IBS NS Sources Sought Synopsis.pdf

Request for Information (RFI) Sustainment and Modernization of the Integrated Broadcast Service Network

Services (IBS NS)

04 June 2024

The Government is conducting market research to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience required for the sustainment and modernization of the Integrated Broadcast Service, Network Services (IBS-NS) program to include the U.S. Government and Collaborating Nations (CN) as directed by the IBS Program Office.

The Contractor will be required to work with teams consisting of military, civilian, national partners, foreign partners and contract personnel from various services and agencies.

This is a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) program and requires personnel to either possess a TS/SCI or Secret clearance, as determined by position for proper accomplishment of contract/order requirements, or else to maintain eligibility during the adjudication process for TS/SCI clearance.

The Government does not have access to the data for the IBS NS. Technical data will not be provided to any Contractor as Government Furnished Information/Property (GFI/GFP).

The IBS-NS contractual requirements are to provide continued sustainment and modernization support required for successful operation of the critical IBS-NS enterprise.

These requirements are inclusive of acquisition support (spares), repairs, upgrades, modifications, contract field service support, tech refresh, software maintenance, systems engineering, configuration management, technical support, engineering, and integration.

The Contractors/Institutions 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.

The Government respectfully requests that interested parties respond to this RFI.

However, this RFI does not commit the Government to issue a contract for any material, supply, or service. At this time, the Government is not seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred as a result of responding to this RFI.

All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the expense of the interested party. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation for proposals if any is issued.

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Below is a document containing a functional requirement for the sustainment and modernization of the IBS NS as well as a Contractor Capability Survey. This survey allows your company to provide its capabilities.

2. After reviewing these documents, if you wish to participate in the market research, please provide documentation supporting your company’s capability to meet these requirements. Failure to provide documentation may result in the government being unable to adequately assess your capabilities. If your company lacks sufficient experience in a particular area, please provide details explaining how you would overcome this deficiency (e.g., teaming, subcontracting, etc.).

3. Both large and small businesses are encouraged to participate in this market research. Joint ventures or teaming arrangements are also encouraged.

4. Questions relative to this market survey should be addressed to Cedric Reese, cedric.reese@us.af.mil, with copy to Chris Nelson, christopher.nelson.74@us.af.mil.

Electronic communication shall be received no later than 4:00pm EST, Friday, 05 July 2024. Vendor’s email response to this RFI shall have in subject line, “RFI Sustainment and Modernization of the Integrated Broadcast Service Network Services (IBS NS)”.

REQUIREMENTS DESCRIPTION:

Background

The IBS requirement is for sustainment and modernization of the Integrated Broadcast Service Network Services – Network Services (IBS-NS). IBS is the worldwide Department of Defense (DoD) standard network for transmitting tactical and strategic intelligence and targeting data to all levels of Joint Service and operational users. IBS-NS is the primary delivery method for users across the United States (US) and Joint forces to share information in near-real-time (NRT) to ensure and continually improve situational awareness supporting diverse mission objectives.

The IBS vision is to provide NRT, filtered and prioritized intelligence information to warfighters. NS is the major message processing segment of IBS which is composed of two types of interfaces nodes: Global IBS Network Server (GINS) and Theater Interface Node (TIN) that process messages at multiple security levels. These nodes are distributed worldwide to provide maximum information availability in accordance with each of the Combatant Commanders (COCOM) tailored requirements. These nodes mailto:cedric.reese@us.af.mil mailto:christopher.nelson.74@us.af.mil route, filter, translate and prioritize information received from multiple data producers and disseminate that data via a number of interfaces.

Additionally, the IBS program represents a multi-sensor, multi-source System of Systems (SoS) designed for the timely dissemination of integrated threat warning and blue force tracking information to warfighters. Its intelligence collection and dissemination mission activities encompass Joint DoD, National Agency, and CN addressing requirements such as Ballistic Missile Defense and Combatant Search and Rescue, among others. IBS provides intelligence producers and information sources with the means to analyze and disseminate strategic, operational, and tactical intelligence and warning information directly to fielded warfighters.

The IBS SoS encompasses over 500 interface data exchange requirements involving most sensor systems. It is responsible for acquiring sensor data from sensing systems and disseminating it globally to users within tightly defined timeliness requirements.

Performance Requirements All performance requirements will apply to both the DoD and CN systems.

