Request for Information for Professional and Technical Cyberspace Operations Support

Subj: Request for Information Synopsis for Professional and Technical Cyberspace Operations Support PURPOSE: The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to conduct conduct market research for use in formulating an acquisition strategy to obtain professional and technical services for cyberspace operations support as part of Marine Corps Forces Cyber Command (MARFORCYBER's) mission. This RFI allows potential contractors to submit a non-binding statement of interest and documentation demonstrating their corporate capabilities and suggestions that will allow the Government to refine its potential course of action. The RFI effort is intended to assess industry service capabilities and solicit feedback for acquisition planning purposes. The Regional Contracting Office - National Capital Region (RCO-NCR) is requesting responses from all sources. The qualifying code for this effort is NAICS 541511. BACKGROUND: MARFORCYBER is located in the Washington National Capital Region (which would be the primary location for services), and conducts cyberspace planning and operations as the United States Marine Corps (USMC) service component of the United States Cyber Command (USCYBERCOM) in support of Department of Defense (DoD) operations, to include Marine forces, worldwide. The cyber planner role is required in support of mission areas to include, but not limited to: terrorism, insurgency, cyberspace defense, Full-Spectrum Operations, asymmetric warfare, as well as interagency and partner support of plans and operations. The Contractor will be required to possess a TS//SCI clearance, and many deliverables will be classified. CORE OBJECTIVES TO BE ACCOMPLISHED 1) Synthesis of Data: This support entails researching, analyzing and reporting information in response to customer requirements and in accordance with mission dictates for varied cyber network operations. Contractor will be required to prioritize, assess, evaluate, and report information obtained from passive and active collection sources, network evaluation and analysis, as well as related intelligence sources, such as: Imagery Intelligence (IMINT), Measurement and Signals Intelligence (MASINT), and Human Intelligence (HUMINT), etc and be able to merge various threads of information into a coherent amalgam. Information will often be classified in nature and will require Contractors to conform to established security and information assurance standards. 2) Collaboration: This support entails awareness of internal and external customer needs and collaboration with target offices and analysts to refine collection and reporting requirements. The Contractor would also need to be adept at sharing target related information in a clear and concise manner with customers and other agencies/partners. These services may also entail appropriately parsing workload to other workers in group or other sections. 3) Target Package Development: This support entails assistance in developing databases or working aids on target activity, to enhance and build target knowledge and improve collection to execute missions as well as perform content quality control and/or product releaser functions. 4) Technology Research: This support entails comprehensive technology research to evaluate potential vulnerabilities in cyberspace systems. This entails detection, identification, and description of specific vulnerabilities in a system, network, component or process. 5) Software and Engineering Development: This support entails engineering, software and software systems development in order to meet required internal and external capabilities. Related, the ability to identify and utilize reverse engineering tools to detect cyberspace vulnerabilities. The Contractor will need to be skilled in the design and development of cyber capabilities as required for use in interactive operations or other mission requirements. This may also entail appropriately parsing workload to other workers in group or other sections. 6) Planning Support: This support entails the ability to work with a team in order to support planning efforts directed toward cyberspace operations. Services would entail providing accurate expertise of tools and their proper utilization in support of the mission, as well as conducting analysis in support of various military operations and the planning thereof. 7) Integration of Systems Concepts: This support entails detailing and enacting systems concepts and capabilities phases of the systems development life cycle. The Contractor will develop, create, and write/code new or modify existing computer applications, software, or specialized utility programs. The Contractor will design, build, configure, secure, operate, maintain, and sustain DoD communications systems and networks to create and preserve availability, confidentiality, integrity, and non-repudiation of information. These include proactive actions which address the Marine Corps Enterprise Network (MCEN), including configuration control and patching, IA measures, physical security and secure architecture design, operation of host-based security systems and firewalls, and encryption of data. The Contractor will assist in developing and conducting tests of systems to evaluate compliance with specifications and requirements, and build corporate knowledge and improve overall network performance.. 8) Prevention of Adversary Presence: This support entails assisting in preventing adversary access schemes and/or infiltration of friendly networks. Using authorized network permissions, the Contractor will assess the organization's security posture and processes, and will identify areas of vulnerability or inadequate security for mitigation and improvement. The Contractor will work, in conjunction with other groups, to eradicate any identified adversary presence already on the network. 9) Identify Key Terrain: This support entails working with an organization's operating elements, to help guide the detailed mission analysis to identify and prioritize key elements of the friendly cyber environment. This information will be incorporated into cyber protection methodologies, and the Contractor must be able to clearly articulate items of interest to planners, and to help incorporate these key aspects into defensive operations. 10) Product Development: This support entails the research, creation, and assistance in the development and delivery of professional briefings, multimedia presentations, and written products to senior leadership at MARFORCYBER, USCYBERCOM, and other DoD/government agencies. INSTRUCTIONS: Responses to this RFI shall not exceed 15 pages, including cover letter and contact information. Subject response must contain: (1) Capability statement sufficient to demonstrate performance acumen directly related to the objectives listed above; (2) Labor categories and rates used by respondents for similar services; (3) Three customer Citations of any current or past performance related to the objectives (i.e., within the past two [2] years) to include contract number, point of contact telephone number or e-mail address; (4) a copy of the Contractor's GSA schedule, if these services are covered under a GSA schedule; and (5 other material relevant to establishing core competencies of the firm. Please identify Large/Small Business size status. Response is due by 2:00 PM, EST, 20 August 2013. Please submit e-mail responses to Wanda S. Wichmann, at email address: wanda.wichmann@usmc.mil NOTES: Issuance of this notice does not constitute any obligation whatsoever on the part of the Government to procure these services or issue a solicitation, nor to notify respondents of the results of this RFI. No solicitation documents exist at this time. The Marine Corps is neither seeking proposals nor accepting unsolicited proposals, and responses to this notice cannot be accepted as offers. Any information the Contractor considers proprietary should be clearly marked as such. The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI.