Global Unified Airbase Readiness and Defense (GUARD) Capabilities Sources Sought

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains responses to vendor questions regarding the "ESSS GUARD Capabilities RFI V3". It clarifies aspects of the potential IDIQ requirement, including its relationship to previous efforts, scope, technical requirements, and administrative details.

• Relationship to IBDSS Next: The GUARD effort will host a continuation of sustainment activities performed under IBDSS Next vehicles, with an expected expansion in the scope of other activities.
• RFI Response Limit: The 10-page limit for RFI responses has been eliminated.
• DCMA Approval: Offerors will be required to have a DCMA-approved property management system for Government Furnished Property (GFP).
• Task Order Prioritization: There is no specific priority for CONUS vs. OCONUS installations.
• Security Certifications: Vendors must have relevant company and personnel certifications to design and install CMD equipment at AF facilities, including nuclear or SCIF/SAPF facilities if applicable to delivery orders.
• Documentation Release: Interface Control Documents (ICDs), data schemas, and integration specifications are expected to be released at the Order level, not before the IDIQ proposal.
• Zero Trust (ZT) for OT: Many aspects of Zero Trust for Operational Technology (ZT for OT) compliance, including target level achievement, contractor responsibilities, and reconciliation with existing frameworks, are expected to be clarified at the time of RFP release.
• Small Business Set-Aside: The Government may consider partial Small Business set-asides for the GUARD IDIQ, with a final determination at the time of RFP release.
• NAICS Code: The anticipated NAICS code is 561621, with a corresponding size standard of $25M.

This Q&A document provides significant clarification on various aspects of the upcoming requirement, impacting how vendors should prepare their understanding of the scope, technical expectations, and administrative requirements for the eventual RFP. Many detailed technical and administrative questions are noted as being "expected to be clarified at time of RFP release."

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI seeks information regarding the acquisition and sustainment of Integrated Base Defense (IBD) physical security and force protection electronic security systems, equipment, and integration capabilities for the Air Force Security Forces. The government is planning a potential 10-year Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with an estimated ceiling of $1B, anticipating a Request for Proposal (RFP) release in 1QFY27 and IDIQ award in 3QFY27.

Respondents should detail experience in:

• Designing, installing, and sustaining physical security intrusion detection systems (IDS) at CONUS and OCONUS locations for Department of War (DoW), Department of State (DoS), or other federal agencies.

• IDS for nuclear material storage/disposal, nuclear weapon storage/disposal/maintenance, or energy production facilities.

• IDS meeting Intelligence Community Directives (ICD), Standards (ICS), and Underwriters Laboratory (UL) 2050 standards for Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIF) or Special Access Program Facilities (SAPF).

• Supporting Protection Level (PL) 1, 2, 3, and 4 resources.

• Civil engineering and infrastructure support for IDS installations.

• Developing security system designs, construction, and engineering documentation.

• Performing security studies, analyses, and surveys.

• Familiarity with Open Mission Systems (OMS) and integrating technology into the Defender Multi-Domain Command, Control, and Communications (DMDC3) system.

• Configuring and installing network infrastructure (Layer 2/3, firewalls, VPN, AAA, NTP, SNMP, SysLog) compliant with DoD regulations.

• Providing interim and extended contractor logistics support and sustainment.

• Developing and implementing program protection plans and cybersecurity requirements (DISA STIGs, DoDD 8140.01).

• Knowledge of DoD Architecture Framework.

• Quality management systems (ISO 9001-2008 or equivalent).

• Supporting agile DevOps software development pipelines and cloud computing environments.

• Personnel and facility security clearances to the SECRET level are mandatory.

• Use of Digital Engineering (DE) and Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) tools.

• Deployment and sustainment of tactical security systems, wide area surveillance, drone training/sustainment, and RF networks.

• Ability to obtain multiple host nation business licenses and Visas.

• Interested parties should respond by identifying their capabilities and recent experience (within the last 5 years).

• Responses are due by June 18, 2026, at 3:00 PM EDT to mckenna.clippert@us.af.mil.

• Responses must be UNCLASSIFIED.

• The government will not reimburse costs associated with responding.

• The government is receptive to prime-subcontractor relationships but offerors must be able to fulfill the holistic scope.

• Experience in every specific category is not required to respond; detail existing experience and clearly state where experience is lacking.

• Offerors must possess an active SECRET facility security clearance at the time of submission and maintain it through contract performance; the government will not sponsor uncleared personnel.

• Respondents must be prepared to deliver both physical security and software/cloud hosting requirements under a single prime contract.

• A multiple-award IDIQ contract structure is anticipated.

• System documentation will be provided at the time of solicitation.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI seeks information regarding the acquisition and sustainment of Integrated Base Defense (IBD) physical security and force protection electronic security systems, items/equipment, and system integration capabilities for the Air Force Security Forces community. The scope includes design, development, procurement, installation, integration, testing, certification, accreditation, and performance-based logistical support of IBD systems at Department of War (DoW) locations globally (CONUS and OCONUS).

• Contract Type: Potential Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)
• Ordering Period: 10 years
• Estimated RFP Release: 1st Quarter FY27
• Estimated IDIQ Award: 3rd Quarter FY27
• Estimated IDIQ Ceiling: $1 Billion
• Estimated Orders: 50+ separate installation projects, item/equipment buys, and upgrades.
• Sustainment: May require simultaneous sustainment of 50+ sites across vast geographic regions.

Respondents should detail capabilities and recent experience (within the last 5 years) in:

• Designing/installing physical security Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) at OCONUS locations for DoW, DoS, or other federal agencies, including theater Areas of Responsibility (AOR).

• Designing/installing IDS for nuclear material storage/disposal, nuclear weapon storage/disposal/maintenance, or energy production facilities.

