Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division

SeaPort-e Rolling Admission

Technical Proposal - Volume I

RFP Number: N00178-08-R-4000  

Proposal Validity: This proposal is valid through 29 August 2008

Authorized KENTCO Negotiator is: Kent W. Lunsford, President

KENTCO Representative Authorized to Sign Proposals: Kent W. Lunsford. President

Technical Point of Contact: Kent W. Lunsford, President   E-Mail: kent@kentco.net

(703) 593-5368           (703) 404-9894 - Facsimile

Administrative Point of Contact: Sharon Moffett, E-Mail:  sharon@kentco.net

(703) 404-9891           (703) 404-9894 - Facsimile

KENTCO Corporation agrees with all terms, conditions, and provisions included in solicitation N00178-08-R-4000 and agrees to furnish any and all items upon which prices are offered at the price set opposite each item.

                                                            ____________________                   _____

                                                            Kent W. Lunsford                          (Date)

1.  INTRODUCTION

KENTCO is pleased to submit its proposal, 08-R-4000, to the Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division in response to Seaport-e Solicitation Number N00178-08-R-4000 for support services in the National Capital Zone 2 and Mid Atlantic Zone 3.  This proposal provides a description of KENTCO’s technical capability, management and past performance in supporting the U.S. Navy (primarily the Office of Naval Research) in the Statement of Work functional areas of:

• 3.1       Research and Development Support,

• 3.2       Engineering, System Engineering, and Process Engineering Support, and

• 3.20     Program Support.

KENTCO is a women-owned, small business under NAICS Code 541330. 

KENTCO has an office located at 21495 Ridgetop Circle, Suite 206, Sterling, Virginia 20166. (Zone 2)

KENTCO also has an office at 504 Cedar Point Boulevard, Suite CC, Ocean Point, North Carolina 28584-8008. (Zone 3)

2.  TECHNICAL CAPABILITY

KENTCO personnel offer experience in providing technical and engineering support services for Government research and development organizations.  Since 1996, KENTCO has provided support services in research and development, systems engineering, systems analysis, operational technical assistance and program management in conceiving, planning and managing technology development and prototype evaluation programs.  KENTCO personnel are also proficient in developing and preparing program plans, work breakdown structures, milestone schedules and cost projections, and related technical, programmatic, process and management products associated with Defense and Naval research and development programs including procurement, training and logistics.

For the Office of Naval Research, KENTCO personnel currently assist Program Officers with the planning and execution of operational demonstrations and technical evaluations in support of core program initiatives for the Organic Mine Countermeasures Future Naval Capability and the Persistent Littoral Undersea Surveillance Innovative Naval Prototype Programs.  The principal support efforts are concentrated on those planning and execution tasks necessary to successfully demonstrate emerging technology and advanced capabilities to the U. S. Navy and U. S. Marine Corps through participation in scientific, simulated and operational exercises.

2.1       Depth and Breadth

KENTCO was incorporated on April 1, 1996 in the State of Virginia. KENTCO is a women-owned, small business.  The majority of Government work for which KENTCO qualifies falls under NAICS Code 541330 for small businesses. KENTCO’s principal office location and main mailing address is at 158 Magnolia Road, Sterling, VA 20164. 

KENTCO is proposed as the prime contractor.  No additional subcontracts or team members are proposed.  Table A lists the Navy contracts under which KENTCO has performed within the past three years and the workforce qualifications with functional areas identified.  The “key” person for each functional area is denoted by a bold (KEY) opposite the functional area for each Zone 2 and Zone 3 Table A.

KENTCO has an office located at 21495 Ridgetop Circle Suite 206, Sterling, VA 20166 that is proposed as the Zone 2 presence for the National Capital Zone.  Key personnel proposed for Zone 2 are:

• George O’Sullivan for functional area 3.1 Research and Development Support,

• Kent Lunsford for functional area 3.2 Engineering, System Engineering and Process Engineering Support, and

• Michael Hoglund for functional area 3.20 Program Support.

KENTCO has an office located at 504 Cedar Point Boulevard, Suite CC, Ocean Point, NC 28584 that is proposed as the Zone 3 presence for the Mid Atlantic Zone.  Key personnel proposed for Zone 3 are:

• William Schopfel for functional area 3.1 Research and Development Support,

• Charles Laughinghouse for functional area 3.2 Engineering, System Engineering and Process Engineering Support, and

• Bruce Reed for functional area 3.20 Program Support.

