DRAS-24-1705-2-CallForWhitePaperPINCyberPublicReleasable.docx

BAA: W56KGU-22-0ESI APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE Data Call Topic #: 53

W56KGU-22-0ESI

WHITE PAPER CALL

Predictive Intelligent Networking Cyber (PIN-Cyber) Date: 11 December 2024 This call for White Papers (WP) is being issued under Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) W56KGU-22-0ESI, which was published 10 October 2022 on SAM.gov. Respondents must refer to and read the solicitation document entitled (BAA) W56KGU-22-0ESI in conjunction with this call for WP’s. All instructions set forth in the (BAA) W56KGU-22-0ESI solicitation document apply to this call.

The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) C5ISR Center is issuing this call for WPs in association with Topic #53. To be eligible for consideration of a contract award, the technology or methodology shall be either basic research, applied research, or advanced technology development between a Test Readiness Level (TRL) or Software Readiness Level (SRL) of three to six (3-6) while not pertaining to a specific system/hardware, demonstration, or validation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Background and Problem Statement:

Traditional network security tools are ineffective in countering sophisticated and rapidly evolving adversarial cyber threats at the tactical edge. Current defensive cybersecurity operations are reactive and static, relying on Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) and Security Orchestration, Automation, and Response (SOAR) processes that initiate action against the threat only after potential issues are detected. This approach can result in severe network degradation or downtime due to the lack of a predictive ability to dynamically adapt to network changes or adversary behavior. Advanced network defenses at the tactical edge call for a shift from a reactive and static approach to one where cyber detection and response remains a proactive and preemptive strategy to thwart our most advanced adversaries while greatly unburdening our cyber defenders. Tactical networks, operating in unpredictable environments and severe resource constraints, require rapid adaptability and resiliency characteristics to these disruptions to maintain the upper hand. Utilizing a predictive and adaptable approach will ensure security and resiliency of end-to-end network communications against adversarial cyberattacks in ever-evolving conditions and mission-critical operations.

Information Sought:

The U.S. Army C5ISR Center, Engineering & Systems Integration (ESI) Directorate is interested in receiving white papers on the above topic from companies that have expertise in developing software targeting the issues of current reactive cybersecurity approaches. The white paper should clearly demonstrate the offeror’s understanding of predictive analytics, response optimization and cyber agility methodologies and techniques.

The identified technology solution(s) should be at technology readiness level (TRL) 3 or higher, but not to exceed TRL 6 to be considered. The end state of the identified solution(s) should be a demonstration/proof of concept system at TRL 6 that can be tested and verified in U.S. Army specific tactical information technology environments and then transitioned and integrated with Army Program of Record (PoR) systems and applications.

It is essential that any identified solutions are based around designs that have a clear path for maturation and commercialization to meet other important system goals including, but not limited to: affordability; network scalability; network bandwidth usage; Risk Management Framework (RMF) (i.e. information assurance) authorizations; network management; cognizant of Size, Weight, Power, and Cost constraints of Denied, Degraded, Intermittent, or Limited (DDIL) tactical Army networks; cognizant of the system processing load and impact autonomy creates; adaptability to execute upon a broad array of hardware platforms and operating systems; ability to operate on varying amounts of data from very small messages in small amounts to very large messages in large amounts; and the ability to work in a non-Internet connected environment. Existing commercial products that are unable to support the constraints of DDIL tactical Army networks as is, will be considered if the offeror is able to make the case that the product is at a TRL 5 or below when applied to tactical Army networks.

WHITE PAPER AND AWARD INFORMATION:

Offerors may submit a white paper if their proposed solution will address at least one topic area from bullet items in Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) version of this call In Accordance With (IAW) Submission Instructions below. The Government will not reimburse costs incurred by respondents in response to this call for WP, or for participating in any information exchange regarding details of the call for WP. Any information submitted by respondents to this call is voluntary. Respondents should not construe this call as a commitment for any purpose. Respondents will not individually be notified of the results of any government assessments. The Government's evaluation of the capability statements received will factor into whether any forthcoming solicitation will be conducted as a full and open competition or as a set-aside for small businesses, or any small business designation (e.g., SDVOSB, HUBZone, 8(a), WOSB, EDWOSB.). The Government reserves the right to cancel this requirement without incurring any proposal fees. Offerors may be awarded a contract based on meeting the WP evaluation defined in the BAA. Under this call, the Government may award one or more contracts. The Period of Performance (PoP) is a 12-month base year and up to three (3) 12-month option periods. The base award and option years are not guaranteed and are subject to receipt of adequate and proper funding in accordance with (IAW) FAR 52.232-18 entitled, “Availability of Funds”.

1. BAA TYPE: This is a call for WP’s only and will be governed by the “two-step” process described in General Information of the BAA) W56KGU-22-0ESI. Respondents that submit a proposal without first submitting a WP may not be eligible for award.

2. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: This call provides general public release requirements ONLY. Detailed technical requirements can be requested by contacting Acquisition Management Team (AMT) via the ESI inbox- usarmy.apg.devcom-c5isr.mbx.esi-bus-ops-acq-baa@army.mil, please provide UEI and/or CAGE Numbers in the request in order to receive the CUI version of this call for whitepapers before responding. This Call should not exceed 10 pages in length (single sided, single spaced, with 12-size font). The total # of page limitation does not include the Rough-Order-of-Magnitude (ROM) or the Cover Page. Refer to baseline (BAA) W56KGU-22-0ESI, Attachment 02 and 03 for all other instructions on WP preparation, submission, and evaluation.

3. QUESTIONS DUE DATE AND TIME: Technical questions are due no later than 2 January 2025, 3:00 pm EST via usarmy.apg.devcom-c5isr.mbx.esi-bus-ops-acq-baa@army.mil, the Acquisition Management Team (AMT) Mailbox, as listed below.

Government will publish questions and answers received by industry to SAM.gov, via a revision to this Data Call, per ADDENDUM 001, Technical Questions and Clarifications, herein.

4. WHITE PAPER DUE DATE AND TIME: WP’s are due no later than 10 January 2025, 3:00 pm EST via ESI inbox: usarmy.apg.devcom-c5isr.mbx.esi-bus-ops-acq-baa@army.mil.

If the submission will be classified, respondents should contact AMT via the ESI inbox- usarmy.apg.devcom-c5isr.mbx.esi-bus-ops-acq-baa@army.mil for further instructions.

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE