Request for White Papers - Automated Data Collection & Reduction Analytic (DCRA), for Project Manager Intelligence Systems & Analytics (PM IS&A)

***UPDATE 05 June 2023: The Government is notifying Vendors of the following: The updated SoN document has been uploaded in the Attachments section of this posting. This update corrects the references of the Tables, as indicated in Q&A # 48. The response to Question # 3 has also been updated, clarifying the page count. An updated Q&A document has also been uploaded in the Attachments section to reflect this one change. This answer now clarifies: "The thirty (30) page limit for white papers is inclusive of the cover page, table of contents, acronyms list, executive summary, and all other sections. Only the ROM is separate, and will not count toward the 30 page limit." Lastly, Vendors are reminded that the deadline for white paper submissions is no later than 1230 EDT, 9 June 2023. Vendors are encouraged to request a DoD SAFE dropbox in advance, as a dropbox is active for two weeks (though the submission deadline still applies). Request a dropbox link by email to the Primary and Secondary POCs, as indicated in the previous instructions. DO NOT send dropbox requests (or white paper submissions) to the DCRA/PM group inbox.*** ***UPDATE 23 May 2023: The Government is notifying Vendors of the following: The responses to vendor questions have been posted in the Attachments/Links section below. Response #48 states that some reference errors within the Statement of Need document will be corrected. This updated SoN will be provided in a future update.*** ***UPDATE 11 May 2023: The Government is notifying Vendors of the following: The section regarding question submittal has been updated to extend the deadline for question submittal to 17 May 2023, and to include a group inbox to send questions to. See the applicable section below.*** The United States Army Contracting Command - Aberdeen Proving Ground (ACC-APG), on behalf of Project Manager Intelligence Systems & Analytics (PM IS&A), is considering the award of an Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) [hereinafter - the OTA Award] for a Prototype Project entitled Data Collection & Reduction Analytic (DCRA), under the authority of 10 U.S.C. - 4022. For an OTA, a - prototype project is defined as a prototype project addressing a proof of concept, model, reverse engineering to address obsolescence, pilot, novel application of commercial technologies for defense purposes, agile development activity, creation, design, development, demonstration of technical or operational utility, or combinations of the foregoing. A process, including a business process, may be the subject of a prototype project. This Request for White Papers is for consideration of award for Phase 1 of DCRA, as described in the sections below. BACKGROUND: In a multi-domain environment, a weapons system, or System Under Test (SUT), utilizes a variety of sensor sources, reconnaissance imagery, and intelligence database information to form accurate and timely targeting recommendations. This is especially so for Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) systems supporting anti-access/area denial (A2AD) weapon systems. Currently there is not a method to provide a realistic multi-domain environment to a SUT to assess its performance in ingesting and processing data, providing target information and recommendations, and incorporating simulated battle data assessment (BDA) feedback into the real-time common intelligence picture. The DCRA framework is a new software capability that is intended to alleviate this problem through the testing of C5ISR systems in a simulated multi-domain environment. DCRA will provide the C5ISR SUT with simulated intelligence data consisting of both all-source (i.e., entities, attributes, and relationships), serialized reporting, target lists/matrices, and multiple single intelligence (INT) sources including, but not limited to, signals intelligence (SIGINT), geographical intelligence (GEOINT), communications intelligence (COMINT), and imagery intelligence (IMINT). DCRA will be initially focused on target nomination support data and provide an operationally relevant scenario to the SUT. DCRA will extract SUT target assessments and necessary internal data, and evaluate the SUT performance, accuracy, and targeting timelines based on the DCRA scenario that was provided. Though DCRA is currently targeted for integration with Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node (TITAN), it may be integrated with other Intel Systems. DCRA's intended user base consists of the PM IS&A, the Army Test & Evaluation Command (ATEC), and other organizations within the Army and the Department of Defense. The Statement of Need (SON) document provides further details on DCRA background, requirements description, and award process. The SON Annexes are available to interested parties by request via email to ACC-APG. For access to these documents: - please send an email with your company's CAGE code to both the Contract Specialist, Thomas Lueddeke at thomas.j.lueddeke.civ@army.mil and the Agreements Officer, Meghan Whitmore at meghan.c.whitmore.civ@army.mil. ACC-APG will create a DoD Safe Drop-Off link with access to the SON Annexes to be sent within 48 business hours of the request. OTA AWARD PHASES: The OTA Award for the DCRA effort will consist of two (2) separate phases awarded in sequential order: 1. Phase 1 (est. duration 10-12 months): The Phase 1 programmatic and technical objectives include creating the system design and initial prototype. The Government intends to accomplish this by collaborating with selected Vendor(s) on recommended changes to the design with the Vendors during execution. Vendors also will be expected to develop the SW/System architecture to fully define a system and SW architecture for DCRA and fully document, deliver, and demonstrate their Development, Security and Operations (DEVSECOPS) processes to support an integrated prototype system to be realized in Phase 1. 2. Phase 2 (est. duration 12 months): The primary focus of Phase 2 is DCRA refinement through test. Phase 2 objectives include integration of the prototype DCRA framework with the SUT, providing the SUT with a sample set of SECRET simulated intelligence data, and assessing SUT performance. SUT performance will be measured in terms of accuracy, targeting timelines, and target recommendations. Secondary objectives include enhanced analytics creation and enhanced system automation to reduce SUT assessment timelines. During Phase 2, Vendor's DCRA framework will need to achieve an authorization to operate (ATO) on the Secure Internet Protocol Network (SIPRnet). WHITE PAPER SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: Vendors shall submit White Papers in accordance with this posting and the SON document, for consideration for award of Phase 1 of DCRA. Submissions will only be accepted via the Department of Defense Secure Access File Exchange (DoD SAFE), at https://safe.apps.mil/. A dropbox link can be provided by a request sent to the Primary and Secondary POCs no later than twenty-four (24) hours prior to the submission due date/time. Submit the dropbox request to the Contract Specialist, Thomas Lueddeke at thomas.j.lueddeke.civ@army.mil and the Agreements Officer, Meghan Whitmore at meghan.c.whitmore.civ@army.mil. This Request For White Papers will be active for 30 days from this announcement, with submissions due no later than 1230 EDT, 9 June 2023. To submit Unclassified and CUI questions related to this SON, contact the following distribution list for instructions: usarmy.apg.peo-iews.mbx.dcra@army.mil . The deadline for the submittal of technical questions is no later than 1630 EDT, 17 May 2023. Do NOT send classified materials to this inbox. Responses to the questions received will be posted to SAM.gov no later than 23 May 2023. ? POINTS OF CONTACT: For inquiries, please direct your correspondence to the following contacts: Primary Point of Contact: Mr. Thomas Lueddeke, Contract Specialist thomas.j.lueddeke.civ@army.mil Secondary Point of Contact: Mrs. Meghan Whitmore, Agreements Officer meghan.c.whitmore.civ@army.mil This notice shall not be construed as a commitment by the United States Government. It does not obligate the Government to reimburse any cost associated with preparation and/or submission of a response, nor does this notice guarantee the Government will issue a Solicitation / RFP or award your company an agreement to provide these products or services. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this information or these activities.