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

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the required information and procedures for submitting a visit request to SSC, Innovation and Prototyping Delta. It specifies that if an organization has access to DISS, visits must be sent via DISS to SMO CODE: KV1SFN926. If DISS access is not available, the visit request must be typed on company letterhead, signed by the security manager to verify employment and clearance status, and emailed to ssc.szi.securitybadgeoffi@us.af.mil. Visitors cannot submit their own requests.

• Required Information for Visit Request:
  1. Name
  2. Social Security #
  3. Job Title/Position
  4. Date & Place of Birth
  5. Citizenship
  6. Security clearance level needed (Secret, Top Secret, SCI)
  7. Date of Clearance
  8. Name, Organization & Phone number of Person to be Visited
  9. Purpose & Justification for the Visit
  10. Date or Period of Initial visit, and duration (valid up to 1 year)
  11. Company Name, Address, & Phone Number
  12. Signature of Security Manager
  13. Name of Security Manager
  14. Sending Special Programs (Email visit cert to high side)
• Security Manager Responsibilities: Notify when an employee is no longer employed or visiting to avoid invalid requests on file.
• Processing Time: Allow a minimum of 24 hours for processing.
• Foreign National Visitors: POC must coordinate all visits at least 30 days in advance through MR. SEAN KAZMAR SSC/SZI, Chief of Security @ 505-846-4365.

This document is crucial for any bidder who needs to visit the facility. It details the specific information required, the submission process (including email addresses and security protocols), and advance notice requirements, particularly for foreign nationals. Failure to follow these procedures may invalidate a visit request.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides a map and directions to Building 414, Conference Room 3, located at 3548 Aberdeen Ave SE, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117. It indicates that this building is the location for a site visit, with parking available across the street.

• A map of Kirtland AFB showing various buildings and streets.
• A blue arrow pointing to Building 414.
• The address for Building 414: 3548 Aberdeen Ave SE, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117.
• Information that parking is available across the street from Building 414.

This document is crucial for bidders planning to attend a site visit. It provides the exact location and directions, ensuring attendees can find the designated building and parking.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "DISS Visit Request" form used to request access to a facility or system through the Defense Information System for Security (DISS). It is for submission to the hosting Security Management Office (SMO).

• Hosting SMO code
• Visit Location
• Visit Details: Visit Name (max 20 characters), Start Date, End Date, Access Level (default is None), Reason, and optional Visit Notes.
• Point of Contact Information: First Name, Last Name, Phone Number (10 digit Comm), and POC Email.
• Who is Attending: Requires verification of personnel listed having the necessary clearance.

This form is required for personnel needing to visit a DISS facility or system. Bidders may need to complete and submit this form for their personnel to attend meetings, conduct site visits, or perform other activities related to the opportunity, especially if classified access is involved. It outlines the information required for such requests.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document provides an Executive Summary and outlines the Evaluation Factors for the Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems (HADES) Services opportunity (FA8809-26-R-B002). It details how proposals will be evaluated.

The evaluation will be conducted under three main factors:

• Factor 1 - Technical (Most Important): Evaluated across five subfactors:

  • Subfactor 1.1: Program Management - Administrative Requirements (Pass/Fail)
  • Subfactor 1.2: Program Management - Staffing/Labor Profile (Adjectival)
  • Subfactor 1.3: Program Management - Emerging Requirements Response (Adjectival - Primary Discriminator)
  • Subfactor 1.4: Systems Engineering - SE Approach and Methodology (Adjectival)
  • Subfactor 1.5: Systems Engineering - Configuration Management (Pass/Fail)

• Factor 2 - Past Performance (Second Most Important): Assesses confidence in successful performance based on recency, relevancy, and quality of past contracts within the last five years.

• Factor 3 - Cost/Price (Least Important): Evaluates price reasonableness, cost realism, and determines the Total Evaluated Price (TEP).

• The document references "SUBJECT TO CHANGE" and "SUBJECT TO CHANGE" multiple times, indicating potential revisions.

• It outlines the relative importance of factors, with Technical and Past Performance combined being significantly more important than Cost/Price.

• Best Value Tradeoff: The government may select a higher-priced proposal with superior technical and past performance.

• Pass/Fail Criteria: Subfactors 1.1 (Admin Requirements) and 1.5 (Configuration Management) must be passed for a proposal to be considered awardable.

• Discriminators: Subfactor 1.3 (Emerging Requirements Response) is the primary technical discriminator. Subfactors 1.2 and 1.4 are secondary discriminators.

• Cost/Price: Evaluated for fairness, reasonableness, realism, and balance. TEP includes proposed price, government most probable cost adjustments, and data rights costs.

Not explicitly detailed in this executive summary.

• This document is an "Executive Summary | Evaluation Factors" and is subject to change.
• Distribution is approved for public release and is unlimited.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides government responses to industry questions regarding the HADES solicitation, clarifying various aspects of the solicitation, including the Award Fee Plan, Contract Data Requirements List (CDRLs), Data Rights, ordering periods, system requirements, and proposal submission instructions.

• Award Fee Plan: The government will consider recommendations for improvements to the Award Fee Plan, including potential adjustments to fee percentages and evaluation criteria. Specific feedback on the proposed award fee structure and its impact on contractor performance incentives has been addressed.
• CDRLs: Clarifications have been provided regarding the applicability of EVMS (Earned Value Management System), the format and timing of Integrated Master Schedules (IMS), and the titles and references for specific CDRLs (e.g., A008, A026).
• Data Rights: The government expects technical data and computer software developed with government funds to be delivered with Government Purpose Rights or Unlimited Rights, in accordance with DFARS clauses. Assertions of Limited or Restricted Rights will be evaluated for potential vendor lock-in.
• Proposal Submission: Instructions for proposal submission have been clarified, including file formats (PDF, Excel for pricing), electronic submission methods (PIEE, DoD SAFE), and the organization of proposal volumes.
• Past Performance: The government has provided updated criteria for past performance evaluation, including relevancy definitions, recency requirements, and the use of CPARS and questionnaires.
• Staffing: Notional staffing plans are provided as estimates, and offerors are encouraged to propose efficient staffing strategies. The government is open to alternative staffing levels if justified.

These clarifications aim to provide bidders with a more comprehensive understanding of the solicitation requirements, evaluation criteria, and submission guidelines, enabling more accurate and compliant proposals. Several sections of the solicitation have been or will be updated based on industry feedback.

Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This PWS supplements the originating Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems (HADES) IDIQ PWS. It specifically expands on the requirements for system sustainment and maintaining system stability for the Jaguar ground system and its supporting infrastructure at the Satellite Operations Center (SOC) and Payload Operations Center (POC). The goal is to accelerate mission design and ground integration, launch and on-orbit operations, ground system tests, and rapid fielding to provide reliable, low-cost access to space.

• Sustainment of the Jaguar ground system and supporting infrastructure at the SOC and POC.

• Engineering, development, and sustainment of the SOC and POC ground systems.

• Development and support for program test and integration activities.

• Sustainment support for external customers.

• Planning, procurement, development, installation, testing, and operational readiness for Jaguar ground systems.

• Development and sustainment activities for OCONUS Ground Terminals (GTs), including remote troubleshooting and patching, and supporting infrastructure maintenance.

• Support for specific systems including GCC, GEMMA, architecture supporting spacecraft bus and payload TT&C (MUS software), and Compunetix phone system.

• Limited support to the Alternate Ground Terminal (AGT) and OCONUS GTs.

• Information system security engineer work, single point of failure analysis, automation efforts, and continuous improvement efforts.

• Hardware support for Compunetix system integration.

• Proactive procurement, installation, integration, test, and deployment of new IA-approved hardware, software, peripherals, and network equipment.

• Procurement of all Jaguar hardware and software per the Government-approved Bill of Materials (BOM).

• On-location and over-the-phone support for external customers.

• Management of storage and accountability of hardware components for the Jaguar mission.

• Management of Compunetix equipment accountability.

• Sustainment of PTC 2, 3, & 4 hardware and infrastructure, including technical refreshes and procurement of necessary HW, SW, and peripherals.

• On-site support, 24x7 on-call support with a 2-hour response time.

• Participation in contractor-supported meetings.

• Development of procedures for recovery from ground system maintenance and anomalies.

• Ensuring Jaguar SOC and POC ground system infrastructure is mission capable.

• Coordination with operations teams for pre- and post- activities.

• Verification and ensuring mission databases are optimal, redundant, and in-sync.

• Over-the-phone support for Compunetix phone system, LLVD, File share, and VPOAT.

• Maintenance of spares and repair inventory for the Compunetix system.

• Supporting infrastructure maintenance (Power, HVAC, Facility, Network).

• Software setup, development, and configuration.

• COMSEC and Cybersecurity support.

• Defensive Cybersecurity Operations (DCO).

• Special studies on current capabilities and courses of action (COA) upon government request.

• Packaging and shipping hardware for sustainment activities (excluding direct shipment to OCONUS locations).

• POC ground systems availability: at least 99% in any sliding 30-day window.

• SOC ground system availability: at least 95% in any sliding 30-day window.

• Response time to system failure: less than 2 hours after notification.

• Weekly & Monthly system availability reports.

• Primarily at the RSC located at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.

• May include occasional travel to contractor facilities for collaboration and integration testing.

• Remote support for OCONUS GTs and AGTs.

• Personnel supporting Jaguar requiring access to the POC must have a Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility (obtained within 120 days of hiring).

• Contractor bears all financial responsibility for obtaining clearances and SCI eligibility for their personnel.

• Appointment of a Task Order Manager.

• Estimated travel: <5 days per quarter (CONUS and OCONUS).

• Hardware and software purchases require Government approval.

• Contractor will not ship to OCONUS locations; will transfer necessary OCONUS shipments to a government-directed party.

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

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) supplements the originating Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems (HADES) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) PWS. Its primary objective is to provide comprehensive IT and operational support for the hybrid-cloud ground control environment, ensuring continuous mission execution for the Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Support Complex Common User Equipment and Communications (RSC CUE & COMM) system.

• Sustainment of existing on-premises hardware, software, and communications connections.

• Sustainment of a GovCloud environment for tools, applications, and workload hosting.

• Coordination with government organizations for sustainment and upgrades to the Satellite Control Network (SCN).

• Maintenance of a functional environment between the RSC CUE & COMM, the SCN, and mission partners.

• Provision of services for other commercial and government antenna networks connected to the RSC CUE & COMM system.

• Engineering, development, integration, and sustainment services primarily at Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB), New Mexico.

• Occasional travel to contractor facilities for collaboration and integration testing.

• Management of on-premises hardware and software, private cloud resources, and integration/orchestration of all components.

• The contractor shall provide 24/7/365 monitoring and support for RSC CUE & COMM, including on-premises and cloud infrastructures.

• Proactive maintenance, troubleshooting, and incident response to ensure government specified RAM metrics are met.

• Resolution of identified problems within 2 hours during business hours and 3 hours during non-business hours.

• System rollbacks (if needed) within 2 hours during business hours and 3 hours during non-business hours.

• Primarily at Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB), New Mexico.

• Occasional travel to contractor facilities.

• Staff must possess and maintain active certifications relevant to their assigned roles (e.g., AWS Certified Solutions Architect - Professional, Azure Solutions Architect Expert for key personnel).

• At least 50% of technical staff supporting ground control systems must have relevant associate-level certifications.

• Personnel performing in cyberspace work roles must comply with DODD 8140 certification requirements.

• Implementation and maintenance of a comprehensive cybersecurity program.

• Management of firewalls, intrusion detection/prevention systems (IDS/IPS).

• Management and protection of all data, including backup, disaster recovery, and integrity.

• Creation of contingency plans for government approval.

• Configuration of Mission-Unique Software (MUS) scripts.

• Procurement, logistics, and lifecycle management of hardware materials.

• Integration with existing RDSMO architectures, networks, and interfaces.

• Adherence to government-approved processes for requirements development, change control, and risk management.

• On-site hardware support, troubleshooting, and maintenance during normal business hours, with on-call support during non-business hours.

• Finalization of system documentation within 3 business days of system changes.

• Software development to enhance capabilities, including new applications and modernization of legacy systems.

• Development and proposal of cloud architecture solutions.

• Software integration services, including third-party software.

• Facility services including Power Distribution and Resiliency Support and Network Infrastructure Support.

• Management of the hybrid cloud environment, including resource provisioning, cost management, and performance optimization.

• Management and maintenance of network connectivity between on-premises and cloud environments.

• Other activities including COMSEC, Cybersecurity, and Cybersecurity Operations (DC0).

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 prototype and operational satellite ground systems, satellite operations centers (SOCs), and associated support services to accelerate mission design, ground integration, launch, operations, testing, and rapid fielding for the warfighter.

The contractor will provide engineering, development, integration, and sustainment services for satellite ground systems and SOCs. Key activities include:

• Supporting current and new satellite missions through their lifecycle.

• Developing and managing spacecraft ground systems and test support.

• Providing program management, cost management, information management, and quality control.

• Ensuring robust security and data handling protocols, including managing classified materials and access.

• Performing risk management, training, configuration management, and logistics support.

• Supporting concept development, ground system engineering, development, integration, sustainment, and decommissioning.

• Managing facility services including power distribution, HVAC, furniture maintenance, network infrastructure, and space optimization.

• Providing comprehensive software support services, including setup, development, and configuration.

• Offering specialized support in Communication Security (COMSEC), Cryptographic Support, Cybersecurity, Defensive Cybersecurity Operations (DCO), and Special Studies.

• Contractor personnel must maintain required security clearances (Secret, Top Secret, SCI).

• Compliance with Air Force Instructions (AFI) 33-119 and AFI 33-202V1 for computer system access.

• Adherence to Government operating instructions, policies, and procedures.

• Management of Government Furnished Property (GFP) with high accountability standards.

• Maintaining facility accreditation and ensuring 99.99% uptime for backup power solutions.

• Responding to HVAC malfunctions within specified timeframes.

• Ensuring network availability of at least 99.95% and 24/7 support for network issues.

• Primarily at the Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) Support Complex (RSC) at Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico.

• Task Orders (TOs) will specify individual periods of performance.

• Security clearances are mandatory, ranging from Secret to Top Secret/SCI depending on the role.

• Contractor personnel must identify themselves as contractors in all communications.

• Contractor-occupied facilities must be clearly identified.

• Continuity of service is critical during contract transition (90-day phase-in, phase-out).

• Cooperation with The Aerospace Corporation (FFRDC) is required for technical reviews and support.

• Associate Contractor Agreements (ACAs) may be required with listed entities like a.i. solutions, Inc.

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

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) supplements the originating Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems (HADES) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) PWS. It details the technical operational requirements for the development, management, and sustainment of systems within the Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Support Complex (RSC) at Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB), New Mexico.

The contractor shall provide day-to-day operational support, maintain full mission readiness, and ensure the RSC environment supports multi-mission, multi-classification space operations. This includes sustaining existing capabilities, developing and integrating new requirements, ensuring secure system performance, and delivering responsive support. Tasks are primarily performed at the RSC, with potential travel for collaboration.

Key applicable sections from the HADES IDIQ PWS include:

• Scope (1.2)
• Access Department of the Air Force Computer Systems (1.3)
• Basic Services (2.0)
• Contract Transition (2.1)
• Support Services (2.2), including Program Management, Cost Management, Information Management, Security and Data Handling, Quality Control, Risk Management, Training and Certification, Configuration Management, Procurement, Logistics and Lifecycle Management.
• Ground Systems Services (2.3), covering Engineering and Design, Development, Integration, Sustainment, and Decommission/Disposal.
• Facility Services (2.4), including Power Distribution, HVAC, Facility/Furniture Maintenance, Network Infrastructure, and Space Optimization.
• Software Support Services (2.5).
• Other Activities (COMSEC and Cybersecurity) (2.6).

Specific tasks include:

• Maintaining accountability and documentation for all hardware.
• Managing Government Furnished Property (GFP).
• Developing technology refresh packages.
• Performing maintenance on the Rendezvous and Proximity Video Distribution System (RVDS), including system administration, network and connection troubleshooting, and monthly computer logins.
• Providing on-site hardware support during business hours and on-call support during non-business hours with defined resolution times (2 hours during business, 3 hours non-business).

Primarily at the RSC located at Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB), New Mexico.

• Compliance with TSCO and GSSO policies for hardware accountability.
• Collaboration with RVDS system manufacturer for technical support.
• Government approval required for changes to the operational baseline, except for government-directed fixes.
• Adherence to specific resolution times for identified problems.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines a proposed staffing plan for the opportunity, detailing the labor categories and their corresponding Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) allocations.

