RFI_Draft PWS Feedback.docx

SUBJECT: Request for Information (RFI) & Draft PWS Feedback – DICE Laboratory Sustainment and Engineering Support CONTRACTING OFFICE: Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Pacific CONTRACT VEHICLE: SeaPort-NxG Multiple Award Contract (MAC)

1.0 PURPOSE

This Request for Information (RFI) is issued to conduct market research and solicit industry feedback on a draft Performance Work Statement (PWS) and proposed acquisition strategy. The Government is seeking feedback on transitioning the DICE Laboratory Support requirement from a 100% Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) structure to a hybrid Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) and CPFF structure.

Disclaimer: This is an RFI for planning purposes only. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs associated with submitting information in response to this notice.

2.0 BACKGROUND & PROPOSED STRATEGY

NIWC Pacific has a follow-on requirement to provide systems engineering, cybersecurity, laboratory sustainment, and hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) integration support for the DICE Laboratory (supporting major C4ISR programs including CANES). The work requires a TS/SCI cleared workforce. The anticipated Period of Performance is one (1) Base Year and four (4) 12-month Option Years.

To maximize efficiency and reduce cost risk, the Government intends to utilize a hybrid Contract Line Item Number (CLIN) structure:

· CLIN X001 (FFP): Core Laboratory Operations. Includes highly predictable daily tasks such as facility management, basic systems administration, scheduled ACAS scanning, and scheduled integration events.

· CLIN X002 (CPFF - Level of Effort): Technical & Test Event Surge. Includes unpredictable RDT&E tasks such as DevSecOps rapid prototyping, emergency fleet casualty support, and unscheduled weekend integration events (authorized via Technical Direction Letters).

3.0 REQUESTED FEEDBACK / QUESTIONS FOR INDUSTRY

The Government has attached the Draft PWS for industry review. Interested SeaPort-NxG prime contractors are requested to provide feedback on the following specific areas:

1. Hybrid Structure Feasibility: Based on the Draft PWS, is the boundary between the "Core Laboratory Operations" (FFP) and the "Test Event Surge" (CPFF) clearly defined? Do you foresee any cost drivers, technical risks, or scope ambiguities that would make pricing the FFP Core Operations overly risky for industry?

2. Performance Metrics: Please review the Performance Requirements Summary (PRS) and Acceptable Quality Levels (AQLs) in the attached PWS. Are these metrics realistic and measurable for a Firm-Fixed-Price laboratory sustainment environment?

3. Clearance Impacts: The requirement mandates a TS/SCI cleared workforce for access to JWICS and SCIF environments. How does managing a TS/SCI workforce impact your ability to confidently price a Firm-Fixed-Price baseline (e.g., accounting for clearance delays or billet vacancies)?

4. Cost Control & Staffing: Does the proposed CPFF-LOE structure for "Surge" events provide sufficient flexibility for your company to rapidly scale engineering support for unscheduled fleet emergencies without inflating the FFP baseline?

5. General Feedback: Please provide any additional recommendations to improve the clarity of the PWS or the efficiency of the acquisition strategy.

4.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Responses should be submitted via email to the Contract Specialist Ashleigh Becker at ashleigh.n.becker.civ@us.navy.mil and the Contracting Officer Dan Nardi at dan.a.nardi.civ@us.navy.mil no later than 28 October 2026 at 10:00AM PST.

Responses shall not exceed five (5) single-sided 8.5x11 pages. Please include your Company Name, CAGE Code, and SeaPort-NxG Contract Number on the cover page.