DIRECT RFI v3.26.20 (002).doc

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO

Defense Injection/Reception Emergency Action Message (EAM) Command and Control (C2) Terminal (DIRECT) Request for Information (RFI)

CAUTION:

The Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the technical data, expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet qualification requirements to provide Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) services for the DIRECT system in order to maintain an operational availability of .999%. These services include but are not limited to repair services, engineering services, software maintenance/updates, logistics, supply chain management, information assurance, cyber security, field support, on-site maintenance technicians’ support, production and installation for DIRECT system (either fixed systems or DIRECT Limited Injection Terminal Equipment (DIRECT LITE) laptop systems) into operational sites/platforms and other support as directed by the Government. There are 8 operational fixed sites, 6 of which are CONUS and 2 OCONUS, along with DIRECT-LITE only at 2 CONUS and 2 OCONUS sites along with DIRECT-R. The level of security clearance is TOP SECRET/SCI/NC2-ESI/SCI at a minimum and no foreign participation with this effort.

The Government does not possess the complete data package (hardware/software) for this system. The Government has determined that DIRECT consists of mostly commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components. The Contractor shall furnish all material, support equipment, tools, test equipment, and services. The Contractor is responsible for providing, maintaining, and calibrating all support equipment required at their facility or a subcontractor’s facility. The Contractor furnished material or parts used for replacement shall equal or exceed the quality of the original material or parts.

Contractors responding to this market research are placed on notice that participation in this survey may not ensure participation in future solicitations or contract awards. The government will not reimburse participants for any expenses associated with their participation in this survey.

52.215-3 Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes.

As prescribed in 15.209(c), insert the following provision:

Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997)

(a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

(b) Although “proposal” and “offeror” are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.

(c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of market research in an effort to overcome barriers to competition in future requirements.

(End of provision)

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. The document(s) below contains a description of the DIRECT requirement and a Contractor Capability Survey. The Survey allows Contractors to provide their company’s capability.

2. If, after reviewing these documents, you desire to participate in the market research, you should provide documentation that supports your company’s capability in meeting these requirements. Failure to provide documentation may result in the government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities. If you lack sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome the lack of experience/capabilities in order to perform that portion of the requirement (i.e., teaming, subcontracting, etc.)

3. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this Market Research. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are encouraged.

4. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to the PCO.

Defense Injection/Reception Emergency Action Message (EAM) Command and Control (C2) Terminal (DIRECT)

PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION

The Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources that possess the technical data, expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet qualification requirements to provide Production, Tech Refresh and Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) to include but not limited to repair services, engineering services, software maintenance/updates, logistics, information assurance, field support, and other support as directed by the Government for the DIRECT system:

This requirement is for Contractor Logistics Support (CLS), Tech Refresh and production services. Our CLS, Tech Refresh and production services strategy is a five-year contract (basic plus four ordering period) and will continue through FY27.

The Government’s need for CLS, Tech Refresh and production is required in order to support both current and future military operations. DIRECT was fielded in 2000 timeframe and has been in sustainment for 20 years by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) General Dynamics Mission Systems (GDMS). DIRECT provides an automated capability to compose, transmit, receive, process, readdress, and acknowledge Emergency Action Messages (EAMs), Emergency Action Support Messages (EASMs), and non-Emergency Action Messages (non-EAMs) on all available EAM communication circuits with expansion for future growth. DIRECT-LITE provides these same capabilities on a single EAM communication circuit. DIRECT has an Operational Availability (Ao) of 0.999 as defined by the DIRECT operational requirements document (ORD). Currently, the Contractor Logistics Support (CLS) contractor maintains the fielded systems utilizing DIRECT Maintenance Representatives (DMRs) through other contract teaming efforts with other programs located at the same or near facilities. This teaming effort allows the dual use of the on-site DMRs in order to minimize costs while ensuring full-time DMR support at each location.

DIRECT, DIRECT-R and DIRECT LITE provides automated capability to compose, process, transmit, receive, acknowledge, and readdress EAMs, non-EAMs, and EASMs.

START: CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY

List of major COTS components: Message Processor, Ethernet Switch Assembly, Communications Processor (CP), Communications Processor Memory assembly (CPMA), Communications Processor Interface Controller (CPIC) Serial, CPIC Voice, Printer Assembly, Card Nest, Message Release Function (MRF), Keyturn Assembly Module (KAM), Multifunction Secure Gateway (MSG), DIRECT LITE, Workstation Processor (WSP), DIRECT Video Display Unit (VDU), Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) Card Assembly, Red/Black Isolator Assembly, CUTS Interface Assembly

Part I. Business Information

Please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners:

Company/Institute Name:

Address:

Point of Contact:

CAGE Code:

· Phone Number:

· E-mail Address:

· Web Page URL:

Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) Code: 541330 – Engineering Services

Based on the above NAICS Code, state whether your company is:

· Small Business

(Yes / No)

· Woman Owned Small Business

(Yes / No)

· Small Disadvantaged Business

· 8(a) Certified

· HUBZone Certified

· Veteran Owned Small Business

(Yes / No)

· Service Disabled Veteran Small Business (Yes / No)

· Central Contractor Registration (CCR).

(Yes / No)

· A statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership).

RFIs are to be posted for 30 days for efforts greater than $3.0M, 45 days for foreign place of performance, otherwise, 15 days.

Written responses, no facsimiles or e-mails please, must be received no later than close of business 05/09/2020. Response should be no longer than one (1) page for each question. Please list the question number for each corresponding answer. Please mail two (2) hard copies and one (1) electronic copy (saved on compact disc (CD)) of your response to:

AFLCMC/WNKF

Attn: Procurement Contracting Officer (PCO) Jacqueline Threat-Williams Bldg 300

235 Bryon St., STE 19A

Robins AFB GA 31098-1670

Questions relative to this market research should be addressed to the PCO.

Part II. Capability Survey Questions (Please address Part III “Requirements Information” in your responses) A. General Capability Questions:

1. Describe briefly the capabilities of your facility and nature of the goods and/or services you provide. Include a description of your staff composition and management structure.

2. Describe your company's past experience on previous projects similar in complexity to this requirement. Include contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, period of performance, agency/organization supported, and individual point of contact (Contracting Officer or Program Manager).

3. Describe your capabilities and experience in managing software development projects, including subcontractor involvement. Include any experience in project planning, work breakdown structures, resource allocations, schedule tracking, risk analysis and cost management.

4. If your company can not perform the entirety of the requirement what part could or would your company be able to perform. Provide specific info on what could be broken out for your company’s performance.

5. Describe your company's capabilities for generating, handling, processing and storing classified material and data.

6. Describe your company's capabilities and experience in generating technical data, engineering drawings and manuals. Identify what software programs are utilized to generate these data products and what formats are available for delivered items.

7. What is your company’s current maximum capacity per month for this particular type of requirement including mission essential/mission critical aspects of this requirement? Provide information on any facility reserves you may possess to increase capacity in the event of an immediate need do to critical operational mission requirements.

8. Describe your capabilities and experience in managing software development projects, including subcontractor involvement. Include any experience in project planning, work breakdown structures, resource allocations, schedule tracking, risk analysis, risk management framework (RMF), cyber security, supply chain management and cost management.

9. Describe your capability to implement ground communication site installs and move existing ground communication sites to a new location.

10. What quality assurance processes and test qualification practices does your company employ? Provide a description of your quality program (ISO 9001, AS9100, etc.).

a. Provide a detailed quality plan implementing AS9100 (or equivalent).

B. Repair Questions:

1. Describe your company’s capabilities and experience in generating technical data, engineering drawings and manuals. Identify what software programs you utilize to generate these data products and what formats are available for delivered items.

2. Are you capable of delivering Technical Orders (TOs) in the Mil-DTL-87929 (work package format)/ Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) tag, as required by the Technical Order Management Agency (TOMA)?

