22--Locomotive Engineer Training Simulator System

NA Volpe Center intends to purchase: a) One fixed locomotive and train simulator system (no motion) hardware and software including the instructor’s consoles ready linked for remote simulators; b) One portable locomotive and train simulator system, hardware, software and ready link to remote instructor; c) One full computer, data interface and software module licensed for application to the Volpe Center’s Simulator; d) Two (2) weeks minimum training provided to the instructors and researchers. This procurement is intended to provide, within technology and budget constraints, the most effective simulator training and certification to the largest number of army trainees at highly dispersed locations as possible. For the FRA, the procurement is intended to provide the software required to operat e the research simulator faculties it has access to, which will presumably include the army facilities subject to this procurement. Detailed specifications will be set forth in the solicitation. This requirement is 100% set-a-side for small business. The NAICS Code is 333319 (number of employees 500). The solicitation and any document related to this procurement will be available on the Internet; these documents will be available in text format and reside on a WWW server which may be accessed using Web browsers. The WWW address, or URL, of the Volpe Center Acquisition Division home page is: http://www.volpe.dot.gov/procure/index.html. Bidders, desiring to receive electronic notification of the solicitation's posting and availability for downloading may register at the Volpe Center site. Co ntractors are warned that when they register to receive solicitations, amendments and other notices, the responsibility for providing the Government with an accurate and complete e-mail address lies with the contractor. The Government will make no additional efforts to deliver information when the system indicates that transmissions cannot be delivered to the e-mail address provided. Paper copies of the solicitation and or amendments WILL NOT be issued. The Department of Transportation (DOT) has a bonding assistance program available which enables minority, women and disadvantaged business enterprise firms to obtain bid, payment, and performance bonds with a guarantee up to 80 percent against losses. In addition, a short-term loan program is available to provide working capital at the prim e interest rate. For further information regarding these programs, please call the DOT Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization at (202) 366-2852.