RFI v1.pdf

Notice Type: Special Notice

Synopsis

1) The Government is planning an on-ramp of new contractors to the Total Engineering and Integration Services (TEIS) IV contract during its option period. This initiative has two primary goals:

a) To introduce new technologies and capabilities to support the U.S. Army

Information Systems Engineering Command (USAISEC).

b) To increase small business participation by on-ramping approximately four (4) small businesses and six (6) large businesses.

2) Accordingly, this Request for Information (RFI) seeks to identify potential new sources capable of providing full life-cycle support for USAISEC projects.

3) Notice to Industry and RFI Purpose

a) This is a Request for Information (RFI) for market research and planning purposes only. It is not a Request for Proposal (RFP), and no solicitation for an on-ramp currently exists.

b) No Reimbursement: The Government will not pay for the preparation or use of any information submitted in response to this RFI.

c) Proprietary Information: All data marked or designated as corporate or proprietary will be fully protected from any release outside the Government.

4) Anticipated Program Details

While this RFI is for planning purposes, the Government anticipates the following structure for the five-year option ordering period:

a) Total Estimated Value: $400 Million

b) Period of Performance: 01 December 2026 – 30 November 2031

c) Task Order Types: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) and Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF)

5) This Request for Information includes: Performance Work Statement (PWS);

Contract Data Requirements List (CDRLs) A001, A002, A003 and A004; Applicable Documents; and a Personnel Qualifications Description.

6) Telephone inquiries will not be accepted. Acknowledgement of responses will be provided.

a) Questions about the RFI are due at 8:00am MST, on 8 April 2026. Email questions to angela.m.taylor149.civ@army.mil and adelina.j.kostur.civ@army.mil

b) Responses to this notice are due at 8:00am MST, on 30 April 2028. Email your responses to angela.m.taylor149.civ@army.mil and adelina.j.kostur.civ@army.mil mailto:angela.m.taylor149.civ@army.mil mailto:adelina.j.kostur.civ@army mailto:angela.m.taylor149.civ@army.mil mailto:adelina.j.kostur.civ@army.mil

7) Background: USAISEC provides cyber systems engineering, integration, implementation, evaluation and cyber security engineering to the joint warfighter worldwide. USAISEC’s projects involve system engineering and ancillary services for communication, information, and cyber systems in support of the US Army, other federal agencies Department of War (DoW) components, and other federal activities.

This work includes planning, design, development, engineering, implementation, logistics, evaluation, and cybersecurity of information, communication and cyber systems. The functional needs of USAISEC include: communication, information, and cyber systems engineering; systems integration; cybersecurity engineering and Risk Management Framework (RMF) security control assessment – validation (SCA- V) support; installation and testing; systems analysis; engineering surveys;

installation support; transitional operations and maintenance support; information technology (IT) technical support; preparation of engineering publications and documentation; test and evaluation of information and communication systems including associated IT components; quality control of information and communication systems design and implementation; technical instruction of information and communication systems; drafting and illustration support; technology demonstration and rapid prototyping capabilities. USAISEC may require these services at any location in the Continental United States (CONUS) or Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS), to include theaters of operation in which the United States is engaged in conflicts. USAISEC is headquartered at Ft Huachuca, AZ, and has offices located at Fort Detrick, MD; Fort Belvoir, VA; Fort Lee, VA; Fort Eustis, VA; Fort Gordon, GA; Homestead Reserve Air Base, FL; Wheeler Army Airfield, HI; Camp Humphries, Korea; and Wiesbaden, Germany.