• Labor Categories: Task Order Manager (TOM), System Administrator (SA), Drafter, Network Engineer (NE), Cyber, System Engineer (SE), Hardware Engineer.
• FTE Allocation: Specifies the number of Full-Time Equivalents required for each labor category.
  • Task Order Manager (TOM): 1 FTE
  • System Administrator (SA): 2 FTE
  • Drafter: 1 FTE
  • Network Engineer (NE): 2 FTE
  • Cyber: 2 FTE
  • System Engineer (SE): 2 FTE
  • Hardware Engineer: 0.75 FTE
• Total Staffing: A total of 10 FTEs are planned.

This staffing plan provides potential bidders with insight into the personnel resources anticipated for the contract. It can inform resource allocation strategies, team composition, and pricing models when preparing proposals.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document presents a notional schedule for the HADES contract, outlining the planned periods for various components and phases. It serves as a high-level timeline for potential bidders to understand the contract's duration and key milestones.

• HADES Components: Lists specific elements such as Jaguar TO, Ground Support TO, Ground Control TO, R2C2 TO, Olympic Javelin TO, Ground System 2 TO, and Special Studies TO.
• Contract Periods: Divides the schedule into fiscal years (GFY 2027-2034) and quarters (Q1-Q4), encompassing Base Periods 1-3 and Option Years 1-4.
• Key Milestones: Indicates the end of Ground System 2 Integration and the beginning of Sustainment.
• Assumptions: Notes that UPS replacements are assumed every 5 years.

This schedule provides potential bidders with insight into the expected contract duration and the phasing of different work elements. It helps in understanding the long-term commitment and the timing of various project phases, which can inform proposal development and resource planning. The note that the schedule is notional and subject to change is also important context.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "SECTION J – ATTACHMENT 3 AWARD FEE PLAN," outlines the framework for determining and awarding performance-based fees for the Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems (HADES) contract. It details the processes, organization, and criteria the Government will use to evaluate the contractor's performance and calculate earned award fees.

• Award-Fee Process: Describes the step-by-step evaluation process, including continuous monitoring, quarterly and end-of-period evaluations, and the roles of Performance Monitors, Area Leads, the Award-Fee Review Board (AFRB), and the Fee Determining Official (FDO).
• Organization and Responsibilities: Identifies key personnel and their roles in the award-fee process, such as the Fee Determining Official, AFRB members, Government Program Manager, Procurement Contracting Officer, Area Leads, and Performance Monitors.
• Evaluation Areas and Criteria: Defines the three main areas for evaluation (Management, Quality of Technical Services, Cost Control) and their respective weightings (40%, 40%, 20%). It also outlines the adjectival ratings (Excellent, Very Good, Good, Satisfactory, Unsatisfactory) and the criteria for each.
• Award-Fee Periods: Specifies the defined evaluation periods throughout the contract's life.
• Award Fee Pool: Details how the available award fee pool is established and allocated to award fee events.
• Contract Termination: Addresses how award fees are handled in the event of contract termination for convenience or default.
• Annexes: Includes supplementary information such as AFRB participants, evaluation criteria details, and sample computations for award fee pools and earnings.

This document is critical for bidders as it directly impacts the potential financial incentives tied to performance. Understanding the evaluation criteria, weighting of different performance areas, and the rating system will allow bidders to tailor their proposals and operational strategies to maximize their potential award fee earnings. It clarifies the Government's expectations for performance beyond minimum requirements and how success will be measured and rewarded.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document, "Attach 4 Section L - Instructions, Condition and Notices to Offerors," is part of a solicitation for the Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems (HADES) Program. The 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 for the United States Air Force's Research and Development Space and Missile Operations (RDSMO) Ground System Enterprise (GSE).

The document outlines the structure and content requirements for proposals, including:

• Volume I: Executive Summary

• Volume II: Technical (including Technical Volume Narrative, Staffing Matrices/Labor Profile, Transition Plan, Cross-Reference Matrix, Contractor Work Breakdown Structure (CWBS))

• Volume III: Cost/Price (including Cost/Price Summaries, Estimating Techniques, Cost Elements by Task Order/CLIN, Business Systems, and Attachments)

• Volume VI: Past Performance (including relevant contracts, performance questionnaires, and narratives)

• Volume V: Contract Documentation (including Model Contract/Representations and Certifications, Small Business Subcontracting Plan, and Professional Employees Compensation and Benefits Plan)

• The contract type is a single IDIQ.

• The period of performance and estimated value are not specified in this document.

• Proposals must be clear, concise, and provide sufficient detail for evaluation.

• The Government intends to make award without discussions.

• Offerors must state that their proposal is valid for 270 calendar days from the proposal due date.

• Proposals are to be submitted digitally via DoD Safe.

• Specific instructions are provided for proposal organization, page limits, format, and electronic submission.

• Evaluation will be based on criteria outlined in Section M (not provided in this document).

• A Small Business Subcontracting Plan is required, with a commitment to meet 25% small business requirement.

• Specific instructions for the Small Business Participation Commitment Document are detailed.

• The document details requirements for classified information, cross-referencing, acronym lists, binding, and electronic offers.

• Non-Government advisors may access submitted data.

• Offerors must address potential Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) situations and submit an OCI Mitigation Plan.

• A Financial Capability Review may be requested.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document contains industry questions and government responses regarding the "Industry Question Responses (Questions Submitted Before 20 Feb 2026)" for an opportunity.

