CDN_CDN_Commercial_RFI_QnA_Aug2023.pdf

Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) Content Delivery Network Request for Information (RFI)

Federal Agency: Air Force Program Office: Department of the Air Force PEO Command Control Communications and Battle Management (PEO C3BM) RFI Title: Content Delivery Network (CDN) Request for Information (RFI) Proposals Due: Thursday, 31 August 2023 at 12:00 PM EDT

General Questions and Answers

Q: Will the Government provide any hardware as GFE? More specifically, does the Government anticipate installation on existing hardware and/or new hardware?

A: The solution space is open to both existing hardware and new hardware. If a vendors CDN solution requires a specific hardware stack that information should be provided to the government. If the Vendors CDN solution can be hosted on any x86 based HW solution, or cloud vendor solution, then costs should reflect that.

Q: Does the Government anticipate leveraging existing COTS CDN like AWS Cloud Front or Akamai?

A: The government anticipates leveraging any CDN solution, COTS or otherwise, that meets the objective of the CDN RFI and Concept. The CDN solution needs to be interoperable across Cloud Service Providers. If a COTS CDN meets some objectives and an integrator proposes a “wrapper” or unique modification to a COTS CDN solution to achieve government objectives that is an acceptable answer.

Q: On the topic of networks, some of the RFI questions (such as those regarding botnet detection and DDOS) imply that these CDNs will be exposed to the internet, is that correct? Or will this be deployed on private networks and behind firewalls?

A: It is anticipated that the ABMS “Black Fabric” will leverage commercial transport options.

This presents unique risks, firewalls and other network defense solutions will be architected into the network, both external and internal to the network. C2 traffic is considered mission critical and directly related to National Security. Thus, ensuring proper risk mitigation techniques are in-place at various points along the network is essential to successful mission outcomes.

Q: Is there a webserver that is preferred and/or expected?

A: Web servers can be located on-prem and connected to existing DISN/AFNET networks or hosted within a cloud service provider offering.

Q: Is there an ICAM solution that is preferred and/or expected?

A: ABMS is looking for interoperability/compatibility with DAF Enterprise ICAM investments based on SAF/CN roadmaps.

Q: What IPsec tunnel/encryption solution is being used for encryption in motion between nodes?

A: ABMS is assessing the use of both Type-1 Encryptors and CSFC. CSFC capability packages, Multi-Site, Enterprise Gray, and Mobile Access.

A: Initial deployments will most likely be based on Type-1 Encryptors.

Q: Can the government define the scope associated with “deploying” the CDN concept. In other words, should we account for the costs associated with any needed development, maintenance, and postproduction support for the solution?

A: Interested vendors should account for “development, maintenance, and postproduction support for the solution”

Q: Please confirm if there is any additional document namely "ABMS Content Delivery Network White Paper (attachment A) / White paper template" which is missing here?

A: The mentioned Attachment A is the included templates. There is no additional documentation.

Q: Should Industry Partners respond to the questions found in the White Paper, or should we answer the questions found in Paragraph F.?

A: You should answer the questions from the whitepaper in question. The white papers have the correct questions and more. Section 4 in the 20230809-ABMS_CDN_RFI_WhitePaper has all the correct questions in Paragraph F of its accompanying RFI.

Q: What is difference between Industry and Commercial Industry partners. We are trying to figure out the right whitepaper template to use. We are a software company that has a product that meets possibly the CDN needs as defined in the RFI. Should we be using the Commercial Industry template?

A: The government considered an "Industry" capability provider as a partner that would integrate a solution on the behalf of the government to the larger system-of-systems. A "Commercial Industry" capability provider is a partner that would sell or license a product to the government but does not intend to integrate that product into the larger system-of-systems. If a capability provider has a CDN product and also intends to integrate that product with a larger system-of-systems, the government recommends filling out the "Industry Template" not the "Commercial Industry Template".

Q: Do you anticipate using the ABMS IDIQ contract vehicle for CDN?

A: The final decision has not been made public at this time. We anticipate an update being made very soon.

Q: If an RFP is released re: ABMS CDN, will that only be open to on-boarded contractors of the ABMS IDIQ? Or a separate contract vehicle?

A: This RFI is open to both on-boarded ABMS IDIQ contractors and any contractor interested in submitting a response. Any interested party is able and encouraged to reply.

Q: Request for clarification on the Whitepaper Section 1.1 Briefly outline feedback on the ABMS CDN Objectives. Is question 1 meant to only address how the commercial CDN meets, or does not meet each of the objectives provided? Should we use this section to provide our feedback on the list of objectives (ex: recommend adding an additional bullet stating that xyz) in addition to how the CDN meets or doesn’t meet the objectives? Or should feedback on the provided objectives be included with question 2 where we put additional objectives we recommend?

A: Question 1 is meant to address how the commercial CDN meets or does not meet each of the objectives. Please elaborate on how your commercial CDN does or does not meet those objectives. Feedback on the objectives listed in the RFI can be provided in the response to question 1. Question 2 should be intended for any new objectives that you believe the government should include when considering a commercial CDN for procurement.

Q: Does the Government have a preference on how or if questions from the other template could (should) be answered?

A: Only mentioned fields on the selected template are requested. Interested parties choosing to add additional answers from the other template may do so but must stay within the page limit of their RFI response.

Q: Can you please confirm that Table of content, Cover Page, and Acronym List is not part of the 20-page limit.

A: Confirming the Table of Contents, Cover Page and Acronym list are not part of the 20-page limit.

Q: Is the request from the services side to develop a new CDN or act as an integrator?

A: The Government is assessing the ability of available CDN products to meet the objectives and concepts identified within the RFIs. The Government is also looking for industry partners that are qualified as integrators of a CDN solution and their thoughts on the objectives and concepts of the RFI. If no CDN product exists today that could meet the objectives of the RFI then the government would be interested in understanding what gaps exist in available technology against the objectives and concepts of the RFI.

Contact Information The Points of Contact for this effort are the Contracting Officer, Mr. Nic Correa, and the Contract Specialist, Mr. Wesley Livesay. The Offeror shall not contact any other Government personnel or offices regarding this RFI.

Position: Name: Email:

Contracting Officer: Mr. Nic Correa nicomedez.correa.1@us.af.mil

Contracting Specialist: Mr. Wesley Livesay wesley.livesay@us.af.mil

General Questions and Answers