Commercial Solutions Opening for Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2)

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This announcement is for a Category/Area of Interest (AoI) under the ABMS JADC2 Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO), Call 003. The Air Force's Aerial Networks Division (AFLCMC/HNA) is seeking innovative solutions for Software Programmable Open Mission Systems Compliant (SPOC) Multi-Function Processor (MFP) products. The goal is to support the Joint All-Domain Command & Control (JADC2) and the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS) by developing a cross-cutting portfolio of complimentary projects and programs to facilitate rapid exploration and maturation of innovative technologies for future operations.

• Solutions should address Connectivity / SPOC, focusing on networks for timely data processing and dissemination from sensors to users at tactical and strategic levels.

• Interest in Multi-Function Processor (MFP) products and chassis products that support integration, rapid reconfiguration, sustainability, and technology refresh.

• Solutions should align with open architectures (e.g., SOSA), support chassis reconfiguration, be scalable and manufacturable for bulk procurements, and include open architecture aligned security solutions.

• Proposed solutions must be capable of meeting military standards for airworthiness, use standard VPX form factors (3U or 6U), and provide open, well-documented external interfaces.

• The contract type will be a Firm-Fixed-Price effort, likely under FAR Part 12.

• The successful Offeror(s) must be an American entity with all work performed in the United States.

• This is a two-step process:

  • Step One: Submit White Papers detailing innovative approaches, including a Rough-Order-of-Magnitude (ROM) price. White Papers are due Tuesday, 09 April 2024, at 4:00 PM EDT.
  • Step Two: Selected vendors will be invited to submit proposals via Request for Proposal (RFP).

• White Papers will be evaluated on the merit of the proposed concept based on Importance to Agency Programs/Commercial Innovation, Technical Feasibility, and Price.

• Proposals Due (Step-Two): Monday, 24 June 2024.

• Target Selection Date/Contract Award: Friday, 02 August 2024.

• The successful Offeror(s) shall be an American entity.

• For FAR 52.204-21, authorized users are limited to U.S. Citizens.

• AFLCMC/HNA reserves the right to modify requirements or cancel the call.

• Late White Paper submissions will not be considered.

• Offerors are encouraged to submit unclassified White Papers.

• Contact Points of Contact: Capt Alexandra Hutchinson and Mr. Chhunheng Phay.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to general questions regarding the AF SD-WAN Test Event (CSO Call 002).

• Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM): The ROM in the White Paper is intended to capture per-item costs of components for the vendor solution, providing insight into the cost of a broader SD-WAN enterprise solution.

• Test Event Configuration: The test event will include both point-to-point and point-to-multipoint test scenarios, as detailed in the forthcoming Test Plan.

• Solution Type: The SD-WAN solution sought is a Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) solution, focusing on virtualized implementations on government-provided test-bed hardware. Hardware integration is a follow-on effort.

• Offeror Responsibilities: Offerors are responsible for providing the virtualized SD-WAN network appliance, licensing, configuration, and technical support. They are not responsible for providing transport or hardware.

• Graphic Diagrams: Graphic diagrams are considered charts, and the government will accept them with a font size of no less than 10pt.

• Company Collaboration: It is allowable for Company A to prime an opportunity and present Company B's SD-WAN technology, even if Company A is not the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).

• The government has agreed to the request to allow charts and graphic diagrams to be no less than 10pt font.

• No changes to proposal deadlines or submission rules are indicated by these Q&As.

Amendment / Modification

This document is an addendum to the "AF SD-WAN Test Event" solicitation (Call Number: FA8612-21-S-C001, Call 002).

It adds a specific question to be addressed by offerors in their White Paper response, related to Section 3.0 of the original solicitation.

The question asks if the offeror is willing to consider publishing proprietary protocols and methodologies to the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) for wider adoption and increased interoperability, and if so, under what conditions.

• Section 2.0—Category/Area of Interest (AoI): Connectivity / SD-WAN Products
• Section 3.0—Call Timeline and General Information (original solicitation dated 6 January 2023)

Offerors must address the new question regarding proprietary protocol publishing in their White Paper response. The original solicitation's due date of Monday, 6 February 2023, at 5:00 PM EDT remains unchanged.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This announcement is for a Category/Area of Interest (AoI) under the AFLCMC/XA JADC2 Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO). The Air Force is seeking innovative technologies and solutions to develop a cross-cutter portfolio of complimentary/linked projects and programs supporting Joint All-Domain Command & Control (JADC2) and the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS). Specifically, this Call focuses on "Connectivity / SD-WAN products" to expand Air Force capabilities.

