NGB Enterprise Data and AI RFI (Market Research).pdf

Request for Information (RFI): National Guard Bureau (NGB) Enterprise Data and Artificial (AI) Program

1. General Information

Issuing Agency: National Guard Bureau

Purpose:

This RFI is issued for market research purposes to inform the development of an NGB Enterprise Data and AI Program. The intent is to identify industry capabilities, innovative approaches, and potential solution architectures that can enable NGB to establish an enterprise-wide data environment and AI-enabled decision advantage.

This RFI is not a solicitation for proposals and does not obligate the Government to issue a future procurement. Information received will be used to shape requirements, refine acquisition strategy, and assess the feasibility of available technologies and implementation approaches.

NAICS Code: 518210 (Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services) – Please suggest an alternative NAICS if you identify a more appropriate one.

Product Service Code (PSC):

D399 (IT and Telecom – Other IT and Telecommunications) D302 (Systems Development) D308 (Programming) D307 (IT Strategy and Architecture) D310 (Cybersecurity and Data Protection)

Please suggest an alternative PSC if you identify a more appropriate one.

2. Classification

The capability must support both unclassified and classified data environments, Impact Levels 2-6 (Public up to SECRET). The solution is expected to operate within or integrate with a FedRAMP High-authorized cloud service provider and align with DoD-approved cloud environments where applicable.

The architecture must implement Zero Trust principles in accordance with Department of War and National Guard Bureau policies. This includes end-to-end encryption, strong identity and access management, continuous monitoring, and the ability to maintain a comprehensive and immutable audit trail of all data access, movement, and modification.

Solutions must account for cross-domain considerations and enable secure data sharing across classification and impact levels where mission requirements dictate, in compliance with applicable security controls and policies.

3. Description of Requirement

The National Guard Bureau is seeking information on capabilities to design, develop, and implement a modern NGB Enterprise Data and AI Program that enables the organization to operate as a data-driven force.

The objective is to establish a scalable, interoperable, and secure data ecosystem that integrates disparate data sources across the Army National Guard, Air National Guard, NGB Joint Staff, and the 54 states, territories, and the District of Columbia Joint Force Headquarters.

This program is intended to improve situational awareness, enhance decision-making at all echelons, reduce redundancy across systems, and enable advanced analytics and artificial intelligence capabilities in support of domestic operations, federal missions, and Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control (CJADC2).

NGB recognizes that data environments across states and components vary in maturity, architecture, and adoption. As such, the enterprise solution must be capable of integrating with existing systems while providing a path toward greater standardization, interoperability, and reduced operational burden on the states.

4. Core Capability Areas

Data Ingestion and Integration The solution must support ingestion of structured, semi-structured, and unstructured data from multiple sources, including legacy systems, service-level platforms, and state-managed environments.

Both batch and real-time data ingestion capabilities are required. The architecture should support API-based integration, data streaming, and secure data exchange mechanisms to enable near real-time data availability.

The solution should accommodate integration with existing DoD and service data platforms and enable federation where full centralization is not feasible.

Data Storage and Management The platform should provide a scalable, multi-tiered data architecture, such as a combination of data lake, data warehouse, and data fabric or mesh approaches where appropriate.

Capabilities must include data normalization, transformation, tagging, and standardization to enable consistent data use across the enterprise.

The architecture should support metadata management, data cataloging, and discoverability to ensure users can identify and access relevant data efficiently.

Analytics and AI Enablement The solution must provide advanced analytics capabilities, including self-service analytics, ad hoc querying, and data visualization.

The platform should enable the development, deployment, and governance of AI and machine learning models to support predictive analytics, automation, and decision support.

Support for low-code or no-code analytics tools is desired to empower non-technical users while maintaining governance and security controls.

Governance and Data Management A comprehensive data governance framework is required, including data ownership, stewardship, quality management, and lifecycle management.

The solution should provide capabilities for data lineage tracking, ensuring traceability of data from source to consumption.

Data quality tools should enable validation, monitoring, and remediation to maintain trust in enterprise data assets.

Security and Zero Trust Architecture The solution must be designed with Zero Trust principles, enforcing continuous verification of users, devices, and data access requests.

Capabilities must include robust identity, credential, and access management, role-based and attribute-based access controls, and enforcement of least privilege.

Micro-segmentation and data-level security controls should be implemented to protect sensitive information and limit lateral movement within the environment.

Continuous monitoring, threat detection, and automated response capabilities are required to protect data and ensure compliance with DoD cybersecurity requirements.

5. Strategic Considerations

The NGB Enterprise Data and AI Program must account for the distributed nature of the National Guard and the need to balance enterprise capabilities with state-level flexibility.

Solutions should reduce duplication of effort, minimize cost burdens on states, and enable shared services where appropriate.

Interoperability is a key requirement. The solution must enable seamless data exchange across components, services, and mission partners while maintaining security and compliance.

The program should provide a foundation for future AI capabilities, automation initiatives, and advanced decision support tools aligned with DoD digital modernization priorities.

6. Industry Engagement Objectives

Through this RFI, NGB seeks to understand:

1. Available technologies and platforms that can support a federated yet interoperable enterprise data environment

2. Approaches to integrating disparate data sources across multiple organizations with varying levels of maturity

3. Best practices for implementing Zero Trust within enterprise data platforms

4. Strategies for enabling AI and advanced analytics at scale within a secure environment

5. Recommended implementation approaches, including phased delivery, pilot efforts, and scaling strategies

6. Potential risks, challenges, and mitigation strategies associated with deploying an NGB Enterprise Data and AI Program within a complex, distributed organization

Please provide your response – to include information and/or questions – via email to Jeannie Botteri, jeannie.m.botteri.civ@army.mil and LaKia Johnson, lakia.l.johnson.ctr@army.mil.

mailto:jeannie.m.botteri.civ@army.mil mailto:lakia.l.johnson.ctr@army.mil