NGA Common Operations Release Environment (CORE) Modernization RFI
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- NGA-CORE-Modernization-RFI
- Agency
-
National Geospatial Intelligence Agency
Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 541512 Computer Systems Design Services
- PSC
- DD01 It And Telecom - Service Delivery Support Services: Itsm, Operations Center, Project/Pm (Labor)
- Place of performance
- Springfield, Virginia 22150, United States
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA), within the Department of Defense, is seeking information on technical solutions and industry practices for two distinct initiatives under the NGA Common Operations Release Environment (CORE) Modernization effort. RFI 1 focuses on operations, sustainment, and concurrent modernization of NGA's DevSecOps environment with emphasis on scalability, affordability, and effectiveness across multiple security domains (Impact Levels 2, 4, 6, and Top Secret/SCI). RFI 2 addresses direct engineering, architectural, and integration support for Kubernetes deployment and container orchestration platforms, with specific focus on Red Hat OpenShift baseline implementation. Respondents must submit separate 12-page white papers (or 10-page limit for CORE Helm-IaC responses) with 12-point font for each RFI track. Evaluation will be based on operational metrics (uptime, error rates), business metrics (cost, productivity), and DORA metrics (deployment frequency, lead time for changes), with preference for industry-standard, modular, and forward-compatible solutions demonstrating past performance in classified Department of Defense and Intelligence Community environments. The final deadline for RFI responses is February 26, 2026 at 12:00 noon ET, with questions accepted through January 30, 2026 at 12:00 noon ET, submitted via the classified ARC website or email to Charlene.K.Fowler@nga.mil and Travarus.D.Davis@nga.mil.
This is a Request for Information (RFI) only and does not constitute a binding procurement or contract award; therefore, no set-aside designation applies and no award value or contract amount is specified at this stage. The government has not disclosed incumbent contractor information in accordance with established protocol. The RFI indicates NGA CORE currently operates over 100 nodes supporting 2,000-plus hosted application and service deployments across multiple security domains, with 8 additional edge nodes in air-gapped and internet-connected environments requiring configuration and feature parity. The government expects performers to package NGA CORE applications into Kubernetes deployments managed by Helm and Infrastructure-as-Code, support monthly AMI refreshes, implement quarterly software version updates aligned to vendor release schedules, and maintain existing Cross Domain Solution capabilities across all supported security domains. Monthly deployment demonstrations are required, and vendors should recommend solutions for HPC integration and advanced scheduling primitives while leveraging AWS Cost and Usage Reports for equitable billing by CPU and memory consumption across tenant namespaces.
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 Modernization 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 be uploaded to the CORE Modernization 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 Modernization 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 technical solutions and industry practices that would meet NGA’s current and future requirements for the following:
• RFI 1: Operations, sustainment and concurrent modernization of our current DevSecOps environment—known as “NGA Common Operations Release Environment (NGA CORE)”—and associated capabilities with focus on scalability, affordability and effectiveness.
• RFI 2: Direct (“hands-on”) engineering, architectural, coding, integration, on-boarding and product management expertise in the support of current and, proposed future capabilities with specific focus on principal engineering and development support of the Kubernetes deployment and container orchestration platform across NGA’s security domains.
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 be uploaded to the CORE Modernization 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 Modernization 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 technical solutions and industry practices that would meet NGA’s current and future requirements for the following:
• RFI 1: Operations, sustainment and concurrent modernization of our current DevSecOps environment—known as “NGA Common Operations Release Environment (NGA CORE)”—and associated capabilities with focus on scalability, affordability and effectiveness.
• RFI 2: Direct (“hands-on”) engineering, architectural, coding, integration, on-boarding and product management expertise in the support of current and, proposed future capabilities with specific focus on principal engineering and development support of the Kubernetes deployment and container orchestration platform across NGA’s security domains.
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 Modernization 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 technical solutions and industry practices that would meet NGA’s current and future requirements for the following:
• RFI 1: Operations, sustainment and concurrent modernization of our current DevSecOps environment—known as “NGA Common Operations Release Environment (NGA CORE)”—and associated capabilities with focus on scalability, affordability and effectiveness.
• RFI 2: Direct (“hands-on”) engineering, architectural, coding, integration, on-boarding and product management expertise in the support of current and, proposed future capabilities with specific focus on principal engineering and development support of the Kubernetes deployment and container orchestration platform across NGA’s security domains.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| NGA CORE_my_questions-ADMIN_PEP_Response_1__SBU.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| Q-and-A_NGA-CORE_SAM.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| NGA CORE Modernization RFI_GOLD.pdf |
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