Foundation Digital Twin (FDT) Automated Feature Extraction (AFE) Request for Information

Other / Unclassified

This document, "The NGA Software Way," outlines the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's (NGA) approach to delivering software products. It details key software metrics (availability, lead time for changes, deployment frequency, and product-specific metrics) and a set of 13 elements that NGA and contractor teams must adhere to throughout the software development lifecycle. These elements cover phases from "Before Writing Code" to "As You Iterate," emphasizing product management, user understanding, rapid value delivery, version control, automated testing and deployment, monitoring, and continuous improvement.

This document establishes the operational standards and expectations for software development and delivery within NGA. Potential bidders or contractors involved in software development for NGA should understand these requirements. Adherence to "The NGA Software Way" is crucial for ensuring software products are built, deployed, and operated effectively to meet NGA's mission needs. It highlights the agency's focus on speed, reliability, user satisfaction, and data-driven decision-making in software engineering.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a template for submitting questions related to the "FDT AFE RFI" (Request for Information). It is intended to guide potential vendors in formulating and submitting their inquiries to the government.

• The template includes columns for 'Item #', 'Document', 'Requirement', 'Section', 'Comment/Question', and 'NGA Response'.
• It appears to be structured to allow for detailed questions tied to specific parts of a solicitation or related documentation.
• The 'NGA Response' column is likely for the government's official answer.

Bidders should use this template to organize and submit any questions they have regarding the FDT AFE RFI opportunity. Properly formatted questions submitted via this template will help ensure clarity and facilitate timely responses from the government, aiding bidders in understanding the requirements and preparing their responses or proposals.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI seeks information on acquiring an innovative and comprehensive solution for automated identification, extraction, and attribution of geospatial features. The goal is to transform the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's (NGA) Foundation GEOINT (FG) production environment by leveraging Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) to reduce manual processing time, increase data accuracy, and speed up intelligence delivery.

• The solution must support multiple source file formats, including monoscopic and stereoscopic feature extraction.

• It must be capable of processing data individually or in large batches with varying levels of detail over multiple geographical areas.

• The solution must preserve original data geometry, spatial relationships, and metadata.

• An intuitive interface for analysts to review, validate, and correct extracted features is required.

• Standardized data formats such as GeoDatabase (GDB), Shapefile, and TDS 7.1 must be utilized.

• The system must achieve 99.9% availability.

• Compliance with security directives (e.g., DNI ICD 503) and robust access controls are necessary.

• Familiarity with NGA policies for software development (NGA Data Strategy, NGA Software Way) is expected.

• The planned acquisition includes a 12-month base period and four (4) 12-month option periods.

• Work will primarily be performed at Government-provided facilities (NGA Washington, Springfield, VA, and NGA St. Louis, MO), with potential for contractor facilities.

• This RFI is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP).

• Responses must be UNCLASSIFIED and submitted via email by 5:00 pm ET on March 19, 2026.

• Responses should not exceed 15 pages and should be in Microsoft Word format.

• Interested parties are encouraged to provide recommendations for contract type, terms, conditions, pricing, and small business set-asides.

• The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 541370 - Surveying and Mapping (except Geophysical) Service.

• Responders must indicate their business type (Small Business, Small Disadvantaged, Service Disabled, 8(a), HUBZone, Woman-Owned) and participation in mentor/protégé programs.

• Information regarding the Limitation of Subcontracting (FAR 52.219-14) is requested.

• All personnel performing services require a Top Secret (TS) security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) (TS/SCI).

• Eligibility for favorable NGA adjudication and potential Counterintelligence-Scope Polygraph examination is required.

• Compliance with DD Form 254, NISPOM, and other IC/NGA security policies is mandatory.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, the "NGA Data Strategy 2021," outlines the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency's (NGA) strategic approach to managing and utilizing data to support its mission.

• Vision for Data: To create, manage, and securely share trusted data with speed, accuracy, and precision.
• Data as a Strategic Asset: Emphasizes data's critical role in decision support and mission advantage.
• Focus Areas:
  • Easily Discoverable and Accessible Data
  • Improved Data Reuse and Integration
  • Cross-Domain Efficiencies
  • Next-Generation GEOINT (aided by AI/ML)
• Key Goals:
  • Goal 1: Manage Data as a Strategic Asset (deploying a data governance framework).
  • Goal 2: Deliver Shared Data Services (breaking down silos for intuitive data access).
  • Goal 3: Scale Data and Analytics Capabilities (coordinating and scaling initiatives).
  • Goal 4: Bolster Data Literacy in the Workforce (promoting a data culture).
• Implementation Steps: Outlines specific actions for each goal, including launching governance committees, developing policies, operationalizing stewardship programs, establishing data services, and refining literacy programs.
• NGA Data Terminology: Defines NGA GEOINT Mission Data and Corporate Data.