• The primary objective is to assess Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) SD-WAN products against rigorous objectives and test criteria to validate their use within a larger Department of the Air Force architecture.

• The SD-WAN solution should enable connectivity across multiple services (MPLS, DISN MILSATCOM, DISN OTN, Broadband Internet, etc.) and provide continuity of operations through denied, degraded, intermittent, and latent (DDIL) network conditions.

• Traffic within the network will require encryption from both Commercial Solutions for Classified (CSfC) and NSA Type 1 encryption devices.

• SD-WAN end points will be deployed across multiple nodes, from enterprise hubs to tactical low connectivity platforms, requiring stable and resilient connectivity.

• Offerors must propose an innovative approach to meet the stated objectives.

• The contract type will be FAR Part 12, Firm-Fixed-Price.

• The expected period of performance for the awarded contract is 12 months or less.

• The Government intends to award one contract, but reserves the right to award zero, one, or more.

• The successful Offeror(s) must be an American entity with all work performed in the United States.

• This is a Two-Step, Closed Call.

• Step One: Submit White Papers by Monday, 6 February 2023, 5:00 PM EDT. White Papers are limited to 10 pages (technical content) and must include a Rough-Order-of-Magnitude (ROM) price.

• Evaluation (Step One): White Papers will be rated "Selectable" or "Not Selectable" based on Importance to Agency Programs/Commercial Innovation, Price (fair and reasonable), and Availability of Funds.

• Step Two: Selectable offerors may be invited to submit a proposal (RFP to be issued Tuesday, 14 March 2023) with Proposals Due Tuesday, 2 May 2023.

• Selected offerors may participate in a vendor test event.

• Late White Paper submissions will not be considered.

• Authorized users for the purposes of FAR 52.204-21 Basic Safeguarding of Covered Contractor Information Systems are limited to U.S. Citizens. Non-U.S. Citizens require written permission from the Contracting Officer.

• AFLCMC/XA reserves the right to alter or change any of the due dates.

• Submission of a White Paper does not guarantee an RFP will be issued.

• Contact Information: Contracting Officer Mr. Nic Correa (nicomedez.correa.1@us.af.mil) and Contract Specialist Mr. Wes Livesay (wesley.livesay@us.af.mil).

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation, a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) Call, is issued by the Air Force's AFLCMC/XA "Architecture and Integration Directorate" to develop a cross-cutter portfolio of complimentary projects and programs supporting Joint All-Domain Command & Control (JADC2) and the Advanced Battle Management System (ABMS). The goal is to facilitate the rapid exploration and maturation of innovative technologies for critical surveillance, tactical edge communications, processing, networking, and battle management command and control capabilities.

This Call seeks innovative solutions for a Multi-Level Security (MLS) network, starting at the unclassified level. Key components include:

• A Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) for vetting and testing new tools.

• A DevSecOps (DSO) Unclassified Enclave for developing in-house applications.

• Procurement and implementation of hardware and software for Phase 1 of the MLS network.

• The contract type will be Firm-Fixed-Price.

• The period of performance is estimated at 15-18 months after award.

• The Government anticipates making one award, but reserves the right to award zero, one, or more contracts.

This is a two-step, closed call:

• Step One: White Papers addressing the Area of Interest (AoI) are due by July 15, 2021, 12:00 PM ET. Evaluation will be based on Risk, Price, and Availability of Funds, rating papers as "Selectable" or "Not Selectable".

• Step Two: Offerors with "Selectable" White Papers will be invited to submit a Request for Proposal (RFP). Proposals will be due approximately three weeks after the RFP is issued.

• Late White Paper submissions will not be considered.

• The successful Offeror must be an American entity with all work performed in the United States.

• Use of Non-Government Advisors for review is anticipated; they will have signed non-disclosure statements.

• Government Furnished Property is not anticipated.

• Contact for inquiries: Capt Matthew Hendricks (Contracting Officer) or Mr. Ryan Murphy (Contracting Specialist).