1. The Contractor shall provide Program Management, Administrative Support, Budget Analysis and Budgetary Cost Information, Safety, Security, Supply Chain Management, Asset Management, Quality Assurance, Sustainment Engineering Services, Technical Data and Configuration Management in support of sustaining IBS-NS as directed by the Government to meet current and future mission requirements.

2. The Contractor shall assign a PM responsible to plan, organize staff, administer, and control all contract activities, and to ensure cost, schedule and technical objectives are achieved. The Contractor shall establish budgets, schedules, and specific tasks to meet overall program objectives. The Contractor shall furnish technical cost data and support required for the development of Task Orders or Task Descriptions covered by the PWS.

3. The Contractor shall incorporate a disciplined risk management process across all aspects of IBS-NS to facilitate attainment of all program objectives.

4. The Contractor shall adhere to the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Level 3 standards. Quality Assurance (QA) shall provide hardware and software quality engineering during the design, assembly, inspections, and testing of the systems and subsystems provided by the Contractor in compliance with ISO9001.

QA shall also maintain surveillance over the packaging, handling, and transportation of system equipment for conformance to acceptable standards.

5. The contractor shall provide systems engineering services required to sustain and modernize the IBS-NS as directed by the Government to meet mission requirements.

6. The Contractor shall maintain complete document records of IBS-NS:

a. Maintain configuration control of the applicable system/subsystem specification (SSS), software requirements specification (SRS), software product specification (SPS) and Bill of Materials (BOM).

b. Incorporate specification and requirement changes into the applicable documents as they are modified by Task Order accomplishments. Changes shall also be included in Design Reviews.

7. The Contractor shall provide logistics support to all 7 fielded IBS-NS locations specific to the particular system baseline located at each site.

8. The Contractor shall deliver on-site support for those sites receiving deployed IBS- NS hardware as designated by the Government. In addition to normal site coverage, in the event of a Continuity of Operations (COOP) event, the contractor shall provide daily twelve-hour IBS support for a period of up to seven days at a time and at a location as specified by the Government.

9. The Contractor shall provide support associated with the installed sites to include service desk, trouble calls, and additional training. The Contractor shall operate and maintain all the equipment under IBS-NS to maximize equipment benefit and minimize staffing costs.

10. The Contractor shall provide systems engineering services required to sustain IBS- NS as directed by the Government to meet and sustain mission requirements. The Contractor shall maintain an engineering staff to conduct security, system, and software engineering activities. The Contractor shall provide the systems engineering services through non-task orders when required to modify or expand IBS-NS, as directed by the Government, to meet evolving mission requirements.

11. The Contractor shall deliver a National Security Agency (NSA)/Air Force Intelligence Community accreditable system and a system security-compliant architecture that supports intelligence data broadcast and dissemination of information at multiple security levels and maintain accreditation throughout the contracted Period of Performance. The Contractor shall produce and deliver Risk Management Framework (RMF) package artifacts as required by the Designated

Accrediting Authority (DAA), Authorizing Official (AO), or Information Systems Security Manager (ISSM) to successfully achieve Platform IT (PIT) Designation, Platform IT Risk Approval (PRA), Interim Authority to Test (IATT), and/or Authority to Operate (ATO).

12. Future requirements shall be developed by the Contractor in accordance with Program Office guidance, as required to support IBS-NS capabilities. Subject to Government Procuring Contracting Officer direction and funding availability, tasks shall include studies, requirements analysis, design, software development, hardware procurement, hardware and software integration, installation, test, training, and documentation.

a. Training activities include maintaining Computer-Based Training (CBT) enhancements and presentations.

b. Test activities include planning, support, data analysis, and test event support. The requirements process will be perpetual and will require upgrade releases on a periodic basis.

13. The Contractor shall employ Model Based Systems Engineering throughout development and sustainment activities.

CONTRACTOR CAPABILITY SURVEY

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:

• Email Address:

• Web Page URL:

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

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

• Small Business (Yes / No)

• Large Business (Yes / No)

• Woman Owned Small Business (Yes / No)

• Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes / No)

• 8(a) Certified (Yes / No)

• HUBZone Certified (Yes / No)

• Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes / No)

• Service-Disabled Veteran Small Business (Yes / No)

• System for Award Management (Yes / No)

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

A. General Capability Questions:

1. 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.

2. Are there specific requirements in the documentation that we provided that would currently preclude your company from providing the sustainment and modernization support described in this document?

3. Would you be able to accomplish these requirements without the USG Technical Requirements Document (TRD) or Technical Data Package (TDP). If so, how?

Background