HADES (Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems) Draft Request for Proposal

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) outlines the requirements for the Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems (HADES) contract. The primary goal is to procure and support prototype and operational satellite ground systems, satellite operations centers (SOCs), and related services to accelerate mission design, ground integration, launch, on-orbit operations, ground system tests, and rapid fielding, thereby providing reliable, low-cost access to space.

The contractor will perform satellite ground system and satellite operations center engineering, development, integration, and sustainment, along with associated support services. Key areas include:

• Support Services: Including program management, cost management, information management, and security and data handling.
• Ground System Services: Encompassing engineering and design, development, integration, sustainment, and decommissioning/disposal.
• Facility Services: Including power distribution, HVAC, facility and furniture maintenance, and network infrastructure support.
• Software Support Services: Covering setup, development, and configuration.
• Other Activities: Including Communication Security (COMSEC) and Cryptographic Support, and Cybersecurity.

While specific metrics are detailed within individual Task Orders (TOs), general requirements include:

• Ensuring continuity of service during phase-in/phase-out.
• Maintaining high-quality products and services.
• Adhering to security clearances (Secret, Top Secret, SCI).
• Providing timely and accurate reporting.
• Maintaining 98% or better inventory accuracy for unclassified components and 100% accountability for classified components.
• Ensuring 99.99% uptime for backup power solutions.
• Responding to HVAC malfunctions within 2-4 hours.
• Providing 24/7 network support with outages resolved within 1-4 hours.

Services will primarily be performed at the Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) Support Complex (RSC) at Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico. The period of performance will be defined by individual Task Orders.

• Security Clearances: Secret, Top Secret, and Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) are required.
• Access to Air Force Computer Systems: Requires compliance with AFI 33-119 and AFI 33-202V1, and a National Agency Check or Entrance National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI).
• Government Furnished Property (GFP): Contractor will manage, maintain, and control GFP.
• Associate Contractor Agreements (ACA): Required for joint participation and information sharing.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation, FA880926RB002, is for "Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems (HADES)" and is intended to procure support services for Ground Operations and Development (GOD) and Research and Development Space and Missile Operations (RDSMO) program Ground System Enterprise (GSE).

The contract will be an Indefinite Quantity contract with a maximum dollar amount of $300,000,000.00 and a minimum amount of $3,000,000.00. Task orders issued under this contract will be either Cost-Plus-Award-Fee or Firm-Fixed-Price. The Performance Work Statement (PWS) is detailed in Section J, Attachment 1.

• Contract Type: Indefinite Quantity

• Period of Performance: Ordering periods vary by CLIN, with the earliest starting February 10, 2027, and the latest ending February 9, 2034.

• Estimated Value: Maximum $300,000,000.00; Minimum $3,000,000.00.

• Submission Deadline: Offers are due by 04:00 PM local time on March 20, 2026.

• Evaluation Criteria: Section M outlines the evaluation factors for award, referencing FAR Clause 52.217-5 (Evaluation of Options).

• NAICS Code: 541715

• Size Standard: 1000 Employees

• The solicitation includes numerous FAR and DFARS clauses incorporated by reference and in full text, covering areas such as contract administration, payment instructions, special contract requirements, representations and certifications, and cybersecurity requirements (CMMC Level 2 required).

• Attachments include the PWS, Ordering Instructions, Award Fee Plan, Section L, and Section M.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, Section J - Attachment 2, outlines the ordering procedures for issuing task orders against the Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems (HADES) contract (Solicitation FA8809-26-R-B002). It details how task orders will be issued, the requirements for contractor proposals, and the evaluation process.

• Task Order Issuance: Task orders will be issued by a Contracting Officer in accordance with FAR 52.216-18. Performance is not authorized prior to issuance.
• Core Sustainment & Management: If a task order for Core Sustainment and Management is not issued for an ordering period, subsequent periods are void. Customer support task orders are contingent on a Core Sustainment and Management task order.
• Task Order RFP Process: When a government need arises, a task order Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued, including a Performance Work Statement (PWS), special terms, and proposal response date.
• Contractor Proposal Requirements: Proposals must include a technical description, cost proposal with basis of estimate (labor hours by category, WBS elements), cost model, non-labor cost rationale, government property identification, award fee milestone schedule, and updated program plans.
• Award Fee: Task orders with CPAF CLINs will specify award fee pool contributions and will be executed via an administrative CLIN under the Core Sustainment and Management task order.
• Proposal Due Date: Proposals are due thirty (30) working days from receipt of the RFP, unless otherwise indicated.
• Evaluation: The Contracting Officer and team will evaluate technical and cost proposals. Fact-finding sessions may be held. If acceptable, a Task Order will be issued. Negotiations may occur if the proposal is not fully acceptable.

This attachment is critical for understanding the process of receiving and responding to individual task orders under the HADES contract. It details the specific information and documentation required for task order proposals, the evaluation criteria, and the timeline for proposal submission and award. Bidders must adhere to these ordering instructions to successfully compete for and execute work under the contract.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "SECTION J – ATTACHMENT 3 - AWARD FEE PLAN," outlines the framework for evaluating contractor performance and determining award fees for the Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems (HADES) contract. It serves as the quality assurance surveillance plan.

