Request_for_Information_Template_KRADOS RFI_.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Kessel Run All Domain Operations Suite Development Services

THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. This notice is for information and planning purposes only. In accordance with Part 10 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation, the Government is conducting market research to determine the availability and adequacy of potential business sources in developing the software identified below that meets the Government's requirements. This Request for Information (RFI) does not constitute a solicitation for bids or proposals and it is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. The information herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a competitive contract. Proprietary information will be accepted and handled appropriately. Responders should indicate which portions of their responses are proprietary and should mark them accordingly. The Government is not obligated to and will not reimburse the contractor for any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this notice and submittals will not be returned to the sender.

This RFI is from the Air Operations Center Weapons System (AOC WS) Program Management Office (PMO), of the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Kessel Run located at 11 Barksdale Street, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731.

Market Research Approach:

Through responses provided to this RFI, and subsequent Market Research engagements, the Government intends to obtain the following:

● Industry’s input and suggestions on refining requirements

● Recommendations on the Government’s acquisition and contracting approach

● Industry’s capabilities to meet the above requirements

Respondents to this RFI may be invited to participate in further market research activities, including Virtual One-on-One activities and Question-and-Answer sessions.

1. Description of Program Requirements

The PMO (Kessel Run) is seeking information on how interested parties could provide software development services via options such as remote working and locally within the Boston, MA area.

Kessel Run is pursuing a modernization effort which seeks to leverage the advantages of Cloud computing, Platform as a Service (PaaS), Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and adoption of a continuous integration and continuous delivery (CI/CD) pipeline in order to get capability out to the field more quickly. This process will meet all regulatory testing and cybersecurity requirements in order to continue the already established lean, user-centered approach that redefines how programs within the Kessel Run portfolio deliver capability to the Air Force warfighter. This effort has a strong focus on engagement with the end-user community to ensure we are rapidly meeting their highest priority needs. This effort is to acquire development support to transform legacy applications and new requirements as identified by the Government into cloud-native applications that will reside on a Platform as a Service (PaaS), as defined by the Government. Development support includes, but is not limited to Software Engineers, Software Architects, Data Scientists, Program Managers, etc.

Kessel Run (KR), a division of the U.S. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), leverages industry best practices and products to rapidly deliver capabilities while posturing for future and potentially disruptive information technology (IT). They revolutionized the way that the Air Force builds and acquires software to meet the needs of Airmen across the globe. They embrace Agile principles, DevSecOps, and lean product management practices to continuously integrate and deliver software capabilities. KR also embraces a culture of rapid feedback loops (e.g. build, measure, learn) and user-centered design managed by Government-led teams to rapidly develop, produce, and deploy software across the Air Operations Centers and other Air Force programs, while continuously iterating and improving upon those software applications.

This contract will support efforts to develop and continuously integrate and develop the Kessel Run All Domain Operations Suite (KRADOS) into multiple Air Operations Centers across the globe and support joint operations to enhance the KRADOS ecosystem across all services.

KRADOS mission and objectives:

● KR’s Holistic Mission and Objectives:

● Deliver resilient warfighting capability;

● Build resilient applications;

● Build resilient day-to-day operations with systematic, automated, standardized IT processes & controls required to run a high-functioning software delivery organization;

● Increase standardization of tools, technology, and processes;

● Apply domain driven architecture;

● Build highest data standards and interoperability;

● Leverage Cloud Native SaaS/PaaS.

2. Description of Proposed Contract/Full Time Employees (FTE) Structure

● Anticipated Period of Performance: 1 - 3 years with possible options

● Anticipated single award with approximately with approximately 50-60 FTE who actively obtain a minimum of a secret clearance

● Experience:

■ Extreme Programming Practices

■ Continuous Integration/Continuous Delivery

■ Test Driven Development

■ Paired Programming

○ Certifications:

■ Security + (for trusted deployers)

● Anticipated skill mix of the following levels Under NAICS 541515):

■ Full Stack Software Engineer/Developers

● Master Engineer Level V

● Principal Engineer Level IV

● Senior Engineer Level III

■ UX Designers

● Senior UX Designer Level III

■ Product Managers

● Principle Product Managers Level IV

■ Subject Matter Expert

3. Requested Information:

a) Company Overview: A brief overview of your company and personnel. Also, if your company is a prime vendor on any Government Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC) vehicle(s) (i.e. GSA Alliant, STARS-II, NETCENTS II, etc.) please provide a list of these contracts.

b) Previous US Government Contracts/Efforts: If your company has worked with a Government Agency providing services related to software development or similar efforts, please identify the projects, whether you were a prime or subcontractor, points of contact, dates, contract numbers, dollar value, period of performance, and scope.

c) Location: Kessel Run currently has both remote and on location (Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts) positions. Please indicate if you have a facility or presence in the greater Boston area, as well as your company’s feasibility of accommodating personnel structure as follows (please take into consideration the clearance requirement which would also require access to classified environments, as applicable):

● Option 1: All personnel working on site at the Hanscom AFB

○ 100% of members will be on-boarded to work at least part time on Hanscom

AFB

● Option 2: 50% of workforce full remote and 50% working on site at Hanscom AFB

○ Full-Remote work-force accommodations

d) Other Information:

i) Ability to provide resources identified in para 2

1) Approximate max levels of each developer experience level your company could provide meeting the totals of 50-60 FTE per contract.

ii) Information on interview/candidate vetting processes currently used by your company or seen previously used in the government for ensuring the highest level of candidates are secured throughout the life of the contract

Please answer the following questions:

1. Based on the provided information, would your company submit a quote if this requirement was issued under your GSA Contract?

2. Is there any aspect of this requirement that may limit or restrict your ability to bid?

3. What operational information does the Government need to provide to support accurate proposals (e.g., cost, performance, schedule) for any future solicitations?

4. What technical information does the Government need to provide to support accurate proposals

(e.g., cost, performance, schedule) for any future solicitations?

5. Does your company have a TOP SECRET facility clearance with Joint Worldwide Intelligence

Communication System (JWICS) network access?

6. How long would it take for your company on average to identify and resource allocate personnel for the requirement?

7. Does your company have experience with recruiting, hiring, and retaining the required personnel resources?

8. Does your company have the required certifications, skill sets, and talent?

9. Does your company have the required cleared (i.e. security clearance) personnel?

10. Would the contractors be open to becoming Trusted Deployers (requires Security + certification and internal training)?

11. Please describe your company's experience with Day2 Operations?

12. Please provide your company's posture or model for supporting 24 x 7?

13. What is your company's experience with Military & Civilian Product Managers & Designers?

14. How would your company interact with pre-coordinated or pre-built solutions to solve system needs? (I.e. IDEX, C2IMERA, M&S, LONGBOW, UDL, ADVANA, etc.)

15. What is your company’s continuous delivery model?

16. How would your company actively engage with Product Development management?

17. How would your company approach introducing new capabilities?

18. How would your company respond to shifting priorities based on real world conflicts?

4.0 Responses

White papers in Microsoft Word are due no later than Wednesday, 3 July 2024, 1500 EDT.

Responses shall be limited to 7 pages and submitted via e-mail to kelly.puvogel@us.af.mil. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

Section 1 of the white paper shall provide administrative information (not included in the page count), and shall include the following as a minimum:

a) Name, mailing address, cage code, UEI, phone number, fax number, and e-mail of designated point of contact.

b) North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541511, Custom Computer Programming Services ($34M) -Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business)

5.0 Questions

Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the Contracting Officer, kelly.puvogel@us.af.mil.

KELLY PUVOGEL, CIV, USAF

Contracting Officer

AFLCMC/HBBK

Market Research Approach: