Synopsis: This is a Request for Information (RFI). This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. This notice is for MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY, and in no way obligates the United States Government to issue a solicitation or otherwise make a contract award. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) Research & Development (RD) office is seeking eligible performers who are qualified to conduct and accomplish the requirements specified in this RFI. Background: DTRA enables the Department of Defense (DoD), the United States Government, and international partners to counter and deter weapons of mass destruction and improvised threat networks. The National Defense Strategy (NDS) recognizes the dangerous and dynamic threat environment we now face and provides clear direction to the DoD - adopt new approaches to engage a complex set of adversaries at three levels: strategic armed conflict and nuclear deterrence, conventional armed conflict, and Gray Zone competition. Supply chain logistics play a key role in DoD’s mission. The ability to supply, move and maintain the force in operational conditions is integral to success, or defeat, of its mission areas. While traditional supply chain activity has focused on managing the risk to physical commodities, the modern landscape requires the DoD to account for risks from the time a requirement is identified through development, sustainment, and ultimately retirement. In response to the NDS, DTRA is developing innovative, data-driven analytic methods and tools using artificial intelligence and advanced analytics to expand its supply chain risk management capacity and achieve improved illumination of the global threats we now face. Purpose and Objectives: DTRA, a Combat Support and Defense Agency, applies threat network understanding to drive operational activities and ensures the highest return on investment. This includes actions for operational components within DTRA as well as options for partners across the USG and around the world. Network analysis informs DTRA capability development, ensuring we develop the tools needed to disrupt and defeat threat networks left of boom, as well as our efforts that protect service members who may need to operate in contaminated environments. Through this RFI, DTRA RD-CB seeks to further understand industry’s network analysis capability in order to effectively counter and deter WMD and improvised threat networks. DTRA defines Supply Chain Risk Management as the systematic process of identifying, assessing, and mitigating threats, vulnerabilities, and disruptions to the agency’s supply chain to maintain mission effectiveness. DTRA’s objective is to seek to maintain the integrity of products, services, and technologies; ensure the undisrupted flow of materiel and information; and provide for the efficient use of finances across the lifecycle of our programs. General Requirements: The following are requirements, capabilities, and deliverables the U.S. Government may request in order to satisfy the criteria of the scope as outlined below and subsequently may issue a Request for Proposals (RFP). Utilize existing capability and platform to provide required supply chain management and network threat analysis This platform should offer continuous monitoring and alerting to new and emerging threats of interest (to be identified). Access “big data” analytics and data sources that can be used to illuminate illicit network members related to supply chain (i.e., operational, financial and commercial due diligence). Provide extensive analytic support in the following areas: autonomous supplier network, supplier ecosystem diligence, and supply chain analysis Deliver quantifiable risk ratings in association with DTRA-provided areas of interest/focus. Provide ad hoc reports as necessary to disseminate information, as well as overarching, comprehensive final report. Response Requirements: The U.S. Government invites sources to respond to this RFI that have the capability to meet these parameters and would have an interest to bid on a requirement of similar objectives. Responses shall be limited to five (5) pages. Pages not included in the total page count are the cover page, the cover letter and the table of contents. Any and all information submitted in response to this notice is strictly voluntary and in no way obligates the U.S. Government to a monetary compensation or otherwise to make a contract award. The U.S. Government will not return any submitted data and information. The responder may solicit input on technical aspects of the responses from non-government consultants/experts bound by appropriate non-disclosure requirements. Submission Instructions: Responses shall be limited to five (5) 8x11 pages and shall: Confirm source’s ability and interest to meet purpose and objectives provided Identify any aspects of the requirements stated that cannot be met and any issues/concerns with the requirements as stated Assess whether purpose and objectives can be accomplished within twelve months, or provide a realistic alternative timeframe for completion Provide information on past performance, preferably with other DoD or government entities. The responder should provide information to STEPHANIE CALDERWOOD at
[email protected], no later than OCTOBER 1, 2020, 3:00 PM. Disclaimer and Important Notes: This is a Request for Information. There is no solicitation available at this time. Requests for Solicitation and inquiries related to same will not receive a response. THIS NOTICE IS PUBLISHED FOR MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY, AND IN NO WAY OBLIGATES THE GOVERNMENT TO ISSUE A SOLICITATION OR OTHERWISE MAKE A CONTRACT AWARD. Any and all information submitted in response to this synopsis is strictly voluntary. The Government will not pay for any information submitted in response to this notice and shall become the property of DTRA. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organizations qualifications to perform the work. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, DTRA RD-CB may issue a pre-solicitation synopsis and an RFP. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation which may be published in the future. Confidentiality: No classified or confidential information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s). Any proprietary information should be clearly marked.