NGA Common Operations Release Environment (CORE), Helm-Infrastructure as a Code
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- NGA-CORE-Helm-IaC-RFI
- Agency
-
National Geospatial Intelligence Agency
Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 518210 Computing Infrastructure Providers, Data Processing, Web Hosting, and Related Services
- Place of performance
- Springfield, Virginia 22150, United States
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), in support of its newly-formed Platform Services office within PEO-Enterprise IT, has issued a Request for Information (RFI) seeking contractor input on implementing a cost-effective, "Configuration as a Service" platform for delivering NGA Common Operations Release Environment (CORE) with Helm-Infrastructure as Code capabilities. The procurement seeks solutions that comply with Department of War, Intelligence Community, and NGA-specific IT and cyber security requirements across multiple security domains (IL2, IL4, IL6, JWICS, and edge deployments). Key requirements include providing readily deployable DevSecOps capabilities, supporting both internet-connected and air-gapped environments, and delivering initial service offerings such as Source Control Management (GitLab), Artifact stores (Nexus), Platform as a Service (OpenShift), Code Quality (SonarQube), and security tools. The government is seeking industry best practices and recommendations to inform its final acquisition strategy, technical approach, and whether Helm/IaC and CORE Modernization will be segregated or integrated contracts. The RFI response deadline is 12:00 noon ET on February 26, 2026, with questions due by 12:00 noon ET on January 30, 2026; responses must be submitted via the classified Intelligence Community Acquisition Research Center website or emailed to Charlene.K.Fowler@nga.mil and Travarus.D.Davis@nga.mil.
This RFI carries no set-aside designation and does not commit the government to award a contract or indicate that any procurement will be issued. No potential incumbent contractors or award values are identified in the pre-solicitation notice. The anticipated period of performance for any subsequent contract would be one year with four one-year option periods, operating under a "bring your own license" model. Respondents must submit white papers with a maximum 10-page limit for CORE Helm-IaC responses, with font maintained at 12-point size, and must be prepared to demonstrate capabilities in classified environments. The government has indicated it will support eight edge nodes plus Secret and Top Secret environments, with all NGA CORE applications packaged into Kubernetes deployments managed by Helm. Any formal solicitation resulting from this RFI will be advertised separately; this notice is solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, Request for Proposals, or commitment to procure.
Notice text
3 versions
Update #3 · Latest ·
This amendment is to publish responses to questions submitted for this RFI and extend the RFI response date to 12:00 noon ET, 26 February 2026. RFI responses may be uploaded to the CORE Helm-IaC effort on the classified ARC site, OR emailed to Charlene.K.Fowler@nga.mil and Travarus.K.Davis@nga.mil. Neither questions nor responses will be accepted after the cut-off time and date.
This amendment is to add the RFI document to this posting, extend the due date for questions; extend the due date for RFI responses; and update the method of submission.
Questions shall be submitted no later than 12:00 noon ET 30 January 2026. Final responses are due no later than 5:00 pm ET on 20 February 2026. Questions andRFI responses may ONLY be uploaded to the CORE Helm-IaC effort on the classified ARC site, OR emailed to Charlene.K.Fowler@nga.mil and Travarus.K.Davis@nga.mil. Neither questions nor responses will be accepted after the cut-off time and date.
======================================================
This notice is to advertise the posting of a Request for Information (RFI) on the classified Intelligence Community Acquisition Research Center (ARC) website at URL acq-ui.ace.proj.nro.ic.gov on 18 December 2025. This notice is not the RFI. All responses shall be submitted electronically on the classified ARC website. Questions may be submitted no later than 12:00 noon ET 9 January 2026. Final responses are due no later than 5:00 pm ET on 23 January 2026. Questions and responses shall be - uploaded to the CORE Helm-IaC effort on the classified ARC site.
Neither questions nor responses will not be accepted after the cut-off time and date. RFI responses will not be accepted via e-mail, fax, the Submit Unsolicited link on the ARC homepage, or other means.
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) in support of the newly-formed Platform Services office within PEO-Enterprise IT, is seeking information on how an interested contractor would implement a cost-effective, “Configuration as a Service” centric platform, capable of delivering bundled NGA Common Operations Release Environment (CORE), Helm-Infrastructure as a Code with respect to constraints presented by the Department of War (DoW), the Intelligence Community (IC) and NGA-specific IT system and cyber requirements.
This RFI is being issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Proposals (RFP), a Request for Quotations (RFQ) or an indication that the Government will contract for any of the items and/or services contained in this notice (FAR 15.201(e)). In accordance with FAR 52.215-3 – Requests for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997), the Government will not pay for any information/items submitted in response to this RFI. Data will not be returned.
This RFI does not commit the Government to award a contract. No determination as to the viability of this requirement has been made at this point and there is currently no solicitation for this effort. Any solicitation resulting from this RFI will be announced separately. Based on your response to this RFI, the Government may contact you for follow-up questions and/or a one-on-one session.
Interested parties must have a classified ARC account to access the classified ARC website. If you do not already have an ARC account, please reach out to the ACE IT Helpdesk for assistance with the CLASSIFIED ARC website registration at acehelpdesk@ace.svc.nro.ic.gov to create an account. This team is also able to assist should you have any questions regarding the use of the ARC. You may also call the ACE Helpdesk at: 703-230-6300 or 855-4223 to establish or modify an ARC account (including resetting a password).
