NGLD-M SERD 2.0 RFI.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY

THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

THERE WILL NOT BE A SOLICITATION OR AVAILABILITY OF ALL REFERENCE

DOCUMENTS AT THIS TIME

1.0 Description and Background

The United States Army Program Executive Office Command, Control, Communications and Networks (PEO C3N), Project Manager Tactical Radios (PM TR), and Product Manager Communication Security (PdM COMSEC) are developing the Next Generation Load Device- Medium (NGLD-M) Increment 2 (Inc 2) in accordance with the Capability Production Document (CPD) for the NGLD-M, dated April 22, 2013, and the National Security Agency’s (NSA) Security Evaluation Requirement Document v2.0 (SERD 2.0).

This Request for Information (RFI) solicits information from vendors regarding the availability of fully developed or currently developing SERD 2.0 compliant fill devices that meet the requirements outlined in the NGLD-M Inc 2 System Requirement Document (SRD), including the User Application Software (UAS). Interested vendors may request a copy of the SERD 2.0 by contacting design_info@nsa.gov.

2.0 This is a Request for Information (RFI) Only

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that can develop, manufacture, and sustain the SERD 2.0 compliant NGLD-M Inc 2. The requirement provides services for the replacement of the NGLD-M based on IASRD requirements and specifications provided by PdM COMSEC. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the part of the Government in any way shape or form. The Army has not made a commitment to procure any of the items 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. In addition, all information submitted in response to this RFI becomes Government property and will not be returned in whole or in part.

This RFI is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals, nor will any award be made as a result of this synopsis. Non-response to this RFI will not preclude participation in any future RFPs, should they be issued. Any future solicitations will be published on the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) website, and potential offerors are responsible for monitoring SAM.gov for relevant updates and opportunities regarding the NGLD-M Inc 2.

All information contained in the RFI is preliminary as well as subject to modification and is in no way binding on the Government. FAR clause 52.215-3, “Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes”, is incorporated by reference in this RFI. The Government does not intend to pay for information received in response to this RFI. Respondents to this invitation are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. This RFI will be the basis for collecting information on capabilities available. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. Proprietary information and trade secrets, if there are any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received in this RFI that is marked “Proprietary” will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned, nor will the receipt be confirmed. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.

NOTICE: Prospective respondents are hereby notified that the Government may utilize Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) support contractor services during the review of RFI responses. Non-Disclosure Agreements for SETA contractors have been established. In the event RFI responses include proprietary information, respondents are also required to sign and provide a proprietary protection agreement in accordance with FAR 9.505-4(b) with the RFI response to allow support contractor access to the proprietary information. The contractor company and points of contact for establishing the proprietary protection agreement are:

SigmaTech LLC., Lisa Willet: lisa.willet@sigmatech.com

Interested vendors must provide their Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code, along with the name and email address of a primary Point of Contact (POC), to Contracting Officer Candace Hough (candace.o.hough.civ@army.mil) and Contract Specialist Daniel Malloy (alfred.d.malloy2.civ@army.mil). Upon CAGE Code verification, controlled documents will be distributed to interested parties via DoD SAFE. Furthermore, all personnel requiring access to these documents must submit a Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) NDA with their CAGE Code submission. Once verified, controlled documents will be sent to the name and email supplied with the request via DoD SAFE (https://safe.apps.mil/).

mailto:lisa.willet@sigmatech.com

3.0 Instructions to Vendors

3.1 Administrative Section

Vendors shall respond to this Request for Information (RFI) with a white paper not exceeding twenty (20) pages. This page limit does not apply to administrative sections. The initial section of the white paper shall consist of administrative information and, at a minimum, include the following:

• Designated Point of Contact: Name, mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different), phone number, fax number, and email address.

• Business Size and Classification: Indicate your company’s business size and classification (e.g., large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, very small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business) based on North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 334220, Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing.

• Relevant NAICS Codes: Provide all North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes relevant to this effort.

• Facility Clearance: This effort is projected to require a facility clearance of SECRET or higher. Please state your company’s current facility clearance level. If your company does not currently possess a SECRET or higher facility clearance, describe your process for obtaining one, including timeline.

3.2 Requested Information

Section 2 of the white paper shall address the questions and topics of interest outlined in paragraph 3.2 of this RFI and is limited to twenty (20) pages. This section shall provide evidence of vendor experience and briefly summarize the vendor’s capabilities to support the referenced system. Potential respondents shall answer the questions in one of the two categories defined below (Categories A and B) and provide the requested information

A. Respond to the following questions if your organization meets any of the criteria below:

• Possesses a fill device that is compliant with SERD 2.0 and has received NSA certification.

• Is developing a fill device to meet SERD 2.0 requirements.

• Has an existing fill device that can be converted to meet SERD 2.0 requirements.

1. Has your fill device achieved NSA certification for SERD 2.0 compliance? If not, please provide a schedule for obtaining SERD 2.0 certification.

2. Describe your fill device and detail how it satisfies the requirements outlined in the NGLD-M Inc 2

System Requirement Document (SRD). Please also identify any requirement gaps.