3. Are you capable of delivering engineering drawings in the metadata, Computer Aided Drafting (CAD), neutral Drawing eXchange File (DXF), and Adobe Portable Document File (PDF) format, as required by the Engineering Data Management Office (EDMO)?

4. Describe your capabilities and experience in test, evaluation, repair or maintenance procedures.

5. Describe your capability of updating your or another company’s engineering drawings.

6. Are you able to send and receive export control data?

7. Describe your Configuration and Supply chain Management processes and how you identify and resolve parts obsolescence and Diminishing Manufacturing Sources problems?

8. Describe your capabilities and experience in modifying existing systems/equipment (hardware/software) to solve maintenance and support problems out in the field.

9. Describe your company’s ability to provide help desk support or provide on-call/on-site maintenance. Please note: The Government possesses limited drawing and technical manual documentation.

10. Discuss your process for addressing any fit, form, and or function issues that may arise out of the requirements of this effort.

11. Do you currently have a process in place for transmitting and/or shipping classified items?

12. Describe your capability of collecting and providing monthly or quarterly data reports to assess Operational Availability (Ao) to the Government.

C. Commerciality Questions:

1. Is there established catalog or market prices for our requirement?

2. If you offer this product and/or service to both U.S. Government and commercial sources, is the same workforce used for both the U.S. Government and general public?

3. Is our requirement offered to both under similar terms and conditions? Briefly describe any differences.

4. Describe your standard warranty and return process for goods and services furnished to the government for items similar in nature to this requirement.

D. Manufacturing Questions

1. Describe your capabilities and experience in manufacturing with regard to the requirements of this effort.

2. Describe your capabilities and experience in developing/modifying manufacturing procedures. Include associated upgrade of technical orders and preparation of new technical orders.

3. Demonstrate your ability and experience in the manufacture of the same or similar components, which are currently utilized in the commercial or military environment by providing the following information on the same or similar items:

a) Contract Number

b) Procuring Agency

c) Contract Value

d) Number of assets shipped

4. Provide your commercial manual(s) or Acceptance Test Procedures (ATP) and your rights to these manuals and or ATP used in the manufacture and functional check of these or similar assets for Government Engineer review.

5. Describe your capabilities and experience in test, evaluation, and repair processes/procedures with regard to manufacturing items.

6. Describe your configuration and supply chain management processes and how you identify and resolve parts obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources problems?

7. Discuss your process for addressing any fit, form, and or function issues that may arise out of the requirements of this effort.

8. Describe your process for maintaining inventory records and reporting on hand/work-in-process balance and manufacturing status to your customer.

9. Include a detailed listing of facilities and equipment, including quantities, required to satisfy the requirements of this effort

a. Provide an outline of the proposed process, including inspections.

i. State the type of test procedures anticipated for this effort.

ii. State the type of inspection processes anticipated for this effort.

1. NDI/T.

2. Destructive testing/inspection.

10. How will your organization address the absence of drawings, specifications, technical data, test procedures, etc.

11. If the item cannot be manufactured in total, state what your organization can produce.

12. State any technology insertion ideas for the item that would be suitable for this effort.

13. Discuss any reverse engineering or item replacement opportunities that may be present.

E. Engineering Services Questions

(Engineering, advisory & assistance services, contractor logistic support, and other services not listed)

1. Describe your services capabilities and experience with regard to the requirements of this effort.

2. Describe your capabilities and experience in developing/modifying procedures. Include associated upgrade of technical orders and preparation of new technical orders.

3. Demonstrate your ability and experience for the same or similar services, which are currently provided in the commercial and/or military environment by providing the following information on the same or similar items:

a) Contract Number

b) Procuring Agency

c) Contract Value

d) Services Provided

4. Describe your capabilities and experience in any required test, evaluation, and repair processes/procedures with regard to the required items.

5. Describe how you/your organization will identify and resolve parts obsolescence and diminishing manufacturing sources problems?

6. Discuss your process for addressing any fit, form, and or function issues that may arise out of the requirements of this effort.

7. Describe your process for maintaining inventory records, supply chain management and reporting on hand/work-in-process balance and manufacturing status to your customer as required.

