1. Disclaimer and Statutory Notices 1.1. This is a Sources Sought Announcement / Request for Information (RFI) only. This announcement is issued solely for information, planning, and market research purposes in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 10 and FAR Part 8. 1.2. This notice does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ), Invitation for Bids (IFB), or Request for Proposal (RFP). Issuance of this notice does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that the Government will issue a formal solicitation or award a contract/order. The Government is not obligated to and will not pay for any information submitted or received from potential sources as a result of this notice. All information submitted in response to this announcement is strictly voluntary and no funds are available to compensate respondents for any costs incurred in developing or submitting response. 1.3. Failure to submit a response to this notice will not prevent an interested source from participating in any future formal ordering action related to this requirement. 1.4. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Capability statements received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement under DoD ESI or execute an order under limited-source procedures. 1.5. Proprietary Information: All information received marked "Proprietary" will be handled in accordance with applicable federal regulations. The Government reserves the right to use non-proprietary technical information provided in responses in any resulting solicitation. 1.6. No telephone requests for additional information will be accepted. All inquiries must be submitted in writing via email to the designated Government points of contact. 2. Background and Intent to Utilize DoD ESI 2.1. In accordance with Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Subpart 208.74, the Government intends to satisfy this requirement through an existing DoD Enterprise Software Initiative (ESI) Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA). As such, the primary purpose of this notice is to survey and assess the capability and availability of sources through current DoD ESI BPA to satisfy the requirements outlined in Section 3. 2.2. Socio-Economic Objectives: A primary purpose of this market research is to ascertain whether there are two or more capable small business DoD ESI BPA holders or authorized reseller partners (e.g., Small Business, SDVOSB, WOSB, HUBZone, or 8(a) participants) capable of fulfilling the requirement to support an order-level small business set-aside pursuant to FAR Part 8. 2.3. Historical Context: The previous procurement action for this requirement was executed under FAR Subpart 8.405 with an approved Limited-Sources Justification (LSJ) pursuant to FAR 8.405-6 ("only one source capable of providing the supplies or services required at the level of quality required because the supplies or services are unique or highly specialized"). This market research will determine whether competitive market capabilities and authorized resellers currently exist across the DoD ESI BPA landscape (including Small Business concerns) to satisfy PMX-281’s requirements, or whether an updated limited-sources justification is legally substantiated. 3. Scope of Work and Technical Overview 3.1 Program Background Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), through PMX-281, is committed to providing the warfighter with reliable strike planning and execution capabilities through operationally relevant, programmatically sound material solutions. PMX-281 is responsible for the acquisition and life cycle management of a wide array of mission planning systems, control systems, and execution tools that are developed and integrated in partnership with other NAVAIR program offices and foreign nation customers and partners. To maintain current digital services and aggressively adapt to the rapidly evolving digital landscape, PMX-281 leadership requires access to on-demand, objective expertise and specialized analytical tools to support the modernization of software in support of United States Naval Aviation. 3.2 Scope of Requirement The primary scope of this requirement is to provide PMX-281 leadership and technical directors with: Software Engineering and Decision Intelligence Tools: On-demand digital platforms, subscription repositories, benchmark data, and toolsets that support strategic technology roadmaps, AI integration, enterprise software architecture, and modernization initiatives. Objective Advisory & Consulting Services: Direct access to industry subject matter experts, senior technology analysts, and executive advisors capable of providing rapid, tailored briefings, peer-reviewed technology assessments, and strategic guidance aligned to naval strike planning mission systems. 3.3 Core Requirements and Deliverables The contractor shall be capable of delivering the following four (4) requirements: Requirement Description: Executive Program Leadership –Team Leader License Minimum Quantity: 1 Each Scope/Capability Threshold: Dedicated enterprise advisory access for primary program executive leadership; includes custom inquiry privileges, strategy sessions, and peer-benchmarked IT/AI datasets. Requirement Description: Executive Program Leadership - Executive Member Licenses Minimum Quantity: 5 Each Scope/Capability Threshold: Comprehensive access for senior engineering and technical leads; includes full access to research documents, analyst inquiry, and specialized toolsets. Requirement Description: Integrated Product Team Lead Plus Advisory Member Licenses Minimum Quantity: 5 Each Scope/Capability Threshold: Targeted advisory and document repository access for supporting technical and functional team members. Requirement Description: Specialized Consulting & Advisory Services Minimum Quantity: As Needed Scope/Capability Threshold: On-demand advisory sessions, strategic technology road mapping, and AI/software modernizations reviews. Security & Facility Clearances: Offerors must have the organizational capacity to comply with the industrial security requirements specified in a DD Form 254 (Department of Defense Contract Security Classification Specification) Personnel providing advisory services must be eligible for the appropriate security clearances (Top Secret (SCI)) as dictated by specific advisory sessions and mission integration meetings. Technical discussions and data associated with PMX-281 strike planning programs may involve export-controlled information. If an interested person is a foreign concern or if a U.S. entity has foreign team members, strict adherence to all International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR) is required. 