C3E RFI_26Mar25.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Secretary of the Air Force Office, Competitive Activities (SAF/OC) Concepts Development Management (CDM) Mission Architecture Innovation (CDMM)

1.0 Description

SAF/OC/CDM is seeking information for the Cohesive Cloud Environment (C3E) requirement.

The scope of this requirement requires contracted support to create enterprise-class, multi-cloud, multi-domain application hosting, development, collaboration, as well as cybersecurity, mission data discovery, and access solutions. C3E must enable swift deployment of secure operational mission capabilities, sharing mission data, and collaborating. C3E will inform decision-making, and rapidly predict, detect, and respond to threats from U.S. adversaries.

1.1 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Air Force is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondees are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the SAM.gov website. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement.

2.0 Background

The Secretary of the Air Force Office of Competitive Activities (SAF/OC) Concepts, Development, and Management (CDM) Program Office conducts the planning and acquisition of cost-effective, critical capabilities to support the war-fighting mission of Combatant Commanders (CCDRs) and various DoD and US Government Departments and Agencies.

Meeting the evolving mission needs of our customers historically required developing specialized technological silos of excellence. While this approach effectively delivered rapid solutions tailored to specific customer requirements, it resulted in significant duplication of resources and technologies across SAF/CDM. This siloed approach has created a cost-prohibitive environment and hindered cross-functional collaboration.

To address these challenges, this requirement seeks industry solutions that break down information silos, foster collaboration across programs, and enable the rapid deployment of secure operational mission capabilities within a cost-effective, standardized environment. Solutions must leverage modern cloud infrastructure and services to ensure high availability, scalability, and enhanced security while improving contract and acquisition efficiencies. Solutions will enable the SAF/OC to effectively manage information across the DAF, including at the U, S/SAR, TS/SCI/SAR classification level, to enhance communication and awareness of SAF/OC efforts. Ultimately, proposed solutions should streamline the deployment of mission-critical information, accelerating both SAF/OC, CDM, and DAF mission execution in support of the 24 key decisions for optimization.

2.1 Period of Performance is a one (1) year Base Period and four (4) one (1) year Option

Periods. Estimated Performance Start is TBD. Government space is not available; all contracted work must be accomplished in Contractor facilities.

3.0 Requested Information

These questions are designed to gather detailed information from potential vendors about their capabilities, experiences, and specific solutions that align with the requirements outlined in the RFI. In response to the Draft Statement of Objectives (SOO) for C3E (Attachment 1), please respond to the following questions:

(1) Do the Lines of Effort (LOE)/Initiatives sections present clear and understandable objectives? Please clarify if additional information is beneficial for each LOE.

(2) What Labor Categories (LCATs) would you recommend for the LOE 2 and LOE 4 Sustainment objectives?

(3) What contract strategy (i.e. what contract vehicle(s)) would you recommend the Government consider for the scope of this requirement?

(4) Do you have any small business concerns related to the scope of this requirement (i.e. do you believe this requirement is best met as a small business set aside or through large business using a subcontracting plan)?

(5) Do you see any risks associated with the sustainment objectives (LOE 2 and LOE 4) being accomplished once the developments (LOE 1 and LOE 3) are transitioned?

(6) The current acquisition strategy is to utilize the developer of LOE 1 for the development of LOE 3. Are there any compelling reasons for adding the development of a JWICS baseline (LOE 3) to this requirement (i.e. not just sustainment of LOE 2 and LOE 4, but also include development of LOE 3)?

(7) Are there any specific evaluation criteria you would recommend the Government consider for the source selection of this requirement (i.e. where do you see the biggest differentiating factors between offers proposals based on the stated objectives)?

(8) What innovative strategies and technologies would you recommend the Government consider in order to expand C3E over the next 5-10 years?

4.0 Responses

4.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper.

4.2 White papers in Microsoft Word for Office 2000 compatible format or Adobe PDF are due no later than 14 April 2025, by 1700 EST.

4.3 Responses shall be limited to 3 pages total and submitted via e-mail only to benjamin.sears.7@us.af.mil and benjamin.ellis.10@us.af.mil.

4.4 Responses are UNLASSIFIED only.

4.5 Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY

MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information.

4.6 Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

4.7 Part 1 of the white paper shall provide administrative information, be limited to one (1) page, and shall include the following as a minimum:

4.7.1 Name, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail of designated point of contact.

4.7.2 Either 1) copies of executed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with the contractors supporting SAF/OC/CDM in technical evaluations or 2) a statement that the respondee will not allow the Government to release its proprietary data to the Government support contractors. In the absence of either of the foregoing, the Government will assume that the respondee does NOT agree to the release of its submission to Government support contractors.

4.7.3 Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business) based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541511, 541512, and/or 541519.

4.7.4 The facility security clearance of the offeror.

4.8 Part 2 of the white paper shall answer the questions addressed in Section 3.0 of this RFI and shall be limited to two (2) pages.

5.0 Industry Discussions

5.1 SAF/OC/CDM representatives may or may not choose to meet with potential offerors.

Such discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements, especially any development and certification risks.

5.2 It is the intent of the Government to host a virtual Industry Day to discuss the C3E requirement with interested vendors. Target date for the Industry Day is late-April 2025.

6.0 Questions

Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the Contracting Officer, benjamin.sears.7@us.af.mil and the Acquisition Program Manager, benjamin.ellis.10@us.af.mil. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions will be answered by posting answers to SAM.gov; accordingly, questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after 2 April 2025, by 1700 EST will be answered.

7.0 Summary

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that can provide contracted services for the SAF/OC/CDM C3E requirement. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Air Force has not made a commitment to procure any of the items/services discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

8.0 Attachments:

Attachment 1: Draft Statement of Objectives (SOO) mailto:benjamin.sears.7@us.af.mil mailto:benjamin.ellis.10@us.af.mil