• Award Fee Process: Details the steps for performance evaluation, including continuous monitoring, quarterly surveillance meetings, and end-of-period evaluations.
• Organization and Responsibilities: Defines the roles of the Fee Determining Official (FDO), Award-Fee Review Board (AFRB), Government Program Manager (GPM), Procurement Contracting Officer (PCO), Area Leads, and Performance Monitors.
• Evaluation Criteria: Outlines three main areas for evaluation: Management (40%), Quality of Technical Services (40%), and Cost Control (20%). Specific criteria and performance levels (Unsatisfactory to Excellent) are detailed for each area.
• Award-Fee Ratings: Defines adjectival ratings (Excellent, Very Good, Good, Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory) and their corresponding award fee percentages.
• Evaluation Periods: Lists the specific date ranges for each of the fourteen award fee evaluation periods.
• Award Fee Plan Change Procedure: Describes the process for modifying the award fee plan.
• Contract Termination: Addresses how award fees are handled in cases of termination for convenience or default.
• Annexes: Includes details on Award-Fee Review Board Participants, Award-Fee Evaluation Criteria, Sample Award-Fee Computation, and Sample Available Award Fee Pools and Earnings.

This document is crucial for bidders as it clearly defines how their performance will be assessed and how award fees will be earned under the HADES contract. Understanding these criteria, evaluation processes, and responsibilities is essential for developing a proposal that aligns with the government's expectations and for managing contract performance effectively to maximize potential award fees.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document, Section L - Instructions, Condition and Notices to Offerors, provides instructions for preparing proposals for the Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems (HADES) Program. The HADES acquisition is for a new, single Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract for follow-on services supporting the Space Systems Command System Delta 89/Innovation and Prototyping Division Ground (SDG) at Kirtland Air Force Base, NM. The contract will provide engineering, development, integration, and sustainment services supporting the United States Air Force's (USAF) Research and Development Space and Missile Operations (RDSMO) Ground System Enterprise (GSE).

Proposals must be compliant with the Performance Work Statement (PWS) and Task Order (TO) PWS, and Model Contract. Proposals should be clear, concise, and include sufficient detail for evaluation, as the Government intends to make award without discussions. Offerors must provide rationale for how they intend to meet requirements, assuming the Government has no prior knowledge of their facilities or experience.

• The proposal acceptance period is specified in Section A of the model contract/solicitation.

• Proposals must be valid for 270 calendar days from the proposal due date.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically to the PCO at the provided email address or physically to the specified address at Kirtland AFB, NM.

• Proposals are due on a TBD date.

• The proposal shall be organized into five volumes: Executive Summary, Technical, Cost/Price, Past Performance, and Contract Documentation.

• Specific page limits and formatting requirements are detailed for each volume.

• Cost/Price information shall not be included in the Technical Volume.

• Oral Presentations will not be conducted.

• The document mentions a 25% small business requirement and requires Offerors to describe how their Small Business Participation Commitment Document (SBPCD) will ensure this requirement is met.

• Non-Government advisors from The Aerospace Corporation and Tecolote Research, Inc. may review proposals. Offerors must notify the PCO in writing if they object to this release within 15 calendar days of solicitation release.

• Classified responses are not anticipated, but a protocol for a classified key is provided if necessary.

• Offerors must provide a statement of agreement to all terms and conditions.

• Information regarding Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) mitigation is required.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document, Section M of the solicitation for the Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems (HADES) Program, outlines the evaluation factors and subfactors that will be used to assess proposals. The acquisition is a best value FAR 16 Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract. The government intends to award one contract for the HADES acquisition, but reserves the right to make no award. Proposals will be evaluated based on an integrated assessment of Technical/Technical Risk and Cost/Price to determine the best value to the Government.

• The solicitation requests a single proposal for the IDIQ contract and for 3 Task Orders (TOs). The proposed efforts for all 3 TOs will be evaluated collectively.

• Offerors must meet all solicitation requirements, including terms and conditions, small business subcontracting plans, OCI analysis results, representations, certifications, and technical requirements.

• This is a best value IDIQ acquisition.

• Evaluation Factors:

  • Factor 1: Technical (Most Important)
    • Subfactor 1: Systems Engineering
    • Subfactor 2: Program Management
  • Factor 2: Cost/Price (Least Important)

• Technical Evaluation: Includes Technical Capability Rating and Technical Risk Rating. Ratings are applied at the subfactor level using a color-coded system (Blue/Outstanding to Red/Unacceptable for Capability; Low to Unacceptable for Risk).

• Cost/Price Evaluation: Will assess reasonableness, cost realism, and unbalanced pricing. The Total Evaluated Price (TEP) will be calculated, incorporating the Government's Most Probable Cost (MPC).

• Discussions: The Government intends to make award upon evaluation of initial proposals without discussions. Offerors are encouraged to submit their best efforts in their initial proposals.

• Key Deadlines: Not explicitly stated in this section, but proposal submission instructions are referenced in Section L.

• Small Business: For Subfactor 2 (Program Management), offerors must demonstrate the use of small business participation. Small business offerors must meet the 25% requirement. For other than small business offerors, their Small Business Participation Commitment Document must comply with the 25% requirement and ensure meaningful work for small businesses. This criterion is either met or not met.

• Offerors may consult the HADES Award Fee Plan and relevant Performance Work Statements to determine valued qualities.

• Inconsistencies between the Model Contract and the Cost/Price volume will be resolved with the Model Contract taking precedence.

• Past performance information will be forthcoming in a subsequent iteration of the draft RFP.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a DD Form 254, Contract Security Classification Specification. It provides the security requirements for a contract, including the classification of information to be handled, the level of security required, and the facility clearance needed.

• Contract Number
• Contractor Name and Address
• Government Contracting Activity
• Security Activity
• Classification Guidance
• Handling and Storage Requirements
• Access Requirements
• Disposal Requirements

Bidders must review this form to understand the security obligations associated with the contract. This includes determining if their facility has the required security clearance and if they can meet the specified security requirements. Failure to meet these requirements can disqualify a bidder.