8) Other Considerations:

a) Contractors must be able to manage multiple, concurrent projects globally, both within the Continental U.S. (CONUS) and outside (OCONUS). This support is required for projects across the areas of responsibility for all eleven USAISEC offices. Given the global nature of this work, contractors may find it advantageous to establish multiple field offices to ensure successful performance.

b) Operational environments will vary significantly. This includes a range of physical infrastructures, from modern facilities to austere locations, as well as varying threat levels, up to and including areas of active conflict.

c) Contractors must be prepared for two distinct types of projects. Some will require continuous, multi-year support without any gaps or loss of institutional knowledge during personnel turnover. Others will require providing resources on short notice for brief durations.

d) Security Requirements

i) In performance of this contract, the contractor will require a Top Secret

Facility Clearance Level (FCL) with Secret safeguarding authorization.

ii) The contractor must have the appropriate FCL at the time of award.

iii) Both parties to the Joint Venture require the appropriate FCL at time of award.

e) Contractor personnel must meet several security requirements. At a minimum, all personnel must have a favorable trustworthiness background investigation as defined in AR 25-1 and AR 380-67. However, the majority of USAISEC projects will require personnel to hold an active security clearance, ranging from Secret to Top Secret with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access. The specific clearance level required for each task will be detailed in the project's Performance Statement (PWS).

9) Operational Environment and Teaming Approach

a) Contractors must be prepared to operate in a highly dynamic and often undefined environment. The following describes the typical workflow and key success factors for partnering with USAISEC:

i) Nature of Task Orders:

(1) Urgent Requirements: USAISEC frequently receives urgent, short-notice requests for support from other government agencies. This results in contractors needing to respond quickly to new Task Orders (TOs).

ii) Evolving Scope: In many cases, the full scope of work and the specific on-site conditions are not fully known when a TO is issued. The initial Performance Work Statement (PWS) is often based on preliminary information.

iii) On-Site Discovery: The final requirements are frequently defined only after contractor personnel arrive on-site to conduct assessments and site surveys.

b) Key Contractor Attributes for Success:

i) Given this environment, successful performance requires more than just technical skill. A close partnership with USAISEC is essential. The most critical attributes for a contractor are:

ii) Flexibility: The ability to adapt to changing requirements and an evolving scope of work.

iii) Proactive Communication: A commitment to maintaining clear, constant, and transparent communication with USAISEC project leads.

10) The attached PWS details all requirements. The prime contractor assumes total responsibility for meeting all requirements specified in the PWS and in individual TOs. Key contractor responsibilities include:

a) Personnel and Expertise:

i) Provide personnel with the necessary training, experience, and expertise to perform all tasks identified in TOs.

ii) Ensure personnel are skilled in both current and emerging information and communication technologies relevant to USAISEC's mission.

b) Global Deployment and Logistics:

i) Deploy enough qualified personnel to any location, both within the Continental U.S. (CONUS) and outside (OCONUS), as required by individual TOs.

ii) Maintain the capability to have personnel "boots on the ground" anywhere in the world within 72 hours of a TO award notification.

iii) Ensure all traveling personnel can obtain and use personal or corporate credit cards to support their travel.

c) Continuity of Operations:

i) Guarantee continuous, uninterrupted support to USAISEC on all projects.

ii) Develop and manage staffing plans that account for personnel leave, training, health issues, emergencies, and other absences to prevent any gap in service or loss of knowledge.

11) Contractors must be capable of rapidly deploying personnel globally to any location requiring USAISEC support. The contractor is responsible for proactively managing all international travel and administrative requirements, even when they present potential delays. These include, but are not limited to, navigating Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA), visa applications, host-nation workforce policies (such as Technical Expert Status Accreditation - TESA), and medical screenings.

a) Describe your company's experience with Status of Forces Agreements (SOFA) and Technical Expert Status Accreditation (TESA). As part of your response, please explain your process for identifying country-specific requirements and navigating these agreements to ensure successful personnel deployment.

12) The contractor must field a strong management and administrative team capable of synchronizing all contract activities across multiple time zones and support locations.

This includes coordinating personnel deployments, managing information and processes, and ensuring a consistent quality of support globally.

13) The prime contractor must meet the following reporting, system, and personnel requirements:

a) Performance and Financial Reporting:

i) The contractor shall provide regular performance and accounting metrics to USAISEC. These metrics must demonstrate the price, quality, efficiency, and timeliness of the support provided in meeting all contractual requirements.

b) Information System (IS) Security:

i) In accordance with DoD and Department of Army (DA) policy, all contractor information systems used to receive, process, store, display, or transmit DoD information must comply with DA standards. This applies to all systems regardless of their mission assurance category, classification, or sensitivity.

c) Personnel Certification:

i) All contractor personnel performing Information Assurance (IA) tasks must be certified in accordance with the DoD 8570.01-M Information Assurance Workforce Improvement Program.

