RFI - VADOR Bridge_11Mar2025.pdf

Request for Information (RFI)

Virtual Air Threats (VATS ) Agile Delivery Order (VADOR) Bridge

11 March 2025

Prepared By:

Air Force Lifecycle Management PEO Training (AFLCMC/WN)

Advanced Training Capabilities Division (AFLCMC/WNR) 1895 5th Street, Building 46 Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433

Table of Contents

1. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR PLANNING PURPOSES

2. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

2.1 Virtual Air Threat System (VATS)

2.1.1 Program Description

2.1.2 Capability Required

2.2 Capability Assessment/RFI Response

2.3 General Information

2.4 Capability Information

2.4.1 Virtual Air Threat System Agile Software Development and Integration

2.5 RFI Response

2.5.1 Part A. Business Information

2.5.2 Part B. Submit Response

1. REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR PLANNING PURPOSES

This RFI is in accordance with (IAW) Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 52.215-3 – Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997). Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.

The Government is conducting market research to identify, as potential sources, companies that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to competently and competitively respond to requirements to provide Virtual Air Threat System Agile Software Development and Integration for VADOR. The existing VADOR contract ends 13 November 2025, and the Government is currently preparing for a follow-on as a fair opportunity selection on the Training Systems Acquisition (TSA) IV ID/IQ. To allow for a fair opportunity competition under TSA IV, the Government anticipates awarding a bridge task order under the current ID/IQ contract FA8604-18-D-4100 as a fair opportunity exception. Only United States companies will be considered for contract award.

The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and Proposal costs, of the FAR. Companies responding to this RFI are advised that participation does not ensure involvement in future solicitations or contract awards. The Government will not reimburse any company or individual for any expenses associated with preparation or participation in this RFI.

The Government is assessing the capability of companies, that may possess the expertise to competently and competitively respond to the following requirements for the continuous development and delivery of VADOR Bridge to provide:

Program Management/Systems Engineering Upgrades and Modifications (e.g., Concurrency Upgrades, Training Enhancements, etc.)

☐ Training Systems Support (e.g., Contractor Logistics Support [CLS], Training System Support Center [TSSC], etc.)

☐ Instructional Services

Products

☐ Design Concept and Prototype Development

Interoperability Qualification and Test Although “proposal” and “offeror” are used in this RFI, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal.

2. PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

2.1 Virtual Air Threat System (VATS)

For agile software development of VATS, the contractor shall possess the capability to develop, integrate, perform validation and verification testing, and document available subsystem threat components for previously contracted and developed Virtual Air Threat (VAT) aircraft models. These aircraft models utilize National Air and Space Intelligence Center (NASIC) Threat Modeling and Analysis Program (TMAP) models or other data gathered from other intelligence centers and/or applicable organizations. This project shall require continuous updates and maintenance to assure the most current models are integrated in the environment.

The VATS will be utilized at all current and future Joint Simulation Environment (JSE) operating and development/test sites which includes but are not limited to: JSE Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), OH; JSE Pax River, MD; JSE Edwards AFB, CA; and JSE Nellis AFB, NV. As such, travel may be required to support VATS integration at these sites.

2.1.1 Program Description

The principal mission of the VATS is to provide Man-In-The-Loop (MITL) operated simulation capability that employs TMAP models in an Extensible Architecture for the Analysis and Generation of Linked Simulations (EAAGLES) framework that will yield a high-fidelity threat representation. EAAGLES is an Air Force developed software framework used to provide a tailorable MITL threat air frame for use in DoD simulations. The VATS interfaces with the JSE Global Reusable Interface Domain (GRID) to access environment services during simulation execution and a number of visual interface solutions to provide flexible options for JSE users given their space constraints and use-case requirements.

The development work within VATS supports the ingestion of new or updated NASIC developed TMAP models that represent aircraft systems and subsystems. Frequent interactions with NASIC Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and visits to NASIC development laboratories is required and development activities can occur up to a Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) level. Not all developers will be required to hold TS/SCI clearances as there will still be development work occurring on a regular basis at the Secret/Special Access Required (SAR) level. In either case, strict adherence to cyber and information security protocols will be required in these development and management positions.

2.1.2 Capability Required

This acquisition will develop, update, integrate, and test the latest threat models into VATS software, ensure all activities and data involved in the engineering process are documented, assist with JSE site VATS integration, and provide services to the Government in support of the continuous development and delivery of VATS software to include:

• Code Development (C++ and Visual Studio expertise desired)

• Program Management

• Operational Support

• Deployment Support

• Cybersecurity

• Technical Support

• Security Requirements

• Contract Specifications The VATS software is Government owned and managed. Subsequent development by the contractor will not be subject to proprietary rights.

Code Development. The contractor will be required to develop necessary software code to enable model and/or VATS capability integration, update, and maintenance.

Program Management. The contractor will be required to manage and oversee all activities performed by contractor personnel.

Operational Support. The contractor will be required to assist the Government with threat development roadmaps and logistics support for required hardware procurements for commercial off the shelf hardware solutions. The contractor will be required to possess a valid Secret Facility Clearance (FCL) and CAGE code indicating the company’s level of clearance and the required security support to maintain the facility. Surge development may be required to occur at the contractor’s facility due to space limitations within government facilities. The contractor will be required to possess the capability to send classified visit requests for visits to government facilities.

Deployment Support. The contractor will be required to assist the Government with VATS integration and deployment to end users where newly completed systems or capabilities are fielded.

Cybersecurity. The contractor will be required to provide cybersecurity compliance, Information Assurance (IA) oversight and management, and certification and accreditation of contractor site network where software development may occur.

Technical Support. The contractor will be required to organize, host, and participate in meetings related to development and execution of the subject contract. The contractor may also be required to attend and participate in technical meetings within the JSE enterprise to provide SME input and recommendations.

Security Requirements. The contractor will be required to have a secure facility.

Personnel performing tasks for VADOR will require access to information at NASIC development laboratories and development activities can occur up to a TS/SCI level. Not all developers will be required to hold TS/SCI clearances as there will still be development work occurring on a regular basis at the Secret/Special Access Required (SAR) level. In either case, strict adherence to cyber and information security protocols will be required in these development and management positions. Contractor must comply with the National Industrial Security Program (NISPOM), 32 CFR Part 117 and DoD Information Security Program, DoD

5200.01 parts 1-3, and DoD Instruction Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) DoDI

5200.48. The Government will not sponsor a facility clearance (FCL) through the National Industrial Security System (NISS) if the contractor has not been granted an FCL.

Contract Specifications. The contract will commence on 14 November 2025 with the possibility of extensions through 13 November 2026 to include a base of 6 months and two 3-month options to allow for the follow-on contract to be awarded. The contract will include continuous model update and integration work into VATS commonly referred to as continuous integration/continuous development (CI/CD). Additionally, different levels of complexity for efforts will be scoped as option Contract Line-Item Numbers (CLINs) for the integration of new TMAP models and new VATS hardware/software solutions due to the unpredictable difficulty and varying timing in which new development efforts can begin. The Government anticipates the use of:

• Firm Fixed Price (FFP) CLINs: Program and Engineering Management

• Cost Reimbursable No Fee CLINs: Travel and Hardware/Software

• Cost Plus Fixed Fee CLINs: CI/CD, EAAGLES Migration, JIAB Configuration, and low complexity integration, medium complexity integration, and high complexity integration efforts.

2.2 Capability Assessment/RFI Response

The Government is assessing the RFI responses to determine if this effort can be performed for a period of 6 months by a contractor other than the incumbent. It is advised that your company provide a sufficient response to all capability questions to allow the Government to appropriately assess your company’s capabilities.

2.3 General Information

In your response, please provide the following general information for your company/institution and for any teaming partners:

1. If subcontracts or teaming are anticipated to be used, provide a reasonable expectation for both small and other than small business utilization as a percent of total task order value. Provide specific details on how your company will comply with FAR clause 52.219-14, Limitations to Subcontracting. Delineate the small business utilization percentage and provide rationale for the recommended percentage. Teaming and/or subcontracting arrangements should be clearly stated, and previous experience in teaming must be provided.

2. What data do you require of the Government in order to assemble a proposal for this effort?

2.4 Capability Information

In response to this RFI, please provide the following cross-program and training system specific capability information for your company and for any teaming partners. If a responding company is capable of some, but not all of the consolidated requirements stated, please provide a response that explains the requirements for which you are capable.

2.4.1 Virtual Air Threat System Agile Software Development and Integration

In response to this RFI, please provide the following capability information specific to the VATS software development and integrations requirements.

1. Describe your company’s past, relevant experience on previous projects similar in complexity to these requirements and relevant to model integration, software coding, capability development, utilizing TMAP models, develop and integrate VATS subsystem models into EAAGLES and JSE real time simulation in a virtual simulation environment. Include contract numbers, a brief description of the work performed, period of performance, agency/organization supported, and individual point of contact (Contracting Officer or Program Manager).

2. Describe your experience in integrating JSE-in-a-box (JIAB) capabilities into Government development networks using multiple software suites to include Global Reusable Interface domain (GRID), Next Generation Threat System (NGTS), Digital Integrated Air Defense System (DIADS), Simulation Control Executive (SCE), and Analysis & Reporting Tool (ART) to use the full functionality of JSE.

3. Describe your experience to integrate, verify, validate, and document NASIC aircraft subcomponent TMAP models and missile model simulations to operate on both Windows and Linux operating systems.

4. Describe your process for obtaining appropriate facility and personnel security clearances and approvals. Describe your current security classification and how you will apply available resources to obtain security approvals before 14 November 2025.

Most personnel will require a Secret clearance; some will require Top Secret and/or Special Access Program (SAP) clearances, and Special Compartmented Information (SCI) access.

2.5 RFI Response

2.5.1 Part A. Business Information

In response to this RFI, please provide the following business information for your company/institution and for any teaming or joint venture partners:

• Company/Institute Name:

• Address:

• Point of Contact:

• CAGE Code:

• Unique Entity ID:

• Phone Number:

• E-mail Address:

• Web Page URL:

• Size of business pursuant to North American Industry Classification System (NAICS)

Code: 541715 Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology). Size standard: 1,000 employees. Based on the above NAICS Code, state whether your company is:

− Small Business* (Yes / No) − Woman Owned Small Business (Yes / No) − Small Disadvantaged Business (Yes / No) − 8(a) Certified (Yes / No) − HUBZone Certified (Yes / No) − Veteran Owned Small Business (Yes / No) − Service Disabled Small Business (Yes / No)

• Central Contractor Registration (CCR) (Yes / No)

• A statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership).

(*) If you answered yes, please explain whether your company would be capable of meeting the requirements of FAR 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting.

2.5.2 Part B. Submit Response

Direct and concise responses are preferred. Marketing material is considered an insufficient response to this RFI. Please limit responses to electronic submissions no more than 12 8.5”x11” pages for all programs in total, using Word or PDF format. This includes all graphs and charts. A point of contact that can represent your company should be identified to answer further Government inquiries and provide explanations that might be needed with regard to the information provided. Respondents should indicate which portions, if any, of their response are proprietary and should mark them accordingly.

Responses are due NLT 4:00 PM EST 11 April 2025. The Government may converse with respondents regarding this RFI. Such conversations are intended to clarify potential capability to perform the requirements.

Formal responses should be e-mailed to steven.godby@us.af.mil and samuel.hogue.2@us.af.mil. Questions regarding this RFI should be directed to Mr. Steven Godby, Contracting Officer AFLCMC/WNR, (937) 713-2731.

mailto:steven.godby@us.af.mil mailto:samuel.hogue.2@us.af.mil