70RSAT25RFI000006 - RFI - 20241219.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION #70RSAT25RFI000006

Title: Advanced Computing Branch Subject Matter Expert (SME) Support

NOTE: THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and market research planning purposes. This RFI shall not be construed as an obligation on the part of the Government. This is NOT a Request for Quotations or Proposals. No solicitation document exists, and the Government may or may not issue a formal solicitation as a result of the responses received to this RFI.

The Government will not pay for any response or demonstration expenses. All costs incurred responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Failure to respond to this RFI will not preclude participation in any future solicitation. Any information received will become the property of the Government and will not be returned to the submitter. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or sensitive information.

The Government’s explicit intent, in this request for information, is to not receive from respondents any proprietary data, trade secrets, business sensitive information, or information considered CONFIDENTIAL under 18 U.S.C. §1905. The Government’s constraint does not in any way relieve contractors from their responsibility to properly mark proprietary data when it is provided, nor does it alleviate any requirement for the Government to protect marked data. The Government is not obligated to protect unmarked data.

The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the Federal Government and will not be returned.

DESCRIPTION

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science & Technology Directorate (S&T), Office of Science and Engineering (OSE), Technology Centers Division (TCD) are conducting market research to identify key personnel to provide SME support in the areas of advanced computing, such as cybersecurity, emerging computing paradigms (e.g., quantum information sciences), data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and modeling and simulation. The support staff shall assist S&T in conducting cross-cutting core research, developing its programs and their attendant projects; maintain awareness of technologies on or over the horizon; and understand the many parties, platforms, and processes inherent in a complex technology development system. The anticipated period of performance for this contract is a 5-year ordering period with a 7-year total period of performance. The total period of performance is eighty-four (84) months from date of award.

The current task order (70RSAT23FR0000015) was awarded to Apogee-SAIC Capabilities Integrator, LLC under NAICS code 541715 for total value of $10,838,139.70.

DHS S&T is the primary research and development arm of the Department, S&T provides federal, state and local officials with the technology and capabilities to protect the homeland. Technology and threats evolve rapidly in today’s ever-changing environment. S&T monitors those threats and capitalizes on technological advancements at a rapid pace, developing solutions and bridging capability gaps at a pace that mirrors the speed of life. S&T’s mission is to safeguard the nation by answering the threats of tomorrow and the needs of today through science, technology, and innovation.

The DHS Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) organizes and supports the scientific, engineering, and technological resources of the United States and applies these resources to produce and deploy technological tools and knowledge products to help protect the homeland. DHS S&T is organized into four main groups: Office of Mission and Capability Support, Office of Science and Engineering, Office of Innovation and Collaboration, and Office of Enterprise Services, that work together to support DHS operating Components and others in the Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE) 1. S&T is organized by functions in which each Division plays a critical role in the execution of research and development programs benefitting homeland security missions. Within S&T, programs are matrixed teams that draw support across the Directorate in order to accomplish program goals.

The Technology Centers Division (TCD) within the Office of Science and Engineering is the source of scientific, engineering, and technological expertise and solutions for programs, projects, and activities across S&T and DHS. There are three branches within TCD—this RFI is specific to the Advanced Computing Branch (ACB). S&T Technology Centers (including Research Areas) supply subject matter expertise and conduct core scientific research to provide foundational knowledge and develop cross-cutting technological solutions that address current and future homeland security challenges. The Technology Centers are responsible for three primary activities:

Subject Matter Expert Advisement: Technology Center personnel are subject matter experts (SMEs) and advise S&T programs, DHS Components, and other key stakeholders in scientific, engineering, and technology areas critical to the homeland security enterprise.

S&T Program Technical Support: The Technology Centers directly contribute to S&T programs by serving as Technical Managers and providing expert support on programs to oversee the technical activities of those programs that deliver solutions against customer-identified requirements.

Core Research: The Technology Centers conduct cross-cutting, foundational research, analysis, and experiments, to build knowledge by:

• Maintaining S&T’s technical baseline competency and awareness of the state-of-the-art/art-of-the-possible in key science, engineering, and technology areas.

• Understanding how scientific and technological advancements can be harnessed for homeland security missions – or how they may become are risk or threat.

• Determining how to secure the use of these advancements.

• Identifying methods for detecting, countering, and mitigating the misuse of these advancements.

