Posted: Aug. 11, 2025, 1:21 p.m. EDT
1.0 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is being issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Defense Health Agency (DHA) is not at this time seeking quotes or proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals.
Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party's expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued.
If a solicitation is released, it may be synopsized on System for Award Management (SAM) website, set-aside 100% to Small Business. The North American Industrial Classification (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541512 and Product Service Code (PSC) is R499. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor both sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement. The results of this Market Research may contribute to determining the method of procurement.
2.0 Background:
2.1 DHA is initiating a critical framework to transform its data infrastructure. This data management and governance structure aims to evolve the current disparate data systems into a unified, secure, intelligent, and compliant ecosystem without centralizing data into a single platform. The objective is to establish and implement a comprehensive framework that supports enhanced operational effectiveness, decision-making, and the adoption of advanced technologies, while upholding high standards of data quality, privacy, and regulatory adherence.
The scope of this comprehensive framework encompasses a series of interconnected activities:
The data infrastructure will focus on data interoperability. This involves designing, developing, and implementing a decentralized data model capable of ingesting and unifying data from DHA's extensive array of existing data sources by enabling seamless communication and data exchange across the enterprise.
- Building on this integrated foundation, the program will Enhance Decision Support by providing and implementing capabilities for a unified common operating picture. This includes the delivery of customized decision aids and data collection tools specifically tailored for DHA's critical acquisition, administration, logistics, budgeting, and procurement organizations.
- A paramount focus will be on cybersecurity, data privacy, and risk management. This framework will involve implementing measures to strengthen DHA's data security posture, ensuring rigorous data privacy and compliance with all relevant regulations (e.g., HIPAA, PII, PHI). It will also integrate advanced risk identification and modeling capabilities.
- The data framework is designed to enable advanced technology adoption by preparing DHA's data infrastructure to effectively support and leverage cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning (ML), Natural Language Processing (NLP), and Optical Character Recognition (OCR).
- To ensure the integrity and utility of data, the program will establish comprehensive data quality and metadata management. This involves defining and enforcing high standards for data accuracy, completeness, consistency, and timeliness. Robust metadata management practices, including the creation of a comprehensive data catalog, data dictionaries, and data lineage tracking, will be implemented, alongside enhanced asset and device cataloging and reporting.
Crucially, the program will formalize data stewardship and lifecycle management. This involves clearly defining roles, responsibilities, and accountability for data ownership and stewardship across DHA. It will also implement comprehensive policies and processes governing the entire data lifecycle, from creation and storage to retention, archival, and secure disposal. To ensure consistent application and oversight, execution of the framework should help establish robust data governance policies and performance monitoring. This involves developing, implementing, and enforcing comprehensive data governance policies, standards, and procedures, along with establishing clear metrics, reporting mechanisms, and auditing processes. Finally, the successful execution and continuity of this program will be supported by meticulous program management and operational continuity. This includes providing comprehensive program and project management, ensuring effective, accurate, timely, and compliant execution of all activities in accordance with established methodologies and contractual requirements.
While comprehensive, this requirement's scope is specifically defined. It does not encompass the development of new, independent operational systems whose primary function is not data management or integration into the specified data governance framework. Similarly, it does not cover the procurement of hardware or infrastructure not explicitly required for the direct implementation of the data platform as defined by DHA.
2.2 The DHA is seeking information from interested Contractors with the capability to develop a data management and governance structure to transform its data infrastructure and provide highly qualified, experienced personnel and services necessary to perform professional and engineering support as described in accordance with the attached draft Statement of Objectives (SOO). Please be advised this is a draft SOO and is subject to change based on the information received from this RFI.
2.3 Delivery Period/Period of Performance: The anticipated period of performance will be for: one 12-month Base period, with zero Option periods beginning in September 2025.
3.0 Requested Information:
The DHA is seeking the following:
3.1 Companies/Vendors who possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements of the Defense Health Agency (DHA) needs.
3.2 If your organization has the potential capacity to perform these contract services, please provide the following information:
Tailored capability statements addressing the particulars of this effort, with appropriate documentation supporting claims of organizational and staff capability. If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated to deliver technical capability, address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements.
3.3 Do you have any additional comments or suggestions to improve the attached Statement of Objectives (SOO)? Are there any areas that are unclear? [please refer to Attachment (1), Defense Health Agency (DHA) Data Governance Transforming the Data Landscape: A Strategic Imperative for Modern Healthcare in Support of Military Readiness].
4.0 Responses:
4.1 Responses in Microsoft Word format are tentatively due 18 August 2025 5:00 PM EST (clarifying that it may be longer depending on Government response release). See Attached Amendment 0001 to this RFI for more detail. Responses shall be limited to 25 pages and submitted via e-mail to andrea.v.rivas.civ@health.mil, Contract Specialist and linda.m.walker38.civ@health.mil, Contracting Officer. Please use the following title in your email subject line: HT0011-25-RFI-0222.
4.2. The Capability Statement shall provide administrative information, and shall include the following as a minimum:
4.2.1. Name, mailing address, phone number, and e-mail of designated point of contact.
4.2.2. In order for the Government to assess the market capability of your company or organization as to one or more aspects of the Professional and Administrative Services draft PWS, please provide the following company information:
- Company Name;
- Unique Entity ID;
- CAGE;
- Applicable NAICS Codes;
- Business size status and date of last certification;
- Applicable GSA SINs [to include description of SIN product/service classification/description];
- All Applicable Contract Numbers [i.e. GSA OASIS+, GSA Multiple Award Schedules, etc.] (This information is for Market Research only and does not preclude your company from responding to this notice.)
4.3 Contractors will be required to be registered through the System for Award Management (SAM) at https://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/#1 to be eligible for award of Government contracts.
4.4 Questions and Answers: All questions are required to be submitted NLT 12:00 PM ET on 7 August 2025. Please see attached amendment to the RFI for further detail. All questions will be submitted in the attached excel format [Attachment (2), QA TEMPLATE -RFI.xlsx]. All questions, comments, suggestions should be sent via e-mail to andrea.v.rivas.civ@health.mil, Contract Specialist and linda.m.walker38.civ@health.mil, Contracting Officer.
4.5 Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.
5.0 Summary:
I. Core System Establishment & Data Cataloging
Given DHA's vast and diverse data landscape, encompassing critical clinical, operational, and administrative information often residing in disparate systems, establishment of core system and data catalog is essential to manage DHA's data assets effectively. By systematically identifying, documenting, and classifying every data element and asset, the DHA can overcome data silos, enable efficient data discovery, and ensure a shared understanding of its sensitive healthcare data. This foundational cataloging should serve as a prerequisite for robust data governance, allowing the DHA to assign ownership, enforce policies, meet stringent regulatory mandates like HIPAA and FISMA, and ultimately transform raw data into a strategic, trusted asset for informed decision-making and improved patient outcomes.
II. Proliferation and Maturation of the DHA Enterprise Data Mesh Prototype
DHA has developed a prototype data mesh architecture to modernize its enterprise data infrastructure by enabling domain-driven data ownership, federated governance, and secure data interoperability. This RDT&E-funded initiative supports the continuation of prototype maturation activities by validating people, process, and technology enablers through controlled experimentation, digital testbeds, and sandbox environments. The effort directly supports the DoD Data Strategy, the DHA CDAO roadmap, and AI/ML readiness across clinical, operational, and research domains.