• Award Fee Plan (AF Plan) Evaluation Period: The "Award Fee Plan" shows "Evaluation Period Fourteen" as "10 AUG 23 - 9 FEB 34". The government confirmed this will be corrected to "10 AUG 23 - 9 FEB 34" in the second draft of the RFP.
• Evaluation Area Weightings: Conflicting weightings were noted between Section 3.4 and Annex 3. The government confirmed these will be corrected and standardized in the second draft of the RFP.
• Award Fee Criteria Descriptions: Vague language in Section 3.5 regarding "significant award-fee criteria" will be updated to provide clearer definitions. The award fee percentages have also been corrected in the second draft.
• Technical Services Criteria: The use of "Per Evaluation Period" in the "Quality of Technical Services" criteria was inconsistent. The government is considering recommendations for severity weighting and corrective action speed.
• Cost Control Criteria: The criteria penalizing both over- and under-runs equally will be reviewed. Revisions to the cost control metrics will be reflected in the final RFP.
• Contract Type: The government confirmed the contract type is Cost Plus Award Fee (CPAF), not Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), clarifying a discrepancy between Section I and FAR 52.216-1.
• CMMC Level: The required CMMC level is confirmed as Level 2 or higher, as stated in clause 252.204-7021.
• Earned Value Management System (EVMS): The EVMS requirement will be removed from the contract, as it is not applicable to this program.
• Page Limits: Clarification was provided on page limits for various sections of the proposal, including technical narrative, staffing matrices, and transition plans.
• Past Performance: The government will clarify recency requirements, number of references, dollar value thresholds, and relevancy criteria weighting in the next RFP iteration.
• Appendix A: The government confirmed Appendix A will be included in the final RFP.
• Small Business Offeror Requirements: Small Business Offerors are not required to submit a Small Business Subcontracting Plan.
• OCI Clauses: The government confirmed that OCI clauses will be updated to the current DAFFARS clauses.

This document provides clarifications and corrections that will be incorporated into subsequent drafts of the RFP, impacting proposal preparation and evaluation criteria. Bidders should review these responses carefully to understand the updated requirements and ensure their proposals align accordingly.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation, FA880926RB002, is for "Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems (HADES)". The contract type is contemplated to be Cost-Plus-Award-Fee. The maximum dollar amount the Government may order is $300,000,000.00, with a minimum amount of $3,000,000.00.

The scope of work for technical tasks will be set forth in the HADES Performance Work Statement (PWS) located in Section J, Attachment 1. The PWS covers support services for Ground Operations and Development (GOD) and Research and Development Space and Missile Operations (RDSMO) program Ground System Enterprise (GSE).

• Contract Type: Indefinite Quantity, Cost-Plus-Award-Fee or Firm-Fixed Price for task orders.

• Period of Performance: Ordering period is from 10 Feb 2027 through 09 Feb 2034.

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

• Offers are due by 04:00 PM local time on 20 Mar 2026.

• Evaluation factors are detailed in Section M, Attachment 5.

• Specific instructions for offer submission are in Section L.

• The solicitation includes a Notice of Price Evaluation Preference for HUBZone Small Business Concerns (Section L).

• Key attachments include Ordering Instructions (Attach 2), Award Fee Plan (Attach 3), Section L (Attach 4), Section M (Attach 5), DD 254 (Attach 6), GFP and Inventory List (Attach 7), and Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) (Attach 8).

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, Section J – Attachment 2, outlines the ordering instructions for issuing task orders against the Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems (HADES) Solicitation # FA8809-26-R-B002. It details the procedures and requirements for task order proposals and their subsequent evaluation and award.

• Task orders will be issued by a Contracting Officer in accordance with FAR 52.216-18.
• Contractors are not authorized to commence performance before a task order is issued.
• Each task order will include a Performance Work Statement (PWS) detailing requirements, scope, special terms, and proposal response dates.
• Contractor proposals for task orders must include:
  • A technical description of how work will be performed.
  • A cost proposal with basis of estimate, labor hour estimates by category, and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) elements.
  • A cost model in Excel format broken out by CLIN, detailing labor categories, hours, travel, and materials.
  • Rationale for all non-labor cost elements.
  • Identification and rationale for any required Government property.
  • An award fee milestone schedule.
  • Updates to Program Management Plan, IMS, and other binding plans.
• Costs will be proposed using burdened direct labor rates and Award Fee identified in Section J Attachment 8.
• Proposal preparation costs are not subject to award fee.
• Award fee details for Cost-Plus-Award-Fee (CPAF) CLINs will be specified in each task order.
• Proposals are generally due thirty (30) working days from receipt of the RFP.
• The Government will evaluate technical and cost proposals, potentially holding fact-finding sessions.
• The Contracting Officer will issue a Task Order if the proposal is acceptable; otherwise, negotiations will occur.

This attachment is critical for understanding the process of receiving and responding to task orders under the HADES IDIQ contract. It specifies the required proposal content, cost submission guidelines, award fee structure, and the evaluation process, directly impacting how bidders prepare and submit their proposals for individual task orders.

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 methodology the government will use to select the best overall offer. The acquisition is a best value FAR 16 Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract, with a single proposal required for the IDIQ and three Task Orders (TOs). The government seeks to award to the offeror providing the greatest confidence in meeting or exceeding requirements.

The evaluation will be based on an integrated assessment of Technical/Technical Risk, Past Performance, and Cost/Price. Specific subfactors for Technical evaluation include Program Management and Systems Engineering. Past Performance will be assessed for recency, relevancy, and quality. Cost/Price will be evaluated for reasonableness, cost realism, and unbalanced pricing.

• Contract Type: IDIQ with three Task Orders (TOs).

• Number of Contracts: One contract is intended to be awarded.

• Evaluation Basis: Best value, based on an integrated assessment of Technical/Technical Risk, Past Performance, and Cost/Price.

• Proposal Submission: Initial proposals will be evaluated without discussions; offerors are encouraged to submit their best terms. Discussions may be held if deemed in the government's best interest.

• Evaluation Factors:

  • Factor 1: Technical (Most Important): Includes Program Management and Systems Engineering subfactors.
  • Factor 2: Past Performance (Second Most Important): Assessed for recency, relevancy, and quality.
  • Factor 3: Cost/Price (Least Important): Evaluated for reasonableness, cost realism, and unbalanced pricing.

• Technical Ratings: Uses a color rating methodology (Blue/Outstanding to Red/Unacceptable) for Technical Capability and Technical Risk.

• Past Performance Ratings: Uses confidence assessments (Substantial Confidence to Unknown Confidence).

• Small Business Participation: Offerors must demonstrate small business participation, with specific requirements for small business concerns and other than small business concerns (25% at the first-tier subcontract level).

• Failure to comply with solicitation terms and conditions may result in ineligibility for award.

• The government reserves the right to make no award.

• Offerors must provide sufficient details in their proposal for evaluation.

Other / Unclassified

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Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is an Excel spreadsheet titled "Attach 7 GFP and Inventory List.xlsx" that provides a detailed inventory of equipment, categorized into "Non-GFP Inventory" and "GFP" (Government Furnished Property) sheets. Its purpose is to inform potential bidders about existing assets that may be relevant to the opportunity.

Each inventory item is detailed with the following information:

• CAGE Code: Commercial and Government Entity Code.
• Part Number.
• Serial Number.
• Item Name: Describes the equipment (e.g., SWITCH, SERVER, MONITOR, LAPTOP, HDD, ANALYZER, PRINTER, RACK, UPS, FIREWALL, etc.).
• Quantity Available.
• Vendor Code.
• CAVS Code.
• NSN: National Stock Number (where applicable).
• Expiration Date: For some items, indicating end-of-life or warranty.
• Stocking Unit Price.

The "GFP" sheet also includes a "Status" column, indicating whether an item is "Ready For Issue," "In Service," "Awaiting Disposal," or "Vendor Repair."

Bidders should carefully review this inventory to:

• Understand the scope of Government Furnished Property (GFP) that may be provided for the contract.
• Identify existing equipment that may need to be managed, maintained, integrated, or replaced as part of their proposed solution.
• Assess the condition and lifecycle of critical assets based on their status and expiration dates.
• Factor the value and type of equipment into their technical approach, resource planning, and cost proposal.

Forms / Attachments / Pricing Sheets

This document is a Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) that specifies various data items to be delivered by the contractor. Each item details the data item number, title, authority, frequency, submission dates, and distribution requirements.

• Data Item Numbers (A001-A036): Each entry corresponds to a specific deliverable required from the contractor.
• Titles: Include a wide range of documents such as Transition Plans, Program Management Plans, Contractor Work Breakdown Structures, Risk Management Plans, Systems Safety Program Plans, Financial Improvement & Audit Readiness Plans, Lifecycle Sustainment Plans, Physical Inventory Reports, Funds and Labor Hours Expenditure Reports, Contract Funds Status Reports, Integrated Program Management Reports, Task Order Monthly Reports, Contractor Progress, Status and Management Reports, Logistics Performance Metrics, Development Special Studies, System Engineering Management Plans, Configuration Management Plans, Operational Concept Descriptions, System/Subsystem Design Descriptions, System/Subsystem Specifications, Interface Requirements Specifications, Baseline Description Documents, Physical Configuration Audits, Technical Reports/Studies, Risk Management Framework Packages, Test Plans, Test/Inspection Reports, Engineering Review Board/Configuration Control Board Documentation, Tech Data Packages, Design Review Information, Installation Control Drawings, Interface Design Descriptions, and Government Furnished Material Reports.
• Authorities: Specifies the governing document or standard for each data item (e.g., DI-MGMT-81945, MIL-STD-882, DI-SESS-81785A).
• Frequency and Submission Dates: Outlines when each deliverable is due, including initial submission and subsequent updates.
• Distribution: Details where and how the deliverables should be submitted (e.g., assigned share drive, specific email addresses).

This CDRL is crucial for potential bidders as it clearly defines the expected deliverables and reporting requirements under the contract. Understanding these requirements is essential for accurately estimating the effort and resources needed to fulfill the contract, and for ensuring compliance with government expectations. It provides insight into the contractor's responsibilities for project management, technical documentation, reporting, and quality assurance.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a checklist designed to guide organizations in developing and documenting their Organizational Conflicts of Interest (OCI) Mitigation Plan for a specific acquisition. It outlines the required elements and considerations for a comprehensive OCI plan.

• General Considerations: Corporate commitment statement, business unit structure, organizational charts, and commitment letters from teammates/subcontractors.
• Definitions: Definitions of terms and acronyms used in the OCI Plan.
• Management of OCI Plan: Identification of responsible individuals, documentation location, corporate policies, processes for execution, and requirements for subcontractors.
• OCI Training: Plan for training personnel, identification of non-subject personnel, training frequency, documentation, process for determining personal conflicts, policies to limit employee transfers, non-disclosure agreements (NDAs), debriefing requirements, NDA duration, and disciplinary actions.
• OCI Plan Reviews: Oversight and audit processes, and frequency of corporate audits.
• Description of OCI Situation: Identification and classification of actual and potential OCI situations, applicable contract numbers, customers, and factors creating the OCI situation.
• OCI Mitigation: Proposed avoidance or mitigation techniques, responsible individuals for execution, and specific requirements for situations involving biased ground rules or impaired objectivity.

