Undersea Warfare Analytical Operational Test and Evaluation Support Services

Solicitation

This solicitation is for Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) support services for the Undersea Warfare Division (Code 40) of the Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR). The services will support the testing and evaluation of undersea warfare systems, including submarine, surface, aviation, and Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) anti-submarine warfare and mine warfare systems. The goal is to assist in the acquisition process by providing timely and accurate evaluations of system performance and resulting capability.

The contractor shall provide support in evaluating the operational effectiveness and suitability of systems under test. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Test design, test planning, modeling and simulation support
• Test execution
• Post-test iterative process and reporting
• Cyber survivability test planning

Specific tasks include Mission Based Test Design (MBTD), requirements analysis, test design, test planning, data collection, data analysis, deficiency/risk documentation, system evaluation, stakeholder collaboration, and document/brief preparation.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)

• Period of Performance: May 16, 2026, to November 15, 2031 (includes option period)

• Estimated Maximum Contract Value: $37,000,000.00

• Minimum Contract Value: $2,500.00

• Proposals are to be submitted electronically via email to Amber Bradley by 10:00 AM ET on March 23, 2026.

• Proposals must be compatible with Microsoft Office Suite version 2016.

• Evaluation will be conducted in two phases:

  • Phase I: Facilities Clearance (Acceptable/Unacceptable)
  • Phase II: Technical Approach (more important than Price), Past Performance (more important than Technical Approach), and Price.

• Technical Approach sub-factors (Staffing Approach and Performance/Management Approach) are weighted equally.

• Past Performance relevancy and quality will be assessed.

• Award will be made to the responsible offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the Government, considering price and other factors.

• This acquisition is set aside 100% for North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) code 541330 (Engineering Services), with a size standard of $47,000,000.00.

• Offerors must be Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses (SDVOSB) eligible under the SDVOSB Program.

• Security clearance requirements include Top Secret with SCI eligibility.

• Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 1 (Self) is required for all information systems processing, storing, or transmitting Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) to solicitation N0018926RW0080001 serves to:

• Answer questions received from potential bidders.

• Add the maximum contract (ceiling) amount to the solicitation.

• Revise the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP) table to correct the deliverable frequency for A003.

• The "MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM QUANTITIES (FFP, SINGLE AWARD IDIQ) (SEP 2015)" section has been modified to state the total contract minimum quantity is $2,500.00 and the total contract maximum quantity is $37,000,000.00.

• The QASP section has been revised, specifically regarding Contract Deliverable A003, to correct the frequency of the Monthly Status Report (MSR) and Financial Status Report.

• The amendment does not explicitly state a change to the proposal submission deadline. However, bidders should review the revised QASP and the added contract ceiling amount to ensure their proposals remain compliant and competitive.

• The purpose of answering questions and clarifying the QASP suggests that bidders should ensure their proposals accurately reflect these updates.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding solicitation N0018926RW008, clarifying requirements and submission details.

• Solicitation Release: The solicitation (N0018926RW008) has been released and is available on SAM.gov.
• Performance Work Statement (PWS): The applicable PWS is included as an attachment to the solicitation N0018926RW008.
• Facilities Clearance (FCL): Offerors must possess an active Top Secret FCL at the time of proposal submission. The government will not amend the solicitation to change this requirement.
• MSR Reporting: The QASP has been revised via amendment 0001. Deliverable A003 (MSR) is due monthly starting after the first month of contract award.
• Proposal Format: PDF versions are acceptable for proposal submissions, including narrative volumes and supporting documentation like FCL and DCAA/DCMA information.
• Security Administration Clause: A specific fill-in clause on page 33 of the RFP will be completed by the government at the time of award.
• PWS Section 5.16: This section is included in the Performance and Management evaluation sub-factor, not the Staffing evaluation sub-factor. Section 5.18 is not present in the PWS.

This Q&A document clarifies key requirements, particularly regarding the Facilities Clearance and MSR reporting, and confirms the acceptability of PDF submissions. Vendors should review these clarifications to ensure their proposals meet all stated requirements.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation is for Undersea Warfare Division 40 Analytical Operational Test and Evaluation Support Services. The objective is to provide technical and analytical support to the Operational Test and Evaluation Force (OPTEVFOR) for the definition, conduct, and analysis of structured Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) of U.S. Navy Undersea Warfare systems. This includes support for documentation review, test design, test execution, data management, test planning, test operations, test analysis and reporting, modeling and simulation, and program management.

• Provide technical and analytical support for OT&E of undersea warfare systems.

