This report is different than the the typical opportunities that I cover where there will not be any incumbent information within this report. USAF AFRL is using the name Pluto for this project. This is not to be confused with the 1960s project to develop a nuclear-powered ramjet engine for cruise missiles. The new Pluto program is for The Air Force Research Laboratory, Information Directorate, Rome NY (AFRL/RI), requires Program Management Services, DoDIIS RDT&E Services, Cybersecurity Testing Services, Data Analytics Research Development and Integration, and IT Systems Architecture, Development, Integration, and Maintenance.
The most current posting is a Request for Information (RFI) primarily geared towards Small Business. However, the documentation does provide a point of contact for large businesses to submit their responses in case the Government decides not to use the Small Business Set-Aside. The small business standard is average annual receipts of $34M. A Cost-Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) Level-of-Effort (LOE) type contract with a period of performance of 60 months is anticipated. The government is also inquiring about the ability of companies to provide contractors with
To scope the magnitude of effort required, it assumes approximately 2,728,700 labor hours (total), with industry average burdened rates in the range of $115-$160 per hour, including travel, and other direct costs accounting for an additional 15% of burdened labor. It is anticipated that at least 40% of proposed personnel will need to be TS/SCI cleared and available at the time of award.
The RFI also provides that the information under Solicitation FA8750-24-R-B001 is also located within the GSA E-Buy and GSA Alliant 2 websites. These websites require your company to hold those types of contracts. GSA E-Buy is the procurement website for GSA Schedule holders and the GSA Alliant 2 is a Government Wide Acquisition Contract (GWAC). With this said, both contract types are the type where you are awarded the schedule/contract just to win the right to chase opportunities posted under those two mechanisms.
The RFI posted to sam.gov appears under the Notice ID: 24-C-B001_RFI (Solicitation FA875024RB001) and uses the NAICS: 541512 (Computer Systems Design Services) is out of the Department of Defense (DOD), United States Air Force (USAF), Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), and Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The place of performance is listed at Rome Research Site, Rome, NY and OCONUS and CONUS locations.
Issued Office Location:
CP 315 330 7298 26 ELECTRONIC PKWY BLDG 106 RM E125, ROME , NY 13441-4514, USA
Most Recent Notice ID: 24-C-B001_RFI (Solicitation FA875024RB001) (sam.gov)
- Projected RFP Release: 07/24/2024 (120 days after RFI release)
- RFI Posted: March 27, 2024
- The projected RFP release date is simply counting 120 days from the RFI release date only. It is a projection based on information provided within the RFI
Point of Contact:
- Primary: Mr. Shannon G. Sullivan, Shannon.sullivan.2@us.af.mil, 315-330-2103
- Secondary: Matthew Collins, matthew.collins.31@us.af.mil, 315-330-2299
Request large businesses also respond to Matthew Collins, Contract Specialist, only to express their interest in submitting a proposal, should this acquisition not be a small business set-aside
Performance Work Statement Description (Partial):
The contractor shall perform technical support for IT services to facilitate ISR A&F missions as follows:
The purpose of this TO is to provide AFRL/RIEB and its clients with specialized Information Technology (IT) Engineering Services (ES) and analytical support within the ISR domain for the AFRL/RIEB and its mission partners. Services will be provided at multiple Government installations throughout the Contiguous United States (CONUS) and field support at CONUS and Outside CONUS (OCONUS) DoD locations. The services include:
- Intelligence IT Systems Analysis.
- Requirements Analysis.
- Solutions Analysis.
- Operational and Technical Assessment.
- Operational Architecture Analysis.
- Systems Engineering.
- Configuration and Database Management.
- Life cycle engineering of systems through certification.
The scope of this TO includes all aspects of IT systems engineering including, configuration, database management, life cycle engineering of systems through certification and fielding, requirements and solution analysis, and engineering operational and technical assessment. Specifically, emphasis is on integration of requirements across the enterprise including incorporating emerging sensors into the Intelligence Community (IC) supporting global Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (PED) architecture, or managing integration between IC members and DoD Command and Control (C2) mission partners, and Intelligence producers.
Other Information :
Per AFRL Fact Sheet:
AFRL/RIEB – Information Handling Branch
Mission Statement
Deliver devastating warfighting advantage through agile information technology innovation.
Contact Information:
Email: afrl.rieb.office@us.af.mil
Phone: (315) 330-3601
DSN: 587-3601
Fax: (315) 330-3913
DSN Fax: 587-3913
With the information concerning Alliant 2 being provided within the RFI, it’s important to note some information. First, Alliant 2 was extended in 2023. Also, the value increased by $25 billion dollars to come to a total program value of $75 billion. The Government has started working on the next iteration under the name Alliant 3. Many top large Government Contractors are on the Alliant 2 GWAC. It’s a good time to either look into becoming a prime or inquiring about subcontract opportunities that may be available for Alliant 3.
Artificial Intelligence Applications Answer:
Question: What do you know about the current AFRL/RIEB Pluto project?
Microsoft Copilot Response (Creative Conversation Style):
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) has initiated the AFRL Regional Research Hub project, which aims to establish regional research networks in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. Here are the key points about this project:
- Purpose and Goals:
- The AFRL Regional Research Hub intends to connect AFRL’s innovative research with regional innovators.
- The goal is to leverage these ecosystems to accelerate technology translation and impact both defense and commercial markets.
- Lead Institutions:
- The lead institutions for this initiative are Purdue University and Cornell University.
- They are working to establish operational processes for the hubs.
- Integration and Collaboration:
- The Regional Research Hubs aim to integrate diverse stakeholders.
- They facilitate new teams, processes, and exchanges to create a culture of mission-driven vertically cohesive innovation.
- The focus is on leveraging the research, translation, and workforce development strengths of hub members.
- Initial Projects:
- Workshops conducted at Cornell and Purdue will lead to the announcement of the initial projects soon.
- These projects will test novel business model processes jointly developed by AFRL and hub members.
- The goal is to streamline operations, information exchange, and security among hub members and AFRL.
- Shovel-Ready Projects:
- AFRL is bringing out “shovel-ready” projects to stimulate exploration of translation opportunities with regional members.
- Purdue and Cornell have reached out to their members, including universities, industry, and government laboratories, to solicit ideas.
This project aims to enhance collaboration, accelerate technology development, and strengthen the connection between AFRL and regional innovators 1.
Google Gemini Response:
I don’t have enough information to tell you specifically about the current AFRL/RIEB Pluto project. However, I can help you find some resources that might be useful. Here are some suggestions:
- Search the web for AFRL/RIEB Pluto project. You can use a search engine like Google Scholar (https://scholar.google.com/) to find academic papers or news articles about the project.
- Look for websites of the AFRL (Air Force Research Laboratory) or RIEB (Rochester Institute of Technology Exploration Booster). They might have information about the project on their websites.
- Contact AFRL or RIEB directly. They might be able to give you more information about the project
The information provided in this Federal Government Contracting Opportunity was obtained through open research utilizing open Federal Government procurement websites. The information must be accessible to all in order to appear in this information piece.
