The U.S. Air Force is seeking sources to perform cyber research and development contract work for the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Information Directorate (AFRL/RI) worth up to a maximum of $950 million, according to a solicitation posted to FedBizOpps Aug. 5.
The multiple-award indefinite-delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract will have cost-plus-fixed-fee and firm-fixed price type orders. The ordering period is contemplated to be 60 months, the Air Force said.
AFRL/RI requires sources to help perform multiple activities necessary to achieve AFRL’s vision of cyber superiority. The contract places emphasis on development of technology capability solutions that address specific user requirements; delivery of prototype technologies for evaluation and feedback in the context of the user’s operational environment; and provision of a mechanism for user acquisition of limited product quantities required for operational introduction of products, the posting said.
The solicitation highlights the need of specific technical requirements including rapid research and development, prototyping, demonstration, scenario development, experimentation and evaluation, integration, testing, technical installation and support, transition, and sustainment of innovative capabilities in support of cyber superiority. These requirements will fall under eight main areas: Threat Avoidance and Cyber Defense; Full Spectrum Cyber Operations; Network Exploitation; Situation and Mission Awareness; Command and Control; Modeling, Simulation, and Wargaming; Cyber Infrastructure; and Mission Assurance.
The Air Force noted that over the course of service performance the contractor will interface with various Defense Department and other government agencies via visits/technical visits at various sites as well as electronic means. The specific solicitor, Air Force Material Command, anticipated that contract deliverables will include software, hardware, and technical documentation.
The Air Force has not yet determined if the solicitation includes Foreign Allied Participation at the prime contractor level, but that a notice will be posted to FedBizOpps when a determination is finalized.
The Air Force said an Industry Day will be held in early Fall 2016 concerning this contract, with further information to be announced later. The draft Request for Proposals (RFP) is expected to be posted for review and comment around Dec. 1, 2016. The formal solicitation will then be released within the second quarter of the government fiscal year 2017.