Defense Research and Engineering Network (DREN), 5
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- 822674255
- Agency
-
Defense Information Systems Agency
Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- Place of performance
- Scott AFB, Illinois, United States
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Defense Information Systems Agency, through the Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO), issued a Request for Information on the Defense Research and Engineering Network (DREN) 5 program with a response deadline of June 25, 2026. This is an RFI only; no solicitation or contract award will result from responses. DITCO seeks industry guidance on alternative acquisition strategies for DREN, evaluating whether to replace the historical single-award 10-year contract structure with multiple discrete contracts covering specific functional areas. DREN connects approximately 250 Defense Department sites (over 90% in CONUS) with aggregate bandwidth of 2 Tbps and has grown substantially since 1997; the Government is examining approaches to reduce transition burden that currently consumes over half of contract periods. Respondents should address five functional components: Transmission Circuits, Carrier Neutral Data Centers, Nodal/Site Equipment, Network Operations Center services, and Technical Services. Responses must be white papers not exceeding 15 single-spaced pages in 11-point font with one-inch margins, submitted by email to Katie Day (katie.s.day.civ@mail.mil) and Amber McKee (amber.m.mckee4.civ@mail.mil). Substantiate observations with references to industry best practices, state-of-the-art technologies, and emerging solutions; justify recommendations in the context of performance, security, cost, and innovation. Marketing material and company brochures are not requested. Follow-up questions were added as of June 10, 2026, with answers posted to SAM.gov. Written questions must be submitted by June 16, 2026.
Notice text
3 versions
Update #3 · Latest ·
6/10/26: Follow-up questions to the inital RFI are added. All the questions in blue text within the attachment "DREN5 Request for Information - 2" are new questions looking for industry feedback. Responses to these additional questions are requested by June 25, 2026.
4/14/2026: Response to questions received are posted.
Please see the attached "DREN5 Request For Information" document for the full description.
The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO)/DITCO-SCOTT /PS8231 Contracting Office is seeking information from industry to assist with the development and planning of a potential new requirement.
THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) NOTICE ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP). NO SOLICITATION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.
Respondents are asked to provide general comments on the advantages and challenges of a multiple contract procurement model and may then respond to any or all of the component specific sections that follow. Respondents should substantiate their observations with references to industry best practices, state‑of‑the-art technologies, and emerging solutions. The Government seeks actionable guidance to help assist with future DREN acquisition planning. For maximum benefit to the Government, justify your recommendations in the context of performance, security, cost and future innovative solutions. Marketing material and company brochures are not requested.
Update #2 ·
4/14/2026: Response to questions received are posted.
Please see the attached "DREN5 Request For Information" document for the full description.
The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO)/DITCO-SCOTT /PS8231 Contracting Office is seeking information from industry to assist with the development and planning of a potential new requirement.
THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) NOTICE ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP). NO SOLICITATION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.
Respondents are asked to provide general comments on the advantages and challenges of a multiple contract procurement model and may then respond to any or all of the component specific sections that follow. Respondents should substantiate their observations with references to industry best practices, state‑of‑the-art technologies, and emerging solutions. The Government seeks actionable guidance to help assist with future DREN acquisition planning. For maximum benefit to the Government, justify your recommendations in the context of performance, security, cost and future innovative solutions. Marketing material and company brochures are not requested.
Update #1 ·
Please see the attached "DREN5 Request For Information" document for the full description.
The Defense Information Technology Contracting Organization (DITCO)/DITCO-SCOTT /PS8231 Contracting Office is seeking information from industry to assist with the development and planning of a potential new requirement.
THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) NOTICE ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP). NO SOLICITATION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.
Respondents are asked to provide general comments on the advantages and challenges of a multiple contract procurement model and may then respond to any or all of the component specific sections that follow. Respondents should substantiate their observations with references to industry best practices, state‑of‑the-art technologies, and emerging solutions. The Government seeks actionable guidance to help assist with future DREN acquisition planning. For maximum benefit to the Government, justify your recommendations in the context of performance, security, cost and future innovative solutions. Marketing material and company brochures are not requested.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| DREN5 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION - 2.docx | DOCX document | |
| DREN5 RFI QAs - 14Apr2026.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| DREN5 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION.docx | DOCX document |
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