RFP N6523626R3007

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding solicitation N6523626R30071.

• Accounting System Audit: An offeror is not required to have a formal DCAA or DCMA accounting system audit prior to submitting a proposal. However, such an audit will be required before contract award. Refer to DFARS 242.7502.2 for guidance.
• Facility Clearance (FCL): A TOP SECRET (TS) facility clearance (FCL) with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access (TS/SCI) is required at the time of task order award, as stated in Section C PWS paragraph 8.1.1. PWS paragraph 8.1.1.2 specifies the highest required security clearance level by task, and PWS paragraph 8.2.1.1 outlines the minimum personnel security clearance level by labor category.

These clarifications do not appear to alter any stated requirements, due dates, or submission rules, but provide essential details regarding accounting system compliance and security clearance mandates.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document, "Section L_Revised for Amendment 0001.docx," provides instructions, conditions, and notices to offerors for a solicitation. It details the provisions incorporated by reference and in full text, guiding potential bidders on proposal submission and evaluation.

• Contract Type: Performance-based Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF), Level of Effort (LOE), and Cost task order.

• Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC): CMMC Level 2 (Self) required at time of award, with a CMMC Level 2 (C3PAO) assessment prior to option exercise. Offerors must have current CMMC status and affirmation of continuous compliance entered in the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS).

• Essential Contractor Services: Offerors must submit a written plan detailing how they will continue essential contractor services during crisis periods, including provisions for personnel and resource acquisition for continuity of operations.

• Facility Clearance: A current, active TOP SECRET (TS) facility clearance with Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access (TS/SCI) is required at the time of proposal submission.

• Technical Capability: Proposals must demonstrate experience in Field Service Representative (FSR) Support, Supply Chain Management and Maintenance Support, and Performance Outcomes for Logistics Support Services, with specific emphasis on C4ISR Programs of Record.

• Contractor Facility: The proposed facility must be within a thirty-mile radius of NIWC Atlantic, be at least 6,000 square feet, and include a climate-controlled environment of at least 970 square feet.

• Estimated Award Date: June 15, 2026.

• Offer Expiration: Proposals must be valid for at least 180 days.

• Proposal Submission: Electronic submission via the Procurement Integrated Enterprise Environment (PIEE) Solicitation Module is required. Specific file formats and naming conventions are detailed.

• Evaluation: The Government intends to evaluate proposals and award based on initial submissions without formal interchanges, emphasizing initial proposals containing the best terms. Streamlined evaluation procedures will be used.

• Key Deadlines:

  • NDA submission deadline: March 25, 2026, 12:00 p.m. ET.
  • Proposal due date: April 17, 2026, 12:00 p.m. ET.
  • Period for questions: Ends April 1, 2026, 12:00 p.m. ET.

• Small Business: Compliance with small business size requirements must be stated.

• Joint Ventures: Specific requirements for joint venture agreements and certifications are outlined, particularly for SBA-approved mentor-protégé joint ventures.

• Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI): Certain attachments contain CUI and require a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) for access.

• Pricing: Certified cost or pricing data is not required initially. Offerors must submit data other than certified cost or pricing data using provided Pricing Models (Attachments 12 & 13).

• Labor Hours: Offerors must propose exact labor categories and hours as listed in the Pricing Model, with limited exceptions.

• Other Direct Costs (ODCs): ODCs are non-fee bearing. Offerors must use stated amounts in the Pricing Model unless justification for revision is provided.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) revises the clause in Section L, "RFIs/RFPs Which Includes CUI, But Do Not Include CTI) (NIWC Atlantic) (SEP 2025)". The update directs that Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) must be sent as a single, encrypted email to the Contract Specialist no later than March 25, 2026.

• Section L - Instructions, Conditions, & Notices to Offerors or Quoters

• The deadline for submitting NDAs has been clarified as March 25, 2026.

• Offerors must ensure NDAs are sent as a single, encrypted email.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to questions raised by vendors during Industry Day regarding the upcoming solicitation.

