GMD Future RFI MDA20GMRFI03_18Aug2020.pdf

The Missile Defense Agency Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Element Capabilities

Request For Information

DISTRIBUTION STATEMENT A; Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited

20-MDA-10553 (17 August 2020)

Ground-based Midcourse Defense System Engineering, Test, Homeland Defense

Interceptors and Ground Systems Development & Deliveries and Operations &

Sustainment Request For Information #4

Agency: Other Defense Agency

Office: Missile Defense Agency

Location: MDA-GMK

Solicitation Number: MDA20GMRFI03 GMD-Future

Notice Type: Special Notice

Synopsis:

DESCRIPTION:

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is conducting market research to determine potential strategies and industry capabilities to execute the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD)

Systems Engineering and Integration, Development, System level Test, Production, Fielding, Operations, and Sustainment requirements.

This 4th Request for Information (RFI) is part of the overall market research activity to collect, organize, maintain, analyze and present data in accordance with Federal Acquisition

Regulation (FAR) Part 10.

This market research announcement is for informational planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), nor is it to be construed as a commitment by MDA.

Information submitted will be considered as an exchange of information and may be used as part of future RFP(s). No RFP/solicitation will be issued at this time. Participation in this effort is strictly voluntary with no costs incurred or obligations made on behalf of MDA. RFI responses will not be construed as an offer and will not be accepted by MDA to form a binding contract.

This RFI will assist MDA in making informed acquisition decisions related to weapon system integration strategies. MDA is seeking Industry inputs on proposed strategies to enable a smooth transition of weapon system knowledge from the incumbent to a Weapon System

Integrator who may not have prior experience or knowledge of GMD systems.

MDA reserves the right to request follow-up information and/or capability presentations from

RFI respondents, as needed, as a result of the information received from this RFI. The purpose of these follow-up questions and discussion is for MDA to better understand the market capabilities in relation to the various acquisition strategies available for this effort. Information received from follow-up questions and presentations is considered part of the overall market research activity per FAR Part 15.201.

PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

The GMD Program Element of the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) provides

Combatant Commanders the capability to engage and destroy intermediate and long-range ballistic missile threats in space to protect the U.S. homeland. The GMD Program Element integrates multiple sensors, communications systems, fire control capabilities, and Ground-

Based Interceptors (GBIs) to detect, track, and destroy intermediate and long-range ballistic missile threats during the midcourse phase of flight. The GMD Program Element is composed of two main components: GBIs and Ground Systems (GS), along with required communications, support equipment, training equipment, and facilities. The GMD Program

Element is a distributed capability with operational mission locations in Alaska, California, Colorado, and New York.

The GMD architecture provides for a defensive operations capability as well as the simultaneous conduct of operations, flight tests, ground tests, cybersecurity tests, and training.

MDA implements an evolutionary acquisition strategy to design, build, integrate, test, and field capabilities for missile defense in an incremental capability delivery approach.

Therefore, the GMD Program Element is involved simultaneously in multiple life cycle phases ranging from Product Development to Operations and Support.

As of April 2020, a single prime contractor manages the GMD Program Element under the

GMD Development and Sustainment Contract (DSC) HQ014712C0004/HQ014719C0004.

The DSC is a single contract that provides full end-to-end development and sustainment of the current GMD weapon system. The DSC’s period of performance is December 30, 2011 –

December 29, 2023.

GMD PROGRAM ELEMENT SCOPE:

GMD is currently exploring the work-scope construct shown in Figure 1 below:

Figure 1 - GMD Work Scope Construct

This GM construct uses four major thrust areas to encompass the full scope of the GMD mission system.

1. Next Generation Interceptor: Responsible for full lifecycle of new interceptors for

GMD. This effort is being addressed in an independent set of RFIs with an imminent release of an RFP.