• Support includes test design, planning, execution, analysis, modeling, simulation, and program management.

• Specific warfare divisions supported include Undersea Warfare (40), Air Warfare (50), C4ISR (60), and Surface Warfare (70).

• Support for competency divisions: Policy and Operations (01A), Test Design (01B), Test Planning and Analysis (01C), and Cybersecurity Testing (01D).

• The contractor must support various undersea warfare systems, including but not limited to VIRGINIA Class SSN, COLUMBIA Class SSBN, various torpedo programs, and unmanned underwater vehicles.

• Cybersecurity testing integration into the acquisition lifecycle is required.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ).

• Period of Performance: May 16, 2026, to November 15, 2031 (includes option period).

• Estimated Value: NAICS code 541330 with a size standard of USD 47,000,000.00.

• Minimum Contract Quantity: $2,500.00.

• Maximum Contract Quantity: Not specified, but implied by the IDIQ structure.

• Minimum Order: $1.00.

• Maximum Order: Not specified.

• Proposals are due by March 23, 2026, 10:00 AM.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically via email.

• Evaluation will be conducted in two phases: Phase I (Facilities Clearance) and Phase II (Technical Approach, Past Performance, and Price).

• Non-price factors (Technical Approach, Past Performance) are significantly more important than Price.

• Within Phase II, Factor III (Past Performance) is more important than Factor II (Technical Approach).

• Within Factor II, Staffing Approach and Performance/Management Approach are weighted equally.

• Offerors must possess a Top-Secret Facilities Clearance.

• Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 1 (Self) or higher is required for all information systems processing, storing, or transmitting Federal Contract Information (FCI) or Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

• This acquisition is set aside 100% for North American Industry Classification Standard (NAICS) code 541330.

• The contract is specifically for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) concerns.

• Offerors must submit proposals in two volumes: Non-Price and Price.

• Page limitations apply to various sections of the proposal.

• Security clearance requirements include Top Secret with SCI eligibility.

• Travel is anticipated and will be reimbursed according to Joint Travel Regulations and company policy, not to exceed authorized amounts.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Register of Wage Determinations Under the Service Contract Act" for the states of North Carolina and Virginia. It provides the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations when performing contract work covered by the Service Contract Act.

• Occupational Codes and Titles: Lists specific job titles and their corresponding codes.
• Wage Rates: Specifies the minimum hourly wage for each listed occupation.
• Fringe Benefits: Indicates that fringe benefits are required and are to follow the occupational listing (though specific fringe benefit amounts are detailed later in the document).
• Area: Defines the geographic area covered by this wage determination (specific counties in North Carolina and Virginia).
• Executive Orders: Includes notes regarding Executive Order 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and Executive Order 13658 (Establishing Paid Sick Leave for Federal Contractors), outlining their applicability and requirements.
• Vacation and Holidays: Details the minimum paid vacation and holiday provisions for contractors.
• Hazardous Pay Differential: Outlines additional pay for work involving ordnance, explosives, and incendiary materials.
• Uniform Allowance: Specifies requirements for providing and maintaining uniforms.
• Conformance Process: Explains the process for classifying and determining wage rates for occupations not explicitly listed in the determination.

This document is crucial for bidders to understand the minimum labor costs associated with performing the contract. It establishes the baseline wages and benefits that must be paid to service employees, directly impacting the cost proposal. Bidders must ensure their proposed wages meet or exceed these determined rates and fringe benefits to be compliant.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a pricing spreadsheet attachment (Attachment 1) that requires bidders to provide detailed cost breakdowns for labor and travel across multiple performance periods. It serves as a template for submitting pricing information.

• Labor Categories: Includes specific roles such as Program Manager, Test and Evaluation Manager, Engineer, Analyst, Cybersecurity SME, and Data Engineer.

• Performance Periods: Requires pricing for the BASE Year, Year 1 through Year 4, and an additional period for FAR clause 52.217-8 (6 months).

• Hours and Rates: Bidders must input the number of hours and the fully burdened hourly rate for each labor category per period.

• Extended Price: The spreadsheet will calculate the extended price based on hours and rates.

• Labor Subtotals: Sums of labor costs for each performance period.

• Travel Costs: Requires input for unburdened travel, burdens, and the final fully burdened travel amount for each period.

• Labor + Travel Totals: Calculates the combined labor and travel costs per period.

• Overall Total: A final total for the entire five-year period plus the FAR clause 52.217-8 period.

• Provide fully burdened hourly rates for each labor category.

• Complete extended prices and labor subtotals for each performance period.

