NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE – Cybersecurity Research and Development Services

The United States Government intends to award a sole-source, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to the University of Texas at El Paso for continuous cybersecurity research and development services in support of the DEVCOM Analysis Center laboratories. This action is justified under FAR 6.302-1 due to UTEP’s unique and irreplaceable integration with existing laboratory systems, proprietary technical expertise, and deep familiarity with the cybersecurity architecture and experimental platforms used in mission-critical weapons systems research. Transitioning this work to another contractor would introduce substantial technical risk, schedule disruptions, and potential degradation of ongoing cyber operations vital to Warfighter modernization. The contract will span five years and utilize cost-plus-fixed-fee task orders to ensure sustained support for system maintenance, updates, compatibility enforcement, and continuous cybersecurity analysis. Responses to this presolicitation notice are accepted only from responsible sources capable of meeting the requirement, but the Government retains full discretion to determine whether competition is warranted based on submissions. The deadline for submissions is 19 May 2026, and all materials must be directed to Alexander Cheatham at the U.S. Army’s Adelphi, Maryland office. UTEP, located in El Paso, Texas, is the sole entity identified as having the specialized knowledge necessary to operate within and protect the DAC laboratory environment without interruption. While the notice invites submissions from other parties, the government’s planned approach reflects an established and exclusive dependency on UTEP’s longstanding and embedded role in this highly specialized cybersecurity mission.