3. What are the Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) characteristics of your device?

4. Which KMI 3300 Over-the-Network Keying (OTNK) specifications have been implemented, or are planned for implementation?

5. Would your organization be willing to integrate Government-developed User Application Software

(UAS) utilizing a defined High Assurance – Application Programming Interface (HA-API) for this device? (Note: The Government does not intend to release the UAS source code)

6. List the Quantum-Resistant (QR) algorithms that have been implemented, or are planned for implementation.

7. Does your device align with the Army’s Modular Open System Architecture (MOSA) principles? If so, please provide details.

8. Are there any foreign supplier dependencies associated with this device? If so, please provide details.

9. Are there any licensing requirements associated with this device? If so, please provide details.

10. Please describe how this effort would be funded. Would your company plan to use Internal Research and Development (IRAD), Government RDT&E funding, etc.?

11. Please describe your company’s proposed approach to Government data rights for this device.

12. What preferred contracting arrangement would best fit your planned solution such as Other Transaction (OTA), Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), Firm Fixed Price (FFP), Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), etc.? Please describe how this method will improve cost, schedule, and performance.

13. Provide your company’s sustainment concept, based on your design, production approach, and data rights recommendations. Please address the following:

- Describe your product support and maintenance strategy.

- What are your proposed warranty terms, periods, and management systems?

- What is your current production capacity?

B. Respond to the following questions if your organization is interested in developing a HA fill device to meet SERD 2.0 requirements:

1. Please detail your experience in the development of high-assurance devices and associated high-assurance certification processes.

2. Are you familiar with the requirements of SERD 2.0 as they pertain to high-assurance fill devices, including recent updates?

3. What key challenges do you foresee in adapting to the SERD 2.0 requirements for high-assurance fill devices, and how would you mitigate them.

4. What potential challenges do you anticipate in the development of this fill device, and what strategies will be employed to address them?

5. Please provide a projected timeline for achieving SERD 2.0 compliance for the proposed device.

6. Please describe how this effort would be funded. Would your company plan to use Internal Research and Development (IRAD), Government RDT&E funding, etc.?

7. What preferred contracting arrangement would best fit your planned solution such as Other Transaction (OTA), Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), Firm Fixed Price (FFP), Cost Plus

Fixed Fee (CPFF), etc.? Please describe how this method will improve cost, schedule, and performance.

8. Please describe your experience implementing KMI 3300 OTNK specifications, including specific projects or applications.

9. Please detail your experience with the implementation of various Electronic Key Management System (EKMS) standards. Please specify which standards and the context of their implementation.

10. What challenges do you anticipate in meeting the requirements of NGLD-M Inc 2, and how will these be addressed?

11. Does your company have experience implementing the Army’s Modular Open System Architecture (MOSA)? If so, please provide specific examples and details of your involvement.

12. Please outline your company’s proposed sustainment concept, considering the design, production, and data rights recommendations. Specifically address the following:

- Describe your product support and maintenance strategy.

- What are your proposed warranty terms, periods, and management systems?

- What is your current production capacity?

3.3 Responses

White paper submissions, prepared in Microsoft Word format compatible with Office 365, are due 21 calendar days following the release of this Request for Information (RFI). Responses shall be formatted in Times New Roman, 12-point font, and include a Title Page (Section 1) and a Synopsis (Section 2). Section 2 is limited to a maximum of twenty (20) pages and must be submitted via email to Contracting Officer Candace Hough (candace.o.hough.civ@army.mil) and Contract Specialist Daniel Malloy (alfred.d.malloy2.civ@army.mil).

Any proprietary information or trade secrets contained within the submission must be clearly marked on all relevant materials. The Government will handle all information designated as Proprietary in accordance with applicable regulations. Please note that all submissions become the property of the Government and will not be returned. All Government and contractor personnel reviewing RFI responses will be bound by signed non-disclosure agreements and will adhere to the responsible use and protection of proprietary information, as outlined in 41 USC

423. The Government assumes no liability for damages incurred due to the failure to properly identify proprietary information

4.0 Industry Engagements

The Government may, at its discretion, schedule meetings with potential offerors to seek further clarification regarding their capabilities to meet the stated requirements, with a particular focus on development and certification risks. These meetings will be limited to 60 minutes and will be held only with parties who have submitted white papers. The Government/Contracting Officer reserves the right to determine whether or not to hold such discussions.

5.0 Questions

Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing via e-mail to Contracting Officer Candace Hough, (candace.o.hough.civ@army.mil) and Contract Specialist Daniel Malloy, (alfred.d.malloy2.civ@army.mil). Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions will be answered by posting responses to the SAM.gov website. Accordingly, questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information.

6.0 Attachments

1. NGLD-M Inc 2 SRD v1 (word document) (Provided upon signature of NDA)

2. NGLD-M INC 2 SRD RTMv1 (excel file) (Provided upon signature of NDA)

3. NGLD-M CPD (Provided upon signature of NDA)

4. NGLD SERD 2.0 CUI NDA

https://c/