4.0 Contract Vehicle Eligibility Criteria To be considered an eligible source for this requirement under DFARS 208.74: The respondent must be a Prime Holder of an active DoD ESI Blanket Purchase Agreement (BPA) OR an Authorized Reseller / Teaming Partner operating under an active DoD ESI BPA contract. The respondent’s underlying vehicle must be authorized under GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Information Technology or an established DoD enterprise agreement covering Information Technology Research and Advisory Subscriptions. 5.0 Instructions for Submission of Capability Statements 5.1 Content Guidelines & Anti-Brochure Notice Interested parties are advised against submitting a Capability Statement that merely mimics information in this notice, provides brochure-like information, or provides general marketing summaries. Responses must be pertinent, specific, and substantiate how your firm feasibly satisfies each technical, security, and contract vehicle requirement. 5.2 Formatting & Page Limitations Page Limit: Responses shall not exceed eight (8) pages in total length (excluding cover page and publisher authorization letters). Format: Submissions must be delivered electronically in Adobe PDF or Microsoft Word format, 8.5 x 11-inch page layout, standard 1-inch margins, and font no smaller than 10-point Times New Roman (or comparable legible font). Markings: All submissions should be clearly marked. If submissions are Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), these submissions should be clearly captioned, and Releasable to Government Agencies for Evaluation Purposes Only. 5.3 Required Response Structure Respondents must structure their Capability Statement into the following five (5) distinct sections: Part A: Corporate Overview & Vehicle Status Company Information: Company Name, Address, SAM Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), CAGE Code, and Company Website. Point of Contact : Name, Title, Email, Phone Number DoD ESI BPA Identification : Specific DoD ESI BPA Contract Number(s), Corresponding GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) Contract Number (if nested), Current Period of Performance and expiration date of the BPA, and status: Are you the Prime BPA Holder or an Authorized Reseller/Partner? (If reseller, provide formal manufacturer/publisher authorization letter). Part B: Socio Economic Designations & Small Business Capability Identify all applicable socioeconomic categories under AICS 541512 / 541519 / 513210 Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB), 8(a), SDVOSB, VOSB, WOSB, EDWOSB, HUBZone, and Other /Large Business Non-Manufacturer Rule (NMR) Compliance: If claiming Small Business status for the software/subscription tasking, state whether your firm meets the Small Business Administration (SBA) Non-Manufacturer Rule (13 CFR 121.406) or if you intend to utilize an SBA class/individual waiver. Part C: Technical Capability & Requirements Conformance License Tier Equivalence: Detail how your proprietary or resold advisory subscription toolset provides 100% equivalent or superior capabilities to the three specific license categories listed in Section 3 (Team Leader, Executive Member, and Advisory Member). AI & Software Modernization Coverage: Provide concrete evidence of your platform’s depth in providing objective, empirical research and decision tools specifically focused on: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) decision intelligence frameworks. Defense and aerospace software architecture modernization. Mission planning and strike systems software engineering best practices. Analyst Access & On-Demand Inquiries: Explain the mechanism and service-level agreements (SLAs) for connecting PMX-281 program leaders directly with senior technology analysts for rapid inquiries and custom reviews. Relevant Past Performance: Detail past performance (within the last 3 years) providing similar software advisory subscriptions and consulting services to DoD or federal agencies of similar complexity. Part D: Security & Delivery Feasibility Confirm that the software platform and data repositories meet DoD Cloud Computing Security Requirements Guide (SRG) impact levels (e.g., FedRAMP Moderate / DoD IL4 or IL5, as applicable to the subscription portal). State the clearance level of personnel available for consulting and advisory sessions (Secret / Top Secret / SCI). Part E: Commercial Pricing Structure & BPA Terms Provide commercial catalog or discounted DoD ESI BPA pricing structures for the licensing and consulting above. Identify whether the pricing includes enterprise-wide read-only seats, team inquiry allowances, or discrete travel costs for in-person advisory sessions. 6.0 Submission Details & Response Deadline 6.1. Response Deadline: All capability statements must be submitted electronically no later than 04 November 2026 at 17:00 EST. Late responses may not be reviewed for market research consideration. 6.2. Submission Method: All responses must be submitted electronically via email to: Contract Specialist: Jennifer Davis at Jennifer.D.Davis1.civ@us.navy.mil Contracting Officer: Raymond Cannon at Raymond.C.Cannon2.civ@us.navy.mil Email Subject Line: Response to Sources Sought: PMX-281 IT Strategy, Software Modernization, and Digital Decision Intelligence Advisory Subscriptions Proprietary Information: All proprietary, trade-secret, or competition-sensitive data must be clearly marked. The Government will handle all properly marked submissions in strict accordance with FAR 3.104 and applicable federal procurement statutes. In order to complete its technical and market research review, NAVAIR must be able to share submission information within the Government. Any responses marked with blanket restrictions that do not permit internal Government evaluation may be returned without being assessed or considered. Classified material SHALL NOT be submitted in response to this announcement.
