Blue Tactical Requirements for Operational Ubiquitous Technology (TROUT)

Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted

Solicitation number
RFI-RIKD-26-R-B002
Agency
Responses due
Set-aside
No set-aside

Opportunity facts

Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .

About this opportunity

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Rome Research Site is conducting market research for the Blue Tactical Requirements for Operational Ubiquitous Technology (TROUT) program, seeking contractors to research, develop, enhance, maintain, upgrade and integrate digital signal processing technologies for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) and Offensive Cyber Operations (OCO). The primary objective involves developing capabilities to scan radio frequency spectrum to detect high-priority emissions and provide collection, detection, exploitation and geolocation capabilities for emerging signals of interest across various Air Force and Department of Defense collection platforms. All contractor personnel must be United States citizens capable of obtaining Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) clearances and Common Access Cards, with work to be performed on government facilities in the United States and other locations. Interested companies must submit a 10-page capability statement addressing company information, technical capabilities, performance experience, and personnel qualifications. Responses are due by 12:00 PM EST on September 18, 2025, submitted via email to jacquelyn.cavano@us.af.mil and shelley.dormio@us.af.mil.

This procurement does not utilize any set-aside designation and specifically excludes foreign participation at the prime contractor level. The government anticipates requiring approximately 30-40 full-time equivalent personnel, with approximately 50% needing TS/SCI clearances. The anticipated contract structure is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) with an overall performance period of 5-7 years, though both contract type and duration are subject to change as the acquisition strategy develops. Funding sources are expected to include Research Development Test & Evaluation, Procurement, and Operations & Maintenance appropriations. The government is considering establishing one or more contracts, task orders, or other transaction agreements to fulfill this requirement. No current incumbents or specific budget ranges are identified in the pre-solicitation materials.

Notice text

2 versions

Update #2 · Latest ·

AFRL/RIKD is conducting market research for a potential requirement.  Please note this Request for Information (RFI) is for planning purposes only.  The information obtained from responses to this notice may be used to form a future acquisition strategy and solicitation, should one be issued. The general scope for this potential effort is to research, develop, enhance, maintain, upgrade and integrate technologies to develop digital signal processing capabilities that will scan through the radio frequency (RF) spectrum to detect high priority emissions, as well as research, develop, upgrade and integrate technology that will provide collection, detection, exploitation and geolocation capabilities of high-priority and emerging signals of interest (SOI) for various AF and DoD collection platforms. Please refer to the Special Notice, Attachment No. 2, Draft Statement of Work (SOW), for additional information. To fulfill this requirement, Contractor employees will need to obtain Common Access Cards (CACs), perform on Government facilities in the United States and other locations, and access up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).  It is anticipated that only United States (US) citizens may perform under this effort.

The Government is considering establishing one or more contracts/ task orders/ other transactions with an overall performance period of 5-7 years. Anticipated contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF). Anticipated funding types are Research Development Test & Evaluation, Procurement, and Operations & Maintenance. Please note that the contract type and duration are subject to change as the acquisition strategy is developed. All Responses shall be submitted via email to jacquelyn.cavano@us.af.mil and
shelley.dormio@us.af.mil by 12PM (EST) THUR 18 Sep 2025.

For submission of classified documents, please contact Jacquelyn Cavano, jacquelyn.cavano@us.af.mil. 

FOREIGN PARTICIPATION EXCLUDED. Foreign participation is excluded at the prime contractor level.

OMBUDSMAN. In accordance with DAFFARS 5301.91, an Ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerers, potential offerers, and others for this acquisition. Before consulting with an Ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the Contracting Officer, Shelley Dormio, (315) 330-(2116), Shelley.Dormio@us.af.mil, for resolution. DAFFARS Clause 5352.201-9101 Ombudsman, will be incorporated into the resultant contract. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the Ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication
of protests or formal contract disputes. The Ombudsman may refer the party to another official who can resolve the concern. Consulting an Ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of 0MB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions). If resolution cannot be made by the Contracting Officer, concerned parties may contact the following AFRL
Ombudsman: AFRL/PK Technical Director; Alternate Ombudsman: AFRL/PK Deputy Di rector 1864 4th Street, WPAFB OH 45433; FAX (937) 656-7321; COM (937) 904-9700, afrl.pk.workflow@us.af.mil. Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the AFRL level, may be brought by the concerned party for further consideration to the Air Force Ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC
20330-1060, phone number (571) 256-2395, facsimile number (571) 256-2431. The Ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency. Do not contact the Ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the Contracting Officer.

FOR FULL ANNOUNCEMENT DETAILS PLEASE SEE ATTACHMENTS.

It is important to note that this Request for Information is not a Request for Proposal. No solicitation is being issued at this time. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. Any information provided to the Government as a result of this Request for Information is voluntary. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses or the Government's use of such information.

(END)
 

Update #1 ·

AFRL/RIKD is conducting market research for a potential requirement.  Please note this Request for Information (RFI) is for planning purposes only.  The information obtained from responses to this notice may be used to form a future acquisition strategy and solicitation, should one be issued. The general scope for this potential effort is to research, develop, enhance, maintain, upgrade and integrate technologies to develop digital signal processing capabilities that will scan through the radio frequency (RF) spectrum to detect high priority emissions, as well as research, develop, upgrade and integrate technology that will provide collection, detection, exploitation and geolocation capabilities of high-priority and emerging signals of interest (SOI) for various AF and DoD collection platforms. Please refer to the Special Notice, Attachment No. 2, Draft Statement of Work (SOW), for additional information. To fulfill this requirement, Contractor employees will need to obtain Common Access Cards (CACs), perform on Government facilities in the United States and other locations, and access up to Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI).  It is anticipated that only United States (US) citizens may perform under this effort.

The Government is considering establishing one or more contracts/ task orders/ other transactions with an overall performance period of 5-7 years. Anticipated contract type is Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF). Anticipated funding types are Research Development Test & Evaluation, Procurement, and Operations & Maintenance. Please note that the contract type and duration are subject to change as the acquisition strategy is developed. All Responses shall be submitted via email to jacquelyn.cavano@us.af.mil and
shelley.dormio@us.af.mil by 12PM (EST) THUR 18 Sep 2025 

FOREIGN PARTICIPATION EXCLUDED. Foreign participation is excluded at the prime contractor level.

OMBUDSMAN. In accordance with DAFFARS 5301.91, an Ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerers, potential offerers, and others for this acquisition. Before consulting with an Ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the Contracting Officer, Shelley Dormio, (315) 330-(2116), Shelley.Dormio@us.af.mil, for resolution. DAFFARS Clause 5352.201-9101 Ombudsman, will be incorporated into the resultant contract. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the Ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication
of protests or formal contract disputes. The Ombudsman may refer the party to another official who can resolve the concern. Consulting an Ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of 0MB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions). If resolution cannot be made by the Contracting Officer, concerned parties may contact the following AFRL
Ombudsman: AFRL/PK Technical Director; Alternate Ombudsman: AFRL/PK Deputy Di rector 1864 4th Street, WPAFB OH 45433; FAX (937) 656-7321; COM (937) 904-9700, afrl.pk.workflow@us.af.mil. Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the AFRL level, may be brought by the concerned party for further consideration to the Air Force Ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC
20330-1060, phone number (571) 256-2395, facsimile number (571) 256-2431. The Ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency. Do not contact the Ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the Contracting Officer.

FOR FULL ANNOUNCEMENT DETAILS PLEASE SEE ATTACHMENTS.

It is important to note that this Request for Information is not a Request for Proposal. No solicitation is being issued at this time. This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. Any information provided to the Government as a result of this Request for Information is voluntary. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses or the Government's use of such information.

(END)
 

Files

File Type Posted
RFI-TROUT.docx DOCX document
RFI-TROUT.docx DOCX document
TROUT SOW.docx DOCX document

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