Inactive

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION Description 1.1 The U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) utilizes radio telescope data obtained by observing distant astronomical sources for both determination of Earth orientation p... REQUEST FOR INFORMATION Description 1.1 The U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) utilizes radio telescope data obtained by observing distant astronomical sources for both determination of Earth orientation parameters (EOP) and for maintenance of the Celestial Reference Frame (CRF). Both the EOP and the CRF data are critical to the mission of the USNO for the Department of Defense (DOD). Such observations are made by combining data from two or more widely separated radio telescopes with a technique known as Very Long Baseline Interferometry (VLBI) through the use of a VLBI correlator. This contract is to provide hardware and software support for the USNO VLBI correlator and to maintain a capability to act as a backup correlator. 1.2 This contract is to obtain VLBI correlator support. This effort involves providing: (1) software support in accordance with USNO and Navy Information Assurance guidelines and requirements, (2) hardware support, and (3) backup correlator capability. 1.3 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 Quote (RFQ) or promise to issue an RFQ in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Navy is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondees are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFQ, if any is issued. Requirement - Supporting the DifX correlator software through the following: a) assistance in troubleshooting software, b) assisting with operating system upgrades through initial testing on the Socorro Test Fixture, c) continuation of development and testing of the DiFX software correlator code base and advice to USNO on upgrades, d) renewal of software licenses as required, e) patches and upgrades of software and operating systems in accordance with Navy IA requirements (see appendix A). THE CONTRACTOR will aim to provide response times commensurate with the urgency of received requests. A web-based issue tracking system and a human point of contact will serve as the interface to THE CONTRACTOR's service role. - Providing hardware support by the following: a) assistance with troubleshooting failed hardware, b) testing new or replacement hardware on the Socorro Test Fixture, c) making available replacements for failed components, d) assisting with or executing the replacement of failed components, e) configuring replacement components for operations in the DifX correlator environment. THE CONTRACTOR will aim to provide response times commensurate with the urgency of received requests. A web-based issue tracking system and a human point of contact will serve as the interface to THE CONTRACTOR's service role. - THE CONTRACTOR will maintain the capability to act as a backup correlator to the USNO to ensure continuity of operations in times of need. - Support USNO’s NASA Gateway Network’s (NGN) accreditation and compliance with Information Assurance guidelines as stated in Appendix A. - - - - The THE CONTRACTOR will be required to perform actions needed to maintain the cybersecurity posture of the systems for which THE CONTRACTOR employees have privileged access. THE CONTRACTOR understands that these responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following activities: - Apply patches, fixes or updates to Software Correlator or Lustre file system components which are deemed to be critical by the NGN Information Assurance Manager (IAM) within specified timelines for compliance. For any patches, updates or fixes that cannot be applied within specified timelines due to technical infeasibility, the THE CONTRACTOR will submit a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) which will specific milestones and completion dates for applying the patch, update or fix. - Ensure that both IA and IA-Enabled NGN system components for which THE CONTRACTOR has responsibility are configured in accordance with applicable Defense Information System Agency (DISA) Security Technical Implementation Guides (STIG) or Security Recommendation Guides (SRG). For any technical configuration settings or requirements that cannot be presently configured in accordance with applicable STIG guidance, the THE CONTRACTOR will submit a Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M) which will specific milestones and completion dates for achieving compliance. When possible, THE CONTRACTOR will implement additional technical countermeasures to mitigate risk to acceptable levels in accordance with the NGN accreditation documentation - Make necessary configuration changes to the Software Correlator system or its components as needed to maintain the cybersecurity posture of the network and the acceptable level of risk as specified in the NGN accreditation documentation. - Ensure that any proposed changes, upgrades or modifications to NGN system components for which THE CONTRACTOR has responsibility are fully reviewed and authorized by the USNO IAM and command Configuration Control Board (CCB) before being implemented or deployed on the NGN network. Changes to the NGN IT baseline that require For any proposed changes THE CONTRACTOR will complete and submit an Enterprise Change Request (ECR) no less than 2 weeks prior to the requested action date to the site IAM and CCB for review and approval at the next CCB meeting. - Support Security Test & Evaluations (ST&E) performed for reaccreditation of the NGN network. - Support annual cybersecurity inspections of NGN system components as required by FISMA. - Support continuous monitoring activities such as ongoing vulnerability scanning of NGN systems and components using a DoD approved enterprise tool such as the Assured Compliance Assessment Solution (ACAS). - THE CONTRACTOR understands that automated vulnerability scans of systems for which they have responsibility will take place no less than monthly in accordance with monthly reporting requirements. Scans will be performed by the USNO N6 department in coordination with THE CONTRACTOR personnel. Furthermore, THE CONTRACTOR understands that scan accounts for automated scanning tools such as ACAS must be configured on all NGN systems that have an Internet Protocol (IP) address and that these accounts must have the correct level of privileged access in order to obtain scan. - Additionally, to meet requirements contained in the Information Assurance Workforce Improvement Program (DoD 8570.01-M) which provides guidance for the identification and categorization of positions and certification of personnel conducting Information Assurance (IA) or cybersecurity functions with the DoD, THE CONTRACTOR agrees to the following: - THE CONTRACTOR members will obtain and maintain a baseline IA certification in accordance with DoD 8570.01-M requirements. - THE CONTRACTOR members will be issued a GFE from USNO and will only use an authorized GFE to access NGN systems components remotely. -THE CONTRACTOR members will apply security patches and updates to systems for which they are responsible in accordance with DoD and Navy mandated timelines for closure. For findings that cannot be closed, THE CONTRACTOR will provide a Plan of Action and Milestone (POA&M) to the USNO IAM for inclusion in the accreditation documentation and for mandatory monthly reporting requirements. Guidelines for closure of Category I, Category II and Category III findings will be provided by the site IAM 3.0 Responses Request Responses by Thursday 21 April 2022, 3:00pm EST. The response shall be submitted via e-mail only to the Government Point of Contract (POC): LT Jesse Doiron, Contract Specialist, jesse.r.doiron.mil@us.navy.mil. Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing to the Contracting Specialist. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted via telephone. The Government does not guarantee that all questions received will be answered. The RFI should address the following: 1. Ability to meet specifications/Previous similar experience 2. Capability Statement, 3. Company Information. Name, mailing address, phone number, CAGE/and or DUNS, business size status and e-mail of designated point of contact