ADCS ADI RFI 4.22.25 FINAL.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Tracking No. 822571847

Air Forces Northern (AFNORTH) is seeking information from industry regarding innovative solutions, approaches, and emerging technologies for comprehensive support for the primary maintenance, sustainment, and enhancement of the Air Defense Communication Services’ (ADCS) Air Defense Infrastructure (ADI).

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) NOTICE ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS

(RFP). NO SOLICITATION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

1. Overview/Purpose/Description of Procurement: The ADCS is the unseen, mission critical backbone of North America's air defense. Its mission is to ensure the secure and uninterrupted flow of information between sensors, decision-makers, and response units. This intricate network operates as an integrated infrastructure, connecting early warning systems, command centers, and air combat units, facilitating swift and coordinated responses to potential threats.

This system relies on robust communication between remote radar and radio sites, operational centers, and air traffic control facilities. Delays in this network could have dire consequences, highlighting the need for comprehensive lifecycle support. This includes rigorous system management, 24/7 operational support, significant cybersecurity protocols, and dedicated management and administration across all levels.

To maintain this mission critical service, a significant contract is required, encompassing 178 radar/radio sites, 42 alert sites, and 63 unique communication packages at remote locations. This contract prioritizes seamless integration for both permanent and temporary connections, guaranteeing robust command and control communication. Maintaining this network is not just about technology; it is about safeguarding lives and preserving national security by ensuring every second counts in the defense of the airspace.

The Government wants to explore innovative approaches or emerging technologies that could enhance the ADCS ADI infrastructure without interrupting the flow of mission-critical information standards outlined in Section 2.

2. Scope of Effort: The ADI requirement demands comprehensive, end-to-end management of its complex communication and data transport infrastructure. This critical system facilitates the seamless flow of radar data and voice communications between dispersed entities including:

• Remote Radar and Radio Sites: 178 sites providing primary sensor data.

• Air Combat Alert Facilities: 42 locations maintaining constant air defense readiness.

• Air Traffic Control Centers: Regional and local Federal Aviation Administration facilities ensuring safe airspace management.

• Joint Air Defense Operations Center: The central hub for coordinating air defense activities.

• Specialized Sites: Including Tethered Aerostat Radar Sites, Ground-Air-Ground radio facilities, and the Continental United States North American Aerospace Defense Command Region Forensic System sites.

• Mobile Support Platforms: Providing secure low-altitude radio communications capabilities for President of the United States travel and other high-priority missions.

This intricate network, comprising 63 unique communication packages deployed at remote locations, necessitates constant support across its entire lifecycle.

The ADI requirement includes a full spectrum of required services encompassing:

2.1 Technical Management and Support Requirements:

• End-to-End System Management: Includes day-to-day operations, preventative maintenance, configuration management, testing, and sustaining engineering

• 24/7/365 Multi-Tiered Maintenance Support: Includes on-site Tiers 1 & 2 support and remote help desk (Tier 3) capabilities

• Logistics Support: Includes managing the equipment lifecycle, hardware status reporting, and implementing efficient supply chain solutions

• Cybersecurity and Information Assurance: Ensures the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of the communication system

2.2 Program and Project Oversight Requirements:

• Program Management: Oversees all aspects of the contract and ensures alignment with client objectives

• Project Management: Executes individual projects within the program scope, adhering to schedule and budget

• Logistics Management: Plans and manages the efficient flow and storage of goods, services, and information

• Life Cycle Management: Manages the system throughout its entire lifespan, from acquisition to disposal

• System Fielding: Oversees the deployment and integration of new systems and upgrades

2.3 Administrative and Support Functions Requirements:

• Training and Testing: Develops and conducts comprehensive training programs and system tests

• Quality Assurance: Implements extensive quality control measures throughout all aspects of the project

• Facility Management: Maintains and manages the physical infrastructure supporting the communication system

• Document Control: Establishes and maintains a robust system for managing project documentation

• Contracts Management: Administers all aspects of the contract, ensuring compliance and performance

• Financial Management: Manages project budgets, tracks expenditures, and provides financial reporting

• Administrative Services: Provides essential administrative support to facilitate smooth project execution

2.4 Technologies Employed:

The ADI utilizes a range of technologies, including:

• Internet Protocol-based architectures and associated transport equipment: Includes routers, switching, firewalls, etc.

• Implementing and managing Risk Management Framework (RMF) processes according to RMF versions 4 and 5

• Legacy analog Transmission System 1/Digital Signal Zero connectivity: Includes Channel Banks, Foreign Exchange Office, Foreign Exchange Station, and Ear and Mouth, and Voice over Frame Relay

• Industry standard transport media: Includes fiber optic, ethernet, etc.

