RFI for Forensics.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Air Forces Northern Command (AFNORTH) is seeking information from industry to assist with the development and planning of a requirement.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) NOTICE ONLY. THIS IS NOT A

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP). NO SOLICITATION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

1. Overview/Purpose/ Description of Procurement: The Continental United States

(CONUS) North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) Region Air and

Space Operations Center (CONR AOC), the Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS), and the

Western Air Defense Sector (WADS) are required to provide a clear and concise recreation of events through the collection of Link 16, and Raw Radar data, audio, and video 24/7 with no operator in the loop with 15 minute digitally time stamped files with an accuracy within 1 sec. System must be able to provide storage for 90 days of collected data, audio, and voice.

2. Scope of Effort: AFNORTH serves as the air component of both NORAD and United

States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM). Its primary mission is to ensure interoperable command and control (C2) of aerospace defense, air sovereignty, and counterterrorism within the Continental United States (CONUS). AFNORTH fulfills this mission through support provided to the CONR AOC and two distinct Air Defense

Sectors. Specifically, the Eastern Air Defense Sector (EADS) is tasked with the C2 mission east of the Mississippi River, while the Western Air Defense Sector (WADS) handles the C2 mission west of the Mississippi River.

3. Technical Characteristics: EADS and WADS rely on the Battle Control System-Fixed

(BCS-F) for their air picture, which integrates radar data, flight plans, and tactical data links to create a comprehensive view used for aircraft identification. To effectively reconstruct this air picture, the forensic system must capture all FAA Radar Data, Tactical Data Link information, flight plans, and additional tactical data links data.

Operations personnel utilize BCS-F for aircraft identification, with unidentified aircraft categorized as tracks of interest. The CONR AOC receives the air picture from EADS and WADS through the Remote Tactical Air Picture system and tactical data links.

EADS and WADS utilize the Mission Voice Platform (MVP) primarily for communication with air defense fighters. Additionally, the CONR AOC, EADS, and

WADS utilize the Defense Red Switch Network phones when tactical actions are necessary. Each location has specific operational positions that require data, voice, and video recording for comprehensive documentation.

4. Functional Characteristics: A system capable of collecting data, audio, and video through taps from vital tactical and operational sources to enable precise reconstruction of critical events. Providing rapid replay of synchronized audio and video, facilitating in-depth operational analysis of any event. The following major components make up the

Forensics System:

• Analysis Workstations (End product)

• Audio Collectors (Ops Center/Radios/Phones/etc.)

• Data Collectors (Sensors/Links/Cameras)

• Domain Controller (User authentication/Group Policy)

• Network Area Storage Servers (Forensic Data/Analysis Storage)

• Network Monitoring System (Data Collection Status/Hardware health)

• Network Switch (IP Distribution)

• Network Time Server (UTC Time Synchronization)

• SAN (Backup repository of Forensics Data/ Event Archive)

• Video Collectors (Operator workstations & IP cameras)

5. Requested Information: A system that will support the effort and characteristics described herein that will quickly and accurately reconstruct events using GPS-

Synchronized radar track data, audio, and video.

5.1 The response shall include technical characteristics, a list of components, whether or not components are Commercial Off the Shelf, and any components or software that are proprietary.

5.2 The response shall include if the system/solution has run on any DoD networks or systems? If so, indicate for which DoD organization and provide a POC.

5.3 The response shall include if the system/solution is used by other DoD organizations or other federal Government organizations? If so, indicate for which DoD/Federal organization and provide a POC.

5.4 The response shall include a cost estimate for the system/solution.

5.5 Briefly describe your method for how AFNORTH could acquire the system.

5.6 Corporate Information. Provide the following information about your company. If submitting a team response, please include the requested information for all companies on the team.

a. Company Name

b. Physical Address

c. Point of Contact (Name, phone, email address)

d. Business Type (if Small Business include what types)

e. Specify your company’s facility clearance level details.

f. Your contract vehicles that would be available to the Government for the procurement of your products and/or services.

RESPONSE GUIDELINES:

Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper. Submissions cannot exceed 20 pages (excluding diagrams or illustrations), single spaced, 12-point type with at least one-inch margins on 8 1/2” X 11” page size. The response should not exceed a 10 MB e-mail limit for all items associated with the RFI response. Responses must specifically describe the contractor’s capability to meet the requirements outlined in this RFI. Oral communications are not permissible. Sam.gov will be the sole repository for all information related to this RFI.

Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. All government and

Systems Engineering and Technical Advisory (SETA) contractor personnel reviewing submitted responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as described in section 41 of USC 423. The government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified.

Companies who wish to respond to this RFI should send responses via email no later than 06

May 2024 at 3pm central standard time (CST) to kristin.s.martin2.civ@mail.mil.

INDUSTRY DISCUSSIONS:

DISA representatives may choose to meet with potential offerors and hold one-on-one discussions. Such discussions would only be intended to obtain further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements, including any development and certification risks.

QUESTIONS:

Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to kristin.s.martin2.civ@mail.mil. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Answers to questions will be posted to SAM.gov. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after 18

April 2024 at 3PM CST will be answered. The Government will not reimburse companies for any costs associated with the submissions of their responses.

DISCLAIMER:

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.

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. Responders 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 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 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.