Update #2 ·
This amendment is to add the RFI document to this posting, extend the due date for questions; extend the due date for RFI responses; and update the method of submission.
Questions shall be submitted no later than 12:00 noon ET 30 January 2026. Final responses are due no later than 5:00 pm ET on 20 February 2026. Questions andRFI responses may ONLY be uploaded to the CORE Helm-IaC effort on the classified ARC site, OR emailed to Charlene.K.Fowler@nga.mil and Travarus.D.Davis@nga.mil. Neither questions nor responses will be accepted after the cut-off time and date.
======================================================
This notice is to advertise the posting of a Request for Information (RFI) on the classified Intelligence Community Acquisition Research Center (ARC) website at URL acq-ui.ace.proj.nro.ic.gov on 18 December 2025. This notice is not the RFI. All responses shall be submitted electronically on the classified ARC website. Questions may be submitted no later than 12:00 noon ET 9 January 2026. Final responses are due no later than 5:00 pm ET on 23 January 2026. Questions and responses shall be - uploaded to the CORE Helm-IaC effort on the classified ARC site.
Neither questions nor responses will not be accepted after the cut-off time and date. RFI responses will not be accepted via e-mail, fax, the Submit Unsolicited link on the ARC homepage, or other means.
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) in support of the newly-formed Platform Services office within PEO-Enterprise IT, is seeking information on how an interested contractor would implement a cost-effective, “Configuration as a Service” centric platform, capable of delivering bundled NGA Common Operations Release Environment (CORE), Helm-Infrastructure as a Code with respect to constraints presented by the Department of War (DoW), the Intelligence Community (IC) and NGA-specific IT system and cyber requirements.
This RFI is being issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Proposals (RFP), a Request for Quotations (RFQ) or an indication that the Government will contract for any of the items and/or services contained in this notice (FAR 15.201(e)). In accordance with FAR 52.215-3 – Requests for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997), the Government will not pay for any information/items submitted in response to this RFI. Data will not be returned.
This RFI does not commit the Government to award a contract. No determination as to the viability of this requirement has been made at this point and there is currently no solicitation for this effort. Any solicitation resulting from this RFI will be announced separately. Based on your response to this RFI, the Government may contact you for follow-up questions and/or a one-on-one session.
Interested parties must have a classified ARC account to access the classified ARC website. If you do not already have an ARC account, please reach out to the ACE IT Helpdesk for assistance with the CLASSIFIED ARC website registration at acehelpdesk@ace.svc.nro.ic.gov to create an account. This team is also able to assist should you have any questions regarding the use of the ARC. You may also call the ACE Helpdesk at: 703-230-6300 or 855-4223 to establish or modify an ARC account (including resetting a password).
Update #1 ·
This notice is to advertise the posting of a Request for Information (RFI) on the classified Intelligence Community Acquisition Research Center (ARC) website at URL acq-ui.ace.proj.nro.ic.gov on 18 December 2025. This notice is not the RFI. All responses shall be submitted electronically on the classified ARC website. Questions may be submitted no later than 12:00 noon ET 9 January 2026. Final responses are due no later than 5:00 pm ET on 23 January 2026. Questions and responses shall be - uploaded to the CORE Helm-IaC effort on the classified ARC site.
Neither questions nor responses will not be accepted after the cut-off time and date. RFI responses will not be accepted via e-mail, fax, the Submit Unsolicited link on the ARC homepage, or other means.
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) in support of the newly-formed Platform Services office within PEO-Enterprise IT, is seeking information on how an interested contractor would implement a cost-effective, “Configuration as a Service” centric platform, capable of delivering bundled NGA Common Operations Release Environment (CORE), Helm-Infrastructure as a Code with respect to constraints presented by the Department of War (DoW), the Intelligence Community (IC) and NGA-specific IT system and cyber requirements.
This RFI is being issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute an Invitation for Bids (IFB), a Request for Proposals (RFP), a Request for Quotations (RFQ) or an indication that the Government will contract for any of the items and/or services contained in this notice (FAR 15.201(e)). In accordance with FAR 52.215-3 – Requests for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997), the Government will not pay for any information/items submitted in response to this RFI. Data will not be returned.
This RFI does not commit the Government to award a contract. No determination as to the viability of this requirement has been made at this point and there is currently no solicitation for this effort. Any solicitation resulting from this RFI will be announced separately. Based on your response to this RFI, the Government may contact you for follow-up questions and/or a one-on-one session.
Interested parties must have a classified ARC account to access the classified ARC website. If you do not already have an ARC account, please reach out to the ACE IT Helpdesk for assistance with the CLASSIFIED ARC website registration at acehelpdesk@ace.svc.nro.ic.gov to create an account. This team is also able to assist should you have any questions regarding the use of the ARC. You may also call the ACE Helpdesk at: 703-230-6300 or 855-4223 to establish or modify an ARC account (including resetting a password).
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Q-and-A_NGA-CORE_SAM.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| NGA CORE_my_questions-ADMIN_PEP_Response_1__SBU.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| NGA CORE Helm-IaC RFI_GOLD.pdf |
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