• Apply burdens to government-provided travel amounts and complete the fully burdened travel amount.

• Sum labor and travel for each period.

• Provide the total for the entire contract duration (5 years + 6 months).

This spreadsheet is critical for bidders to accurately calculate and submit their proposed costs. It dictates the format and detail required for pricing, directly impacting proposal evaluation. Bidders must carefully complete all fields to ensure their pricing is compliant and competitive.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a DD Form 254, Contract Security Classification Specification. It provides security requirements for a contract, including facility clearance levels, safeguarding of classified information, and personnel security requirements. It is used to communicate security needs between the government and contractors.

• Clearance and Safeguarding: Specifies the required level of facility security clearance (Top Secret) and safeguarding for classified information (None).
• Contract Information: Identifies the contract as an original specification dated 20260105, with a due date of 20260326 for solicitation or other number.
• Contractor and Performance Location: Lists OPTEVFOR at 7970 Diven Street, Norfolk VA 23505-1498 as the actual performance location.
• General Unclassified Description: Describes the procurement as task-based support for operational test and evaluation of Undersea Warfare (USW) Division systems, including submarine, surface, aviation, and UUV anti-submarine warfare and mine warfare systems.
• Access Requirements: Details contractor requirements for access to classified information, including potential access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI), National Intelligence Information, and Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
• Security Guidance: Outlines specific provisions for the protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and references OPTEVFOR Instruction 5239.7.
• Points of Contact: Provides contact information for the Government Contracting Activity (GCA) and Contracting Officer Representative (COR).

This document is crucial for potential bidders as it outlines the security requirements and clearance levels necessary to perform the contract. Bidders must ensure they can meet these security obligations, including facility clearances and personnel access, to be eligible for award. The description of the procurement also helps bidders understand the operational context and the types of systems involved in the test and evaluation.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Past Performance Information Form" intended for offerors to provide details about their relevant past performance on previous contracts or efforts. It serves as a template for bidders to submit information that will likely be used by the government to evaluate the offeror's ability to successfully perform the work described in the solicitation.

• Offeror Information: Name of Offeror, Contract Number, Customer Name & Location, Customer Point of Contact, Telephone Number and e-mail address.
• Effort Details: Total dollar value (broken into annual increments), Period of Performance (start and end dates), Number of personnel (FTE) per year.
• Work Description: A detailed description of the work performed, sufficient to demonstrate relevance to the solicitation's scope. Specific guidance is provided for Helpdesk work (user population, tickets processed, turnaround time).
• Magnitude: Details on the scale and scope of the work performed.
• Subcontractor Information (Notes 1 & 2): Instructions for detailing the percentage and type of work to be performed by proposed subcontractors, and for prime offerors/subcontractors to detail their specific work and magnitude when serving as a subcontractor on a past effort.

This form is critical for bidders to document their experience and demonstrate their capability to meet the requirements of the solicitation. Completing this form accurately and thoroughly, especially the "Detailed description of the work performed" section, is essential for a strong past performance evaluation. Bidders must pay close attention to the notes regarding subcontractor performance and ensure all required details are provided.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Past Performance Report Form, intended for use by agencies or companies that have previously contracted with the vendor. Its purpose is to gather feedback on the vendor's performance on past contracts to aid the U.S. Naval Supply System (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk (FLCN) in evaluating the probability of the vendor's successful accomplishment of work for an upcoming solicitation.

• Contractor Information: Company Name, POC, Email, Contract/PO Number, Contract Amount, Contract Type, Period of Performance, Business Address, Phone Number.
• Reporting Agency/Company Information: Command/Company Name, POC, Title/Position, Email Address, Business Address, Phone Number.
• Performance Areas: Quality (Recruiting, Retention, Meeting Contract Requirements, Customer Satisfaction, Rework/Deficiencies, Innovative Work Applications), Timeliness (Meeting Schedules, Submission of Information/Reports/Invoicing), Responsiveness (Responding to Concerns, Problem Isolation/Resolution), Contractor's Cost Control.
• Additional Observations: Overall strengths/weaknesses, satisfaction with award, willingness to rehire, awareness of similar efforts, and recommendations for other contacts.

Bidders should be aware that this form will be sent to their past performance references. The feedback collected will be used by the government to assess the bidder's reliability and capability. Bidders may wish to proactively inform their references about this requirement and ensure they are prepared to complete the form accurately and promptly. The form requests detailed information on quality, timeliness, responsiveness, and cost control, which are critical factors in contract performance evaluation.