BOSS 2.0 RFI_SOO.pdf

BACN BOSS 2.0 SOO

STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES

For

Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN)

BOSS 2.0

SCOPE OUTLINE ONLY

21 March 2024

BACN BOSS 2.0

BACN BOSS 2.0 STATEMENT OF OBJECTIVES (SOO)

1.0 Introduction

The Government’s primary objective is to award a follow on BACN Operations, Sustainment and Support (BOSS) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract. The current BACN system is managed by AFLCMC/HNAK under two primary contracts: (1) The BACN Operations, Sustainment and Support (BOSS) Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (ID/IQ) contract and (2) The BACN Platform Maintenance contract.

The current BOSS contract was awarded to Northrop Grumman Missions Systems (NGMS) in January 2021. This contract provides support for fielded BACN payloads, including their operations, maintenance, and sustainment in Continental United States (CONUS, and Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS) operating locations. Under this contract, NGMS also provides the BACN ground support systems known as the Payload Control Elements as well as the PCE operators and maintainers. This ordering period of this contract will expire in January 2026. The expiration of this contract is the key reason for seeking a new BACN Payload Operations and Sustainment program IDIQ contract.

2.0 Scope

2.1. Deployed Payload Operations and Sustainment

a. Provide, operate and support BACN payloads in-theater. The scope of this effort includes the necessary manpower and resources required to provide, operate, and support the BACN airborne payloads and any associated ground equipment needed to execute the BACN mission in deployed CONUS and OCONUS locations. BACN mission requirements and BACN payload technical and functional requirements are defined in the BACN SRD. Sufficient quantities of BACN payloads are required to support the current fleet of six E-11As. Additional BACN payloads and additional payload support may be required should the Government acquire additional BACN platforms (either E-11As, alternative platforms, or a combination thereof). Supply and support of any ground equipment or specialized test and maintenance equipment required to operate and support the BACN payload. Operations support including mission planning, data recording, data reduction and daily status and metrics reporting.

b. Provide BACN payload and associated ground equipment maintenance and material repair support to include the following functions:

i. Use of the Air Force's Integrated Data Maintenance System (IMDS) and

Automated AFTO Form 781 Management and Industrial/Support Equipment Record AFTO Form 244/245 to record BACN payload and any associated ground support equipment maintenance activities.

ii. Establishment of a Failure Reporting, Analysis and Corrective Action System (FRACAS). The Government shall be allowed access to the FRACAS data and the corrective action database. The FRACAS results shall be posted in a monthly report.

iii. Tracking of system deficiencies and software changes. Ensure system deficiencies or software changes designed to improve Reliability, Maintainability, and Availability (RM&A), safety, or that otherwise qualify as normal life-cycle support discovered during tests and operations are recorded and reported to the Government. Notify the government immediately of CAT I deficiencies. Provide recommended deficiency solutions and impacts to the program to the Government, including cost and schedule.

iv. Engineering Change Proposals. In the event of a configuration or design change to the BACN payload, provide recommended deficiency solutions, cost, and schedule to the Government via an Engineering Change Proposal (ECP).

v. Track and overcome Diminishing Manufacturing Sources issues. Perform Diminishing Manufacturing Source (DMS) redesign activities for non-GFP items to the extent that alternate COTS parts meeting form, fit and function are available.

vi. Provide rapid repair and return of failed or faulty payload components. Employ a sound maintenance approach to ensure repaired items and spare support are sufficient to meet Air Force mission requirements for continuous operations.

Deliver appropriate repaired items or components to designated Government depots or other locations as specified by the program office.

vii. Provide supply support and stockage. Provide supply support for the fielded systems consisting of spares and associated material stock to meet RM&A requirements. This support shall include monitoring and management of stock levels, controlled storage of stock and Government Furnished assets, depot requisition, receipt, issue, packaging, handling, and shipping activities.

2.2 BACN Payload Follow-On Sustainment Program Source Sought Synopsis

a. Provide program management and systems engineering functions to include configuration management, quality control, system test and evaluation, GFP audit and management, integrated logistics support, technical order development and management, and training. Contractor personnel supporting the BACN Payload Operations and Sustainment Program must be U.S. citizens and, in most cases, capable of holding or have at least a DoD SECRET security clearance.

b. Provide software maintenance and support for the BACN payload operating software and all associated support software products. Operate and sustain a BACN System Integration Laboratory (SIL) representative of the BACN system elements, including hardware and software for the E-11A and/or alternative platform installation to support payload design, development, integration, test, and maintenance activities. Formal verification of system upgrades, interoperability, and corrections to system deficiencies and configuration management of the system hardware and software baseline prior to incorporation into the BACN payload. Deployment of BACN payload hardware, and software updates upon approval by the Government.

c. Provide previously performed examples of travel, subsistence, transportation, and other direct costs to support the execution of the contract, including the long-term posting of operations and maintenance personnel overseas in combat theaters of operations such as CENTCOM, AFRICOM, Southwest Asia.

d. Provide examples and outline the ability of continued satisfaction of Cybersecurity requirements. Satisfy the Cybersecurity requirements for the BACN program to achieve and/or maintain an accreditable system that satisfies the SRD requirements and adheres to the Risk Management Framework (RMF) process. Provide subject matter experts in RMF processes and secure systems engineering to support the full spectrum of CS-related activities over the system life cycle. Continue to develop, maintain, implement, and document in a Vulnerability Management Plan (VMP), the process for maintaining the security posture of the BACN system both during development, testing, storage, exercises and deployment. This process shall include continuous monitoring all assessment of vulnerabilities, as well as testing and application of corrective measures, such as patches and signature updates. The VMP shall also describe the relationship of this process with the Configuration Management Process.

e. Provide examples of Aircraft Airworthiness Certification support. As the manager of the Payload configuration baseline for equipment installed on the E-11A the contractor will interface with the E-11A Platform Maintenance contractor for airworthiness certification matters. This is expected to occur on an as needed and pro-active basis with the contractor providing subject matter expertise in all required engineering disciplines.

2.3 BACN Payload Capability Development

The BACN payload system is versatile and adapts to meet evolving user operational requirements. The Government anticipates potential improvements such as incorporation alternative radio sources, improved or new communications waveforms, improved network connectivity, increased bandwidth availability, alternative system architectures that may be candidates for incorporation into the BACN payload. These are capabilities improvements beyond OMS component replacement. Based on the maturity of these capabilities, BACN program priorities, funding availability and Government approval; develop and incorporate capability improvements into the BACN Weapon System along with associated sustainment functions to include Site Stand-up, Relocation and Demobilization.

Support site stand-up or relocation of BACN payload operating locations based on mission requirements. Assist the Government in conducting site surveys to determine feasibility of operating, controlling, and maintaining the BACN payload at new operating locations as required. Prepare and deliver Implementation plans to establish new operating locations including recommendations of personnel, equipment, security, and transportation requirements.

Identify site-specific procedural requirements (ATC, network configurations, etc.) and assist in the creation/alterations of Host Base Agreements, cybersecurity authorizations, etc. Provide personnel, equipment, and other resources, as necessary, to operate and control the BACN payload at existing and new operating locations. Provide logistics support for personnel and equipment at existing and new BACN payload operating locations.

Demobilize and remove all equipment from retired BACN operational sites as directed by the Government.

2.4 Exercises

The BACN mission effort supports multiple (typically four (4)) exercises throughout the year.

The responding companies should have exercise experience and provide technical support as needed to complete it.