14) The contractor must provide comprehensive logistics, provisioning, and secure handling support, particularly for major headquarters relocations. Required capabilities include:

a) IT Provisioning and Lifecycle Support:

i) Procurement: Purchasing incidental hardware, software, and other IT-related items.

ii) Staging and Configuration: Storing and pre-configuring hardware and software before deployment.

iii) Maintenance: Providing repair and replacement support for hardware and software assets.

b) Secure Logistics and Storage:

i) Secure Handling: Establishing and managing secure receiving, shipping, and storage capabilities for all classifications of equipment and information (Unclassified, Sensitive, and Classified).

ii) Specialized Equipment: Demonstrating the ability to handle and store specialized heavy items, including:

(1) Cryptographic equipment

(2) Protected Distribution System (PDS) hardware

(3) Cabling and infrastructure components

(4) General Services Administration (GSA)-certified safes

15) Submission Details:

a) Businesses of all sizes are encouraged to respond.

b) Please provide a Capabilities Statement of no more than 10 pages containing:

i) Identify the business size and eligibility for any socioeconomic program(s) and provide the company CAGE Code and Unique Entity Identification (UEI) number.

ii) Describe your ability to meet the complete requirements of PWS under the conditions described in the Background and Considerations above.

c) We request that all vendors who review this RFI provide one of the following two responses.

i) For Interested Parties: Statement of Interest

(1) If your organization intends to compete for this program, please submit a Statement of Interest that identifies your intended role:

(a) Prime Contractor

(b) Subcontractor

(c) Joint Venture (JV)

ii) For Parties Declining to Compete: Request for Feedback

(1) If, after reviewing the PWS, CDRLs (A001-A004), and all other provided documents, your organization decides not to compete, we would appreciate your feedback. Please briefly explain the reasons for your decision. This information is valuable and will help us refine the final solicitation.

16) Instructions for Prospective Prime Contractors

a) If your organization intends to compete as the Prime Contractor, your response must provide the following information in maximum of five pages:

i) Prime Contractor Capability Statement:

(1) Describe your company's capabilities and experience to successfully lead and manage all aspects of this program as the prime contractor.

ii) Work Share Distribution Plan:

(1) Provide your planned work share percentages, including:

(2) The percentage of work you intend to perform using your own corporate resources.

(3) The percentage of work you intend to subcontract, with a further breakdown by Large Business and Small Business categories.

b) Note on Prime Contractor Responsibility:

i) The Government reminds all prospective Prime Contractors that they are held responsible for fulfilling all requirements outlined in the PWS. This responsibility stands whether the work is performed by in-house resources or through subcontracting and teaming arrangements.

17) For management and relevant experience, in no more than three pages, address the following:

a) Global Management and Past Performance

i) This requirement will involve simultaneous performance at multiple locations, both within the Continental U.S. (CONUS) and outside (OCONUS). In your response, please provide the following:

(1) Management Approach:

(a) Describe your company's methodology for managing a geographically dispersed workforce and subcontractor team. Specifically detail how you would manage:

(i) Your own personnel across various global sites.

(2) Your teaming partners and subcontractors, including both large and small businesses.

(3) Relevant Experience and Resources:

(a) Provide a summary of your corporate history and resources that demonstrates your experience in supporting work of a similar size and scope.

(b) Highlight specific examples where you have managed personnel and projects simultaneously across numerous CONUS and OCONUS locations.

18) Capability in Austere OCONUS Environments

a) Describe your company's experience and methodology for operating in OCONUS locations with limited or non-existent infrastructure. Please provide specific examples of past projects where you successfully deployed and sustained personnel and operations in such austere environments.

