Army Science Board Request for Information: - Data Integrity for Operating Force (OF) Decision Making

BILLING CODE: 5001-03 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army Army Science Board Request for Information: - Data Integrity for Operating Force (OF) Decision Making AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD. ACTION: Request for information (RFI) regarding support to an Army Science Board study entitled "Data Integrity for Operating Force (OF) Decision Making" SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (5 U.S.C., Appendix, as amended), the Sunshine in Government Act of 1976 (U.S.C. 552b, as amended) and 41 Code of the Federal Regulations (CFR 102-3.140 through 160) the Department of the Army requests industry information on products, science and technology (S&T) research, operational concepts, and mission support innovations to support the Army in evaluating its current state of data integrity and in developing recommendations for future consideration. No funds are available for any proposal or information submission and submitting information does not bind the Army for any future contracts/grants resulting from this request for information: (a) The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this solicitation or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. (b) Although - proposal and - offeror are used in this Request for Information, your response will be treated as information only. It shall not be used as a proposal. (c) This solicitation is issued for the purpose of: market research. The Army Science Board is requesting information from organizations external to the Army that will help the Board complete its analysis and ensure that all viable sources of information are explored. Based on information submitted in response to this request, the Army Science Board may subsequently conduct additional market research. To supplement the information developed in previous studies and otherwise available to the Board, organizations are invited to submit information on products or technologies to support - Data Integrity for Operating Force Decision Making. The Army Science Board is conducting a 2020 study entitled - Data Integrity for Operating Force (OF) Decision Making. The Terms of Reference for this study (TOR) is attached. Among the objectives of this study are to: Review the current sources of data used for operational decision making and identify potential vulnerabilities, current and future, not currently being addressed. Sources of data can include: People Sensor systems Intelligence reports Other services Partner nations Research the current state-of-the-art in assuring data integrity: Accessibility Availability Authenticity Confidentiality Recoverability Verification and validation Tracking provenance Other tools and mechanisms. Examine the sources and protection of data Examine the integrity of the analytic tools and systems that rely on this data. Review ways to identify and recover from corrupted data. Review ways to remove bad data and restore information to resume effective operations. Assess the capabilities of the adversary: Offensive defensive Develop recommended actions for the Army to ensure that information used in making operational decisions is accurate, timely and trustworthy. ADDRESSES: Written responses are to be submitted to the: Army Science Board, ATTN: Designated Federal Officer, 2530 Crystal Drive, Suite 7098, Arlington, VA 22202. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Heather J. Gerard at 703.545.8652 or via heather.j.gerard.civ@mail.mil. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: . The Terms of Reference (ToR) provided by the Office of the Secretary of the Army directs the Army Science Board (ASB) to conduct a study entitled, "Data Integrity for Operating Force (OF) Decision Making." The purpose of the study is to assess the Army's information assurance capabilities supporting OF decision makers. Specifically, the study team should recommend a comprehensive, science-based framework for addressing emerging technologies that have the potential to corrupt the information needed for OF decision making. Timely, accurate, and succinct information is critical to making strategic and tactical decisions in the OF. As such, commanders must be confident regarding the acquisition, storage, delivery, accuracy, type, and integrity of the data they use. They must be confident the information they receive has not been corrupted by the enemy. The rapid expansion of data from operational and support systems, as well as the use of advanced analytics to support system-level, tactical, and theater-wide decision making, compels the Army to maintain a high level of data integrity if it is to prevail against adversaries. Submission Instructions and Format: To respond to this request for information, interested parties should submit their packages by 21 February 2020 by 5 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. Submissions should address the following specific questions in their response: What do you consider to be among the best practices and applications for data integrity? Why? What are the most significant vulnerabilities for data integrity currently? What are the most significant DoD/Army policy or regulatory barriers for the application of data integrity best practices? What data integrity best practices are exercised at your institution that would be applicable to Operating Force Decision Making? What is the technology maturity of these data integrity applications and what Army investments would be required to adopt them for Operating Force Decision Making? Have you had success in transitioning any data integrity applications to the Army or other DoD or federal government agencies in the past? If so, what were they and what were the keys to this success? Are there any DoD/Army R&D or acquisition policies that prevent you from working openly and on a mutually beneficial relationship with the Army in transitioning your data integrity applications and best practices to Army projects or programs in the future (e.g., intellectual property protection, return on investment)? Any responses received that are marked - Proprietary or include any usage restrictions will NOT BE REVIEWED by ASB. Submissions require both a CD and a hard copy of the response. The size of the CD submission will be limited to 20 MB. The hard copy format specifications include 12 point font, single-spaced, single-sided, 8.5 by 11 inches paper, with a 1 inch margin. There is an eight page limit to your submission. All Proposers should review the NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL SECURITY PROGRAM OPERATING MANUAL, (NISPOM), dated February 28, 2006, as it provides the baseline standards for the protection of classified information and prescribes the requirements concerning Contractor Development information under paragraph 4-105. Defense Security Service (DSS) Site for the NISPOM is: http://www.dss.mil/isp/fac_clear/download_nispom.html. Only unclassified white papers/CDs must be mailed to the POC listed (see ADDRESSES and FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT). A listing of respondents and whether or not their submission was utilized will be made available for public inspection upon request. Open deliberation by the full committee is anticipated on or about July 23, 2020 in Irvine, CA.