S&T’s individual Technology Centers focus on foundational science, advanced computing, and innovative systems and technology. While these Tech Centers conduct core research, the Division also houses a cadre of senior engineering and science experts who serve as expert advisors across the Department. They and the Technology Center SMEs work together to stay abreast of enduring and cutting-edge research and contribute to activities being conducted on behalf of S&T program managers and Component customers.

Additionally, these senior expert advisors are made available to the Interagency and the Department to maintain open, collaborative relationships and address a wide range of critical problems facing the nation.

1 DHS defines the homeland security enterprise as the federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, nongovernmental, and private-sector entities, as well as individuals, families, and communities, who share a common national interest in the safety and security of the United States and the American population (GAO, Department of Homeland Security:

Progress Made and Work Remaining after Nearly 10 Years in Operation, GAO-13-370T (Washington, D.C.: Feb. 15, 2013)).

http://www.gao.gov/assets/660/652219.pdf

The Advanced Computing Branch (ACB) contains Technology Centers focused on 5 areas: Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning; Data Analytics; Modeling and Simulation; Emerging Computing Paradigms (including Quantum Information Sciences); and Cybersecurity). It is anticipated that Artificial Intelligence will be the initial focus but the primary intent will be to supply significant support as-needed for the other technology areas within ACB through individual task orders; these task orders may be focused within one of the Technology Centers or may have multi-disciplinary requirements. For estimation purposes, the current contract is providing 4.5 FTE, covering 5 separate requirements.

The initial requirement for this task will focus on Data Analytics (approximately 1 FTE per year), but additional support is likely to be required in the areas of artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, emerging computing paradigms (e.g., quantum information sciences, and/or modeling and simulation (up to 20 FTE per year).

PURPOSE OF THIS RFI

The purposes of this RFI are:

1) To gain an understanding of the capabilities of small businesses to support DHS S&T’s OSE,TCD requirements.

2) To gain an understanding of Industry’s capabilities to support DHS S&T’s OSE, TCD requirements.

3) Conduct market research.

INFORMATION REQUEST

Interested parties should submit responses addressing the following:

1) Describe how you would provide scientific evaluation and technical support to the government on factors relevant to enduring technical research and development on the application of advanced computing to homeland security missions.

2) Describe how you develop and participate in technical exchanges, workshops, conferences, and in-process reviews and demonstrations relating to advanced computing for homeland security missions and provide meeting minutes or reports outlining the events and any key items that require immediate attention. Typical tasks would include identifying experts, shaping agendas to ensure key questions are addressed, and providing follow-up to ensure objectives are met. This may include both classified events, and/or events with S&T’s domestic and international partners.

3) Describe your research and assessment of state-of-the-art and emerging trends in advanced computing. Present the results of your efforts, as required, through:

Gathering, analyzing, and composing complex technical information such as analyses of alternatives on technology solutions, technology capability summaries, and technical requirements documents.

Researching and assessing patent activity, published articles, market information, conference proceedings, research reports, etc.

Creating technical roadmaps relating to advanced computing, such as cybersecurity, quantum information sciences, data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and modeling and simulation, which outline plans for implementing technical solutions in both short and long-term timeframes.

4) Describe how you would assist in preparation of technical presentations for delivery by Federal staff at meetings and conferences on the subject of research, methods, phenomena, or threats for/to advanced computing, such as cybersecurity, quantum information sciences, data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and modeling and simulation. This will include technical writing and produce technical documentation regarding the application of advanced computing, such as cybersecurity, quantum information sciences, data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and modeling and simulation, to homeland security missions.

5) Describe how you will assist and prepare technical responses to S&T Executive Secretary taskers and other data calls related to research of advanced computing, such as cybersecurity, quantum information sciences, data analytics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and modeling and simulation. Such services are limited to non-inherently governmental functions.

6) Describe how you will conduct technical reviews for assigned R&D programs and projects to monitor program, project, and research technical performance relevant to advanced computing as well as reviewing deliverables to ensure technical goals and objectives are met, identifying potential technical risks, and path forward options/recommendations.

Personnel

Personnel requirements are expected to include a mix of SME Levels 1, 2, and 3 with a minimum secret clearance. Please see the table below.

DHS S&T Headquarters is located in Washington, D.C.; depending on the project requirements, contractors may be able to telework from within the United States but must be available to support virtual meetings as needed. Travel, including OCONUS, may also be required.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS The initial requirement for this task will focus on Data Analytics (approximately 1 FTE per year), but additional support is likely to be required in the areas of artificial intelligence, machine learning, data analytics, emerging computing paradigms (e.g., quantum information sciences, and/or modeling and simulation (up to 20 FTE per year).

