Questions and Answers_SD-WAN Focus Area of Interest.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 13 KB Posted
- Attached to
- AF CyberWorx Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO)
- Solicitation number
- FA7000-23-S-C001
About this file
This file is a Questions and Answers document related to a Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) pilot project for the U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) Area of Responsibility. The pilot aims to enhance NIPR and SIPR network infrastructure by implementing SD-WAN, SRv6, IPAM, and DHCP upgrades across multiple Air Force bases including Aviano AB, Incirlik AB, Lajes AB, RAF Croughton, RAF Fairford, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Molesworth, Ramstein AB, Spangdahlem AB, and Lask AB.
Key details include a 12-month pilot period with potential for a 12-month follow-on operationalization, focusing on refreshing Customer Edge (CE) routers and creating an SD-WAN overlay with an SRv6 underlay. The project will integrate with PACAF black core transport network and requires forwarding logs to ELICSAR for Defense Cyber Operations (DCO) activities. The pilot must comply with Binding Operational Directive 2024-002, implement secure VPN circuits, and be compatible with existing CSfC solutions while potentially utilizing end-user license agreements (EULAs) from product original equipment manufacturers (OEMs).
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Sheet1
| # | Focus Area of Interest | Question: | AF CyberWorx Answer | |
| 1 | 2.1. Pilot a proof of concept (PoC) DAFNET-Unclassified (DAFNET-U) and DAFNET-Secret (DAFNET-S) SD-WAN solution. | Could the Government provide the depth of the prototype with regard to the refresh of the Base infrastructure? e.g. Would the prototype include representative upgrades or would the Government like the prototype to include a complete base refresh | Prototype is only intended to refresh Customer Edge (CE) router(s) and provide an SD-WAN overlay with an SRv6 underlay as well as provide an underlay network/integration with PACAF black core transport network. No additional tech refresh is being acomplished as part of this effort | |
| 2 | 2.1. Pilot a proof of concept (PoC) DAFNET-Unclassified (DAFNET-U) and DAFNET-Secret (DAFNET-S) SD-WAN solution. | |||
| 1.1. For the period of 23 July 2025 to 13 August 2025 Air Force CyberWorx has a focused interest in exploring solutions for USAF’s Software-Defined Wide Area Network Phase II (U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) AOR) resulting in enhancement of the NIPR and SIPR network infrastructure by adding SD-WAN, SRv6, IPAM, and upgrade the DHCP using leading technologies. The ultimate goal is to provide a dynamic, robust, and secure network infrastructure across USAFE-AFAFRICA AOR including but not limited to the following locations: Aviano AB, Incirlik AB, Lajes AB, RAF Croughton, RAF Fairford, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Molesworth, Ramstein AB, Spangdahlem AB, Lask AB. | Is there a pilot location selected? If yes, could the Government provide? If no, can the Government explain how they will evaluate pricing. | The Pilot will be rolled out across all the base edge routers listed in the following locations: Aviano AB, Incirlik AB, Lajes AB, RAF Croughton, RAF Fairford, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Molesworth, Ramstein AB, Spangdahlem AB, Lask AB. | ||
| 3 | 2.1. Pilot a proof of concept (PoC) DAFNET-Unclassified (DAFNET-U) and DAFNET-Secret (DAFNET-S) SD-WAN solution. | Is there a target date to complete pilot? | 12 months from awards with potential for follow-on operationionization and sustianment activities for another 12 months | |
| 4 | 1.3. Proposals should address fielding and integration of new technologies with existing infrastructure to include planning and engineering support prior to and during the effort. This should include licensing, services, and support for the covered, proposed period of performance and two (2) unfunded option years of service and support in meeting these objectives. | If available, please provide the base sizes, number of building, server locations and user loads for pilot locations. | This pilot will only provide transport from the Edge routers out. Appropriate connection bandwith will be provided or if needed ordered by appropriate governement office. | |
| 5 | 1.3. Proposals should address fielding and integration of new technologies with existing infrastructure to include planning and engineering support prior to and during the effort. This should include licensing, services, and support for the covered, proposed period of performance and two (2) unfunded option years of service and support in meeting these objectives. | Is exisiting infrastructure capable of supporting the upgrades outlined in the Call Order? | Not available at this time. Vendor may propose approach to gather/evaluate this data. | |
| 6 | 1.1. For the period of 23 July 2025 to 13 August 2025 Air Force CyberWorx has a focused interest in exploring solutions for USAF’s Software-Defined Wide Area Network Phase II (U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) AOR) resulting in enhancement of the NIPR and SIPR network infrastructure by adding SD-WAN, SRv6, IPAM, and upgrade the DHCP using leading technologies. The ultimate goal is to provide a dynamic, robust, and secure network infrastructure across USAFE-AFAFRICA AOR including but not limited to the following locations: Aviano AB, Incirlik AB, Lajes AB, RAF Croughton, RAF Fairford, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Molesworth, Ramstein AB, Spangdahlem AB, Lask AB. | Are EULAs from the product OEMs sufficient? | Yes, if the EULAs from the product OEMs are sufficient to satsify the SD-WAN, SRv6, IPAM and DHCP requirements. There may be some cost trade-ffs the vender may explore. | |
