Software Platform SIGMA

DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY OFFICE OF PROCUREMENT OPERATIONS Software Platform SIGMA THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes; it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue a RFP or Request for Quotation (RFQ). Furthermore, those who respond to this RFI should not anticipate feedback with regards to its submission other than acknowledgment of receipt, IF the submitter requests an acknowledgement. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. At this time, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)/Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) is not seeking proposals or quotations. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay any cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party's expense. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the Federal Government and will not be returned. INTRODUCTION SIGMA is a software platform developed by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Office. The SIGMA platform enables real-time acquisition, communication, processing, and storage of data from distributed radiation sensors, selected chemical and biological sensors, and associated secondary sensors such as cameras and weather stations. SIGMA provides an end-to-end, real-time threat detection and awareness capability. The SIGMA platform has been described in previous solicitations. Several relevant documents are associated with the 2019 pre-solicitation notice DARPA-PA-19-01, available through SAM.gov. The attached document - SIGMA_Open_Core_Framework describes the system components. The attachment - SIGMA_Algorithm_Framework describes how sensor data is processed by algorithms within the SIGMA framework. Two versions of the sensor interface to the SIGMA platform are described in - SIGMA_Edge_11_0_0 and - SIGMAEdgeAPI_2_1_3 by Federal, State and local governments. PURPOSE OF THIS RFI The CWMD Office seeks to understand the capability and interest of industry partners in deploying and operating and modifying a SIGMA platform. 3.1 Desired Capabilities The DHS CWMD Office intends to deploy and operate a SIGMA platform in an unclassified DHS-operated cloud computing environment, and it seeks assistance from industry partners with relevant experience working with SIGMA. Further, the CWMD Office seeks to enhance the functionality of the SIGMA platform as a research tool and an operations-ready sensor collection and analysis capability. Again, industry partnership with experience using the SIGMA software framework is solicited. Since the SIGMA platform will be deployed on a DHS information technology system, certain supporting personnel will be expected to undergo background investigations in order to perform the work. Respondents should indicate their familiarity and capability to work with the SIGMA platform, not other cloud analytics tools or the singular components that comprise the SIGMA framework (such as Kafka, Zookeeper, or Cassandra). Detailed tasking: Deploy and operate a SIGMA framework in a DHS-operated, unclassified cloud computing environment. The performer will deploy and maintain operation of the SIGMA framework on a commercial cloud computing environment (such as Amazon Web Services or Microsoft Azure) until the time when the SIGMA framework is established in a DHS-operated cloud. The performer will work with the DHS CWMD Office to document the cybersecurity posture of the system, rectify issues identified, and assist the CWMD Office in reaching an Authority to Operate decision for deployment in a DHS-operated cloud. The security posture of the SIGMA framework operating on a commercial cloud will be a major consideration of readiness to migrate to a DHS cloud. Migration to a DHS cloud is expected within 6 months of the start of work. The performer will deploy the SIGMA framework in the DHS cloud and migrate historical sensor readings from existing SIGMA systems to the DHS cloud. The performer will maintain operations on the unclassified DHS cloud and provide background-cleared personnel required to perform the function. Task performance will include: Ensuring that SIGMA framework components are online and executing their intended functions; Performing cybersecurity functions, and deploying patches and updates; Performing administrative SIGMA functions such as provisioning detectors, establishing instances, maintaining user accounts, and generating detector reports as requested. The performer will support pilot activities using the SIGMA framework with the CWMD Office Mobile Detection Deployment Program (MDDP) and Law Enforcement Officers. Within six (6) months after the SIGMA platform is migrated to the DHS cloud, the performer will provide software, source code, and instructions with the goal that the CWMD Office or a different performer could operate and maintain the platform. Modify the SIGMA platform to enable CWMD Office research & development objectives. Research and implement technology solutions to mitigate privacy risks for video or other personally identifiable information. Privacy must be maintained according to DHS directives while retaining and highlighting correlations among data relevant to the CWMD mission. Develop batch tools for automated download of data and a replay tool to facilitate evaluation of 3rd party algorithms using historical sensor data. Integrate into SIGMA a supervisory analysis layer being developed by a U.S. National Laboratory for categorizing radiological alerts. The supervisory analysis will require access to 1 Hz spectral data, alarm data, GPS locations, and equipment health and calibration information. Update functionality related to the operator interface, sensor algorithm at the cloud and the network edge, and sensor integration to enhance operational demonstrations. Research and implement dynamic scaling of computing resources within the SIGMA framework and implement compression schemes for cost effective system operations. 4.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS Contents and format: The electronic copy of responses is to be in Microsoft Word 2007, Microsoft Word 2010 or Adobe Acrobat 9 compatible format using a size 12 font with one-inch margins. Responses are limited to ten (10) pages each. The Cover Page does not count toward this page limit. Submissions should include: a. A Cover Page containing the following: i. Heading - SIGMA; ii. Product name; iii. Name of developer (Company or Government Agency); iv. Developer address; v. Technical Point of Contact (POC), telephone number, email address; and vi. If applicable, your company's socioeconomic status under the following NAICS codes: (1) 518210 - Data Processing, Hosting, and Related Services; or (2) 541512 - Computer Systems Design Services; or (3)541715 - Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences. b. An Executive summary. i. The executive summary must describe familiarity with the SIGMA platform and how the performer will respond to the technical tasking. c. Technical product description. 5.0 SUBMISSION DATE AND ADDRESS: Electronic responses to this notice are to be emailed to the Contacting Officer, Jonathan Igwebueze, at Jonathan Igwebueze@hq.dhs.gov and Contract Specialist, Darnell Griffin at Darnell.griffin@hq.dhs.gov, no later than July 19th, 2021 by 3:00 PM ET. The subject line of the email should contain the RFI number (70RWMD21RFI00000007), and the body of the email should contain the words - SIGMA. (End of Request for Information)