The majority of recent work performed by KENTCO (over the last three years) has been for the Office of Naval Research (ONR) Code 32 in support of Organic Mine Countermeasures and Littoral Antisubmarine Warfare Future Naval Capabilities, and ONR Code 30 in support of the Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare and Combating Terrorism S&T department under contract N00014-03-D-0383. This ongoing work directly correlates to the following functional areas:

Research and Development Support Functional Area (3.1)

This functional area supports the application of scientific and analytical disciplines for Basic Research (6.1), Exploratory Development (6.2), Advanced Development (6.3), and Engineering or full scale development (6.4) initiatives. 

George O’Sullivan is proposed as the “key” personnel in the Research and Development Support functional area in Zone 2.  Since 1999, Mr. O’Sullivan has served as a Principal Engineer for KENTCO where he develops operational concepts and test and evaluation plans for autonomous, acoustic, underwater gliders.  He provided exercise planning, technical analysis, and documentation support to NAVAIR PMA-299 and ONR in the conduct of LWAD 98-4 at-sea parametric sonar evaluation. Mr. O’Sullivan supported the design and conduct of ONR OUTPOST SUNRISE, conducted in the Northeastern Pacific, to measure low-frequency ambient noise data for ASW system design. Additionally, Mr. O’Sullivan provided acoustic training and sonar test and measurement support for the Waterside Security System installation at Submarine Base Bangor, WA.

William Schopfel is proposed as the “key” personnel in the Research and Development Support functional area in Zone 3 as he brings a wealth of experience in concept formulation, requirements assessments, and technology transfer successes to the operational setting.  Bill is presently filling the position of Field Demonstration/Experimentation Manager for the ONR Organic Mine Countermine Future Naval Capabilities and Persistent Littoral Undersea Surveillance Innovative Naval Prototype (PLUS INP) Programs.  In this capacity, he is responsible to the ONR Program Managers for the organization, planning, coordination, execution, and assessment of program field demonstrations and experiments.  He routinely interacts with Fleet and NAVSEA organizations as well as the academic and scientific communities to integrate emerging Mine Countermine technologies with legacy systems into scheduled training events.  He is also responsible for planning and coordinating the experimentation of sensitive 6.1-6.3 Anti Submarine Warfare technologies.  His responsibilities for both programs are broad and include, arranging operational venues, initiating NEPA documentation, coordinating platform and logistical support as well as representing each of the programs at professional symposia and conferences.  

Engineering, System Engineering and Process Engineering Support Functional Area (3.2)

The Engineering, System Engineering and Process Engineering Support functional area provides the transition of advanced, engineering or full scale development prototype designs from the science and technology environment into the production environment through the production of a system that can be used effectively in the Fleet in the operational environment.

The Department of the Navy has refined the science and technology process to gain a long-term perspective and to address nearer-term Future Naval Capabilities (FNCs).  The Future Naval Capability process seeks breakthroughs at the leading edge of technology development in support of the National Security Strategy.  The knowledge/ technology “explosion” exacerbates the conflict between technology development and systems acquisition processes, as the appearance of successive generations of new and emerging technologies in areas such as computers and communications may occur in a single year.  One answer lies in the policy of “evolutionary acquisition” for which projected product/capability improvements are anticipated, planned and expected. In the evolutionary process, ONR has broadened its purview from an almost pure research focus to a focus on enabling technologies and systems capabilities.  At the same time, ONR preserves strong programs designed to elucidate understanding the application of advancing technology to military operations in increasingly complex environments.  Through the use of Advanced Technology Demonstrations and Advanced Concept Technology Demonstrations, technical progress can be evaluated by the fleet through the use of advanced prototypes in a realistic, but controlled demonstration environment.

Kent Lunsford is proposed as the “key” personnel in the Engineering, System Engineering and Process Engineering Support functional area in Zone 2.  He currently oversees KENTCO efforts supporting the ONR Organic Mine Countermeasures Future Naval Capability program office in demonstrating and evaluating novel mine reconnaissance and breaching/clearing systems under operational situations.  Over the years, he has supported numerous concept evaluations and at-sea demonstrations of innovative and advanced concepts for the Navy and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Kent Lunsford has over thirty years of experience in performing technical assessments, developing program plans and formulating advanced systems concepts for Government research and development organizations.  For the past fifteen years, Mr. Lunsford has managed the Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) effort for a technology office within the Executive Office of the President.  He oversees the operation of the office and develops schedules and milestones for the activities of those personnel supporting the office. He has a current and working knowledge of the legislation, technology thrusts and those drug-related technology programs at DoD, CIA, DEA, FBI, Customs and Border Protection, Coast Guard, Agriculture Research Service, Secret Service, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. 