Bidders responding to solicitations that require an OCI Mitigation Plan should use this checklist to ensure their submitted plan meets all government requirements. It helps in understanding the depth of detail expected regarding corporate structure, personnel responsibilities, training, and specific mitigation strategies for potential conflicts of interest.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document provides a notional schedule for the HADES contract, outlining the planned periods of performance for various tasks and components. It serves as a high-level overview of the contract's timeline.

• The schedule is broken down by fiscal year (GFY) and quarter (Q1-Q4), spanning from GFY 2027 to GFY 2034.
• It lists specific HADES components and tasks, including Jaguar TO, Ground Support TO, Ground Control TO, R2C2 TO, Olympic Javelin TO, Ground System 2 TO, Cloud-Based GS TO, and Special Studies TO.
• Key milestones are indicated with symbols: a yellow triangle for assumed 3 UPS replacements every 5 years, and a red triangle for the end of Ground System 2 integration and the beginning of sustainment.

This schedule provides potential bidders with insight into the expected duration and phasing of different contract activities. It helps in understanding the long-term commitment and the sequencing of work, which can inform proposal development and resource planning. Bidders should note that the schedule is explicitly stated as "notional and subject to change."

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

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) supplements the originating Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems (HADES) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) PWS. It specifically expands on the requirements for system sustainment and maintaining system stability for the Jaguar mission, procured by Space Systems Command (SSC), Systems Delta 89 (SYD89), Innovation and Prototyping (SD), Prototype Ground Development and Sustainment Branch (SDG) at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.

• Sustainment of the Jaguar ground system and supporting infrastructure at the Satellite Operations Center (SOC) and Payload Operations Center (POC).

• Engineering, development, and sustainment of the SOC and POC ground systems.

• Development and support for program test and integration activities.

• Sustainment support for external customers.

• Planning, procurement, development, installation, testing, and operational readiness for Jaguar ground systems.

• Development and sustainment activities for OCONUS Ground Terminals (GTs), including remote troubleshooting, patching, and software upgrades.

• Supporting infrastructure maintenance and upgrades.

• Hardware and software support for the Compunetix phone system.

• Support for Alternate Ground Terminals (AGT) and OCONUS GTs.

• Operational support including hardware, software, system administration, network engineering, and COMSEC.

• Ground system engineering, design, development, integration, sustainment, and decommissioning.

• Software setup, development, and configuration.

• COMSEC, cybersecurity, and defensive cybersecurity operations.

• POC ground systems availability: at least 99% in any sliding 30-day window.

• SOC ground system availability: at least 95% in any sliding 30-day window.

• Downtime for specific PMIs, installs, and Government-approved events will not count against availability.

• Unscheduled downtime counts against availability requirements.

• Response time to system failure: less than 2 hours after notification.

• Weekly & Monthly system availability reports are required.

• Primarily at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.

• May include occasional travel to contractor facilities for collaboration and integration testing.

• On-site support required: System Administrators (16x5), all other functions (8x5).

• 24x7 on-call support with a 2-hour response time.

• Personnel requiring access to the POC need a Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility (obtained within 120 days of hiring).

• Contractor is responsible for obtaining clearances and SCI eligibility for personnel.

• Contractor shall appoint a Task Order Manager.

• Travel (CONUS and OCONUS) estimated at <5 days per quarter.

• Hardware and software purchases require Government approval.

• Contractor will not ship to OCONUS locations; will transfer necessary shipments to a government-directed party.

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

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) supplements the originating Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems (HADES) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) PWS. Its purpose is to detail the engineering, development, integration, and sustainment of technical operational requirements necessary for continuous mission execution at the Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Support Complex (RSC).

The contractor shall provide day-to-day operational support, maintain full mission readiness, and ensure the RSC environment supports multi-mission, multi-classification space operations. This includes sustaining existing RSC capabilities, developing and integrating new or evolving mission requirements, and ensuring secure and reliable system performance. Support may fluctuate based on product development and budget requirements. The contractor must accomplish tasks in this ancillary PWS and the primary HADES IDIQ PWS.

This PWS applies to specific sections of the originating HADES IDIQ PWS, including:

• Scope: 1.2, 1.3 (Access Department of the Air Force Computer Systems), 2.0 (Basic Services)
• Contract Transition: 2.1
• Support Services (2.2): Program Management, Cost Management, Information Management, Security and Data Handling, Quality Control, Risk Management, Training and Certification, Configuration Management, Procurement, Logistics and Lifecycle Management, Concept Development.
• Ground Systems Services (2.3): Ground System Engineering and Design, Ground System Development, Ground System Integration, Ground System Sustainment, Ground System Decommission, Disposal, and/or Transfer.
• Facility Services (2.4): Power Distribution and Resiliency Support, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Support, Facility and Furniture Maintenance, Network Infrastructure Support, Space Optimization and Layout.
• Software Support Services (2.5)
• Other Activities (COMSEC & Cybersecurity) (2.6)

Specific tasks include:

• Performing maintenance on the Rendezvous and Proximity Video Distribution System (RVDS), including system administration, debugging, and repair of network and touch panel connections.
• Providing on-site hardware support, troubleshooting, and maintenance during normal business hours, with on-call support during non-business hours (2-hour resolution during business hours, 3-hour resolution during non-business hours).
• Developing technology refresh packages in accordance with the Life Cycle Sustainment plan.

Services are primarily performed at the RSC located at Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB), New Mexico. Occasional travel to contractor facilities for collaboration and integration testing may be required.

