Sources Sought Synopsis: ABMS Digital Infrastructure Processing Node (DIPN) Product Line

1. INTRODUCTION

This is a Sources Sought Synopsis for informational and planning purposes only. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This notice is intended for market research to determine the availability and technical capability of businesses to provide the required products and services.

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is seeking capable sources for the continued development, deployment, and sustainment of the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) Digital Infrastructure Processing Nodes (DIPN) Product Line.

2. BACKGROUND

The Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) is a DAF initiative to create a digital network environment that connects warfighting capabilities across all domains. This system aims to provide warfighters with a secure computing environment for real-time data, enhanced by artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML).

The Digital Infrastructure Processing Nodes (DIPN) is a critical component of this vision, designed to ensure that Command and Control (C2) mission operations can continue in highly distributed, isolated, and contested environments where connectivity to enterprise cloud resources may be denied, disrupted, intermittent, or limited. The ABMS DI has adopted a product line management and engineering approach for the DIPN to efficiently manage its lifecycle from design and development to sustainment and deprecation.

3. REQUIREMENT OVERVIEW

The contractor shall provide the necessary capabilities to perform the systems engineering, product line management, and technical support for the DIPN Product Line. The scope of the work is broad, covering the entire lifecycle of the DIPN Member Products and their variants.

Please see attached DRAFT SOW for further details.

Key responsibilities and requirement areas include:

• Program Management: Establish a Program Manager (PM) to lead the team, manage program tasks utilizing Agile SAFE methodology, support continuous capability improvement and continuous delivery across the product lines, collaborate with government stakeholders, and ensure timely delivery of all contract data requirements (CDRLs).

• Systems Architecture and Engineering: Appoint a Chief Architect and Chief Engineer to oversee all systems architecting and engineering tasks. This includes developing trade studies, managing the open systems architecture, and executing agile configuration management.

• Security and Cybersecurity: Ensure all efforts comply with the specified security requirements (ABMS DI DD254). Implement and maintain cybersecurity controls based on the Risk Management Framework (RMF) and NIST SP 800-53 and incorporate a Zero Trust Architecture (ZTA). The contractor will be responsible for assembling RMF packages to achieve Authority to Operate (ATO) at multiple classification levels across the product line.

• Product Support & Sustainment: Provide comprehensive product support management, including developing an Integrated Logistics Support Plan (ILSP), managing spares, performing Level of Repair Analysis (LORA), and developing a Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) Plan. This also includes Item Unique Identification (IUID) marking, Packaging, Handling, Storage & Transportation (PHS&T), and managing a Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) program.

• The contractor shall have sufficient lab space available to operate the Government Software Integration Lab (SIL). Additionally, contractors must have sufficient warehouse space to build and deploy DIPN kits prior to delivery to ABMS customers.

• Technical Requirements:

• DIPN Platform: Deliver and continuously maintain a platform that provides Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) and Platform as a Service (PaaS), supports various operating systems, and includes system management tools.

• Data Architecture: Develop and sustain architecture for local "cached" data services and manage data service level agreements (SLAs).

• Infrastructure: Provide compute, storage, and hardware integration capable of operating at multiple security levels (MILS).

• Integration: Serve as a Mission Package Integrator, adapting and testing mission applications on DIPN hardware.

• Hardware and Software Procurement: As directed by the government, manage the procurement of hardware and software components, including establishing vendor relationships, obtaining quotes, and documenting all items.

4. VENDOR QUESTIONNAIRE

The Government requests each company provide detailed answers to the following questions in your responses:

1. Please describe in detail any experience your company has in working in a Consortium arrangement to deliver Government requirements.

2. Please describe in detail any relevant performance in support of the Air Force DAF Battle Network.

3. Please describe any experience your company has in developing, integrating, and deploying digital infrastructure operating at multiple security levels (MILS).

4. Please identify any relevant and active IDIQ contract vehicles on which your company holds a prime position, along with the current ordering period and remaining ceiling for each.

5. 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:

6. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

This is not a request for proposals. No awards will be made from this synopsis. The Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. All information submitted in response to this announcement is voluntary, and the Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties.

7. ADMINISTRATIVE INSTRUCTIONS

Milestone Date / Time Instruction Questions Due 15 JUL 2026 @ 1400 EDT Submit via email to the POC below.

Response Deadline 20 JUL 2026 @ 1600 EDT Late submissions may not be reviewed.

Primary POC Christine Basham / Contracting Officer christine.basham.1@us.af.mil

Technical POC Ist Lt Haaziq Daniels / DIPN Program Manager haaziq.daniels.2@us.af.mil mailto:haaziq.daniels.2@us.af.mil

Format Requirements

• File Format: Submitted electronically in Microsoft Word or PDF format.

• Page Limit: Response shall not exceed [e.g., 10 pages], excluding cover page and standard product datasheets.

• Proprietary Information: Any proprietary data must be clearly marked on a page-by-page basis. The Government will handle all marked data in accordance with applicable federal acquisition regulations.

Format Requirements