8. How will your organization address the absence of drawings, specifications, technical data, test procedures, etc.

Information Assurance Questions

1. Is your Information Assurance (IA) personnel Department of Defense (DoD) 8750 Certified?

2. What experience do you have with the Platform Information Technology (PIT), Certification and Accreditation (C&A), Cyber Security and Risk Management Framework (RMF) processes?

3. What capabilities do you have to perform Information Assurance Vulnerability Assessment (IAVA) patching, stigs and security testing (scans)?

4. Describe your company’s experience and capability to produce C&A artifacts to support the PIT C&A process. For example, System Security Plan (SSP), Cyber Security Strategy (CSS), Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&Ms), Port Protocols and Services (PPS) Worksheet, Risk assessments (RAs), Architecture Analysis Report (AAR).

5. Describe your company’s knowledge and experience with EAM certification and the process required to obtain/maintain EAM certification in the nuclear environment.

Defense Injection/Reception Emergency Action Message (EAM) Command and Control (C2) Terminal (DIRECT) Part III. Requirements Information A. Staffing

1. Minimum of 10 engineers cleared to TS/SCI/NC2-ESI with the following experience:

a) Comprehensive DIRECT system knowledge equal to the Original Equipment Manufacturer DIRECT developers

b) 12+ years of hands-on experience in providing logistics support to DIRECT, or same function and capability, sustainment

c) Extensive Message processing and EAM certification experience

d) Detailed systems knowledge of nuclear command and control (C3) systems and command center operations for nuclear weapons IAW EAP-CJCS Vols. I, II, V, and VII

e) Proven skills of designing, producing, testing, installing, and sustaining nuclear command and control equipment, including systems that provide automated processing of EAM messages IAW the requirements of EAP-CJCS Vols. I, II, V, and VII

f) Extensive experience in interfacing to communications systems including the Hybrid Solution, Milstar (multiple networks), Companion Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Tactical Satellite (TACSAT) System (CUTS), and the Red Switch (voice)

g) Hands-on experience in performing Nuclear C2/Communications Integration/Command Center installation

h) Experience in designing and fabricating TEMPEST-qualified equipment

i) 10+ years’ experience in automatically processing multiple databases from DISA in order to generate and maintain the DIRECT Address Database

j) Thorough understanding and working knowledge of information system security IAW DOD S5200.16, DODD 5200.28, and CJCSI 3231.01.

2. Firm commitment to providing long term sustainment to a legacy system such as DIRECT in the years to come.

B. Facility & Capability

1. Approved TS facilities, networks, and tools currently in place and available for dedicated use on DIRECT

2. Complete software development environment in place

3. Approved capabilities for electronically transmitting and receiving at least SECRET level data for communication purposes

4. Mature development, production, installation and sustainment capabilities

5. In-place network of field service technicians in CONUS, Hawaii and Germany capable of providing 24/7/365 support around the world fixing problems with four (4) hour timeline from initial notification

6. Minimal Capability to maintain requirements documents in Data Object Oriented Repository System (DOORS)

C. Organizational Maintenance at DIRECT System Sites

1. Provide field support personnel at each DIRECT location to meet all on-site support requirements, including TS-NC2-ESI clearances, response time (immediate response and four-hour window to restore system).

2. Field personnel available 24/7/365.

3. Provide a 24/7/365 Help Desk facility to support both system operators and field support personnel.

4. Support all software loads, typically twice a year, and make preventative maintenance visits on a monthly basis.

D. Organizational and depot level maintenance support for DIRECT support equipment including:

1. Multi-functional Secure Gateway (MSG) or other and DIRECT Lite.

2. Configuration changes to the DIRECT Lite and MSGs should be a part of the bi-annual software releases.

3. Provide depot maintenance for both hardware and software

a) Provide full depot support including tracking and control of depot spares and faulty equipment returned from the field.

b) Receive failed LRUs received from the field for repair, and shipments made from the depot to replenish on-site spares.

c) Have and maintain a database to track all equipment.

d) Provide and maintain a mature Top Secret software development environment dedicated to supporting the DIRECT program.

e) Develop and maintain software in compliance with the 23 Trusted Software Design Methodology (TSDM) principles required for Level 3 development.

f) Satisfy NSA’s shared knowledge principle for Level 4 development.

