DCTC Request for Information_12032020.docx

Defense Civilian Training Corps Request for Information

Request for Information:

Agency/Office: Washington Headquarters Services/Acquisition Directorate (WHS/AD) on behalf of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Sustainment) Office of Human Capital Initiatives

Title: Defense Civilian Training Corps (DCTC) Program Request for Information for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition and Sustainment) Office of Human Capital Initiatives

Location: Not applicable at this time

Customer Description: The Department of Defense (DoD) may use responses to this request for information (RFI) to inform future solicitation. The purpose of this RFI is to survey higher education institutions for relevant information. Hence, submitted responses should not be worded as proposals. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract or assistance vehicle. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs associated with submissions of the RFI being requested or reimburse expenses incurred to interested parties for responses.

Background/Overview: Congress, through section 860 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2020 directs the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) to establish and maintain a Defense Civilian Training Corps (DCTC) program, organized into one or more units, at any accredited civilian educational institution authorized to grant baccalaureate degrees. The purpose of the program is to establish a civilian training corps to prepare selected students for public service in DoD occupations relating to acquisition, science, engineering, or other civilian occupations determined by the Secretary of Defense, and to target critical skill gaps.

DCTC will leverage the significant experience the DoD has attracting and preparing top talent for highly technical careers in service to our nation as both military and civilian members of the Department through the Senior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (SROTC) and the Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation Scholarship-for-Service (SMART) program. Just as SROTC has a military science curriculum, DCTC will have an undergraduate curriculum centered on public service in the DoD and designed to align the student’s academic courses of study with a DCTC curriculum providing opportunity for exposure emerging technologies and opportunity to apply Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) knowledge to current technical challenges facing the DoD. The DCTC will employ internships alongside a robust slate of projects as well as opportunities fostering innovation and competition across DCTC units in the program.

As a scholarship-based program providing a direct path to a STEM and public service career, DCTC will draw from a diverse population and be a natural educational capstone to nation-wide kindergarten through grade 12 (K-12) STEM programs. With a strong corps framework, DCTC will stand apart from other scholarship programs, inspiring a diverse and talented applicant pool. DCTC graduates will strengthen DoD’s human capital environment, contributing a uniquely-trained cohort experienced in STEM and DoD technical challenges, and growing the DCTC model into a prestigious pipeline for STEM and other critical DoD needs.

DoD plans to implement the DCTC program in three phases. The first DCTC unit must be deployed by August 2021, expanding to a total of five units must by August 2022, and, finally a total of 20 units must be deployed by 2023.

Provided for as background is the August 2020 DCTC Implementation Plan provided to Congress. In addition, a notional four year program is provided.

This RFI is seeking information from educational institutions to help assess the program’s viability and use the data to improve the implementation plan in the following area:

I. Level of institutional interest in DCTC participation, II. Assessment of institutional selection criteria, and III. Coronavirus impact on higher education.

I. Level of institutional interest in DCTC participation – WHS/AD is requesting information to determine the level of interest of higher learning institutions in participating in the DCTC program.

II. Assessment of institutional selection criteria – WHS/AD is requesting information from interested parties regarding proposed institutional assessment criteria. Section 860 authorized DCTC to establish 20 ROTC-like units over a three-year period requiring the program to conduct competition and establish selection criteria.

1. Institution’s Programs. Institutions with broad capabilities to address DoD critical skill gaps across multiple disciplines and technical fields. Describe institution’s curricula/programs in the following areas:

a. ABET accredited STEM Bachelor’s programs in the 21 SMART program-funded disciplines (See attachment 1 for complete list).

i. Institution National Ranking and/or specific program national rankings

b. Research and education programs strongly associated with DoD Modernization Priorities (See attachment 2).

c. Bachelor’s programs associated with DoD Acquisition functional areas (See attachment 2 for complete list). Note: Pilot program emphasis is STEM, data provided for this item will be used to determine capabilities to expand into other critical gaps as the program conducts expansion phases.

2. Institution’s DoD/Government Partnerships. Institutions with a strong record of partnership with the DoD and U.S. Government. Describe institution’s past and current partnerships and activities, with an emphasis on STEM with:

a. DoD labs and acquisition organizations.

b. National labs and other U.S. Government agencies.

c. DoD and U.S. government educational programs such as SROTC (Host, Extension, Cross-Town), SMART, or CyberCorps.