19) Integration Strategy:

a) Describe your overall approach for integrating small business concerns to successfully accomplish the support required by USAISEC.

b) Explain the methodology you will use to identify and define subcontracting opportunities. For example, will opportunities be structured by:

i) PWS Function?

ii) Required Skill Set?

iii) Geographic Location?

iv) Other criteria? (Please specify)

20) Feasibility of Minimum Quantitative Requirements (MQRs):

a) Provide your assessment on the feasibility of establishing MQRs for specific socioeconomic subcategories (e.g., SDB, WOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone, etc.), expressed as a percentage of the total estimated contract value.

b) Clearly state your reasoning for why or why not you believe MQRs are feasible for this program.

c) If you consider MQRs to be feasible, recommend specific, realistic percentage goals for each applicable socioeconomic category.

21) Industry Feedback on Small Business Set-Aside Strategies

a) The Government is considering various strategies for setting aside a portion of this work exclusively for small business concerns. We request your expert recommendations on the most effective way to structure this.

b) In no more than two pages, please provide your feedback on the following potential strategies, and include any alternative approaches you would recommend.

22) Dedicated Small Business IDIQ Contracts:

a) What are the pros and cons of awarding one or more of the prime IDIQ contracts to small businesses, who would then have a fair opportunity to compete for task orders?

b) Task-Based or Functional Set-Asides:

c) Should specific types of work be set aside for small businesses? For example, should tasks that could create an Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) for other prime contractors be reserved for a small business pool?

d) Value-Based Set-Asides:

i) Should the set-aside be based on a percentage of the total estimated value of the entire IDIQ program? If so, what mechanisms would ensure this goal is met?

23) Other Recommendations:

a) Please propose any other strategies or hybrid models that could effectively reserve work for small businesses while ensuring mission success for USAISEC.

24) Self-Performance Capability:

a) Clearly identify which specific elements and tasks from the PWS your company can perform using its own internal workforce.

b) Limitations on Subcontracting Compliance:

i) Explain your strategy for ensuring full compliance with the Limitations on Subcontracting clause, as defined in FAR 52.219-14.

c) Financial Sustainment:

i) Confirm your company's ability to sustain all required operations for a period of at least 90 calendar days without payment from the Government. Briefly describe the financial approach or resources you have in place to manage this contingency.

25) NAICS Code and Business Size Status

a) The Government has identified the primary North American Industry

Classification System (NAICS) code for this requirement as 541512, Computer Systems Design Services.

b) In response of no more than five pages, please provide the following information:

i) Provide at least two (2) and no more than three (3) examples of past projects performed under NAICS 541512 within the last five years. For each project, detail the following:

(1) Total contract value and your company's specific share.

(2) The number of end-users supported.

(3) The number of personnel your company dedicated to the project.

(4) Describe your largest and most complex computer systems design project. What made it complex (e.g., legacy system integration, high security requirements, geographically dispersed teams, diverse user groups).

(5) Detail your experience designing and integrating systems across multiple security enclaves (e.g., Unclassified, Secret, TS/SCI).

(6) What is your experience designing systems that must comply with specific government or DoD standards (e.g., Risk Management Framework (RMF), DISA STIGs, Section 508 accessibility)?

26) Business Size Declaration:

a) Clearly state whether your company qualifies as a small business under NAICS code 541512.

b) If you identify as a small business, please also state whether you anticipate maintaining your small business status for the entire potential duration of the contract.

27) Request for General Program Feedback

a) The Government encourages industry partners to provide comments and recommendations to improve the overall quality and clarity of this program.

Please provide your feedback in a consolidated response of no more than three pages.

b) We are seeking input on two primary areas:

i) PWS Comments:

(1) Please provide specific feedback on PWS. We are interested in comments regarding clarity, feasibility, potential ambiguities, or any perceived gaps in the scope of work.

ii) Process and Document Improvement Recommendations:

(1) Beyond the PWS, we welcome your suggestions on how the Government can enhance the overall program structure and solicitation process. This may include, but is not limited to, recommendations for:

(a) Improving the clarity of the solicitation documents.

(b) Streamlining the proposed processes.

(c) Innovations or efficiencies that could be incorporated into the program.