USAF - AFSN Network Engineering and Integration Services (NEIS) II - MRAS

The United States Air Force (USAF), through the General Services Administration (GSA), is conducting market research to identify potential contractors for the Air Force Systems Networking (AFSN) Network Engineering & Integration Services (NEIS) contract. This initiative is overseen by the AFLCMC Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C3I) Infrastructure Division, which aims to enhance the integrity and security of warfighting systems by implementing comprehensive protection measures against adversaries and threats. The primary goal of this contract is to ensure that critical program information and components are protected through a robust Program Protection Plan.

The work requested under this solicitation involves several key tasks related to program protection and network engineering. Contractors will be responsible for developing a Program Protection Implementation Plan (PPIP) that effectively communicates protection requirements to subcontractors handling critical information or components. This includes assessing general security practices, implementing Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM), ensuring operational security awareness, and integrating counterfeit prevention processes into all levels of subcontracting. Additionally, contractors must conduct ongoing assessments of these measures' effectiveness in safeguarding the AFSN mission.

Moreover, contractors are expected to manage supply chain risk and identify counterfeit materials throughout the system's lifecycle in accordance with relevant laws and regulations such as the Buy American Act and DFARS guidelines. The government will closely monitor these procedures, focusing on methods for preventing counterfeit material acquisition, protecting the supply chain before delivery, and remediating any discovered counterfeit materials post-delivery. In cases where counterfeit materials cause mission-critical failures or damages, contractors must provide restitution for incurred costs.

Security clearance requirements are also a critical component of this contract. Contractors must possess a Top Secret facility clearance before performing any classified work on government contracts. Additionally, they need to appoint a Security Manager responsible for providing necessary training on classified information protection as per DoD guidelines. Contractors must also manage visit requests using the Defense Information System for Security (DISS) for locations where classified performance is required.