3. Institution’s STEM skill application capabilities. Institutions with broad opportunities for students to apply STEM skills such as cooperative research and laboratories. Describe institution’s past and current capabilities for students to apply STEM skills during the school year.

a. Institutional or access to research labs/centers

b. Cooperative research

4. Student Diversity. Institutions working to increase a diverse population of students in STEM-related disciplines. Provide 1) the institution’s current diversity statistics for the institution as a whole and in each of its STEM-related programs and 2) a description of past and current programs to increase diversity in programs.

5. DCTC Program Support. Institutions willing to establish partnership through contract, cooperative agreement, or memorandum of understanding similar to SROTC contracts with universities/colleges. Describe institution’s capabilities in providing the following areas emphasizing any unique requirements or limitations placed on DCTC.

a. Required facilities such as classrooms, offices, and leadership laboratories.

b. Credentialing DCTC curriculum.

c. Granting Academic Rank to DCTC faculty.

d. Integrating DCTC Curriculum into institution’s Learn Management System.

6. Geographical proximity. DCTC program plans for scholars to travel to DoD labs and acquisition and/or other organizations to gain insight into DoD capabilities and increase awareness/appreciation for civil service. Geographic proximity to DoD labs enhances this capability as well as strengthens ties between the institution and DoD facilities for future research. Describe the institution’s geographic proximity up to 250 miles (see attachment 3 for complete list).

7. Other self-identified institutional strengths. Describe any additional institutional strengths that will enhance DCTC.

Questions to address:

1. Does the institution have concerns or questions regarding any of the proposed criteria? Provide a description of the concern and any additional detail necessary to support the issue.

2. Does the institution propose any changes to the criteria? Provide the change recommendation and supporting justification.

3. Does the institution propose any additional criteria or recommendations for sublevel criteria? Provide the criteria and justification for recommending inclusion.

4. DCTC requires institutions to provide facilities for DCTC personnel and students and anticipates institutions requesting tenant costs. The current design plans for 6 DCTC unit personnel and up to 80 scholars per location. Based on this plan, what would is the institution’s estimated annual tenant costs?

5. DCTC will staff DCTC Units with government civil service, and potentially contracted, personnel to provide the DCTC specific curriculum. Similar to ROTC, we will require DCTC faculty be granted appropriate academic rank: full professor for Unit Director and assistant professor or equivalent for other faculty. Will the DCTC faculty be required to meet the institutions education standards for academic ranks? If so, what are the standards?

6. DCTC will also require institutions to accredit DCTC courses and list DCTC course grades on student transcripts. Please provide an outline of the course accreditation requirements and process?

7. DCTC recognizes each institution has its own Learn Management System and associated interface requirements but the DCTC curriculum will be common to all institutions. Would the institution be willing to take lead role to integrate DCTC Curriculum into its specific Learn Management System?

III. Coronavirus impact on higher education - WHS/AD is requesting information from interested parties on recent impacts on educational capabilities related to coronavirus and any potential long-term institutional plans. DCTC’s current design emphasizes a high level of in-person interaction in the public service curriculum, leadership laboratories, and technology projects. Data provided will enable DCTC to determine if modifications to the program design may be required.

Questions to address:

1. In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, describe the changes the institution has made to maintain its ability to provide its programs and any impacts or disruption of higher education teaching and learning resulting from the changes.

2. In looking to the future, has the institution considered making permanent changes in how it will provide its programs? If so, please describe.

Requirement: All qualified, experienced, and capable sources are welcome to respond to this RFI.

Responses for:

I. Level of institutional interest in DCTC participation – Institutional responses to item II will be considered as interest to participate in DCTC.

II. Assessment of institutional selection criteria should only address the questions posed. No capability statements, examples, or any data related to answering the proposed criteria will be accepted.

III. Coronavirus impact on higher education is not required but any data the institution is willing to provide regarding its current and future coronavirus response are of interest.

In addition, please provide the following Point of Contact information for all responses:

Address:

Point of Contact:

Phone Number:

Email Address:

Business Size and Classification: [example, Large Business, Small Business, 8(a), Woman- Owned/Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned, Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone), Veteran-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned)]

Security Clearance: No security clearance is required for this requirement

NAICS recommendations:

· 611310 Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools;

· 923110 Administration of Education Programs;

Submission Requirements: All responses to the RFI should be submitted via e-mail to TBD following the Schedule of Events below. The government is contemplating holding an informational workshop/webinar after the close of the RFI. If you would like to participate, RSVP to the email address provided and state I, II, and/or III from the areas of interest on page 1. Please no phone calls.

Schedule of Events

There is a maximum page limitation of ten (10) pages.

All responses must be typed, single spaced using 12 point, Times New Roman, font, within an

8.5 by 11 inch page size, in Adobe Acrobat PDF (.pdf) or Microsoft Word files. It is acceptable to use a 10 or 11 point font for charts. No hard copy or facsimile submissions will be accepted. Cover letters and extraneous materials (brochures, etc.) will not be considered.

All submissions shall be at the UNCLASSIFIED level and shall clearly mark proprietary information. All submissions shall include contact information for the individual and/or organization (as appropriate) making the submission.

At the discretion of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition & Sustainment), responders may be contacted for further clarification or additional information; if you do not wish to be contacted please indicate so in your response.

Please submit your response to the Grants Officer, Ms. Katie Freeman at katie.e.freeman.civ@mail.mil.

Attachment 1 DoD SMART Disciplines and Acquisition Functional Areas

SMART Disciplines

· Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering

· Biosciences

· Biomedical Engineering

· Chemical Engineering

· Chemistry

· Civil Engineering

· Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Sciences

· Computer and Computational Sciences and Computer Engineering

· Electrical Engineering

· Environmental Sciences

· Geosciences

· Industrial and Systems Engineering (technical tracks only)

· Information Sciences

· Materials Science and Engineering

· Mathematics

· Mechanical Engineering

· Naval Architecture and Ocean Engineering

· Nuclear Engineering

· Oceanography

· Operations Research (technical tracks only)

· Physics

DoD Acquisition Functional Areas

· Program Management

· Engineering

· Test & Evaluation

· Contracting

· Life Cycle Logistics

· Business Financial Management/Cost Estimating

Attachment 2 DoD Modernization Priorities

· Hypersonics. Hypersonic weapons travel five or more times the speed of sound. There is a focus on the tactical capability that these sorts of weapons bring to theater conflicts or regional conflicts. Very quick response, high speed, highly maneuverable, difficult to find and track and kill. We are modernizing our offensive and defensive force structure to both utilize and deter this capability.

· Directed Energy. When directed energy matures to a deployable capability, our armed forces will have the potential to defend against several types of threats with great precision and minimal collateral damage, at minimal cost per engagement. High Energy Laser (HEL) technology development and advancements in hardware are making laser weapon systems increasingly viable.

· Fully Networked Command, Control, and Communications (NC3). Fully Networked Command, Control, and Communications technology encompasses the capability to acquire, process, and disseminate information across force elements. DoD requires a clear path to robust Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Intelligence (C4I) with multiple redundant fully-networked “Comms”. Existing capabilities require sufficient protection against an increasing threat, in pervasiveness and effectiveness.

· Space Offense and Defense. The U.S. way of war, across all domains, is dependent on timely and assured space effects. Adversary capabilities and advancements require us to move quickly to a more defendable and resilient space posture. Added protection and resiliency to our current spacecraft fleet is essential.

· Cyber. Cyber is a unique operational domain with significant security challenges and potential leap-ahead capabilities for military operations requiring enhanced command, control, and situational awareness, and autonomous operations. Ability to gain and maintain the U.S. technological edge in cyberspace in the face of rapid evolution is essential to maintaining mission readiness.

· Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning. The DoD will leverage AI to enable U.S. forces to operate more effectively and efficiently. As a Department, we are evaluating which of our processes and procedures can be enabled via adoption of AI technology to meet warfighter needs and Defense priorities.

· Nuclear Modernization. Modernization of the nuclear triad; bombers, intercontinental ballistic missiles, and ballistic missile submarines, as well as the supporting infrastructure, including the national laboratories and the nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) network.

· Quantum Science and Computing. Quantum computers pose an impending threat to secure communications. Continued U.S. dominance in quantum information science will keep us ahead of these risks, and National Security Agency crypto-modernization will protect our most sensitive communications against a quantum computer attack. Quantum sensing will deliver new and assured precision position, navigation, and timing capabilities, keeping our forces safe in GPS-denied theaters. Quantum networks will deliver drastically enhanced sensors for finding and fixing elusive targets, and will deliver resource multiplying effects for commercially developed quantum computers to solve DoD's hardest analytical problems.