• Line of Site and Beyond LOS radio communication: Includes Ultra High Frequency, Very High Frequency, Satellite Communication, High Frequency, and associated equipment (e.g.

engineering, solution design, radio head, antenna)

• Specific radio models: Includes a range of models from manufacturers such as General Dynamics Mission Systems, Harris, Motorola, and Rockwell Collins

• Compunetix Mission Voice Platform (Red/Black) and Secure digital Audio Process implementation sustainment: Includes engineering, integration, and management

2.5 Current ADI Considerations

• Seamless operation and maintenance of the Government’s data transport infrastructure within complex, distributed environments, within Department of Defense (DoD) is necessary

• Systems work in conjunction with separately provided long-haul communication (e.g. AT&T, Verizon, Defense Information Systems Agency)

• Work is compliant with Defense Information Systems Agency Security Technical Implementation Guides, Security Requirement Guides, relevant DoD cybersecurity mandates, and Federal Acquisition Regulations and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement for information technology systems. https://public.cyber.mil/stigs/

• Network is geographically distributed

• Relies on contractor training and technical support throughout lifecycle https://public.cyber.mil/stigs/

3. Request for Information:

The Government seeks to enhance the current solution, while guaranteeing the secure and uninterrupted flow of mission-critical information with the minimum standards outlined in Section 2.

A response to this RFI should include innovative approaches or emerging technologies that could improve, streamline, enhance, or modernize the ADI. Taking into consideration the required services outlined in Section 2, responses should include how the approach would meet the following standards.

3.1. Solution Overview:

o Provide for successful, delivery, implementation and ongoing support of the solution o Work with technologies employed by the Air Defense network, to ensure a smooth transition and effective knowledge transfer.

• Handle data transport, emphasizing:

o Seamless operation and maintenance of the Government’s data transport infrastructure within complex, and distributed DoD environments o If approach can work within existing, separately provided long-haul communication via common carriers like Comcast, AT&T, Verizon, and the Defense Information Systems Agency o Architecture, Features & Capabilities: Detail the approach's architecture and highlight features that address the critical requirements stated above, for redundancy, resilience, and security.

o Technical Specifications & Performance: Provide detailed information on supported hardware/software, data throughput rates, latency, and security protocols. Emphasize performance in bandwidth-constrained or unreliable network conditions.

• Operate in Compliance with Security, specifically:

o How the solution complies with Defense Information Systems Agency Security Technical Implementation Guides, Security Requirement Guides, relevant DoD cybersecurity mandates, and Federal Acquisition Regulations and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement for information technology systems.

https://public.cyber.mil/stigs/ o Provide details of data encryption methods, key management, access control mechanisms, and integration with existing National Security Agency Type-1 certified encryption devices details

3.2. Support:

o Describe a seamless implementation process, minimizing disruption to the geographically distributed network o Provide details of your company’s training program for Government personnel, ensuring they are fully equipped to manage and operate the solution.

o Explain your company’s approach to providing reliable technical support throughout the solution's lifecycle.

3.3. Experience

• A compelling example of successful execution of similar solutions and support, highlighting capabilities and a successful track record in a demanding environment is encouraged.

4. Corporate Information: Please provide the following information about your company. If submitting a team response, please include the requested information for all companies on the team.

• Company Name: Provide the full legal name of your company.

• Company Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and/or Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE):

Provide the UEI and/or CAGE Code.

• Physical Address: Provide the physical address of your company's headquarters or primary office.

• Point of Contact: Provide the name, phone number, and email address of the primary point of contact for your company.

• Business Type: Identify your company's business type, such as:

i. Small Business (if applicable, please specify the type, e.g. Small Disadvantaged Business, Woman-Owned Small Business, etc.)

ii. Large Business

iii. Non-Profit Organization

iv. Academic Institution

v. Other (please specify)

• Facility Clearance Level: Specify your company's current facility clearance level, if applicable.

Please provide the following details:

i. Clearance level (e.g. Top Secret, Secret, etc.)

ii. Date of last clearance verification

iii. Facility Clearance Agency (e.g. Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency, etc.)

• Contract Vehicles: List all contract vehicles that would be available to the Government for the procurement of your products and/or services, such as:

i. General Services Administration Schedule

ii. Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract

iii. Blanket Purchase Agreements

iv. Other (please specify)

Note: If your company has multiple contract vehicles, please list each. If your company does not have any contract vehicles, please indicate "None" or provide an explanation.

5. Response Guidelines: Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper, no more than 20 pages long, single spaced, 12-point type with at least one-inch margins on 8 1/2” X 11” page size. The response should not exceed a 10 MB e-mail limit for all items associated with the RFI response. Responses should specifically describe the contractor’s capability to meet the requirements outlined in this RFI. SAM.gov will be the sole repository for all information related to this RFI.

Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All Government and Systems Engineering and Technical Advisory contractor personnel reviewing submitted responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as described in section 41 of United States Code 423. The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified.

Companies who wish to respond to this RFI should send responses via email no later than May 23, 2025, 1700 CDT to jessica.d.penick.civ@mail.mil and thuyduong.t.le.civ@mail.mil.

6. Industry Discussions: Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization representatives may choose to meet with potential vendors and hold one-on-one discussions. Such discussions would only be intended to obtain further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements, including any development and certification risks.

7. Questions: Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to jessica.d.penick.civ@mail.mil and thuyduong.t.le.civ@mail.mil. Answers to questions will be posted to SAM.gov. The Government will not reimburse companies for any costs associated with the submissions of their responses.

Disclaimer This RFI is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals, nor will any award be made because of this synopsis.

All information contained in the RFI is preliminary as well as subject to modification and is in no way binding on the Government. FAR clause 52.215-3, “Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes”, is incorporated by reference in this RFI. The Government does not intend to pay for information received in response to this RFI. Responders to this invitation are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. This RFI will be the basis for collecting information on capabilities available. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received in this RFI that is marked “Proprietary” will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned nor will receipt be confirmed. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.