NEI RFI 20240612.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED//FOUO

RFI: Commercial NEI

June 12, 2024

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Commercial Non-Earth Imaging

1.0 DESCRIPTION & PURPOSE

1.1. The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) is the nation’s primary source of geospatial intelligence (GEOINT) for the Department of Defense and the U.S. Intelligence

Community. GEOINT is the exploitation and analysis of imagery and geospatial information that describes, assesses, and visually depicts physical features and geographically-referenced activities on the earth. As a DOD Combat Support Agency and a member of the IC, NGA provides GEOINT products and services to partners, decision makers, warfighters, and first responders across the globe. The NGA is the lead federal agency for geospatial intelligence

(GEOINT). NGA delivers world-class geospatial intelligence that provides a decisive advantage to policymakers, warfighters, intelligence professionals and first responders.

1.2. The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to conduct market research on current

Industry capabilities and technologies that meet NGA’s requirements and to initiate a dialog with

Industry to discuss technical ideas and approaches that shapes the overall technical approach to provide Commercial Non-Earth Imaging (NEI) and analytics on space vehicle operations.

1.3. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, NGA is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued.

2.0 BACKGROUND

The objective of this RFI is to identify unclassified Non-Earth Imaging capabilities to include but not limited to: image resolution, data format, data file transmission and, PED capabilities; analyze platform sensor suite capabilities, acquire imagery of non-vendor assets and uncooperative platforms; Additionally, vendors will ensure the quality of data transmitted and mission planning meets the requirements agreed to by the contractor and NGA. The imagery and data created during these operations will augment existing unclassified and classified capabilities and data sources, and integrate directly into analytic workflows for operational use.

2.1 Planned Acquisition/ Description of requirements: See Attachment 1 –

NEI_Draft_Statement_of_Work_20240611.

2.2 Performance:

2.2.1 The Period of Performance (POP) is anticipated as follows:

• Period (POP): Base: 12 months

• Options: Four (4) 1-Year Options

2.2.2 Location(s): The contractor shall provide support at NGA facilities and/or at the contractor’s facility. The contractor must have an NGA approved Sensitive Compartmented Information

Facility (SCIF) in order to complete work at the contractor’s location.

2.3 Constraints and Limitations: The following are anticipated to apply to this acquisition:

• The Contractor shall be a U.S. owned entity. Only United States citizens (foreign nationals are prohibited from working on this effort) are authorized to perform work or have access to the information on the contract.

2.4 Security Requirements: Contractor personnel performing classified work on this contract are required to have at a minimum with an in-scope TOP SECRET/SCI eligibility to perform work on this contract. Contractors shall be subject to a Counterintelligence Scope Polygraph (CSP) exam when requested by the Government. NGA will sponsor: Security indoctrinations and accesses;

Common Access Cards (CAC); and other required items for required program personnel.

2.5 Organizational Conflict of Interest: In accordance with FAR Part 9.5, please discuss any performance which may lead to an OCI and how the Offeror would mitigate, avoid, or neutralize the conflict.

3.0 REQUESTED INFORMATION

Responses must only contain UNCLASSIFIED information and be marked “UNCLASSIFIED” on all pages in both the header and footer. No classified information may be included in your response.

Neither proprietary or classified concepts, nor classified information should be included in the submittal. Input on the information contained in the responses may be solicited and reviewed by

NGA non-Government consultants or experts who are bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements.

3.1 ADMINISTRATIVE

Information to include the following as a minimum:

3.1.3 Name, mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address), phone number, fax number, company website, and e-mail of designated point(s) of contact.

3.1.3 BUSINESS TYPE.

The applicable North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code to this acquisition is: 541370 – Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services.

The responder is to provide answers to the following questions:

To be considered for a Small Business set-aside, at least 50 % of the cost of contract performance incurred for personnel shall be expended for employees of the responder. ( FAR 52.219-14, Limitation of Subcontracting)

RESPONSE

Are you a Small Business? (FAR 19.102), If so, which type: ☐ YES ☐ NO

Small Disadvantaged business concern? (FAR 19.304) ☐ YES ☐ NO

Service Disabled small business? (FAR 19.14) ☐ YES ☐ NO

8(a) Small Disadvantaged participants? (FAR 19.8) ☐ YES ☐ NO

HUBZone small business? (FAR 19.13) ☐ YES ☐ NO

Woman-Owned Small Business? (FAR 19.15) ☐ YES ☐ NO

Involved in a mentor and/or protégé program? (DFARS 219.71) ☐ YES ☐ NO

3.1.3 Recommendation for alternative NAICS Code? Provide rationale for any NAICS Code applicable to the planned acquisition other than the NAICS code identified above.

3.1.4 DUNS Number: _________________

3.1.5 Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code:

3.1.6 Defense facility security clearance? What type? What level?

3.1.7 Accounting system, if applicable? Date of last audit? Audit performed by? Determined adequate/inadequate?

3.1.8 Purchasing system? Date determined adequate or inadequate?

3.1.9 Timekeeping system? Date of last audit? Who performed? Determined adequate/inadequate?

3.1.10 Do you hold a GSA Federal Supply Schedule (FSS) applicable to the NAICS code (s) identified above? If yes, provide contract number(s).

3.1.11 Are you registered in SAM?

http://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2019_1.html http://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2019_3.html http://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2019_14.html#wp1093836 http://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2019_8.html#wp1092796 http://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2019_13.html#wp1094801 http://www.acquisition.gov/far/current/html/Subpart%2019_15.html#wp1094868 http://www.acq.osd.mil/dpap/dars/dfars/html/current/219_71.htm

3.1.12 Are you interested in: Prime contract? Teaming to include Joint Venture? Subcontractor opportunities?

3.1.13 Include additional details that are not already requested based on the constraints of the information request.

3.2 EXPERIENCE

3.2.1 COMMERCIAL.

Provide relevant details on the responder providing the same or similar services offered or made to the general public or to non-governmental entities for purposes other than governmental purposes in the last three (3) years. Relevant details to NGA’s proposed acquisition should include, but not be limited to, information regarding the contract value, size and length of the effort, responder performing as a prime or subcontractor, customary practices (warranty, financing, discounts, contract types, etc.) under which the sales of the service(s) are made, security details, the customary practices regarding customizing, modifying, or tailoring of a service(s) to meet customer needs and associated costs, the kinds of factors that are used to evaluate performance; the kinds of performance incentives used; the kinds of performance assessment methods commonly used; the common qualifications of the people performing the services; and requirements of law and/or regulations unique to these service(s), that can demonstrate the responder’s abilities and capacity to meet NGA’s statement of objectives.

3.2.2 GOVERNMENT.

Provide relevant details on the responder providing the same or similar services offered or made to Government agencies other than NGA in the last three (3) years. Relevant details to NGA’s proposed acquisition should include, but not be limited to contract value, information regarding the contract number, agency, responder performing as a prime or subcontractor, size and length of the effort, type of pricing and/or cost, security details, the kinds of factors used to evaluate performance; the kinds of performance incentives; the kinds of performance assessment methods; the qualifications of the people performing the services; and any unique terms and conditions, that can demonstrate the responder’s abilities and capacity to meet NGA’s statement of objectives.

3.2.3 NGA.

Provide relevant details on the responder providing the same or similar services offered or made to NGA in the last three (3) years. Relevant details to NGA’s proposed acquisition should include, but not be limited to contract value, information regarding the contract number, program name, size and length of the effort, responder performing as a prime or subcontractor, type of pricing and/or cost, security details, the kinds of factors used to evaluate performance; the kinds of performance incentives; the kinds of performance assessment methods; the qualifications of the people performing the services; and any unique terms and conditions, that can demonstrate the responder’s abilities and capacity to meet NGA’s statement of objectives.

3.3 PROPOSED CONCEPT OF OPERATIONS:

Provide a brief explanation of how you would satisfy the requirements, as described in Section

4.0 of Attachment 1 Draft Statement of Work (SOW) for Commercial NEI. Your responses must include the requirements listed in Subsections 4.1 - 4.11.

a. Provide a brief explanation of how you would satisfy the requirements, as described in Subsection 4.1 Resolution Validation of the draft SOW. (limit 750 words)

b. Provide a brief explanation of how you would satisfy the requirements, as described in Subsection 4.2 Data Format Validation of the draft SOW. (limit 750 words)

c. Provide a brief explanation of how you would satisfy the requirements, as described in Subsection 4.3 Data Transmission Validation of the draft SOW.

(limit 750 words)

d. Provide a brief explanation of how you would satisfy the requirements, as described in Subsection 4.4 Sensing Payload Trade Analysis of the draft SOW.

e. Provide a brief explanation of how you would satisfy the requirements, as described in Subsection 4.5 Delta-V vs Time of flight of the draft SOW. (limit

750 words)

f. Provide a brief explanation of how you would satisfy the requirements, as described in Subsection 4.6 Drive by Characterization of the draft SOW. (limit

g. Provide a brief explanation of how you would satisfy the requirements, as described in Subsection 4.7 PED Capability Validation of the draft SOW. (limit

h. Provide a brief explanation of how you would satisfy the requirements, as described in Subsection 4.8 Imaging Uncooperative Targets of the draft SOW.

i. Provide a brief explanation of how you would satisfy the requirements, as described in Subsection 4.9 Non-vendor Asset Imaging of the draft SOW. (limit

j. Provide a brief explanation of how you would satisfy the requirements, as described in Subsection 4.10 Delivery Schedule, Delivery Location and File

Format of the draft SOW. (limit 750 words)

k. Provide a brief explanation of how you would satisfy the requirements, as described in Subsection 4.11 Quality Assurance and Acceptance Criteria of the draft SOW. (limit 750 words)

l. Provide company background and experience to produce commercial NEI derived and value-added products. (limit 500 words)

m. Provide brief explanation to what additional data can be made available to this effort. (limit 250 words)

3.4 RECOMMENDATIONS

The responder is invited to provide information and recommendations for fashioning this proposed acquisition. Recommendation areas may include the type of contract, anticipated contract terms & conditions, incentives, variations in delivery schedule, price and/or cost proposal support, and data requirements, contract pricing, and any other areas that the responder believes is relevant for the Government to achieve its stated objectives. The responder may opine regarding what portion of the work could be set-aside for small businesses if all the required work cannot be provided by a small business. Details to support any recommendations for partial small business set-asides should be included.

3.4.1 Provide any additional comments:

Identify specific comments and information that is relevant to the commercial NEI solution. (limit

250 words)

4.0 RESPONSES

4.1 White paper shall be in Microsoft Word for Office or compatible format and shall not exceed six (6) pages of technical writeup per capability, not including artifacts. An additional one (1) page is allotted for graphics. A page is defined as each face of an 8½” x 11” sheet with information contained within a one-inch margin on all sides. Font type shall be Times Roman 12-point.

4.2 If providing comments, questions, and/or suggestions along with white paper submissions, interested parties are encouraged to utilize Attachment RFI Comment

Matrix provided.

4.2.2 Important Note: Pricing is not being requested at this time. Please do not submit any price proposals/estimates in response to this RFI.

4.2.2 Responses containing the white paper are due no later than 1700 CDT, July 12, 2024. All questions prior to final submission shall be received no later than 1700 CDT, June 28, 2024.

Responses shall be submitted to Harry Lanfersieck (Contracting Officer) and Nathan Huber

(Contract Specialist) via email to: Harry.L.Lanfersieck@nga.mil and

Nathan.G.Huber@nga.mil. The email shall have the following in subject line: “Commercial

NEI RFI Response - [INSERT Your Business Name]”.

4.3 Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

5.0 MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS

The Government representatives may or may not choose to meet with potential RFI service providers. Such meetings and discussions would only be intended to get further clarification of potential capability, especially any development and certification risks.

6.0 QUESTIONS

Questions and the whitepaper regarding this Commercial NEI RFI should be submitted in writing by e-mail to Harry.L.Lanfersieck@nga.mil and Nathan.G.Huber@nga.mil.

7.0 SUMMARY

This RFI is only intended for the Government to identify sources that can provide the needed services to fulfill the Government’s statement of objectives. The information provided in this

RFI is subject to change and is not binding to the Government. The Government has not made a commitment to procure any of the RFI requirements discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

STATEMENT OF WORK (SOW)

COMMENT MATRIX FOR THE Commercial Non-Earth Imaging REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

COMMENT

SOW PAGE

SOW

SECTION

COMMENT/QUESTION/SUGGESTION