· Microelectronics. Microelectronics have been rapidly evolving as the demand for inexpensive and lightweight equipment has increased, and have been incorporated into countless DoD systems. Our modernization ability is jeopardized by foreign microelectronics (ME) production, actions, and investments. We must develop and deliver next generation microelectronic technologies to enhance lethality, ensure critical infrastructure, and achieve economic competitiveness.

· Autonomy. Autonomy extends and complements human capabilities. Advantages include persistence, size, speed, maneuverability, and reduced risk to human life. The DoD targets seamless integration of diverse unmanned/mixed team capabilities that provide flexible options for the Joint Force.

· Biotechnology. Biotechnology is any technological application that harnesses cellular and biomolecular processes. Most current biotech research focuses on agent detection, vaccines, and treatment. Future advances in biotechnology will improve the protection of both the general public and military personnel from biological agents, among numerous other potential applications.

· 5G. 5G will bring about wireless, ubiquitous connectivity across humans, machines, and the Internet of Things. DoD will adapt 5G and next generation technologies to "operate through" congested and contested spectrum and in spite of compromised networks to ensure maximum readiness, lethality, and partnering among allies. 5G prototyping and experimentation will be conducted in collaboration with the defense industry and commercial suppliers to accelerate U.S. prominence in the 5G global ecosystem.

Attachment 3 DoD Laboratories and Acquisition Centers

Alabama Gunter Annex Air Force Life Cycle Management (Gunter/AFLCMC) Huntsville U.S. Army CCDC Aviation Missile Center Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA - Huntsville) Missile Defense Agency (MDA- Huntsville) Redstone Arsenal Space and Missile Defense Command Technical Center (SMDC-TC) U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, U.S. Army Redstone Test Center (RTC) (TERT)

Arizona Fort Hauchuca U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, Electronic Proving Ground (ATEC-EPG) U.S. Army CCDC C5ISR Center U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM)

California Camp Pendleton Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA) China Lake Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division- China Lake Corona Naval Surface Warfare Center - Corona Division (NSWC Corona) Edwards AFB Air Force Research Lab - Aerospace Systems Directorate (AFRL/RQ) Air Force Flight Test Center (AFTC) Los Angeles Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (AF SPC/SMC) U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory McClellan Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) Point Mugu Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division- Point Mugu Port Hueneme Naval Facilities Engineering Command - Expeditionary Warfare Center Naval Surface Warfare Center - Port Hueneme Division (NSWC- PH) San Diego Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific (NIWC PAC)

Colorado Colorado Springs Missile Defense Agency (MDA - Colorado Springs)

District of Columbia HQ Air Force Studies, Analyses and Assessments (HQ AF/A9) Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA - Washington D.C.)

Florida Cape Canaveral AFS Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA - Cape Canaveral ) Eglin AFB Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (Eglin/AFLCMC) Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center Air Force Research Lab - Munitions Directorate (AFRL/RW) Air Force Test Center 96 Test Wing 53rd Electronic Warfare Group, Air Combat Command (53 EWG-ACC) Panama City Naval Surface Warfare Center - Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) Patrick AFB Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC)

Georgia Fort Gillem The Defense Forensic Science Center (DFSC) Fort Gordon Army Cyber Command (USARCYBER) Robins AFB Air Force Life Cycle Management (Robins/AFLCMC) Air Force Sustainment Center (Robins/AFSC)

Hawaii Maui SSC Air Force Research Lab Directed Energy Directorate - Maui SSC, HI

Illinois Champaign Engineer Research and Development Center - Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (ERDC-CERL) Rock Island U.S. Army CCDC Armaments Center

Indiana Crane Naval Surface Warfare Center - Crane Division (NSWC Crane)

Kansas Fort Leavenworth U.S. Army The Research Analysis Center

Maine Kittery Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (PNS)

Massachusetts Hanscom AFB Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center Life Cycle Management Center (Hanscom/AFLCMC) 96th Test Group (AFTC-96TW) Natick U.S. Army CCDC Soldier Center