This document provides insight into NGA's strategic priorities regarding data management, analytics, and technology. Vendors proposing solutions related to data governance, data services, analytics platforms, AI/ML, or data literacy training may find this document valuable for understanding NGA's future direction and requirements. It highlights NGA's commitment to leveraging data as a strategic asset and its focus on improving data accessibility, usability, and integration to support its mission.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document presents objective questions related to a Request for Information (RFI) concerning Automated Feature Extraction (AFE) capabilities. It seeks detailed information from potential vendors on their proposed solutions.

• Objective 1 (Develop and Deploy AFE Capability): Vendors are asked to describe their AFE processes, data sources, methodologies for creating real-world feature representations, data type combinations, accuracy assurance, integration with geospatial tools, Technical Readiness Level (TRL), and methods for separating conflated features.
• Objective 2 (Ensure High-Quality Data and Analyst-in-the-Loop Validation): Questions focus on ensuring the relevance of extracted changes, source formats, GEOINT assurance processes, analyst notification systems, prioritization of outputs, defined threshold metrics for accuracy (95% for topographic, maritime, aeronautical features), and the use of AI/ML for quality assessments.
• Objective 3 (Implement Automated Change Detection): Vendors must explain how their AFE capability detects and compares changes, plans for automated assessment of change detection recommendations, managing change at the data level, and comparing temporal and current changes against vector data and map products.
• Objective 4 (Achieve Seamless Integration): This section probes the openness and modularity of the AFE capability for integration into NGA's Vector & Cartographic Production System (VCPS) and Foundation Digital Twin (FDT), including the use of APIs and recommended standardized formats for interoperability.
• Objective 5 (Meet and Maintain Performance and Security Standards): Vendors need to describe their solution's scalability, reliability, and security standards, specifically addressing the processing of a 1GB source file in under 10 minutes, achieving 99.9% availability, and employing cross-domain solutions.

These questions are designed to gather detailed technical and operational information from potential vendors to inform future acquisition decisions regarding AFE capabilities. Responses will help the government understand industry's current and future state of AFE technology and its integration potential.

Statement of Objectives (SOO)

This Statement of Objectives (SOO) aims to acquire a contractor to provide a complete, end-to-end Automated Feature Extraction (AFE) solution. The goal is to modernize NGA's geospatial intelligence production by leveraging AI/ML to automate manual processes, improve data accuracy, and ensure seamless integration with NGA production systems, thereby enhancing the timeliness, relevance, and accuracy of geospatial intelligence for national security missions.

The contractor will be responsible for the full lifecycle of the AFE capability, including design, development, integration, deployment, and sustainment. This capability will automate the identification and extraction of geospatial features from various sources, including imagery and raster maps, and will be integrated with key NGA systems supporting maritime, aeronautical, topographic, geographic, and geomatics mission domains.

Responding vendors must select one or more features from Appendix A and describe their solution's capabilities for the relevant use case categories. The response should detail proficiency in:

• Object Detection: Identifying the existence of an object in an image.
• Geometry Extraction: Creating a vector representation of the object with real-world dimensions.
• Attribution: Adding informative characteristics and measurements to the extracted feature.

Specific use cases include: Buildings, Linear Transportation Features, Discrete Transportation Features, Utilities, Built Water Infrastructure, and Aeronautical Infrastructure.

The contractor must achieve five high-level objectives:

1. Develop and deploy a high-performing AFE capability.
2. Ensure high-quality data and enable analyst-in-the-loop validation (threshold accuracy of 90%, objective 99%).
3. Implement automated change detection to maintain data currency.
4. Achieve seamless integration with NGA's GEOINT Ecosystem.
5. Meet and maintain stringent performance (process 1GB in <10 mins) and security standards.

• Appendix A: Lists prioritized geography features for AFE.
• Appendix B: Lists additional geography features for AFE.