• Designing/installing IDS to Intelligence Community Directives (ICD) and Standards (ICS), and Underwriters Laboratory (UL) 2050 standards in Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIF) or Special Access Program Facilities (SAPF).

• Designing/installing/certifying IDS to ICD/ICS and UL 2050 standards in SCIF or SAPF at non-USG controlled locations.

• Knowledge of physical security requirements, items/equipment, technology, and Air Force Instructions (AFI) for Protection Levels (PL) 1, 2, 3, and 4 resources.

• Civil engineering expertise supporting IDS infrastructure installation.

• Developing security systems design, construction, and engineering documentation.

• Performing security studies, analyses, and surveys, including modeling and simulation.

• Familiarity with Open Mission Systems (OMS) Definition and Documentation (D&D) v1.2+.

• Integrating current technology into the Defender Multi-Domain Command, Control, and Communications (DMDC3) platform.

• Configuring and installing network infrastructure (Layer 2/3, firewalls, VPN, AAA, NTP, SNMP, SysLog) compliant with DoD regulations.

• Providing interim and extended contractor logistics support and sustainment of IDS.

• Developing and implementing program protection plans, including anti-tamper and supply chain risk management.

• Implementing and maintaining DoD Cybersecurity requirements (DISA STIGs), with IAT Level II certified personnel.

• Knowledge of the DoD Architecture Framework.

• Quality management systems (ISO 9001-2008 or equivalent).

• Supporting agile DevOps software development pipelines and cloud computing environments.

• Possessing an approved Defense Contract Auditing Agency (DCAA) cost estimating and contract accounting system (or noting any DCAA disapproval).

• Mandatory: Personnel and facility security clearance to the SECRET level. The Government will NOT sponsor clearances.

• Use of Digital Engineering (DE) and Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) tools.

• Deployment and sustainment of tactical security systems, wide area surveillance, drone training/sustainment, and RF networks in imminent danger areas.

• Ability to obtain multiple host nation business licenses and Visas.

• Response Deadline: 12 June 2026, 3:00 PM EDT

• Submission Email: mckenna.clippert@us.af.mil

• Classification: UNCLASSIFIED

• Cost: No reimbursement for response costs.

• Questions: Direct to McKenna Clippert at mckenna.clippert@us.af.mil.

• This RFI is for informational and planning purposes only and does not constitute an RFP.

• The Government is receptive to contractor teaming arrangements but requires offerors to fulfill the holistic scope.

• Offerors must be prepared to deliver both physical security and software/cloud hosting aspects under a single prime contract.

• Proprietary information must be clearly marked.

• An ombudsman is available for concerns after attempting resolution with the contracting officer.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI seeks information on industry capabilities for the acquisition and sustainment of Integrated Base Defense (IBD) physical security and force protection electronic security systems. This includes installation and sustainment services for Air Force Security Forces, focusing on electronic security intrusion detection systems.

• Design, development, procurement, installation, integration, testing, certification, and accreditation of IBD systems.

• Performance-based logistical support for IBD systems and equipment at CONUS and OCONUS locations.

• Qualification of Commercial Off-the-Shelf (COTS) equipment for Government Off-The-Shelf (GOTS) systems, specifically the Defender Multi-Domain Command, Control, and Communications (DMDC3) architecture.

• Support to DoD security system architecture development.

• Experience in designing/installing physical security Intrusion Detection Systems (IDS) at OCONUS locations, including those for nuclear material storage/disposal, and in Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIF) or Special Access Program Facilities (SAPF) adhering to Intelligence Community Directives (ICD) and Underwriters Laboratory (UL) 2050 standards.

• Knowledge of Protection Level (PL) 1, 2, 3, and 4 resource security requirements.

• Civil engineering expertise for infrastructure support.

• Experience in developing security systems design, construction, and engineering documentation.

• Security studies, analyses, and surveys using advanced tools.

• Familiarity with Open Mission Systems (OMS) and integrating technology into the DMDC3 platform.

• Network infrastructure configuration (Layer 2/3, VPN, AAA, NTP, SNMP, SysLog) compliant with DoD regulations.

• Certified network engineers.

• Logistics support and sustainment of IDS.

• Program protection plans, anti-tamper plans, and cybersecurity (DISA STIGs) implementation.

• Knowledge of DoD Architecture Framework.

• Quality management systems (ISO 9001-2008).

• Agile DevOps software development pipeline experience.

• Cloud computing environment operation and maintenance experience.

• Personnel and facility security clearances at the SECRET level are mandatory.

• Use of Digital Engineering (DE) and Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) tools.

• Experience in deployment and sustainment of tactical security systems, wide area surveillance, drone training/sustainment, and RF networks.

• Ability to obtain multiple host nation business licenses and Visas.

• Potential IDIQ contract with a 10-year ordering period.

• Estimated IDIQ ceiling: $1B.

• Anticipated orders: 50+ separate installation projects, item/equipment buys, and upgrades.

• Potential for simultaneous sustainment of 50+ sites across vast geographic regions.

• RFP tentatively planned for release in 1QFY27; IDIQ Award in 3QFY27.

• Responses are due by 8 June 2026, 3:00 PM EDT.

• Responses should not exceed 10 single-sided, UNCLASSIFIED pages.

• Submit responses to mckenna.clippert@us.af.mil.

• The government is receptive to prime-subcontractor relationships but requires offerors to fulfill the holistic scope.

• Experience in every specific category is not required, but companies should detail their experience and clearly state where experience is lacking.

• Offerors must possess an active SECRET facility security clearance at the time of submission and maintain it through contract performance; the government will not sponsor clearances.

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

• The government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response.

• Proprietary information must be clearly marked.

• An ombudsman is available for concerns, but initial concerns should be directed to the contracting officer.