equipment (MPE) Training Simulation Software Application. USPS intends to use the Automated Package Processing System (APPS) platform as the basis for developing the software application. The MPE software application shall represent a fully functional APPS trainer currently used by USPS National Center for Employee Development (NCED). The MPE software application shall to be flexible and easily adaptive to other USPS MPE.
Background
The supplier-provided MPE software application shall enhance the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) needed by the USPS employees who maintain, repair, and service MPE.
The objective of this notice is to gather product information from current engineering and technology sources that can meet the requirements specified herein. This is a request for information only and is not a solicitation to purchase equipment or services. Information gathered through this announcement may be used to pre-qualify alternate sources for a potential competitive product evaluation at USPS and the opportunity to submit a proposal for this solution.
The system description with performance data submission is to be provided to Mr. Tom Raspet, Contracting Officer, Material Handling CMC, 8403 Lee Highway, Merrifield, VA, 22082-8150, Telephone (703) 280-7803 thomas.m.raspet@usps.gov, Requirements Specification Mail Processing Equipment (MPE) Training Software Application Program.
Requirements
The following is a summary list of services that the supplier shall deliver to the USPS.
1. Software Application Build - the supplier shall develop, deliver, maintain and modify the MPE software application as required.
2. Fulfill simulation software requirements.
The supplier is responsible for providing all the resources necessary to develop and deliver the required MPE software application. Resources are to include:
a) Personnel to design, develop, install, and maintain the software application and deliver training to USPS trainers.
b) All training materials and aids.
c) Software Engineers to consult with USPS trainers.
The main goal of the MPE software application requirement is to increase the USPS student s training efficiency.
The supplier shall:
Develop Mail Processing Equipment Training Simulator Software Application for the purpose of training USPS maintenance employees.
Develop the application to monitor and track the student s progress.
Develop the application to archive student records.
Develop and deliver training sessions for USPS trainers.
The supplier shall develop the MPE Training Simulation Software Application to fulfill the following:
1. illustrate every module of the Mail Processing Equipment. Each module shall cover in detail electrical circuits, electronic circuits, signal flows, indicators, etc.
2. illustrate mechanical adjustment/alignment, troubleshooting, and remove/replace procedures for each module of the APPS in both a click to continue and continuous play mode.
3. permit the instructor to enroll students, monitor student progress, track online student activities and record student interaction with the simulation software application. The software application shall be developed so the students have access to their individual records, the instructors will have full access to all records.
4. communicate on an administrative level a record keeping and reporting functionality that links into the USPS Automated Enrollment System (AES).
5. develop an embedded application that can prescribe scenarios/learning content based on assessing the student learning performance.
6. develop a note-taking tool within the application for learners to organize and support their learning as well as to establish cognitive links between different modules.
7. develop an application within the application for learners to compare their troubleshooting solutions with the pre-determined instructors responses.
8. develop means to export and integrate learning content from the application into USPS Learning Content Management System - OutStart Evolution.
9. develop a parsing tool/application for importing the student performance data from the simulation software application into USPS Automated Enrollment System (AES).
10. provide a web link from the simulation software application to the USPS electronic handbooks (e-Handbooks). This web site is hosted by USPS Maintenance Technical Support Center (MTSC).
11. provide a web link from the application to the USPS Automated Enrollment System (AES). This web site is hosted by the NCED.
12. provide Application prototypes in accordance to the USPS application development process.
13. perform software acceptability testing with USPS.
14. develop the MPE Application to be Sharable Content Object Reference Model (SCORM) 2004 compliant.
15. develop an application that emulates the System Manager User Interface functionality including any links to fault information and troubleshooting screens.
16. develop an application that allows the user to perform any directed diagnostics accessible from the System Manager including those initiated from a computer screen but accomplished at another subsystem.
17. include access to a virtual toolbox that combines all special tools, electronic handbook MS-202, and common tools for maintenance such that the user must select the proper tool and settings.
18. develop an application that allows for maintenance activities such as: power up, power down, emergency stop recovery, jam clearing, and subsystem normal operations to confirm operational functionality.
19. develop the application such that the user must select the correct location associated with indicated area of concern and then navigate to the selected area following normal procedures.
20. develop an application that allows the user to replicate MPE Application loading for all networked devices.
21. develop an application that supports the ability to process test mail, initiate image logging and capture for evaluation using random inputs from a predefined list of stored images.
22. develop an application such that any tasks requiring more than one person can be accomplished as a solo or team activity.
23. develop an application that includes the ability to generate knowledge tests and review questions.
24. develop an application to simulate system component programming and calibration. The software application shall allow the user to adjust/align machine components and to remove/replace faulty components.
All text embedded in the software application shall be no higher than the ninth (9th) grade reading level as determined by Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level or similar tools/techniques. Technical depth of documentation and reading level are not synonymous requirements
Schedule & Deliverables
For purposes of this technology assessment and market survey, potential suppliers shall provide MPE software application descriptions with performance data for USPS review. This information is to include a complete description of a working unit which substantiates the supplier s ability to meet the requirements. This written information shall be delivered to Mr. Tom Raspet (address noted above) no later than June 6 2008. In the event that a potential supplier currently has or plans to develop a system which will meet the requirements provided herein, such supplier must provide a date by June 16, 2008 when those development activities would be completed and their system be available for USPS review.
Following USPS review of the submitted MPE software application system descriptions with performance data, a pre-qualification determination will be made and if appropriate competitive evaluation testing plans will be furnished. The pre-qualified suppliers will be firms whose record of performance in the market place has demonstrated their ability to perform to consistently high standards. The USPS will not provide funding for development activities associated with meeting the specified requirements. Interested parties shall submit a total of six (6) hard and six (6) soft data copies of their response including any company promotional handouts, brochures, catalogs, technology performance specifications, and operations manuals of equipment that meets or exceeds these specifications and requirements to the address provided in this announcement. Overly elaborate responses are neither expected nor required. The USPS by issuance of this notice makes no commitment to the acquisition of any MPE software training application system technology.