Mr. Lunsford provides concept formulation and program development support to the office in structuring and defining the national counterdrug R&D program.  He provided substantial input to the bi-annual reports to the Congress and program briefings to law enforcement organizations, industry, and Government laboratories.

Mr. Lunsford has worked with the Office of Naval Research to develop an integrated support program to provide environmental acoustic support to the Commander, Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command. A substantial part of the support program included planning and conducting an open ocean ambient noise measurement, Outpost Sunrise. 

Over the years, Mr. Lunsford directed technical efforts in support of contracts with the Naval Space and Warfare Systems Center, San Diego, Office of the Secretary of Defense (Net Assessment), National Imaging and Mapping Agency, and Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.

Charles Laughinghouse is proposed as the “key” personnel in the Engineering, System Engineering and Process Engineering Support functional area in Zone 3.  He serves as the Operations Program Manager with the ONR Organic Mine Countermeasures (OMCM) Future Naval Capabilities/Code 32 CM.  He has supported ONR in over 20 demonstrations ranging from large major USN Fleet Operations to smaller Limited Objective Experiments (LOE) evaluating emerging mine detection and clearing systems under operational conditions.  During this timeframe Mr. Laughinghouse has served as the principal ONR liaison with the mine countermine forces of the United States Navy.

The services provided included providing systems engineering and integration services to ONR supported programs and systems.  These services included integration support of new technologies with legacy systems and programs, support for advanced technology demonstrations and advanced concept technology demonstrations, support of FNC offices for an improved countermine capability, systems transition support to operational forces, and support to planning and building prototype equipment with advanced technology capabilities for demonstration.

Past demonstrations have been conducted by Mr. Laughinghouse with joint US/NATO forces in Newfoundland and Norway.  Most recently Mr. Laughinghouse has been tasked to support the Persistent Littoral Undersea Surveillance Innovative Naval Prototype Program.  The objective of the PLUS INP Program Objective is to develop passive acoustic devices to detect and track very quiet diesel submarines.  During October 07 Mr. Laughinghouse supported PLUS NET 07 at Keyport WA .  PLUS NET 07 served to validate the concepts and objectives of the PLUS INP Program.

Program Support Functional Area (3.20)

The primary measure of effectiveness for the FNCs is the successful transition of technology products to Navy and Marine Corps acquisition programs.   Through Program Support functions, ONR maintains a close relationship with the research and development community to support long-range research, fosters future discovery of technologies, and nurtures next generations of researchers for the future Navy and Marine Corps. Each FNC is directed by an Integrated Product Team (IPT) that comprises consensus-based bodies derived from affected stakeholders with representatives from the requirements, acquisition, resource sponsor, S&T and most importantly, the operating forces. 

Michael Hoglund is proposed as the “key” personnel in the Program Support functional area in Zone 2.  Mr. Hoglund currently supports the planning and execution of a counterdrug technology transfer program for the U.S. Army Electronic Proving Ground, Fort Huachuca .  In the course of this work, Michael supports the preparation of requirements for Sources Sought solicitations to identify commercial off the shelf solutions and Broad Agency Announcements to solicit innovative solutions from industry to improve drug-related enforcement (tactical) capabilities and technologies to improve drug addiction treatment and prevention programs.  He develops various web-based tools to collect requirements data, to manage the application and delivery status for equipment to transfer recipients, and to report program accomplishments.

Mr. Hoglund is thoroughly familiar and proficient in the use of commercial software packages, such as Microsoft Word, Project, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, and associated software suites and hardware components.  Michael is extremely capable in multimedia preparation, creating supporting posters, banners, and other presentations/materials for current activities and R&D projects.  He has created interactive presentations based on digitized video feeds for distribution on deliverable formats, as well as producing websites for federal program offices.

Mr. Hoglund provides support in the preparation of annual reports, program briefings, technology demonstrations, and exhibit booths to law enforcement organizations, industry, Government laboratories, and Congress.  He also maintains several web-based data collection tools for evaluating R&D program performance and outcome.

