BACKGROUND

The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center’s Combatant Command C2 Division (AFLCMC/HBC), at Offutt AFB, Nebraska, is responsible for the execution of a portfolio of acquisition programs in support of Combatant Commands and Joint Operations. HBC oversees the Integrated Strategic Plan and Analysis Network (ISPAN) program, the Nuclear Planning and Execution System (NPES), and the Decision Support System (DSS). ISPAN provides United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) with the nation’s nuclear planning system. ISPAN is also the Department of Defense program of record that produces strategic level Courses-of-Action for the Joint Community. NPES is a national level C2 decision support system that provides execution, monitoring, and planning information to national level leadership. DSS is a situational awareness tool that supports national-level decision-making during critical, time-sensitive events. HBC oversees the process for designing, developing, testing, integrating, and sustaining products in support of USSTRATCOM, the joint warfighter, and the White House.

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Over the next year, HBC will be planning acquisition strategies, and recompeting software sustainment/maintenance contracts within the ISPAN and NPES portfolios.  In an effort to increase competition, and provide meaningful bidder’s libraries, evaluation criteria, and transition strategies, the Government is seeking feedback from industry on these topics.  The Government is requesting Industry’s response to the following questions.

1.  What is your overall interest in competing for sustainment/maintenance of fielded software applications?

2.  What factors do you consider when deciding to compete on contracts for software sustainment/maintenance?

3.  What information can the Government provide, or actions the Government can take to increase competition for software sustainment/maintenance contracts?

4.  What do you see as the biggest challenge for a non-incumbents competing for this work?  What do you see as the biggest risk to the Government? How would you mitigate this risk?

5.  Have you ever been awarded a software sustainment/maintenance contract as a non-incumbent?  If so, what was your biggest challenge during transition? During early performance execution?

6.  Given the complexity and mission critical nature of these software applications, what evaluation criteria, or actions, do you feel are most important when evaluating an Offeror’s ability to successfully deliver sustainment/maintenance updates to a fielded software application upon contract award?  Based on your experience, what length of time (i.e. learning curve) should be expected for a non-incumbent contractor to be capable of making software updates across the software code baseline?  

RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS

Please submit responses as instructed below:

1.  Response shall be delivered in one electronic copy.  Files should be in MS Office format (Word, Excel or PowerPoint) or Adobe pdf format.  Responses shall contain UNCLASSIFIED material only.

2.  Request response no later than close of business on 3 February 2020.

3.  Responses, and all questions, shall be sent via email to the Procuring Contracting Officer, Mr. Lee Smales, AFLCMC/HBCK, Bldg 500, Offutt AFB, NE, at [email protected].  

4.  Please provide company name, address, a point of contact with e-mail address and telephone number, Federal Cage Code, Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS), business size, and Facility Security Clearance level in the response.