Space Warfighter Training, Modeling, and Simulation Support

Update - 22 Sep 26 The purpose of this update is to revise section VIII request additional input regarding: 1. Capacity to support all requirements in the PWS (to include the potential for increased quantity of exercises) for the anticipated 7-year ordering period without subcontracting more than 50% 2. Whether a single award or multiple award IDIQ is recommended Update - 14 Sep 26 The purpose of this update is to clarify procurement history of this requirement. While this is not a follow-on acquisition, portions of this requirement are currently being satisfied under FA251824D0001 awarded to Gemini Technical Services JV, LLC. I. General Information: The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this Sources Sought or reimburse any costs associated with the preparation of responses. This Sources Sought is issued solely for informational and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. All information received in response to this notice marked "Proprietary" will be handled accordingly. In accordance with RFO 15.101(c), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responses to this Sources Sought will assist the Government in determining the potential level of interest, competition adequacy, and technical capabilities of industry respondents (specifically small businesses) to provide the required products and services. The Government may also use this information to assist in determining whether a small business set-aside (or other socioeconomic set-aside) will be appropriate or developing any subsequent small business subcontract participation and small business goal percentages. The Government does not intend to respond to questions posed in Industry responses. The Government does not guarantee any action beyond this notice. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Responses that are incomplete and/or not submitted per the Response Submission Instructions may not be reviewed. Interested parties or potential contractors must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) before the issuance of a potential Request for Proposals/Quotes to be eligible for contract award or payment if the Government chooses to make an award. Information on registration and annual confirmation requirements may be obtained via SAM.gov. Conflict of interest rules apply, and offerors will be required to submit mitigation plans following the release of the RFP. II. Requirement Information: This Sources Sought notice seeks to identify qualified firms capable of providing comprehensive, non-personal mission support services for the 392d Combat Training Squadron (392 CTS). Under this framework, contractor personnel will deliver core capabilities to plan, integrate, execute, and assess Modeling and Simulation (M&S)-enabled exercises (including SPACE FLAG, FLASH POINT, POLARIS HAMMER, and SPACE SKIES) in support of U.S., joint, and allied warfighters. To ensure the continuous readiness of United States Space Force (USSF), joint and coalition forces, this expertise spans a critical array of warfare domains, including Satellite Communications (SATCOM), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), Electronic Attack (EA), Orbital Warfare (OW), Space Electronic Warfare (SEW), Space Domain Awareness (SDA), Missile Warning (MW), and Offensive Cyber Operations (OCO). Furthermore, contractor personnel will drive operational execution by providing Command and Control (C2) support, intelligence product generation, operations assessments, and lessons learned (L2). This operational framework is firmly underpinned by robust technical requirements, encompassing full-scope IT and cybersecurity support, systems engineering, configuration management, orbital analysis, and sophisticated M&S for the Distributed Mission Operations Center-Space (DMOC-S) and BattleLab enclaves. Ultimately, these integrated capabilities will be leveraged to design, plan, execute, and assess USSF service-level exercises and advanced mission-focused training. Support includes programs identified as Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) and Special Access Required (SAR) administered under the enhanced security guidelines/procedures authorized by Department of Defense DODI 5200.01 (DoD Information Security Program and Protection of Sensitive Compartmented Information) and AFI 16-1404 (Air Force Information Security Program). Responses to this announcement are needed to help inform acquisition planning and to identify capable sources. To efficiently and effectively deliver the required supplies/services, it is anticipated that vendors will have specialized experience in large-scale space exercises, complex IT and M&S environments, and managing highly cleared personnel. III. Purpose: The Government is currently considering NAICS Code 541330 (Engineering Services) and Product Service Code (PSC) R425 (Support – Professional: Engineering/Technical) for this requirement. If your firm believes this requirement should be solicited under a different NAICS code or PSC, please include your detailed rationale and supporting market data within your response. This synopsis is encouraging responses from qualified and capable Small Businesses. Firms responding to this Sources Sought must be U.S. owned and must (1) state whether they are a small or large business based on the size standard above; (2) state if they have socioeconomic classification(s) as follows: Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB); section 8(a) small business; Woman-Owned Small Business (WOSB); Economically-Disadvantaged Woman-Owned Small Business (EDWOSB); a Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) Zone small business; Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB);. Small Businesses that are in or are considering Joint Ventures or Mentor Protégé Agreements are encouraged to respond to the source sought. Responses from other than small businesses will be reviewed. Note: If the requirement is set aside for small business, the clause RFO 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting, will be included in the contract. The data obtained from this notice will assist the Government in understanding the capabilities available in providing advanced space training, exercise execution, and mission rehearsal capabilities. IV. Scope