From 2000 to 2005, Michael has provided technical, programmatic, and engineering support to Office of Naval Research, Code 32.  At Panama City, FL, he supported tactical operations involving GPS-based monitoring equipment and general computer networking systems for command and control during ONR 32CM countermine technology demonstrations.  He also supported the exercise planning and execution for a variety of ONR 32CM advanced concept technology demonstrations on Camp Lejeune Marine Corp Base.

During this period, Michael also supported an ONR 32SS program to evaluate the use of parametric sonar for ASW, mine warfare, environmental measurements and acoustic communications.  Under this effort, KENTCO had a CRADA with NSWC Panama City and a “Work for Private Parties” agreement with NUWC New London for test range, logistics and a panel of scientific experts. 

Bruce Reed is proposed as the “key” personnel in the Program Support functional area in Zone 3.  He currently provides support to Office of Naval Research (ONR Code 30) as the Applications Division Operations Assistant.  He serves as the primary assistant to the Director of Applications in the Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare and Combating Terrorism S&T Department (Code 302).  His efforts are focused on the coordination of all current and future application projects and programs.  Specifically, he assists with the management of the Department’s core Exploitation and Development programs, the Navy’s Future Naval Capability Programs, and Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration Programs.

Mr. Reed employs business and financial management disciplines in the preparation of budget plans and submissions for program elements within the division, preparation of high level Congressional briefings, and developing alternatives when rescissions are implemented after the budget has been passed.  Engineering and technical disciplines are employed during the preparation for and conduct of internal and external program reviews, technology demonstrations and system acquisitions.

Previously, Mr. Reed served as the Site Coordinator at Camp Lejeune , North Carolina, for ONR’s Joint Countermine Advanced Technology Demonstration (JCM ACTD) and more recently the Organic Mine Countermeasures Future Naval Capability Program Office. He has supported ONR in demonstrating and evaluating novel mine reconnaissance, airborne and underwater, and breaching/clearing systems under operational situations. He provided technical and engineering support as well as exercise/ demonstration planning and execution support for numerous military exercises: JCM ACTD Demonstration I, conducted in North Carolina, Demonstration II in Newfoundland, Kernel Blitz 99 and 01 in California, a GOMEX in Corpus Christi, TX, a Combined/Joint exercise CJTFEX 04-2, a NATO exercise Blue Game 04, and two NWDC sponsored exercises conducted in Panama City, FL and one in San Diego, CA. 

He also planned for and coordinated all aspects of ONR’s site support requirements during Fleet Battle Experiments Hotel, India and Juliet and a PMS-EOD sponsored SMCM/UUV demonstration. This support included the coordination of detailed operational and logistic support requirements for more than 40 Novel Systems and various Integrated Processing Teams, all of which were represented by numerous laboratories, universities and independent contractors.  He also coordinated ONR’s requirement for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) that included the preparation of 10 Environmental Assessments and several decision papers for overseas underwater vehicle demonstrations.

Other KENTCO Personnel

Mr. Shier is a Principal Analyst at KENTCO and has over 15 years of experience in managing complex programs, performing technical assessments and preparing comprehensive technical reports.  Mr. Shier works under minimal guidance and supervision and provides technical assistance and supervision to several professional personnel.  In support of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Mr. Shier provides support at all levels of system analysis and design definition.  His judgment and creativity are regularly exercised in solving highly complex, major technical problems and he is called upon frequently to provide proper advice and recommendations concerning technology applications for CBP use at ports-of-entry in support of counterdrug and anti-terrorism homeland security missions.  Mr. Shier has been instrumental in support of several test and evaluation programs to advance operational concepts and new novel approaches for the detection and identification of contraband materials such as illegal drugs, explosives, and chemical warfare agents.

Mr. Shier currently supports DHS CBP efforts to evaluate and deploy advanced, emerging and off-the-shelf trace detection systems for anti-terrorism applications at U.S. ports of entry.  He develops test plans and protocols for standard testing of devices in an operational environment.  In addition to technology based solutions, Mr. Shier also provides support to the CBP Canine Enforcement Program.  He manages efforts to develop canine training aids and test and evaluation programs for advanced canine deployment concepts.  Mr. Shier has been active in DHS efforts to establish department wide standards for canine training and certification based upon the successful programs from legacy agencies with major canine programs such as Customs, TSA, Border Patrol, USDA, FEMA, and FPS. He has also supported joint interagency canine efforts with non-DHS federal agencies such as ATF, DOD, and CIA.  