• RFP Release: The final Request for Proposal (RFP) is planned for release in QTR2 of FY26.
• Security Clearances: While a Top Secret Facility Clearance (TS FCL) is required, vendors are not expected to maintain a SCIF. However, they must have TS Personnel Clearances (PCLs) for personnel requiring SCI access. Specific labor categories and clearance levels are detailed in PWS paragraph 8.2.1.1 and will be in Attachment 6 of the final RFP.
• COMSEC Storage: COMSEC storage is required within 30 days of task order award at the contractor's facility, as per PWS paragraph 2.2. However, this will not be part of the Section M evaluation criteria for Factor B (Contractor Facility).
• Facility Ownership: The required facility can be owned by a teammate, not necessarily the prime contractor.
• Warehouse Space: The 6000 SF unclassified warehouse requirement includes climate-controlled storage and does not necessitate a SCIF.
• CMMC Requirements: CMMC requirements will be defined and confirmed in the formal RFP.
• Subcontractor Participation: Vendors can propose as a significant subcontractor, defined as performing at least 20% of total proposed labor hours.
• Past Performance: The government will evaluate corporate experience based on contract references, not traditional past performance.
• Incumbent: This is a new requirement; there is no direct incumbent. Past similar requirements were executed under task orders N0017819D8323 and N6523622F3009 (Predicate Logic, Inc.).

These clarifications provide essential details on security requirements, facility needs, and evaluation criteria. Vendors should note that the government will not allow post-award time to establish required facilities for small business participation. The PWS and relevant attachments will be included in the final RFP.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document outlines the pre-solicitation conference for the Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Sustainment III requirement. The purpose of the conference is to promote a common understanding of procurement requirements, solicitation terms, and evaluation criteria, and to gather industry feedback. A draft RFP was issued on December 29, 2025, with the formal RFP expected in January/February 2026.

• Field Service Representative (FSR) support for C4ISR systems.

• Fielding, Training, Supply Chain Management (SCM), and maintenance support services.

• Support to various entities including PEO LS, Marine Corps Intelligence Schools, NECC, NEIC, and Common Data Link Executive Agent.

• Services required at garrison, deployed, and shipboard locations worldwide.

• Specific tasks include System Network support, System Administration, System Operation support, and various types of Training (Remedial, Over the Shoulder, Unit Sustainment, New Equipment).

• Participation in Integrated Product Teams (IPT), Configuration Control Boards, and engineering review groups.

• Operation of two Customer Service Stations (CSSs) for SCM, encompassing sourcing, procurement, and logistics management.

• Coordination with OEMs, suppliers, and third-party providers.

• Counterfeit Electronics Parts Detection and Avoidance (DFARS 252.246.7008).

• Contract Type: Performance Based, Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), Level of Effort (LOE) & Cost.

• Period of Performance: Base year plus four (4) one-year option periods, including FAR 52.217-8 Option to Extend Services (6 months).

• Anticipated Award: Q3 FY26.

• Solicitation will be posted through the PIEE Solicitation Module and visible on SAM.gov.

• Proposal submissions are limited to small business Seaport MAC holders.

• Evaluation Methodology: Tradeoff source selection process based on "best value" considering cost and non-cost factors.

• Anticipated Evaluation Criteria (Non-Cost Factors): Factor A – Technical Capability, Factor B – Contractor Facility.

• Technical Capability subfactors include FSR Support, Supply Chain Management and Maintenance Support, and Performance Outcomes for Logistics Support Services.

• Contractor Facility requirements include location, size (min 6,000 sq ft), climate control (min 970 sq ft), and security.

• Cost/Price Proposal Narrative required, demonstrating compliance with FAR 52.219-14 Limitations on Subcontracting.

• Maximum Pass-Through Rate: 8.0% on CPFF CLINs.

• Small Business Set Aside (SBSA).

• Proposal submissions limited to small business Seaport MAC holders.

• Personnel require Secret clearance, with some requiring TOP SECRET with TS/SCI access.

• TOP SECRET facility clearance (FCL) with SCI access required at time of task order award.