2. GMD Weapon System & System Operations (Legacy and Future) (formerly known as

Ground System): Responsible for full lifecycle of the new ground system and sustainment of the legacy ground system. Responsible for operating the weapon system in partnership with military operators, fleet maintenance scheduling and deconfliction, site operations and coordination with host units, test support, and depot and parts management

3. In-Service Fleet: Responsible for sustainment of the existing fleet of Ground-Based interceptors.

4. Weapon System Integrator (WSI): Responsible for overall GMD integration including physical and logical integration of the GMD components, GMD system and MDA enterprise level integration, planning and execution of all necessary testing to verify and validate overall requirements compliance.

MDA will assess respondents’ strategies and capabilities to perform and integrate the key requirements to develop, test, deliver, and sustain a major weapon system element.

The discussion below is intended to provide an overview of the scope of work needed to sustain the existing GMD Weapon System from as early as 2021 through 2031.

1. Next Generation Interceptor

- The Next Generation Interceptor (NGI) scope includes the systems engineering, design, development, integration, testing and manufacturing of an All-Up Round (AUR). The NGI will consist of an integrated booster and payload system and ground silo infrastructure

(electrical, mechanical, and functional interfaces) capable of surviving both the natural and hostile environments while countering the emerging threats

- This effort is covered under an ongoing contract action and scope is not to be included in responses to this updated RFI (but NGI description is included to provide a clear overview of the total system scope).

2. GMD Weapon System (GWS)

- Execute design, development, integration, component-level test, delivery and deployment of GS components including the GMD Fire Control, In-Flight Interceptor

Communications System, Data Terminals, GMD Communications Network (GCN) and related communications components Launch Support Systems including Silos and Silo

Interface Vaults or Launch Equipment Rooms (not already included in the NGI work scope), and other GS related components included in the GMD Program Element of the BMDS.

- Work in conjunction with the WSI lead, GM Operations and Sustainment activities and

NGI Prime contractor, for integration of the GS with the NGI component and establish operations for the OS contract.

- Execute Component Level Design Reviews and support GMD System design reviews to ensure successful integration with the GM Weapon and the BMDS.

-- Develop Component modeling & simulation (M&S) capabilities at multiple levels of fidelity to support Element and component architecture definition and performance assessment, with verification, validation, and accreditation to support specific intended uses.

- Execute GS-Level traceability of requirements through concept definition, requirements definition support, M&S development, configuration management (CM), analysis of alternatives, model-based systems engineering (MBSE), trade studies, architecture definition and modifications.

- Establish metrics-based analytics to address definition and traceability of internal and external interfaces, algorithm and software development including verification and validation

(V&V), system level physical and logical integration, component/product level integration, analysis of system effectiveness, program management, and weapon system data and lab management.

Execute the design, development, delivery and deployment of upgrades to the baseline via

GS builds utilizing GS design specifications throughout the lifecycle of the products.

- Execute hardware and software upgrades in accordance with Government provided installation kits/packages. Establish Contractor depot/original equipment manufacturer

(OEM) and developer relationships to plan and execute both on-site and depot maintenance efforts required to support the GMD Program Element.

- Execute initial provisioning of required spares, repair parts, and consumables necessary to maintain the components of the GMD Program Element.

- Design GS training materials for OS contractor. Execute engineering releases, maintenance on current operational software, GMD allocated capability requirements, specifications, enhancements and defect repairs, designate a major or incremental software build, testing activities and fielding methods. Execute software and hardware to implement enhancements and defect correction in support of installed and test assets. Deploy software, hardware and firmware to each affected component at each test, training, and operational site and conduct a configuration controlled, quality witnessed checkout.

- Perform maintenance (preventative, scheduled, and corrective) of the GMD Program

Element and associated infrastructure. Plan and execute product support to meet or exceed system availability rates. Schedule and support coordination and synchronization of maintenance activities as required by the asset management.

- Operate and maintain provided GMD Element support and training equipment.

- Maintain the replenishing of required spares, repair parts, and consumables necessary to maintain the components of the GMD Program Element.

- Conduct institutional training, develop and maintain training materials, support and sustainment training, Warfighter certifications, maintain training system availability at the

GMD sites in Colorado Springs, Colorado and at Fort Greely, Alaska using current (existing)

GMD Fire Control training devices and support BMDS and Combatant Command (COCOM) exercises.

- Maintain readiness of the GMD Weapon System to include reporting, analyzing, and assisting with issues and assets associated with operations, training, test and exercise events, scheduled system and site transitions, development activities, including necessary privileged user/system administrator (SA) functions.

- Manage and perform GMD system transitions between three Simultaneous Test and

Operations environments: (1) Operations, (2) Maintenance, and (3) Testing.

- Work in conjunction with the WSI lead for integration of the Operations component into the GMD element.

- Provide site and facility support to include requirements for logistics, security, and host organization liaison.

- Maintain field level depots as applicable.

- Develop and execute routine and periodic techniques and processes for state of health, verification of operational status of the GMD element.

- Provide day-to-day interface with Warfighter operational units

- Develop, deconflict, prioritize, and execute operational schedule to synchronize all activities impacting fielded systems to include routine and corrective maintenance, operational availability, component and system testing, associated BMDS test and exercises, interceptor and ground system upgrades and updates, and other events as determined by the Government.

3. In-Service Fleet

- Execute maintenance, upgrade, integration, component level test, delivery and emplacement of GBIs. The GBI fleet is made up of many configuration variations consisting of configuration (C) 1 and C2 Orbital Boost Vehicles and Exoatmospheric Kill Vehicle capability enhancement (CE) I, CEII, and CEII Block 1 and all up round integration.

- Execute GBI-Level traceability of requirements through concept definitions, requirements definition support, M&S, CM, analysis of alternatives, MBSE, trade studies, architecture definition and modifications.

- Work in conjunction with the WSI lead for integration of the In-Service fleet component into the GMD element- Establish metrics-based analytics to address definition and traceability of internal and external interfaces, algorithm and software development including verification and validation, system level physical and logical integration, component/product level integration, analysis of system effectiveness, program management, and weapon system data and lab management.

- Execute engineering releases, maintenance on current operational software, GMD allocated capability requirements, specifications, enhancements and defect repairs, designate a major or incremental software build, testing activities and fielding methods. Execute software and hardware to implement enhancements and defect correction in support of installed and test assets. Deploy software, hardware and firmware to each affected component at each test, training, and operational site and conduct a configuration controlled, quality witnessed checkout.

- Execute the maintenance tasks associated with the GMD Peculiar Support Equipment

(PSE) in accordance with the prescribed service intervals.

- Support the assessment and dispositioning of various forms of software and hardware trouble reports (e.g., Test Incident Reports, Test Problem Reports, discrepancy reports, nonconformance reports, and BMDS Discrepancy Reports) arising from operations; flight, ground, and cybersecurity test events; training installations; labs; and other installed locations.

- Support WSI efforts related to executing the integration and test all products to ensure interoperability. Support in-phase Software Independent Verification and Validation (SW

IV&V) of software throughout the software development cycle.

- Perform maintenance (preventative, schedule, and corrective) of the Ground-Based

Interceptors associated infrastructure. Plan and execute product support to meet or exceed system availability rates. Schedule and support coordination and synchronization of maintenance activities as required by the asset management.

- Operate and maintain provided support and training equipment. As needed, procure required spares, repair parts, and consumables necessary to maintain the components of the

GMD Program Element. Conduct institutional training, develop and maintain training materials, support and sustainment training, Warfighter certifications, maintain training system availability at the GMD sites in Colorado Springs, Colorado and at Fort Greely, Alaska using current (existing) GMD Fire Control training devices and support BMDS and

COCOM exercises.

- Maintain readiness of the GBIs and ground systems to include reporting, analyzing, and assisting with issues and assets associated with operations, training, test and exercise events, scheduled system and site transitions, development activities, including necessary privileged user/ (SA) functions.

-Operate and maintain the GMD Element support and training equipment. Execute engineering releases, maintenance on current operational software, GMD allocated capability requirements, specifications, enhancements and defect repairs, designate a major or incremental software build, testing activities and fielding methods. Execute software and hardware to implement enhancements and defect correction in support of installed and test assets. Deploy software, hardware and firmware to each affected component at each test, training, and operational site and conduct a configuration controlled, quality witnessed checkout.

4. Weapon System Integrator

- Integrate the overall end-to-end performance and function of the GMD Weapon System to include management of system engineering, system integration, system testing, and other technical services to support the GMD effort. Ensure the successful integration and interoperability of multiple sub-element products, and perform testing for validation and verification of the GMD portion of the BMDS. Perform Government defined requirements management for component and system-level ground, flight, and cybersecurity test and verification. Manage and maintain configuration and performance baselines to include change management and risk management and facilitate Government chaired baseline management boards. Provide data to support and conduct both a vertical and horizontal technical review of interoperability.

- Manage and maintain Government’s Digital Engineering Environment to include MBSE tools, Integrated Digital Environments, and DevSecOps software packages.

- Execute GMD Program Element-Level activities for integration, fielding, maintenance, and the critical engineering processes to ensure delivery of an integrated GMD element capability which meets the BMDS performance specification including requirements verification and design compliance, M&S execution, CM change management execution, risk management, MBSE, architecture definition, definition and traceability of internal and external interfaces, algorithm and software independent verification and validation, system level physical and logical integration, system level integration, analysis of system performance and effectiveness, and weapon system data and lab infrastructure/management.

- Execute GMD system integration of the BMDS integration for vertical and horizontal interoperability with the BMDS and GMD system, components, and products. Support the integration of the component and product hardware and software into the GMD and BMDS

Government laboratories. Plan and Execute GMD system integration and scheduling including interoperability of components and products in test and operational environments.

In addition, execute development and integration of new functionality and capabilities using hardware and software technology insertion and obsolescence replacements to keep the weapon system capable of countering an evolving threat.

- Execute M&S capabilities at multiple levels of fidelity to support architecture definition and system performance assessment, with verification, validation, and accreditation to support specific intended uses.

- Manage and support planning, integration, and execution and analysis for the integrated

BMDS. Conduct internal testing and system level testing and verification and validation with matrixed support, as needed, during test execution surges.

- Demonstrate and verify GMD Program Element performance requirements through detailed laboratory, ground, flight, and cybersecurity test events. Provide support associated with day-to-day operations of the flight, ground, and cybersecurity test programs to include engineering support for test planning, execution, and analysis.

- Execute BMDS-level flight test – including System Ground Test activities to include

Integrated and Distributed testing; and Cybersecurity test events. Additional test events may include sensor characterization flight tests; real world, operational exercise type events; fast-type events, Warfighter Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures development events; Targets of

Opportunity; GMD and BMDS Integration activities; and external element upgrades and trial periods.

- Provide Subject Matter Expertise knowledge of test resources, test range support, test assets, processes, knowledge of system test and System Test Labs, and facilitation/integration of cross-functional organizations.

- Manage GMD system test lab and infrastructure resources.

- Integrate GMD element training plans for end-to-end operation of the weapon system.

ACQUISITION CONCEPTS

MDA is exploring different approaches for fulfilling the GMD Program Element requirements. Acquisition approaches under consideration range from an award of multiple contracts to execute segments/missions of the program scope to a single contract to execute the entirety of the program scope. Essential to all of the acquisition approaches under consideration is the establishment of an enduring arrangement strategy for the execution of the

WSI functions across the program lifecycle, either under a single prime contract, or as one of the multiple contracts.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Address all questions concerning this RFI in writing via e-mail to GMD-Future@mda.mil.

Additional information on the GMD weapon system can be found at www.mda.mil.

In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act, RFI submissions will only be accepted electronically. Responses to this RFI are due no later than August 25, 2020. All submitted information will be handled per standard DoD security marking guidelines.

Respondent’s information/documents submitted in response to this RFI will not be returned.

The Respondent’s information/documents should be complete, informative, clearly demonstrate competencies and expertise in executing and delivering robust systems engineering, systems integration, and test activities. MDA will not accept any responses submitted as classified information. Industry is encouraged to respond with information that is not constrained by proprietary data rights. If submission contains proprietary data, ensure that it is marked as such. MDA intends to use third party, non-Government (Contractor) support as subject matter experts to review RFI responses. Appropriate non-disclosure agreements have been executed to protect and safeguard industry information.

The resultant knowledge will enable MDA to achieve the best value acquisition of systems, commodities, components, technologies, capabilities, or services to fulfill its complex mission.

http://www.mda.mil/

SUBMISSION FORMAT AND DESIRED CONTENTS

RFI Respondents and/or Prospective Offerors (if a solicitation is issued) and its subcontractors/suppliers must be U.S. firms/businesses and not foreign owned, controlled, or influenced.

Responses limited to a maximum page count of 15 pages. Each response shall be single-spaced, minimum 12-point Times New Roman font, and describe corporate experience and/or relevancy in response to the 8 RFI questions, below. Do not submit generic corporate marketing materials for this RFI.

Include a company profile which should entail: Company Name, Point of Contact, Address, Telephone and Fax Numbers, Email Address, DUNS Number, CAGE Code and/or Tax ID

Number, Facility Clearance Level, and all applicable socio-economic business/company profile

(e.g., Large/Small Business (SB), Small Disadvantaged, 8(a), 8(m) (both Woman Owned SB and

Economically Disadvantaged Woman Owned SB), Tribally Owned entity, Alaskan Native

Corporation, Hawaiian Owned Organization, Service Disabled Veteran Owned SB, Historically

Underutilized Business Zone SB, other, etc.).

PROGRAMMATIC: Responses should address the questions listed below.

The Government is still considering the Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) approach for the WSI contract as follows:

a) Option A: A provision which forces offerors to make a business decision as to which GMD opportunity (GMD WSI contract or GMD development/production contract) to pursue; this limits contractor/subcontractors from participating in both GMD development/production contracts and the GMD WSI contract.

b) Option B: No pre-determined prohibitions on contractor/subcontractors from participating in both GMD development/production contracts and the GMD WSI contract. The Procuring Contracting Officer will still perform the OCI analysis required under FAR subpart 9.5, specifically 9.505-1 through -4.

c) Option C: A consortium or team approach whereby the WSI prime is partners with, or subcontracts with all GMD OEMs to ensure optimal performance and integration of current and future GMD systems.

Consortium / Team Approach:

If the Government were to choose Option C for the WSI effort, please address the following:

(1) Would your company be interested in being the prime contractor for the WSI

Consortium?

(2) Would your company be interested in participating as a member of or a subcontractor in a WSI Consortium?

(3) What benefits, if any, are there if the Government chooses Option C? What risks, if any, are there if the Government chooses Option C?

(4) How would your company, as the prime, structure the GMD Consortium to execute the WSI scope? How would you ensure participation from all current GMD OEMs?

(5) How would roles and responsibilities be divided between the prime and other members/subcontractors?

(6) What mechanisms/agreements would the consortium need in place to share data and proprietary information between the members? What is a typical timeline to get these mechanisms/agreements in place?

(7) How would your WSI Consortium address any OCI implications as defined in FAR

9.505? What mechanisms or protections would be enacted to ensure impartiality of the consortium while performing the WSI role?

(8) What data would be needed by the WSI Consortium from the Government and GMD developers to execute the WSI scope?