Mr. Shier coordinated two separate series of performance assessments for CBP canine teams trained in specialized anti-terrorism applications.  Preceding the actual performance assessments Mr. Shier had a primary oversight and integration role in the development of the canine training curriculum, viable canine training aids, specialized test fixtures/facilities and the development of documentation including test plans, and standard operating procedures.  These efforts had to be coordinated with multiple performers including portions being performed by CBP at the Canine Enforcement Training Center, Laboratory and Scientific Services Division, and the Applied Technology Division; and portions being performed by external organizations including a university, a private sector research organization, and a private sector canine training academy. Mr. Shier has served as the central point of contact for the technical coordination of five separate series of controlled laboratory assessments of non-intrusive inspection systems for counterdrug operations. During these technical assessments, twelve different chemical based narcotic particle detection systems, and six different x-ray systems have been evaluated.  Mr. Shier worked closely with members of the multi-agency, legacy U.S. Customs Service led Contraband Detection Working Group, in conducting technical requirements analysis. The working group evaluated candidate systems relative to end-user technical and operational challenges.  Mr. Shier worked with a team of government representatives and other technical experts from private industry to develop a protocol and set of standards for evaluating commercially available and prototype systems and subsystems for contraband detection applications.  Mr. Shier provided coordination and technical oversight for the design and construction of a special test facility to provide for evaluation of new narcotics and explosives detection systems and subsystems under both ideal conditions as well as simulations of existing and planned operational law enforcement scenarios.  Considerations for these simulations included mathematical analysis of airflow (direction and velocity) naturally occurring within the test facility as well as the effects of the climate control system on flow characteristics.  Modeling techniques were also used to analyze temperature, humidity, and air circulation variables in the design of the climate control system and location and direction of vents within the facility.  It was critical that all air movement within the facility be controlled to prevent the possibility cross contamination in the test area and the possibility of contamination from the secure storage and laboratory prep area of the building.

2.2       Management Approach

The Management Approach Section of this proposal was prepared by KENTCO personnel. 

KENTCO employs the organizational structure shown in Figure 1.  Task assignments to each of the five major operations or projects are managed by a single point-of-contact, the Group Manager.  Personnel are matched to tasks according to their skills, qualifications and availability.  In some cases, KENTCO engages consultants and subcontractors to obtain specialized skills or to augment our capabilities. 

KENTCO endeavors to integrate its professional support services within and across our customer base to achieve best practices and yield cost savings.  KENTCO management and professional staff are provided financial incentives to work with our clients to achieve program savings for the government while successfully achieving program schedule and milestone targets.  The financial incentives are implemented through quarterly bonuses in an attempt to maintain continued progress throughout the entire year.

Figure 1.  KENTCO Organizational Structure

Our plans to integrate services across NAVSEA are based on a web-centric Management Response Environment (MRE).  It is our plan that the MRE be an enabler for achieving the business goals of the contract, the technical goals of the Navy Program Managers, and the specific milestones of individual task orders. We will accomplish this environment by implementing permission-based access to our Warfare Center customers.  This will provide the tools to initiate task orders, share best practices and tools, seek out niche resources, and share lessons learned in execution.  It is our conviction that development of MRE will allow us to:

• Enable timely identification of needed resources for bidding numerous task orders.

• Sort our capabilities across multiple functional areas.

• Streamline our ability to respond to task order opportunities.

• Optimize efficient and effective management of awarded task orders.

• Manage and classify consultants and subcontractors, if necessary.

Our Seaport-e MRE website will be opened for government review within 10 days after contract award.  The website will include all data collected for this proposal.  Upcoming task order opportunities and staffing requirements will be posted and will be available nationwide.  As task orders are awarded, reports will be posted to allow review of specific performance data by the appropriate Government personnel.  KENTCO pledges continuous investment in the MRE toolset to promote innovations and facilitate contracting and future award term performance.

Incorporating Best Practices

KENTCO will continue to promote a structured strategy for process improvement.  We will build this strategy into our documented task operating procedures and these procedures will be evaluated periodically.  If necessary, outside experts and consultants will be engaged to offer improvements to our strategy to increase efficiency and cost savings.

Savings and Cost Approach

Promotion of the paperless office, telecommuting, and decreasing travel through FEDEX, e-mail, internet posting sites (FTP), teleconferencing, and video teleconferencing are proven methods to reduce the cost of communications and reduce travel expenses.  The advantages of evolving technology also allow streamlining in areas such as process standardization, centralized functions, and a flexible but stable workforce.

