Active

Contract Opportunity

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION - QUANTUM RESISTANT CRYPTO SOLUTION

(U) This Request for Information (RFI) is in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.215-3 (Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes - Oct 1997) and is published to obtain information for use by the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Cryptologic and Cyber Systems Division (HNC), Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland AFB, Texas, for market research and planning purposes only.

(U) This RFI is NOT a Request for Proposal, Invitation for Bid, or an announcement of a solicitation; it is only intended for information or planning purposes. There is no bid package or solicitation document associated with this announcement. Response to this RFI is strictly voluntary and will not affect any potential offeror's ability to submit an offer if a solicitation is released. Any requests for a solicitation package will be disregarded. The government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for the information solicited. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the government will arise as a result of preparing submissions in response to this RFI and the government's use of such information.

(U) Submittals will not be returned to the sender. Respondents to this RFI may be requested to provide additional information/details based on their initial submittals.

Program

(U) Cryptographic Transformation Section: High Speed, Low Power, Small Form Factor Quantum Resistant Crypto Solution.

Purpose

(U) This RFI is NOT a Request for Proposal, Invitation for Bid, or an announcement of a solicitation; it is only intended to seek information from industry. The information provided may be used the program office to develop its acquisition strategy, statement of work and system requirements.

(U) Respondents to this RFI may be requested to provide additional information/details based on their initial submittals.

Background

(U) The Air Force Cryptologic Modernization Branch (AFLCMC/HNCA) is preparing for Cryptographic Modernization 2 (CM2) activities looking for novel ways to address the 6 capability groups and 42 associated gaps to achieve modernization of DoD cryptographic capabilities. A description of the CM2 capability groups is shown in Figure 1 below. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Cryptologic Systems Group (AFLCMC/HNC) is submitting this RFI to industry to help design a state-of-the-art crypto solution appropriate to address demanding requirements of advanced aircraft platforms.

Information Sought

(U) AFLCMC/HNC requests industry provide information on available or in-development solutions that can be used to address specialized cryptographic capability needs.

(U) Design a state-of- the-art crypto solution for advanced aircraft platforms prioritizing quantum resilience, high speed data processing, low power consumption and compactness. Ensures the highest level of security for communications while also accommodating the operational constraints of advanced fighter aircraft and unmanned systems in terms of speed, power efficiency, computational capabilities, and space limitations.

(U) Key Features should address the following:

• (U) Quantum Resistant Algorithms


• (U) High Speed Processing


• (U) Low Power Module


• (U) Small Form Factor Design


• (U) Dynamic Key Management and Distribution


• (U) Multi-Domain Operational Support


• (U) NSA High Assurance Certification

(U) Vendors should address the following:

• (U) Is there a current solution that can support these capabilities? Is it NSA-certified and up to what classification level? When is the end-certification of the solution?

• (U) If not, is there a current solution that could be modified to support these capabilities? Please describe in detail the scope of modification required (e.g. hardware or software).

• (U) If there is not a current solution or a modification to a current solution, is there a potential development opportunity? If so, please describe the new solution.

• (U) For any of the above (current solution, modification of current solution, or new development), provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) and potential Period of Performance (PoP) to support an estimated capability development effort occurring in FY27 through FY30.

(U) Vendors who submit information for review do so with the understanding that U.S. Government personnel as well as their support contractors will review their material and data. Respondents will not be contacted regarding their submission or information gathered as a result of this notice nor the outcome of the Government's review of the solicited information unless the Government desires further information. Submitted information packages will be retained by the Government and not returned to the contractor. Ensure information is marked and sent appropriately if the response is Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).

(U) This initiative is a no incumbent, modernization requirement expected to be competed.

(U) All interested, capable and responsible sources that wish to respond to this RFI are required to electronically supply their responses and send to org account: aflcmc.cryptologic.transformation@us.af.mil by COB 14 April 2024. Please include the title, “Advanced Fighter Aircraft,” in the Subject Line.

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