Maryland Aberdeen Proving Ground U.S. Army CCDC Armaments Center U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory U.S. Army CCDC C5ISR Center U.S. Army CCDC Chemical Biological Center U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) U.S. Army Medical Research Development Command - MRICD U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, Army Evaluation Center Adelphi U.S. Army CCDC Army Research Laboratory Edgewood Army Public Health Center (APHC) Fort Detrick U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) U.S. Army Medical Research Development Command - MRIEM U.S. Army Medical Research Development Command - MRIIF Indian Head Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division (NSWC IHEOD) Patuxent River Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division - Patuxent River (NAWCAD Pax River) West Bethesda Naval Surface Warfare Center - Carderock Division (NSWC CD)

Michigan Warren U.S. Army CCDC Ground Vehicle Systems Center

Mississippi Stennis Space Center Fleet Numerical Meteorology and Oceanography Center (FNMOC) Naval Oceanographic Office (NAVOCEANO) Vicksburg Engineer Research and Development Center - Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (ERDC-CHL) U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center - Environmental Laboratory (ERDC-EL) U.S. Army Engineer Research, Development Center - GSL Engineer Research and Development Center - Information Technology Lab (ERDC-ITL)

Missouri St. Louis National Geospatial Intelligence Agency (NGA - St. Louis)

New Hampshire Hanover Engineer Research and Development Center - Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab (ERDC-CRREL)

New Jersey Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst U.S. Army CCDC C5ISR Center Lakehurst Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division - Lakehurst (NAWCAD-LH) Picatinny U.S. Army CCDC Armaments Center

New Mexico Holloman AFB 96th Test Group (AFTC-96TW) Kirtland AFB Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center Air Force Research Lab - Directed Energy Directorate & Space Vehicles Directorate (AFRL/RD/RV) Air Force Space & Missile Systems Center (AFSPC/SMC) White Sands Missile Range U.S. Army The Research Analysis Center

New York Rome Air Force Research Lab - Information Directorate (AFRL/RI) Watervliet Arsenal U.S. Army CCDC Armaments Center - Watervliet Arsenal, NY

North Carolina Cherry Point Fleet Readiness Center East (FRCE) Duck Engineer Research and Development Center - Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory (ERDC-CHL)

Oklahoma Fort Sill U.S. Army CCDC C5ISR Center Tinker AFB Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (Tinker/AFLCMC) Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (Tinker/AFNWC) Air Force Sustainment Center (Tinker/AFSC)

Ohio Wright Patterson AFB Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Air Force Research Laboratory - 711th Human Performance Wing (AFRL711HPW ) Air Force Research Lab - Aerospace Systems Directorate (AFRL/RQ) Air Force Research Lab - Materials & Manufacturing Directorate (AFRL/RX) Air Force Research Lab - Sensors Directorate (AFRL/RY) Air Force Research Lab Systems Technology Office Air Force Sustainment Center - WPAFB, OH Air Force Materiel Command - (AFMC A8/9, A9A) National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC)

Pennsylvania Philadelphia Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC-Philadelphia) Tobyhanna Communications-Electronic Command - Tobyhanna Army Depot (TAD)

Rhode Island Newport Naval Undersea Warfare Center - Division Newport (NUWC NPT

South Carolina Charleston Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic (NIWC LANT)

Tennessee Arnold AFB Air Force Research Lab - Aerospace Systems Directorate (AFRL/RQ) Arnold Engineering Development Complex

Texas Corpus Christi U.S. Army CCDC Aviation Missile Center Joint Base San Antonio Ft Sam, Air Force Research Laboratory - 711th Human Performance Wing (AFRL711HPW ) Lackland AFB, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (Lackland/AFLCMC) Randolph AFB, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (Randolph/AFLCMC)

Utah Dugway Proving Ground U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command, Dugway Proving Ground (ATEC-DPG) Hill AFB Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (Hill/AFLCMC) Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center (Hill/AFNWC/ICBM) Air Force Sustainment Center (Hill/AFSC)

Virginia Alexandria U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center - Geospatial Research Laboratory (ERDC-GRL) Charlottesville Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA - Charlottesville) National Ground Intelligence Center (NGIC) Dahlgren Missile Defense Agency (MDA - Dahlgren) Naval Surface Warfare Center- Dahlgren Division Fort Belvoir Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) U.S. Army CCDC C5ISR Center U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command (CECOM) Fort Lee U.S. Army The Research Analysis Center Quantico Marine Corps Systems Command (MCSC) Virginia Beach Naval Surface Warfare Center- Dahlgren Division- Dam Neck Activity

Washington Keyport Naval Undersea Warfare Center - Division Keyport (NUWC KPT)