RFI Pilot Program - Final.pdf

Request for Information/Source Sought

Sources Sought Number: 2025RFICOMCLASSINFRA

Agency/Office: Washington Headquarters Services/Acquisition Directorate (WHS/AD)

Location: Vendor Location

Title: Request for Information (RFI) Commercial Solutions for Shared Classified Commercial Infrastructure Pilot Program

1. Customer Description

This Request for Information (RFI) is being issued by the Washington Headquarters Services Acquisition Directorate (WHS/AD), on behalf of the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security (OUSD(I&S)). The Under Secretary of Defense for Intelligence and Security (USD(I&S)) is the Principal Staff Assistant and Advisor to the Secretary of Defense and the Deputy Secretary of Defense on intelligence, counterintelligence, security, sensitive activities, and other intelligence-related matters.

The USD(I&S) exercises the Secretary of Defense’s authority, direction, and control over the Defense Agencies and DoD Field Activities that are defense intelligence, counterintelligence, or security component. The USD(I&S) also exercises planning, policy, and strategic oversight over all DoD intelligence, counterintelligence, and security policy, plans, and programs.

2. Introduction

Pursuant to Section 874 of the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (FY25 NDAA) and in alignment with the priorities established by Secretary Hegseth to revive the defense industrial base and reform our acquisition processes, OUSD(I&S) seeks information from industry stakeholders regarding commercial solutions that support the establishment and execution of a pilot program for shared classified commercial infrastructure. This pilot program is intended to identify or inform efficiency which, if enacted, will streamline access to classified facilities, improve accreditation processes, and identify policy barriers limiting broader Department of Defense (DoD) adoption of such infrastructure.

This RFI is issued for market research and planning purposes only. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), a promise to issue an RFP, or a commitment by the government to award a contract.

3. Background

Section 874 of the FY25 NDAA requires DoD to develop a pilot program to enhance small business and institutional access to classified environments by utilizing shared classified commercial infrastructure. The objectives of the pilot program include:

Expanding access to accredited facilities for classified contract work.

Reducing the cost and administrative burden of facility accreditation and certification.

Increasing classified contract competition among non-traditional defense companies, small businesses, and academic institutions.

Identifying and addressing policy barriers limiting the use of shared classified infrastructure.

The pilot program requires collaboration between the DoD, private industry, and intelligence community stakeholders to develop regulatory updates, streamlined processes, and innovative solutions that enhance secure infrastructure accessibility.

4. Objectives of this RFI

Through this RFI, the government aims to:

Identify commercial solutions that can provide or enhance shared classified commercial infrastructure.

Understand industry capabilities for offering managed secure facilities and services.

Evaluate potential approaches to reducing accreditation costs and administrative burdens.

Gather insights on policy and regulatory barriers affecting broader DoD adoption.

Assess technology and service offerings that support secure classified environments.

5. Requested Information

Interested parties are encouraged to submit innovative ideas and are invited to submit written responses (no more than five pages) addressing the following areas:

A. Company Information

Company name, address, point of contact, UEI and Cage Code Suggested NAICS and PSC for shared classified commercial infrastructure services.

Relevant past performance in providing secure infrastructure, facility accreditation, or related services and a government point of contact for this work.

Experience navigating Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) or intelligence community accreditation requirements.

B. Proposed Solution(s) (indicate in your response which Area(s) of Interest you are responding to):

Technical Capabilities & Proposed Solutions Area of Interest 1: Description of available commercial classified infrastructure solutions.

Area of Interest 2: Capabilities related to facility accreditation, management, and security compliance.

Area of Interest 3: Proposed models for providing secure access to non-traditional defense companies, small businesses, academic institutions, and others the DoD would benefit from having included in this model.

Area of Interest 4: Technology solutions supporting classified IT network access and compliance in shared facilities.

Area of Interest 5: Security measures ensuring compliance with DoD and intelligence community requirements.

Accreditation and Regulatory Considerations

Area of Interest 6: Recommendations for streamlining facility accreditation and certification processes.

Area of Interest 7: Identification of existing regulatory or process barriers and potential solutions.

C. Cost and Business Model Considerations

Rough order of magnitude (ROM) cost estimates for facility access and management services.

Potential funding structures, including public-private partnerships or fee-for-service models.

Recommendations for cost-sharing mechanisms to support non-traditional defense companies, small businesses, and academic institutions.

D. Implementation and Scalability

Estimated timeline for establishing shared classified commercial infrastructure.

Proposed models for co-use and joint-use agreements.

Scalability considerations for expansion across DoD components and geographic locations.

6. Submission Instructions

Responses must be submitted electronically in [PDF/Word] format to stevie.a.krekelberg.civ@mail.mil and lamar.a.walker.civ@mail.mil no later than 12:00pm on March 10, 2025. Files must include “RFI Response [Company Name]” in the subject line.

7. RFI Guidelines:

Please note that this notice is for INFORMATION and PLANNING purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal/Quote (RFP/RFQ). Responses to the RFI cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract nor will the Government pay for the information solicited or recognize any costs associated with the submission of the RFI. Any information obtained as a result of this RFI is intended to be used by the Government on a non-attribution basis for program planning and acquisition strategy development. Providing data/information that is limited or restricted for use by the Government for that purpose would be of very little value and such restricted/limited data/information is not solicited. By submitting information in response to this RFI, submitters of such information impliedly consent to the release and dissemination of submitted information to any Government or non-Government entity to which WHS releases and disseminates the information for review.

As such, to the extent that any information submitted in response to this RFI is marked as or construed to be proprietary or business-sensitive, submitters are hereby notified (a) about the potentiality that such information may be disclosed to third parties and (b) that submission of information in response to this RFI constitutes consent to such handling and disclosure of submitted information. Responses to this notice are not considered offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.

8. Security Clearance

There is no security clearance requirement to respond to this RFI.

9. GSA Schedule

If your company currently holds a GSA schedule, please provide the contract number.

10. Industry Engagement

Based on responses received, the government may conduct industry engagements, including virtual or in-person meetings, to further explore proposed solutions.

Respondents may be invited to participate in discussions regarding regulatory improvements, facility accreditation processes, and technological innovations.

11. Disclaimer

This RFI is issued solely for informational and planning purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation, a promise to issue a solicitation, or a commitment to award a contract. The government will not reimburse respondents for any costs incurred in responding to this RFI. Proprietary information should be clearly marked in submissions.

For questions regarding this RFI, please contact:

Stevie A. Krekelberg Contracting Officer Washington Headquarters Service Acquisition Directorate Phone: (571) 214-4563 Email: stevie.a.krekelberg.civ@mail.mil