• The contractor must work with the RVDS system manufacturer for reach-back technical support.
• Attend proprietary training for RVDS system as required.
• Monthly logins to specific networks (NIPR, SIPR, JWICS, SGN) connected via the RVDS system.
• Maintain complete accountability and documentation for all unclassified and classified hardware.
• Manage, maintain, control, procure, issue, inventory, and safeguard all Government Furnished Property (GFP).

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

This Performance Work Statement (PWS) supplements the originating Hybrid Architecture and Development for Experimental Systems (HADES) Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) PWS. Its primary objective is to provide comprehensive IT and operational support for a hybrid ground control environment, ensuring continuous mission execution on the Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation Support Complex (RSC).

• Provide day-to-day operational support for the RSC environment.

• Maintain full mission readiness and ensure the RSC environment supports multi-mission, multi-classification space operations.

• Sustain existing RSC capabilities.

• Develop and integrate new or evolving mission requirements.

• Ensure secure and reliable system performance.

• Deliver responsive support to all programs operating within or dependent upon the RSC.

• Perform engineering, development, integration, and sustainment services.

• Provide associated support services primarily at Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB), New Mexico.

• May include occasional travel for collaboration and integration testing.

• Manage on-premises hardware and software, private cloud resources, and integration/orchestration of all components.

• The PWS requirements are derived from the originating HADES PWS.

• Specific performance objectives are detailed within the document, applicable to this effort.

• Contractors must ensure system availability requirements are met.

• Resolution times for identified problems are specified (e.g., within 2 hours during business hours, 3 hours during non-business hours).

• Primarily at the RSC located at Kirtland Air Force Base (KAFB), New Mexico.

• Occasional travel may be required.

• Supplement the originating HADES IDIQ PWS.

• Support simultaneous multi-level missions.

• Sustain and develop hybrid on-premises and cloud-based ground systems.

• Maintain cybersecurity compliance and integration activities.

• Staffing plan to be proposed and approved by the government.

• Daily status of testing activities, including technical schedule issues, to be provided.

• Document Operational Assessment Test (OAT) results or mission-impacting issues.

• All contractors must complete security training as directed by the government.

• Provide security escort services for uncleared and unauthorized individuals in designated areas.

• Use government-directed software for tracking.

• Consult government prior to initiating Root Cause Analysis (RCA) or Lessons Learned investigations.

• Responsible for risk identification and mitigation.

• Responsible for updating, documenting, storing, and maintaining all system training materials and records.

• Responsible for configuration of Mission-Unique Software (MUS) scripts, and creating, updating, or modifying them.

• Review scripts, licenses, MUS, hardware, adjacent systems, and control items for impact assessment.

• Procurement, logistics, and lifecycle management of hardware materials, including Government Furnished Property (GFP).

• Develop and maintain a lifecycle sustainment plan.

• Develop technology refresh packages.

• Troubleshoot and replace failing/failed components to restore system operations and maintain system availability.

• Provide on-call hardware support.

• Ground system solutions must integrate with existing RDSMO architectures, networks, and interfaces.

• All capabilities must remain interoperable with government, commercial, and Kirtland-based ground stations.

• System designs must align with SSC/SZI enterprise standards, configuration management processes, and approved technical baselines.

• Changes must be compatible with legacy instantiations and future modernization paths.

• Support must ensure seamless continuity with services previously provided under EDIS 2020.

• Adhere to government-approved processes for requirements development, change control, and risk management.

• Perform system rollbacks as needed.

• Finalize system documentation to reflect changes within 3 business days.

• Conduct conceptual studies to produce a broad spectrum of ideas or alternatives (Analysis of Alternatives - AoA).

• Coordinate CCB and ERB packages.

• Provide facility services, including power distribution, HVAC, and maintenance.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, titled "Jaguar Staffing Plan," outlines the proposed staffing levels for a project or contract. It details the Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) allocation for various labor categories.

• Labor Categories: Task Order Manager, System Engineer, System Administrator, Network Engineer, Hardware Engineer, Software Engineer, Test & Evaluation, Cybersecurity/IA, Configuration Management, and Logistics Support.
• FTE Allocation: Specific FTE numbers are provided for each labor category.
• Total FTE: The total estimated FTE requirement is 24.5.

This staffing plan provides insight into the expected personnel resources required for the opportunity. Bidders can use this information to inform their own staffing strategies, resource planning, and proposal development, ensuring they can meet the projected personnel needs.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines a notional staffing plan for Ground Support, detailing the labor categories and Full-Time Equivalent (FTE) requirements.

• Labor Categories: Task Order Manager, System Engineer, System Administrator, Network Engineer, Hardware Engineer, COMSEC Responsible, Officer/Security Support, Cybersecurity/IA, Configuration Management, and Logistics Support.
• FTE Requirements: Specifies the number of FTEs required for each labor category, ranging from 0.5 to 1.
• Total FTEs: The plan indicates a total of 8 FTEs are required.

This staffing plan provides potential bidders with insight into the personnel resources anticipated for the Ground Support function. It can inform proposal development by indicating the types and quantity of labor the government expects to be resourced under the contract.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines a notional staffing plan for Ground Control, detailing the labor categories and the number of Full-Time Equivalents (FTEs) required for each. This information is likely intended to inform bidders about the expected personnel composition for the opportunity.

• Task Order Manager (TOM): 1 FTE
• System Administrator (SA): 2 FTEs
• Drafter: 1 FTE
• Network Engineer (NE): 2 FTEs
• Cyber: 2 FTEs
• System Engineer (SE): 2 FTEs
• Total Staffing: 10 FTEs

This staffing plan provides insight into the skill sets and personnel levels anticipated for the contract. Bidders should consider this information when developing their technical approach, resource allocation, and pricing strategies to ensure they can meet the projected staffing needs.

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 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, "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 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 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.