• Offerors must submit a Mission Essential Contractor Services Plan (max 5 pages).

• Offerors must submit a one-page TSFCL Summary document for facility clearance.

• Unit of Issue in each CLIN will be "LOT".

• eCRAFT (Electronic Cost Reporting and Financial Tracking) CDRL required post-award.

• Contractor facility must be within a 30-mile radius of NIWC Atlantic, Charleston, SC.

• Streamlined evaluation and award procedures; no formal source selection procedures like competitive range determination or pre-award notifications.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding Draft RFP N6523626R3007.

• Incumbent: This is a new requirement, so there is no incumbent. Similar past requirements were executed under task order N0017819D8323 N6523622F3009 (Predicate Logic, Inc.).
• Contracting Activity: The RFP is issued by NIWC Atlantic. References to NUWC Newport, RI, pertain to the Naval Undersea Warfare Center Division Newport website for labor category descriptions.
• CUI Document Access: Access to the PWS (Section C) must be requested through SAM.gov and approved by the Government.
• Accounting System Audit: Offerors do not need a formal DCAA or DCMA audit to submit a proposal for this Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) procurement, but an audit will be required prior to award. Offerors must be Seaport MAC small business holders.
• Warehouse Space: The specified 6,000 sq. ft. warehouse requirement in the draft RFP is correct.
• Industry Day: The link for the NIWC C4ISR Sustainment III Industry Day on 1/16 has been posted to SAM.gov and the Seaport portal.
• Funding: The task order is incrementally funded (CPFF Level of Effort), and no issues are foreseen in securing funding.
• Solicitation Release: Estimated release is Jan/Feb 2026 (QTR 2 FY2026). There is no fixed timeframe between solicitation release and award.
• Small Business Set-Aside: The requirement will be solicited as a small business set-aside.
• Period of Performance: Base period of one year with four one-year option periods, plus an additional six-month extension (FAR 52.217-8).
• NAICS Code: The award will be under NAICS code 541330.
• Procurement Vehicle: This will be procured as a task order under the SeaPort Multiple Award Contract (MAC).
• Award Timing: Estimated award date is prior to the expiration of the similar task order N0017819D8323 N6523622F3009.

These clarifications address vendor inquiries regarding the nature of the requirement, eligibility, submission details, and contract specifics. Bidders should ensure their proposals align with the confirmed details, particularly regarding the new requirement status, warehouse size, and procurement vehicle.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a Draft Request for Proposal (RFP) for Task Order N6523626R3007, seeking proposals for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Sustainment III. The Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic is issuing this solicitation.

The core requirement is for C4ISR Sustainment III services. The document outlines various CLINs (Contract Line Item Numbers) for labor and other direct costs (ODCs) across a base year and four option years, plus a 6-month option to extend services. These CLINs cover both labor and ODCs related to C4ISR Sustainment III.

• Contract Type: Performance-based Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF), Level of Effort (LOE) task order.

• Period of Performance: The Firm items (base year) have a period of performance from 04/01/2026 to 03/31/2027. Option periods extend through 09/30/2031.

• Estimated Value: Not explicitly stated in the provided pages.

• Evaluation Methodology: Best Value - Tradeoff.

• Submission Instructions: Detailed instructions for proposal submission are provided in Section L, including electronic submission requirements and formatting guidelines. Specific attention is given to the proposal format, including required files and page limits for various sections.

• Key Deadlines: The estimated effective award date is April 1, 2026. Offerors are requested to allow an offeror acceptance period of at least 180 days. The period for questions ends at 12:00 p.m. Eastern time on TBD.

This solicitation is ONLY soliciting offers from Small Business Seaport NxG MAC holders.

• The document is a DRAFT.
• It includes extensive detail on contract clauses, payment instructions (Wide Area WorkFlow), travel reimbursement, and requirements for contractor personnel operating in various overseas locations (Japan, Africa, USSOUTHCOM, USCENTCOM areas of responsibility).
• Specific clauses related to cybersecurity, supply chain security, and NIST SP 800-171 DoD Assessment Requirements are included.