Cybersecurity Learning Platform

The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is seeking information from potential offerors interested in and capable of delivering both self-paced and instructor–led cybersecurity certification training for a 4,500+ member workforce.

Continued education is paramount to professional development and integral to understanding the fast-developing needs of IT systems. This professional development equips Coast Guard (CG) cyber professionals with an in-depth knowledge of security governance, risk management, and security program development and management. It also provides necessary skills and best practices to effectively create and execute enterprise-wide information security strategies. Continuing professional development for cyber professionals is geared towards attaining certifications in accordance with the Department of Defense’s (DoD’s) Directive 8570, the DoD 8570 manual (8570.01m), and DoD Directive 8140 within the DoD Cyber Workforce Framework (DCWF) and the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NICE) Framework.

The planned acquisition strategy is a source selection based on evaluation of written proposals. The selected offeror will be awarded an Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a five (5) year ordering period.

The Coast Guard has completed a draft statement of work and is seeking industry input.  Any comments identifying conflicts, lack of clarity, or restrictive requirements that limit the ability to propose the best possible boat are welcomed.  Proposed changes with justification will be reviewed for potential incorporation.

Particular sections the USCG is seeking input on include:

Can the required course availability be met with one source due to the scope in vendors? If not, what, if any, solutions would be available?

Are certification testing and annual maintenance fee vouchers available to possibly be scoped in with this contract?

One gap found is that there is little availability for training outside of the traditional “test prep” boot camps, leaving most learning as cursory learning as self-paced study. Instead of offering a traditional ~5day boot camp training on consecutive days, do options exist to spread those days out to one per week to create a more hybrid traditional educational course with self-study on off-days?

Include any additional details the interested parties would like USCG to consider in determining the acquisition strategy

The USCG intends to have support contractors assist with the USCG's review of the information submitted. If you are submitting proprietary data, please contact the Contracting Officer, through electronic mail, ahead of the response date if you wish to enter into a nondisclosure agreement (NDA) with the USCG's support contractors. Please ensure your proprietary data, if submitted, is marked accordingly.

Respondents must submit Request for Information (RFI) responses to Allen A. Tillman II at allen.a.tillman@uscg.mil by May 4, 2022. Respondents please include the following as the subject of your email submission:  “Cybersecurity Training Response (Insert your Companies Name)” Respondents should include Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number and business size standard within their responses.

This special notice is for market research and planning purposes only. It does not constitute a solicitation and shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government to award a contract from responses to this announcement. Any information submitted by interested parties is strictly voluntary and no monetary compensation will be provided for response preparation.