Request for Information for VINSON/ANDVT Stand-Alone Cryptographic Solutions

Request for Information For VINSON/ANDVT Stand-Alone Cryptographic Solutions

This Request for Information (RFI) is for use by the VINSON Advanced Narrowband Digital Voice Terminal (ANDVT) Cryptographic Modernization (VACM) Program Office, Cryptologic and Cyber Systems Division (CCSD), AFLCMC/HNC, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas for planning purposes only. This RFI does not constitute an invitation for bids, a request for proposal, a solicitation, a request for quote or an indication that the Government will contract for the items provided by submitter. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs associated with the preparation or submission of the information requested. Responses to this RFI will not be returned.

The VACM Program was initiated to provide modernized form/fit/backward-compatible replacements for legacy KY-57, KY-99A, KY-58, KY-100 and KYV-5/CV-3591 COMSEC products. Subsequent to Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD), the VACM Program fielded 1500 Low-Rate Initial Production (LRIP) End Cryptographic Units (ECUs) characterized by:

A single NSA Type 1 certified (17 Jul 2014) cryptographic module (KYV-9) that is common to all VACM devices. The cryptographic heart of the KYV-9 is the commercially available Proteus Crypto Module (PCM) manufactured by Raytheon Secure Information Systems, El Segundo, CA.

Form-factor adapters which enable VACM devices to meet form/fit requirements of the legacy devices.

Implementation of NSA Tactical Secure Voice Cryptographic Interoperability Specification (TSVCIS).

In the context of a stable requirements base, the Government holds, at a minimum, Government Purpose data rights to VACM system/subsystem specifications, hardware design documents, software design documents, interface control documents, hardware engineering drawings, software source code, VHDL code, schematics, and printed circuit board drawings. The Government holds, at most, Restricted/Limited data rights for the PCM, the PCM core software/firmware, the front panel Grayhill Tri-Color display (commercially available).

The VACM Program Office is investigating alternatives for producing ~45,000 Type 1 Full-Rate Production (FRP) ECUs over the next eight years. The following questions are posed to industry as part of that investigation.

RFI Questions:

1. Can you build or modify an existing product that provides modernized form/fit/backward-compatible replacements for legacy KY-99A, KY-58, KY-100 and KYV-5/CV-3591? (Note: The Government does not intend to procure modernized replacements for the KY-57.)

2. What level of modularity would you expect to achieve across the four variants?

3. Describe any stand-alone or embedded cryptographic solutions for which you have successfully implemented TSVCIS.

4. Describe any challenges associated with adapting an existing stand-alone or embedded cryptographic implementation into a form-factor that is compatible with legacy devices.

5. Describe the process you would use to determine the extent to which the current VACM design could be utilized by your company to deliver FRP devices. How would you assess viability and risk?

6. What factors would most influence your decision to (1) build from scratch, (2) adapt from one of your current designs, (3) adapt the current VACM design, or (4) acquire the commercial products and build the current VACM design (or some hybrid of the four)?

All interested, capable, and responsible sources that wish to respond to this RFI are encouraged to provide your capabilities to develop or provide a device, product specifications or on-shelf technology base, and possible development schedule and cost via electronic mail no later than 19 September 2016 to:

Ms. Alysha Makela
Contracting Officer
Phone: (210) 925-2047
Email: alysha.makela@us.af.mil
Or Alternatively, USPS to the following address:
AFLCMC/HNCK 240 Hall Blvd. Suite 106
Attn. Ms. Alysha Makela
San Antonio, Texas 78243

In addition, if you have any specific questions (relating to the above referenced information only) please submit them in written format to the Contracting Officer listed above.