The nature of task orders of repetitive nature provides an environment for cost savings from a bid and proposal expense perspective, as well as, a work force efficiency and stability perspective.  The concentration of resources on the performance of task orders rather than developing new business areas allows us to keep our best personnel on the job rather than writing proposals.  This is a “win-win” scenario as our work quality on existing task orders remains high, which under the Seaport-e philosophy increases the probability of continued work during the option years.

For specific details of our proposed savings and cost approach and specific objectives, please refer to Volume II - Cost Proposal. 

Capability to Manage the Effort

KENTCO Group Managers have extensive experience in defining and structuring proposed efforts and then organizing and managing resources to effectively perform the work in a professional and cost efficient manner.

For NAVSEA Warfare Center tasks, we intend to aggressively pursue tasks that will expand our extant capabilities and, where necessary, engage consultants and subcontractors to complement our resources and capabilities to fully address the requirements of the task.  We employ standard business and financial management tools to develop, organize and execute task orders.  Work break down structures are typically used to organize resources and interdependency networks with milestone schedules are used to track progress and expenditures.

Ability to Mange Change and Preserve Stability and Maintain Technical Expertise in the Workforce

Managing change is a constant challenge.  Over the past twelve years, we have been fortunate in retention of our staff professionals and have experienced very little turnover of personnel.  This has allowed us to preserve stability and maintain technical expertise while expanding our staff and improving technical qualifications through company-sponsored educational reimbursement programs.  Technology is constantly improving the way we communicate, the way we process and share data, and how we manage our personnel and fiscal resources.  The KENTCO philosophy includes providing its employees with the latest and best technology tools to do their work.

Our compensation plan and positive growth environment also serve to promote stability and attract technical expertise.  Those KENTCO personnel currently supporting the Office of Naval Research are both seasoned and experienced allowing them to be extremely effective in the performance of their duties.  Through experience, cost savings are accrued during the planning stages of major demonstrations and evaluations to capitalize on “lessons learned” during previous iterations (AUV Fests, RIMPACs, and now PLUS Net 07).  The ability to leverage off previously approved environmental assessments also provides a cost savings, as well as, improved schedule flexibility.

As repetitive task orders are encountered, KENTCO plans to expand its work force to increase our ability to bid on and win additional task orders.  The growth of revenue through the increase in task orders and business volume is a key factor in our savings approach.

Ability to Monitor and Maximize Quality

KENTCO managers monitor quality and review progress monthly with the preparation and review of monthly progress reports for each project.  Management also is responsive to our customers by anticipating changes in the program environment and developing innovative concepts for effectively capitalizing on change for a positive outcome.  Letters of commendation from clients that recognize employee accomplishments are placed in their personnel files and referenced in annual performance appraisals and salary reviews.

KENTCO Group Managers mentor the younger professionals in the wisdom that comes with experience while the younger members bring the knowledge to capitalize on the latest advancements in technology for managing and processing data with web-based tools, such as the our proposed MRE website.

Approach to Guarantee Responsiveness to and Cooperation wit Customers

Senior management communicates regularly with the customer base to assure that we are being responsive to our customers and that the quality of our services continues to be outstanding.  The high percentage of KENTCO “follow-on” contract efforts speaks well for this philosophy and KENTCO has achieved commensurate cost reductions in its bid and proposal costs.

Approach to Problem Solving

KENTCO is fortunate in that it has not experienced many problems to resolve.  Managers actively stay on top of employee issues and we attempt to be proactive in adverting potential problems.  In most cases, the reassignment of personnel to a different project or some personal counseling has resolved potential problems before they become serious.

The most effective problem-resolution strategies recognize likely problems early, bring them to the forefront, and take well-considered action to implement solutions before the problem grows.  Well-managed problem resolutions often result in net gains in performance and lessons that can be applied across other performance areas.  Our organizational structure empowers a Group Manager with access to all participants in the task order process, from KENTCO personnel and leadership through government sponsors.

2.3       Subcontracting

While no subcontractors or other team member have been proposed at this time, KENTCO has a subcontracting process in place and has experience in employing and managing subcontractors and consultants where it is advantageous from a cost or capability perspective.  KENTCO also has had Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADA) and “Work for Private Parties” agreements with Navy laboratories.

KENTCO will attempt to match the technical complexity of the work to the qualifications of small businesses in identifying subcontracting opportunities.  It is anticipated that all of the proposed work will be performed by NAICS Code 541330 small business concerns.  While each task order may differ in requirements, KENTCO will make a concerted effort to identify and use qualified small business concerns to augment our capabilities.  Subcontracting opportunities for using qualified woman-owned, disadvantaged, veteran-owned, service disabled, veteran-owned, and HUBZone small businesses to augment our capabilities also will be considered.

 

TABLE A PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Contract No.

Prime or Sub

$ Value

Date Completed

*Performance Zones To Be Considered In

Mission Area For Which Function Was Performed www.seaport.navy.mil/activities

Government POC (Phone Number)

Functional Area                                  (SOW 3.1-3.22)

3.1 R&D Support

N00014-03-D-0383

Prime

3,050,174

30-Sep-2008

Zone 2

1.4 Littoral Warfare Systems

Mr. Neuschafer 703-696-5418

3.2 Engineering Support

N00014-03-D-0383

Prime

3,050,174

30-Sep-2008

Zone 2

1.8 Undersea Warfare Weapons and Vehicles

Mr. Neuschafer 703-696-5418

3.20 Program Support

N00014-03-D-0383

Prime

3,050,174

30-Sep-2008

Zone 2

1.8 Undersea Warfare Weapons and Vehicles

Mr. Neuschafer 703-696-5418

*  To be considered in one or more of the Seven (7) Zones the Offeror must have or had a prime contract or subcontract or currently have a local office staffed by the prime or a sub in the Zone or Zone(s)

WORKFORCE QUALIFICATIONS

Degree/ Functional Area Proposed

School

Discipline

Proposed Position

Contingent Employee (Yes or No)

Employer/  Location

Brief Description of Experience Relevant to Functional Area Within Past 3 Years

Minimum Company Qualifications to Hold Position

NAME

George O'Sullivan

BSEE/ 3.1 (KEY) 3.2 3.20

Syracuse University

Engineering

Principal Engineer

No

KENTCO / Virginia ZONE 2

Mr. O’Sullivan offers experience in the areas of Operations Research, Submarine Operations, Sonar System Analysis, Fleet Exercise Design and Analysis, and Computer Simulation.  Since 1999, Mr. O’Sullivan has served as a Principal Engineer at KENTCO. He recently supported ONR (Code 321) in the technical evaluation of Non-Linear (Parametric) Sonars. From May 2003 to December 2007, Mr. O’Sullivan developed operational concepts and test and evaluation plans for autonomous, acoustic, underwater gliders.

20 years experience/BS degree

Kent Lunsford

BS/ 3.1 3.2 (KEY) 3.20

Principia College

Analyst

Principal Analyst

No

KENTCO /  Virginia ZONE 2

Kent Lunsford has participated in major ocean exercises and at-sea system tests dating back to the original SURTASS development and operational testing in the 1980’s.  He currently oversees KENTCO efforts supporting the ONR Organic Mine Countermeasures Future Naval Capability program office in demonstrating and evaluating novel mine reconnaissance and breaching/clearing systems under operational situations.

20 years experience/BA or BS degree

Michael Hoglund

BS MS/ 3.1 3.2 3.20 (KEY)

BS William & Mary/ MS Johns Hopkins University

Analyst

Senior Systems Analyst

No

KENTCO / Virginia ZONE 2

From 2000 to 2006, Mr. Hoglund has provided technical, programmatic, and engineering support to the Office of Naval Research, Code 32.  At Panama City, FL, he supported tactical operations involving GPS-based monitoring equipment and general computer networking systems for command and control during ONR 32CM countermine technology demonstrations.  He also supported the exercise planning and execution of a variety of ONR 32CM advanced concept technology demonstrations on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune.   During this period, Mr. Hoglund also supported an ONR 32SS program to evaluate the use of parametric sonar for ASW, mine warfare, environmental measurements, and acoustic communications.  Under this effort, KENTCO had a CRADA with NSWC Panama City and a “Work for Private Parties” agreement with NUWC New London for test range, logistics, and a panel of scientific experts.

10 years experience/BA or BS degree

 

TABLE A PAST PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Contract No.

Prime or Sub

$ Value

Date Completed

*Performance Zones To Be Considered In

Mission Area For Which Function Was Performed www.seaport.navy.mil/activities

Government POC (Phone Number)

Functional Area                                  (SOW 3.1-3.22)

3.1 R&D Support

N00014-03-D-0383

Prime

3,050,174

30-Sep-2008

Zone 3

1.4 Littoral Warfare Systems

Mr. Neuschafer 703-696-5418

3.2 Engineering Support

N00014-03-D-0383

Prime

3,050,174

30-Sep-2008

Zone 3

1.8 Undersea Warfare Weapons and Vehicles

Mr. Neuschafer 703-696-5418

3.20 Program Support

N00014-03-D-0383

Prime

3,050,174

30-Sep-2008

Zone 3

1.8 Undersea Warfare Weapons and Vehicles

Mr. Neuschafer 703-696-5418

*  To be considered in one or more of the Seven (7) Zones the Offeror must have or had a prime contract or subcontract or currently have a local office staffed by the prime or a sub in the Zone or Zone(s)

WORKFORCE QUALIFICATIONS

Degree/ Functional Area Proposed

School

Discipline

Proposed Position

Contingent Employee (Yes or No)

Employer/  Location

Brief Description of Experience Relevant to Functional Area Within Past 3 Years

Minimum Company Qualifications to Hold Position

NAME

William Schopfel

BA MA / 3.1 (KEY) 3.2 3.20

BA University of Texas / MA Central Michigan / MA Naval War College

Analyst

Principal Analyst

No

KENTCO / North Carolina ZONE 3

Bill Schopfel presently fills the position of Field Demonstration/Experimentation Manager for the ONR Organic Mine Countermine Future Naval Capabilities (OMCM FNC) and Persistent Littoral Undersea Surveillance Innovative Naval Prototype (PLUS INP) Programs.  In this capacity he is responsible to the ONR Program Managers for the organization, planning, coordination, execution, and assessment of program field demonstrations and experiments.  He routinely interacts with Fleet and NAVSEA organizations as well as the academic and scientific communities to integrate emerging Mine Countermine (MCM) technologies with legacy systems into scheduled at-sea events.  He is also responsible for planning and coordinating the experimentation of sensitive 6.1-6.3 Anti Submarine Warfare (ASW) technologies.  His responsibilities for both Programs are broad and include, arranging operational venues, initiating NEPA documentation, coordinating platform and logistical support as well as representing each of the programs at professional symposia and conferences.

20 years experience/BA or BS degree

Charles Laughinghouse

BA / 3.1 3.2 (KEY) 3.20

BA Eastern Carolina University

Analyst

Senior Systems Analyst

No

KENTCO / North Carolina ZONE 3

Mr. Laughinghouse serves as the Operations Program Manager with the Organic Mine Countermeasures (OMCM) Future Naval Capabilities/ONR Code 32 CM.  He has supported ONR in over 20 demonstrations ranging from large major USN Fleet Operations to smaller Limited Objective Experiments (LOE) evaluating emerging mine detection and clearing systems under operational conditions.  During this timeframe Mr. Laughinghouse has served as the principal ONR liaison with the mine countermine forces of the United States Navy The services provided included: providing Systems Engineering and Integration services to ONR supported programs and systems.  These services included integration support of new technologies with legacy systems and programs, support for advanced technology demonstrations and advanced concept technology demonstrations, support of FNC offices to support an improved countermine capability, systems transition support to operational forces, and support for planning and building prototype equipment with advanced technology capabilities for demonstration. Most recently Mr. Laughinghouse has been tasked to support the Persistent Littoral Undersea Surveillance Innovative Naval Prototype Program.  The objective of the PLUS INP Program Objective is to develop passive acoustic devices to detect and track very quiet diesel submarines.  During October 07, Mr. Laughinghouse supported PLUS NET 07 at Keyport WA .  PLUS NET 07 served to validate the concepts and objectives of the PLUS INP Program.

10 years experience/BA or BS degree

Bruce Reed

BA / 3.1 3.2 3.20 (KEY)

BA Eastern Washington State College

Analyst

Senior Systems Analyst

No

KENTCO / North Carolina ZONE 3

Mr. Reed provides support to ONR Code 30 as the Applications Division Operations Assistant.  He serves as the primary assistant to the Director of Applications in the Expeditionary Maneuver Warfare and Combating Terrorism S&T Department (Code 302).  His efforts focus on the coordination of all current and future application projects and programs.  Specifically, management of the Department’s core Exploitation and Development programs, the Navy’s Future Naval Capability Programs, and the Advanced Concept Technology Demonstration Programs.

10 years experience/BA or BS degree

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