of Anticipated Effort: The 392 CTS provides space combat training through Live, Virtual, & Constructive (LVC) environments to prepare warfighters to achieve and maintain operational dominance in the space domain. The contractor shall provide Mission Support Services, Information Technology, Communications, and Management Support (ITC&MS), and Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS). The Government anticipates this requirement will consist of an IDIQ ordering period of five years. Work will primarily take place at Schriever SFB, Suffolk, Buckley SFB, Hurlburt Field, Vandenberg SFB, and other designated facilities. V. General Submission Instructions: The responses submitted shall be in sufficient detail and clarity to provide the Government with the information it needs. Responses to this Source Sought notice shall meet the following standards: Page Limitations: Section 1 Cover Letter: 2 Pages Section 2 Capability Statement: 10 Pages Section 3 PWS Review: 3 Pages Text Size: No smaller than 10 point Text included in graphics, tables, and figures can be no smaller than 9 point No embedded documents Fully address Sections 1-3 as outlined above Responses that are incomplete and or do not follow these Response Submission Instructions may not be reviewed Electronic version of your response only in Microsoft Word or PDF compatible files VI. Section 1 - Cover Letter: The cover letter shall include the following: Company information: Company name 2 points of contact and with contact information (name, address, phone number, website URL, if available, and email address) Cage Code, UEI, and DUNS Number Short description of the company (history, experience in similar service activities/supplies, etc.). Company business size with socioeconomic classification based on the designated NAICS code Information on any potential teaming arrangements, joint ventures, or significant subcontracting arrangements. VII. Section 2 – Capability Statement: Please provide detailed responses to the following questions based on the draft PWS. For each area, identify your firm's current or recent (completed within the last five years) contracts or subcontracts that match the scope, complexity, and magnitude of this PWS. Highlight prime contract experience supporting Space Force Delta-level organizations, Distributed Mission Operations Nodes, or equivalent joint distributed simulation hubs of similar financial magnitude: Plan and Execute Large-Scale Joint LVC Exercises (USSF Service Exercises). Plan, coordinate, execute, and assess large-scale (700+ participants) military exercises. Detail your proven experience managing the full Joint Exercise Life Cycle (JELC) across geographically distributed nodes. Provide a specific historical example of where you translated joint space doctrine into dynamic Master Scenario Events List (MSEL) injects (e.g., simulated orbital debris, electronic attack) within a LVC environment. Finally, describe your capability to conduct post-exercise analysis and deliver formal After-Action Reports (AAR). Recruit and Retain Specialized TS/SCI/SAP Personnel. Explain your relevant experience in recruiting, clearing, and retaining qualified personnel with Top Secret (TS)/Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) clearances and Special Access Program (SAP) eligibility. Include historical metrics (such as average time-to-fill rates for tactical space domains and historical retention rates exceeding 90%). DMOC-S Operations. Operate, sustain, and manage the DMOC-S and its complex M&S environment certified to Joint National Training Capability (JNTC) standards. Provide a specific example of how your team successfully operated systems involving missile warning, Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), and operational RF communications. Demonstrate your experience managing distributed simulation networks (e.g. JTEN, DMON) and utilizing standard architecture protocols (e.g., DIS, HLA) to link space simulators with joint air, land, and maritime simulators. Multi-Domain Information Technology (IT) and Cybersecurity Support. Deliver comprehensive IT, cybersecurity, and network engineering support across multiple security enclaves (e.g., AFSCI, SIPRNet, Stone Ghost/FVEY coalition networks) at both primary and distributed locations. Detail your experience maintaining system configurations, securing Assessment and Authorization (A&A) packages via eMASS under the Risk Management Framework (RMF), and performing concurrent cybersecurity auditing (such as STIG compliance). Decribe your experience rapidly-restoring network outages during high-tempo, simulated LVC exercise operations without degrading the training audience’s experience. Professional Planning and Control Force (PPCF) Support. Manage and oversee a distributed workforce of full-time, embedded M&S and exercise planners deployed to geographically separated USSF Component Commands (e.g., SPACEFOR-INDOPAC, SPACEFOREUR-AF). Describe your firm’s experience interfacing directly with senior combatant command staff. Provide examples of previous contracts your company has had that had embedded planners responding to local theater commanders’ Operational Plans. Surge Capacity and Contingency Operations. Manage, schedule, and execute approximately 15,000 hours of surge support annually, frequently requiring 24/7 operations to support exercises with little to no notice. Detail contractual experience executing large-scale, short-notice surge requirements. Specifically, how you maintained and deployed a pool of cleared, pre-screened, or cross-trained personnel to sustain 24/7 operations during massive events without causing mission failure or degrading steady-state services. VIII. Section 3 - SOW/PWS Review: Please identify areas within the draft PWS that are unclear, restrictive, or present execution obstacles, referenced by PWS paragraph number. Outline any best commercial practices, industry innovations, and recommendations for the most effective contract type and pricing structure to efficiently support the 15,000-hour annual exercise surge requirement. Capacity to support all requirements in the PWS (to include the potential for increased quantity of exercises) for the anticipated 7-year ordering period without subcontracting more than 50%. Whether a single award or multiple award IDIQ is recommended.