USAF Wide Area Network Request For Information (RFI)

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI seeks information from industry regarding the U.S. Air Force's requirement to establish a Wide Area Network (WAN) connecting 50 or more government and commercial sites. The WAN should support layer 2 and layer 3 transport services with varying Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and connectivity needs. The integrator will be responsible for procuring, integrating, operating, maintaining, and managing the network and its endpoints.

• Network Transport: Develop, install, deliver, and maintain a WAN supporting up to 100 Gbps, IPsec, and MACsec. Procure diverse and redundant circuits (1 Gbps, 10 Gbps, or 100 Gbps) to identified sites, including coordination for installation and site surveys. Integrate with non-traditional architectures and non-terrestrial options. Monitor and manage end-of-life schedules and procure/manage circuit lifecycles.

• Testing: Test WAN connectivity and extensions for performance, including latency, jitter, packet loss, and other variables.

• Quality of Service (SLA): Meet specific SLAs including 99.99% availability, 4-hour Time to Restore/MTTR, and ~9000-byte MTU. Network extensions to meet USG-defined SLAs up to 100 Gbps.

• Network Operations Center (NOC): Establish a 24/7 NOC to monitor, control, configure, and manage the network, providing reports and dashboards.

• Compliance: Ensure WAN core is MACsec capable and compliant with NSA directives and USG policy. Obtain Authorization to Operate (ATO).

• Support: Ensure WAN scalability and implement a change management process.

• Deliverables: Include Monthly Status Reports, Schedule updates, Technical Data Package (TDP), Contractor Funds Status Report, Funds & Man-hours Expenditure Report, Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) reports, and CDRLs for dashboards.

• Data Rights: Government desires Unlimited Rights for all deliverables.

• Period of Performance: To Be Determined (TBD).

• Place of Performance: Various CONUS and OCONUS locations.

• Contract Type: Not specified, but respondents are asked to recommend a contracting strategy.

• Submission: Interested parties should respond with a white paper.

• Deadline: White papers are due no later than May 21, 2026, 16:00 EST.

• Format: Submit via email only to taylor.wilson.6@us.af.mil. Proprietary information must be minimized and clearly marked.

• White Paper Structure: Section 1 for administrative information (company name, address, POC, CAGE, DUNS/UEI, recommended contracting strategy, business type) and Section 2 (limited to 10 pages) to answer specific questions.

• Evaluation: The RFI is for information and planning purposes only. The Government may use non-government advisors to assist in review and technical analysis.

• Not specified. Respondents should indicate their business type (large, small, small disadvantaged, 8(a), HUBZone, woman-owned, service-disabled veteran-owned) based on NAICS code 517111.

• This RFI does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) and does not commit the Government to a future contract.

• All costs associated with responding are at the interested party's expense.

• Not responding does not preclude participation in any future RFP.

• The Government will provide necessary classified and unclassified systems and Common Access Cards (CACs) for appropriate personnel. The contractor will manage the lifecycle of GFE.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI seeks information to understand industry capabilities for standing up a Wide Area Network (WAN) connecting over 50 government and commercial sites. The WAN needs to support Layer 2 and Layer 3 transport services with varying service level agreements (SLAs) and connectivity needs between sites. The integrator will procure, integrate, operate, maintain, and recapitalize network components and endpoints.

• Network Scope: Connect 50+ sites with Layer 2 and Layer 3 transport services.

• Performance: Support up to 100 Gbps transfer speeds.

• Security: Enable Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) and Media Access Control Security (MACsec).

• Connectivity: Provide dedicated circuit network extensions (1 Gbps, 10 Gbps, or 100 Gbps) to identified sites, ensuring diverse and redundant pathways where possible.

• Architecture: Integrate with non-traditional architectures and terrestrial/non-terrestrial options; define architecture and design for new sites.

• Operations: Establish a 24/7 Network Operations Center (NOC) for monitoring, control, configuration, and management, including reporting on bandwidth, network health, and top sites.

• Service Level Agreement (SLA): 99.99% availability, 4-hour Time to Restore/MTTR, MTU ~9000 bytes. Specific latency, jitter, packet loss, and throughput requirements to be defined.

• Compliance: Adhere to NSA directives and USG policy, including management plane security, encryption, secure supply chain, and logging requirements. Must support Authorization to Operate (ATO).

• Deliverables: Monthly Status Reports, Schedule updates, Technical Data Package (TDP), Funds Status Reports, GFE updates, and configuration files.

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

• The Government does not commit to awarding a contract based on this RFI.

• No payment will be made for information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI.

• Format: White paper in Microsoft Word.

• Deadline: 14 May 2026, 16:00 EST.

• Submission: Via email to taylor.wilson.6@us.af.mil.

• Content: Section 1: Administrative information (Company name, address, POC, CAGE/DUNS/UEI, recommended contracting strategy, business type). Section 2: Answers to specific questions regarding capabilities, services, experience, recommendations, and security.

• Page Limit: Section 2 is limited to 10 pages.

• Not specified in this RFI, but respondents must identify their business type (large, small, small disadvantaged, HUBZone, etc.).

• Non-government advisors (MTSI, MITRE) will assist in the review of responses and require Non-Disclosure Agreements.

• Submissions grant approval for release to these advisors.

• Interested parties are responsible for monitoring SAM.gov for any future solicitations.

• Proprietary information must be minimized and clearly marked.