| 7 | 1.1. For the period of 23 July 2025 to 13 August 2025 Air Force CyberWorx has a focused interest in exploring solutions for USAF’s Software-Defined Wide Area Network Phase II (U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) AOR) resulting in enhancement of the NIPR and SIPR network infrastructure by adding SD-WAN, SRv6, IPAM, and upgrade the DHCP using leading technologies. The ultimate goal is to provide a dynamic, robust, and secure network infrastructure across USAFE-AFAFRICA AOR including but not limited to the following locations: Aviano AB, Incirlik AB, Lajes AB, RAF Croughton, RAF Fairford, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Molesworth, Ramstein AB, Spangdahlem AB, Lask AB. | Is there an anticipated start date? | ~90 days from FPoI announcement | |
| 8 | 1.1. For the period of 23 July 2025 to 13 August 2025 Air Force CyberWorx has a focused interest in exploring solutions for USAF’s Software-Defined Wide Area Network Phase II (U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) AOR) resulting in enhancement of the NIPR and SIPR network infrastructure by adding SD-WAN, SRv6, IPAM, and upgrade the DHCP using leading technologies. The ultimate goal is to provide a dynamic, robust, and secure network infrastructure across USAFE-AFAFRICA AOR including but not limited to the following locations: Aviano AB, Incirlik AB, Lajes AB, RAF Croughton, RAF Fairford, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Molesworth, Ramstein AB, Spangdahlem AB, Lask AB. | Does the Government have a VAR selected - is the Government's intent to utilize xxx contract to purchase equipment | Government intends to use awarded Pilot contract for procurement | |
| 9 | The government references Binding Operational Directive (BOD) 2024-002 DAF Solution | Can the government please provide a copy of this reference material | The actual DISA Directive document is classified; however the requirement is to implement secure VPN circuits (multiple point-to-point encrypted links) between peer sites as well as up/down echelon. An example of one of the routers capable of providing full-rate encryption and capable of satisfying this requirement is the Cisco C8500-12XQC. | |
| 10 | Ref 2.9: This requirement calls for standardization of log management through ELICSAR. | Is the vendor required to provide a log collection and storage mechanism for ELICSAR analysis or is the intent for the vendors to forward logs to ELICSAR systems? | Forward logs to ELICSAR as USAF 'Big Data' solution for DCO activities | |
| 11 | 1.1. For the period of 23 July 2025 to 13 August 2025 Air Force CyberWorx has a focused interest in exploring solutions for USAF’s Software-Defined Wide Area Network Phase II (U.S. Air Forces in Europe – Air Forces Africa (USAFE-AFAFRICA) AOR) resulting in enhancement of the NIPR and SIPR network infrastructure by adding SD-WAN, SRv6, IPAM, and upgrade the DHCP using leading technologies. The ultimate goal is to provide a dynamic, robust, and secure network infrastructure across USAFE-AFAFRICA AOR including but not limited to the following locations: Aviano AB, Incirlik AB, Lajes AB, RAF Croughton, RAF Fairford, RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, RAF Molesworth, Ramstein AB, Spangdahlem AB, Lask AB. | Can the Government provide a time of day for submissions to be due on 13 August 2025? | Posting has been updated to reflect 2400 MST | |
| 12 | 1.3. Proposals should address fielding and integration of new technologies with existing infrastructure to include planning and engineering support prior to and during the effort. This should include licensing, services, and support for the covered, proposed period of performance and two (2) unfunded option years of service and support in meeting these objectives. | Can the Government clarify if ROM is for pilot only or for all identified bases? | ROM is for the pilot only with potential for limited follow-on operationionization and sustianment activities. The Pilot is for all the bases listed. | |
| 13 | Based on Section 1.2, proposed solutions are required to be compatible with USAFE’s CSfC deployment. However, Section 2.1 also requests the deployment of SIPR SD-WAN. Per NSA guidance, SD-WAN routers are not included in the CSfC components list and are therefore not approved to perform an encryption layer of a CSfC solution. That is, CSfC and SD-WAN are incompatible solutions. | Therefore, does Section 1.2 refer simply to the fact that SRv6 will need to support the existing CSfC solution? Alternatively, was there a mistake in requirements by requesting SIPR SD-WAN? Or, is the SIPR SD-WAN solution to be built in parallel to CSfC utilizing legacy Type-I encryptors as a proof-of-concept? | CSfC compatibility and SIPR SD-WAN are separate requirements all included in this planned effort. CSfC compatibility only requires the SD-WAN/SRv6 solution to be able to act as transport to extend service delivery. |
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .