Data Links 2025 RFI v3.docx

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

PROCURMENT FOR INTEROPERABLE DATA LINKS SYSTEMS AND RGS FOR SUPPORT AND SUSTAINMENT FOR US AIR FORCE

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

1.0 Description

A) The Global Network Systems (GNS) Command and Control Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (C2ISR) division (AFLCMC/C3IW) is seeking information from industry partners on the availability to provide support services for the Interoperable Data Links System and RGS at sites designated by the Government. The architecture supports the United States Air Force (USAF) High Altitude (HA) Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) Combat, Combat Support, and sensitive reconnaissance operations missions around the world.

B) This Request for Information (RFI) has an accelerated delivery timeline and is issued for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation or commit the government to award a contract now or in the future. Submitting information for this RFI is voluntary and participants will not be compensated. Your response to this RFI will be treated as information only. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this announcement or the Government use of such information. The information provided may be used by the Air Force (AF) in developing its acquisition strategy, statement of work/statement of objectives and performance specifications. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competitive sensitive information contained within their response as instructed later in this posting.

2.0 RFI Purpose

A) The USAF is seeking information on how interested contractors can provide Operations and Maintenance (O&M) support for the Common Data Links system. The requirements include, but are not limited to, O&M support functions, logistics sustainment (including spares management) and Contractor Site Support personnel. This RFI specifically seeks innovative ways to achieve a system availability rate of 99% providing consumers and uninterrupted stream of data and the ability to render 24-hour site support for quick reaction situations and emergent multi-mission operations.

B) Information is also requested for innovative and outside the box solutions which could provide alternative approaches to accomplishing the mission.

3.0 This is an RFI and interested parties are encouraged to submit possible solutions under the following conditions:

A) Responses to this RFI notice are not considered offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Vendors participating in this market research are advised their participations in this questionnaire does not warrant or guarantee participation in future solicitations or contracts award(s).

B) The Government may contact respondents to obtain additional information or clarification in order to understand a company’s response. This may include discussions, site visits, demonstrations, etc. To further the Government’s understanding of a proposed solution, as well as a company’s understanding of the Government’s requirements.

C) Information provided by the Government in this RFI should be viewed as representative in nature and may be revised as the Government continues to refine its planned approach.

D) Nothing in this RFI is intended to suggest a particular approach or contract solution.

E) The Government is interested in responses from all responsible businesses, including small business concerns, disadvantaged business concerns, 8(a) small business concerns, Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned small Business (ED-WOSB) concern, Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB) concern, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) concerns and Historically Underutilized Business zone (HUBzone) small business concerns. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement is 541330.

4.0 Requested Information Valid responses to this RFI must meet the following criteria:

A) Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a 3-page Executive Summary. Please provide business information to include general business names, CAGE code, Small Business type if applicable, NAICS code if known, current facility security clearance level, and a preferred point of contact(s) to include address, phone numbers, and a valid email address.

B) Additionally interested parties are asked to respond to the ten (10) questions provided below. Vendors are requested to include any assumptions you may have for your approach but also specifically to data rights for integration purposes. Response may provide, as part of the response, recommendations and/or concerns with the capabilities or with the capabilities or attributes contained in this RFI.

C) The United States Government (USG) utilizes Advisory and Assistance Support (A&AS) Contractors from <Company Name> as Specialized Subject Mater Experts (SME). Engineering SME support is also provided by The MITRE Corporation. Non-disclosure agreements were required as part of the A&AS contract and the contract with The MITRE Corp.

D) Respondents who submit proprietary data shall clearly mark the data with appropriate markings on the cover sheet and on all applicable pages. Interested parties are responsible of adequately marking proprietary or competitive sensitive information contained within the response. All information received in response to this RFI marked “CUI//SP-PROPIN” will be protected and handled accordingly. The Government reserves the right to ask follow-up clarifying questions to individual companies based on proprietary information submitted without posting those questions. Any proprietary data submitted may be handled by contract personnel who have signed Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA). The Government will not use proprietary information submitted from any one firm to establish the capability and requirements for any future systems acquisition, so as to not inadvertently restrict competition. Any material that is not marked proprietary will be considered releasable to the public.

E) All documentation, to include illustrations, pictures, etc. Must be no more than nineteen (19) pages in combined length and shall be either Portable Document Format (PDF) or Microsoft Word Format, formatted to 8.5 x11 (letter size) paper with type no smaller than 11-point font.

F) Attachments with files ending in .zip or .exe are not allowed and will be stripped. Ensure only >PDF, .DOC, or DOCX documents are attached to your email. All other attachments may be deleted.

G) The preferred method of delivery for RFI responses is via electronic submission through email to the Procurement Contracting Officer (PCO): Mr. Scott Maitland scott.maitland@us.af.mil, Contract Specialist: Capt Jared Duhaime jared.duhaime.1@us.af.mil, and Program Manager: Ms. Michelle Graham Michelle.Graham.2@us.af.mil.

H) All correspondence sent via email shall contain a subject line that includes “RFI-Datalinks FA2398 Jan25- (Company Name, ddmmyyyy) I) To ensure receipt combined file size should be limited to 10 MB, however multiple emails are permitted if necessary. To arrange an alternate delivery method due to file size, file format, or other concerns Procurement Contracting Officer (PCO): Mr. Scott Maitland scott.maitland@us.af.mil, Contract Specialist: Capt Jared Duhaime jared.duhaime.1@us.af.mil, and Program Manager: Ms. Michelle Graham Michelle.Graham.2@us.af.mil.

J) The cutoff date for responses is 15 days after the posting of this RFI. Any responses received after that date may not be read.

K) This notice may be updated as additional information becomes available.

5.0 RFI questionnaire

A) Describe any experience with simultaneously operating and maintaining 3 closed networks on the unclassified, Secret, and Top-Secret domains while maintaining 99% availability 24/7.

B) Please explain how your company would meet the Department of Defense cybersecurity certification requirements referenced in NIST SP 800-37 Rev 2 while modifying and maintaining the above-mentioned networks.

C) What percentage of your available workforce with the company maintains active TS/SCI clearances with counterintelligence Polygraphs and are readily available to work in CONUS and OCONUS locations.

D) Present any experience your organization has with building, operating, and/or maintaining several strings of equipment (networking devices, servers, etc.) to achieve and maintain a high level of system availability/reliability. This should include but not be limited to 24/7 contractor site support for operations, hardware and software updates, patch management, technical support for engineering, communications studies, and whitepapers as well as the purchasing, installing and maintaining of Commercial off the shelf and Government off the shelf equipment.

a. Describe your organization’s experience in designing, maintaining and adapting large-scale networks that handle the on-boarding, manipulation, and successful transport of different data types and waveforms.

E) Provide examples of instances where your organization has provided operations and maintenance support for Government-owned networks and equipment. Support entails but is not limited to resolution of deficiency reports, maintenance of system documentation, creation of technical manuals, managing and operating test bed equipment, testing for failure verification, providing facilities to conduct engineering verification as well as testing and supporting terminal certification on both airborne and ground terminals. Responses will help the USG develop an image of the marketplace.

F) Describe your experience with providing a broad range of engineering and technical services on applicable systems/components. These services could include sustainment support, modification and upgrades or development as well as configuration management support including but not limited to drawings, licenses and baseline support. Responses will help the USG develop an image of the marketplace.

G) The work being contemplated requires close cooperation with other contractors working for the Government. Does your company have experience working in a collaborative environment where each contractor has a separate contract? Please provide examples if possible.

H) Discuss examples of Integrated Logistics Support your organization has provided. This could include support such as Life Cycle Cost Controls, site support, transportation, property management and repair activities as well as activities to manage Diminishing Manufacturing Sources efforts.

I) Does your company have experience in working with the Department of Defense logistic/supply systems? Are you familiar with DOD logistics/supply issues when equipment does not use the established supply system? Please provide examples.

J) Please describe your ability to manage space assets and resolve issues should ephemeris data should go offline.