E. Depot Repair of failed items

1. Repair failed equipment and procure parts/material for spares replenishment.

2. All custom-designed equipment (KAMs, MRFs, cable assemblies) to be repaired at the depot.

3. COTS equipment to be repaired at the depot as well as returned to the vendor for repair.

4. Sell off repairs to the Government via formal Acceptance Test Procedure (ATP).

5. Maintain/update ATPs for all equipment.

F. Technical Refresh of all systems (parts obsolescence and supportability issues)

1. Perform periodic Technical Refreshes on the DIRECT System to avoid system degradation caused by parts obsolescence and to proactively manage the system architecture and components to ensure that DIRECT remains a modern, up-to-date, fully maintainable system that continues to meet the high availability and reliability requirements of its critical NC2 mission.

2. Tech Refreshes to include all system components, including Operating Systems, servers, Workstation Processors, custom-designed Message Release Function, Keyturn Assembly Module, Comm Interface Processors, and all parts of the Local Area Network (LAN).

G. Special studies as authorized by the government

1. Demonstrate expertise in signal coding and modulation, error detection/correction, networking, statistical analyses, system design tradeoffs, hardware and software implementation, and logistics.

2. Provide studies to include evaluation of system operation, message processing techniques, comm system interfaces, and human factors.

H. Operator training to Emergency Action (EA) operators

1. Prepare and deliver updated releases of EA and Site Administrator Training Packages to reflect the updated capabilities of the system as they are implemented.

2. Conduct operator and maintenance training at all sites, and have the capability to conduct training at Contractor’s facilities.

3. Update all training material following each Software Release.

I. Updates for DIRECT communication system interfaces

1. Design, produce, install and test interfaces to new Communication Systems as designated by the Government.

2. Perform site surveys as required.

3. Comm System interfaces will include both those at land and airborne locations. Design custom protocols as required.

J. Other Capabilities

1. Describe your capabilities and experience with developing, fielding, and testing software and database changes as directed by JCS for the OPLAN 801X and in accordance with applicable JCS regulations, Vol and directives

2. State how many software engineers you presently employ who hold a TOP SECRET/SCI/NC2-ESI clearance and are available to fully support a CLS contract.

3. Describe what facilities you possess or have immediate access to that are capable of processing TOP SECRET

4. State what Software Engineering Institute Capability Maturity Model rating you currently possess, the date of the rating, and the source of the rating, any efforts in which you are currently involved to improve your rating, and when you expect to receive the new rating.

5. Describe how you would provide around-the-clock on-call maintenance at each of the operational sites. If contract and personnel are in place, state how many technicians possess a TOP SECRET clearance

6. Describe recent (within five years) experience in accomplishing security reaccreditations and recertification for systems used to support the OPLAN 801X, and including support to the Government in the evaluation and production of a DIACAP/RMF Certification and Accreditation package. This Certification and Accreditation applies to DIRECT, DIRECT-R, DIRECT LITE systems and the MSG device. In support of this effort, update all Security CDRLs.

7. Describe any relevant and recent (within five years) experience in and knowledge of interfacing communication system to assist in analysis of interface problems.

Message Processor, Ethernet Switch Assembly, Communications Processor (CP), Communications Processor Memory assembly (CPMA), Communications Processor Interface Controller (CPIC) Serial, Communications Processor Interface Controller (CPIC) Voice, Printer Assembly, Card Nest, Message Release Function (MRF), Keyturn Assembly Module (KAM), Multifunction Secure Gateway (MSG) and Alternate Injection Terminal (AIT) Components, DIRECT LITE, Workstation Processor (WSP), DIRECT Video Display Unit (VDU), Personal Computer Memory Card International Association (PCMCIA) Card Assembly, Red/Black Isolator Assembly, CUTS Interface Assembly

UNCLASSIFIED/FOUO