FEMA IPAWS NPWS Recompete RFI Final.docx

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) Request for Information (RFI) November 3, 2025

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) National Public Warning System (NPWS) is a critical national alert system used by the President to issue warnings and communicate vital information to the public during emergencies. It serves as the national interface to the Emergency Alert System (EAS), as outlined in Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations, and includes FEMA operations centers, NPWS Primary Entry Point (PEP) stations, and communications networks connecting the centers with the PEP stations. FEMA collaborates with commercial radio stations through the NPWS PEP Program to ensure the transmission of Presidential messages. NPWS PEP stations act as entry points for national warning messages into the EAS, which encompasses AM, FM, TV broadcast stations, cable systems, satellite services, and other entities. These stations also support local and state authorities in maintaining emergency communications with the public when the system is not in use by the President.

NPWS was designed to provide a reliable, integrated, and flexible system for alerting the public during emergencies, such as war, terrorist attacks, natural disasters, or other threats. It ensures the President can communicate with the public under all circumstances and equips alerting authorities with tools to issue timely alerts across multiple channels. NPWS PEP stations, which are radio broadcast-based sites, serve as the primary source for initiating national alerts and are equipped with backup systems and generators for continuous operation during emergencies. The Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) Division requires contractor support for NPWS PEP station sustainment, modernization, shelter fabrication, and related services, emphasizing expertise in broadcast-based program planning and execution.

GENERAL INFORMATION: This RFI is issued solely for information gathering purposes to identify sources that can provide support for the IPAWS Division. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), RFIs may be used when the Government wants to obtain price, delivery, other market information, and capabilities for planning purposes. Responses to these RFIs are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. This RFI shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government for any purpose, nor does it restrict the Government to an ultimate acquisition approach. Respondents are solely responsible for all expenses associated with their RFI response. Respondents will not receive additional information in response to their submittal to the RFI and will not be notified of the resulting market research.

PROPRIETARY INFORMATION AND DISCLAIMERS: Respondents shall identify any proprietary information in its RFI response. Information submitted in response to this RFI will be used at the discretion of the Government. Further, the information submitted will remain confidential insofar as permitted by law, including the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts. FEMA reserves the right to utilize any non-proprietary technical information in the anticipated Statement of Work (SOW) or solicitation.

Although it is not necessary to address in their response, respondents shall be aware of any potential, actual, or perceived organizational conflicts of interests. Any real or potential conflicts must be sufficiently mitigated prior to a contract award. For further guidance, refer to the Federal Acquisition Regulation, Part 9.5.

NAICS CODE: (541690/238910) This IDIQ will consist of various NAICS codes due to the nature of the National Public Warning System (NPWS). Please see draft Statement of Work for expected requirements.

PRODUCT SERVICE CODE (PSC): R499

ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: (optional)

ANTICIPATED ACQUISITION STRATEGY: (optional, but you may choose to omit if you do not want to commit to anything. You may not know your strategy yet – hence the market research)

ATTACHMENT: DRAFT NPWS Recompete SOW 20251027 RFI Version

RFI RESPONSE SUBMITTAL INSTRUCTIONS:

Interested contractors shall submit their RFI responses electronically to Erin Cotter, Contracting Officer, at Erin.Cotter@fema.dhs.gov no later than 3:00PM Eastern Standard Time (EST), 11/21/2025. Questions regarding this RFI are due no later than 11/12/2025.

“RFI Response for FEMA NPWS Recompete” shall be in the subject line of your e-mail. All responses shall be unclassified, with proprietary information clearly marked. The document format shall be either Microsoft Word (.doc or .docx), or Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) formats. Pages shall be 8.5 by 11 inch and shall use a type pitch that is no smaller than a standard 11-point font type, with the exception of charts, graphs, or tables, which shall use a pitch not smaller than 10-point font. Responses shall not exceed 10 pages in length including images, data displays, charts, graphs, and tables. Page limitation does not include: 1 cover page. Do not include promotional materials.

RFI Responses shall include the following information in the order below:

6. GSA Schedule Number, Contract Number, and Period of Performance and/or DHS Strategic Sourcing Vehicle Category Name and Contract Number, if applicable

C. Contractor RFI Responses to questions

The responses received will assist FEMA with identifying the number and nature of the entities that consider themselves potential technical solution providers. Each respondent, by submitting a response, agrees that any cost incurred in response to this RFI, or in support of activities associated with this RFI, shall be the sole responsibility of the respondent. FEMA shall incur no obligations or liabilities whatsoever, to anyone, for any costs or expenses incurred by the respondent in responding to this RFI.

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) QUESTIONS

1. Is the Statement of Work (SOW) clear, concise, and sufficient to develop and submit the required information for a Request for Proposal (RFP)?

2. Given that NPWS is a nationwide broadcast-based program – not an IT system development initiative – how has your company established a high-performing team across multiple fielded, operational, power-resilient, high-powered radio broadcast communications sites?

a. How has your team managed maintenance and sustainment operations at both on-site and off-site locations across the U.S.? Provide details, including the timeframe required for the team to achieve high performance and the methods used to measure their success.

b. Does your company have the ability to provide employees with Top Secret clearances, with eligibility for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), as required in the SOW for designated Key Personnel?

3. How has your company managed and tested the fabrication and construction of all-hazards resilient, high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) air-protected, over-pressure mobile shelters, to include communications and equipment, as defined in the SOW, including associated environmental, historic preservation, civil engineering, and mechanical engineering designs; Issued for Construction (IFC) development; permitting support; and construction or deconstruction management at privately owned and government-owned communications sites across CONUS and OCONUS?

a. Describe your relevant experience using specific examples.

b. Provide details such as how your company measures quality and handles defects.

4. Does your company have experience with high-powered radio broadcast communications equipment and live broadcast studio equipment, including satellite communications and supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems?

a. Describe your relevant experience using specific examples.

5. Does your company have experience monitoring and managing fuel systems, such as fuel tanks, supplies, and replenishment, for large volumes of fuel located across CONUS and OCONUS while ensuring the preservation of environmental safety?

a. Describe your relevant experience using specific examples.

6. FEMA owns approximately 3,600 pieces of NPWS government equipment. Does your company have experience in inventory management?

a. If so, provide specific examples that highlight your company's relevant experience, expertise, and approach to managing and accounting for a large equipment inventory.

7. Does your company have access to warehouse space in the National Capital Region, including approximately 2,000 square feet of temperature-controlled, alarmed, and controlled-access storage for equipment, as well as additional secured, non-temperature-controlled general storage space with power, to store items such as prefabricated equipment shelters? The warehouse must be capable of accommodating the simultaneous storage of 3 to 4 shelters and must have power to operate HVAC systems to ensure the safety of the equipment. Refer to the SOW for shelter dimensions and additional requirements.

8. Does your company have experience with the requirements outlined in the NPWS PEP Pre-Construction section of the SOW?

a. If so, describe your company’s experience and approach to managing pre-construction tasks, including site assessments, environmental and historical preservation screenings, site preparation, civil engineering, pre-design surveys, construction drawings, site permitting, and zoning support.

9. Has your company managed CONUS and OCONUS construction projects, including identifying qualified construction firms to meet specifications and budget requirements; providing project management oversight of cost, schedule, and quality control; managing equipment supply chains for site equipment procurement; and developing technical construction design specifications?

a. If so, describe your relevant experience using specific examples.

10. How would your company implement cost management and controls to address NPWS PEP station construction services and equipment procurement, considering potential price fluctuations and supply chain volatility during periods of economic uncertainty?

11. Has your company responded to multiple, concurrent task order solicitations with a 20-business-day response deadline while maintaining high-quality standards?

a. If so, describe your relevant experience using specific examples.

12. Describe your company’s recruiting, hiring, and staffing processes and how they would support the need to quickly onboard personnel with relevant experience, take prompt corrective action to address performance issues (including through removal), identify and replace underperformers within thirty (30) days, and maintain continuity of support for the work documented in the SOW.