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Interested parties are invited to address the questions pertaining to support services identified in this RFI.

The information submitted in support of this RFI must be submitted via email to Contract Officer, Jason

Specialty Area Labor Category Clearance

Required at Start

Ability to Obtain

Clearance Level

Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning

Subject Matter Expert I/II/III Secret TS/SCI

Emerging Computing Paradigms Subject Matter Expert I/II/III TS/SCI N/A

Data Analytics/Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning

Subject Matter Expert I/II/III Secret TS/SCI

Cybersecurity Subject Matter Expert I/II/III Secret TS/SCI

Modeling and Simulation Subject Matter Expert III Secret TS/SCI

Rios Jason.Rios@hq.dhs.gov and Contract Specialist, Khadijah Dark Khadijah.Dark@hq.dhs.gov.

Responses must have a cover letter that includes the following information:

• Company’s Name

• Company’s Address

• Entity Unique Identifier and/or CAGE Code.

• Company’s Size and Socio-Economic Status information

• Technical Point of Contact(s) (Name, title, email, and phone number)

• Contracting Point of Contact(s) (Name, title, email, and phone number)

The following sections provide a recommended outline for a response to this RFI. This outline is intended to minimize the effort of the respondent and structure the responses for ease of analysis by the Government.

To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

Section 1 – Corporate Expertise (1-2 pages)

Briefly describe the company, products and services, history, ownership, financial information, business size, and other information deemed relevant.

Section 2 – Subject Matter Expertise Support Experience (1-4 pages)

Briefly describe the company/team experience in:

1. Providing expertise in the areas of Cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, Data Analytics, Emerging Computing Sciences (including Quantum Information Science), and Modeling and Simulation.

2. Management of expertise.

3. Any other statements with respect to requirements in section 3.1.

Section 3 – Rapid Staffing of SME needs (1 page)

Briefly describe the company/team experience in providing rapid technical SME support based on customer requirements. Please also include minimum order requirements (in FTE or hours); for reference, we have had customer requests on our current contract for as low as .1 FTE.

Section 4 – Statement of Work Questions and Feedback (2 pages)

The vendor shall use this section to provide S&T any questions or feedback on the attached SOW.

Important Note: The vendor is required to address sections 1- 4 above in order to respond to this notice.

1.0 Vendor Submission of Responses and Contact Information

Only electronic submissions via email will be accepted. Electronic files larger than 50 MB shall be broken down into multiple files with no one file exceeding 50 MB. Each electronic submission shall include:

The RFI number 70RSAT25RFI000006 in the subject line of the email The maximum number of pages per submission shall be limited to ten (10) pages, including cover page, and shall be in either read-only Word or PDF format The file number and total files being submitted (e.g., File 1 of 4, File 2 of 4, etc.) in the subject line of each email, if submission includes more than one email mailto:Jason.Rios@hq.dhs.gov

A Point of Contact (POC), phone number and email address of the person (in the body of the email) to be contacted regarding any correspondence between the Government and the Vendor. The POC shall be capable of addressing questions or issues associated with the submission and content of the RFI

A brief summary of email content, vendor name and the firm’s mailing address

Interested parties having a system that meets the requirements spelled out above are invited to submit detailed information describing said system via email to via email to Contract Officer, Jason Rios Jason.Rios@hq.dhs.gov and Contract Specialist, Khadijah Dark Khadijah.Dark@hq.dhs.gov. by 3:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST) on January 20, 2025.

Questions regarding this RFI may be emailed to via email to Contract Officer, Jason Rios Jason.Rios@hq.dhs.gov and Contract Specialist, Khadijah Dark Khadijah.Dark@hq.dhs.gov. The deadline for submitting questions is 12:00 PM EST on January 10, 2025.

Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid DHS, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become the property of the Federal Government and will not be returned.

2.0 Review of Vendor Responses

Responses to this RFI may be reviewed by Government technical experts drawn from staff within DHS and other Federal agencies. The Government will review vendor responses for market research purposes only, to understand if there are vendors capable of fulfilling the requirements. The Government may use selected support contractor personnel to assist in the review of the RFIs. These support contractors will be bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements to protect proprietary and source selection information. The Government does not intend to provide a response to submissions for this RFI, but the Government reserves the right to hold a technical information exchange meeting after the RFI review at the agency’s discretion.

These meetings will be scheduled at the discretion of the Government and may not be scheduled with all vendors that respond to the RFI.