Guantanamo Bay Submarine Fiber Optic Cable Follow On

SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE

Tracking Number: 832674738
 

The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is seeking sources for specialized labor, Atlantic Cable Maintenance and Repair Agreement (ACMA) membership, wet plant spares storage, and secure document management in support of the United States Government-owned Submarine Fiber Optic Cable (SFOC) Systems, which includes, but is not limited to, United States Navy Base at Guantanamo Bay (GTMO).

CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS: 

DISA/DITCO/PS8313

2300 East Drive, Bldg 3600

Scott AFB, IL 62225

INTRODUCTION:

This is a SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE to determine the availability and technical capability of small businesses (including the following subsets: Small Disadvantaged Businesses, Certified 8(a), Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Businesses, HUBZone Small Businesses and Woman-Owned Small Businesses) to provide the required products and/or services.

The DISA Program Acquisition Executive (PAE) Transport Special Programs Office is seeking potential sources for the highly specialized labor and secure document management required to support Wet Plant Administration; operational and engineering technical support; membership in the ACMA for Government-owned SFOCs supporting GTMO, Cuba; and specialized storage of submerged plant spare equipment for these SFOCs.

The skills required include engineering and technical knowledge of SFOC operations, such as operations and management of the Xtera, Corp. proprietary Network Management System and the use of that system to maintain the operational effectiveness of the SFOC systems. Additionally, the Government requires skills in development and maintenance of Methods of Procedures (MOPs) needed for immediate response to any potential system outages and issues, including cable cuts, shunt faults, submerged plant hardware (repeaters/branching units) failures, near shore cable repairs, etc., as well as expertise in collaboration with the International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) to prevent impact or damage to the GTMO SFOCs by other cable operators or vendors. The Government will also require the vendor to provide secure NIST 800-171 verified compliant document management for highly sensitive MOPs, SFOC technical data, cable-crossing data, and Route Position Lists (RPLs), which can be readily accessed by approved Government personnel, engineering and technical support personnel, and SFOC repair ship contractors, when required. In addition, DISA requires specialized storage of submerged plant spare equipment (spare cable, branching units, optical amplifiers (repeaters) and jointing kits) in close proximity to the ACMA home-ported ship in Curacao.

The anticipated Period of Performance is August 13, 2027 through August 12, 2032, consisting of a one-year base period and four one-year option periods.

The anticipated Place of Performance will be at the vendor’s facility.

DISCLAIMER:

THIS SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL.  IT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT.  RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT AS A RESULT OF THIS NOTICE.  NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS NOTICE.  ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY.

CONTRACT/PROGRAM BACKGROUND:

Contract Number: HC1028-22-C-0007

Contract Vehicle: N/A

Incumbent and their size: Global Broadband Solutions, LLC (GBS)/Small Business (HUBZone)

Method of previous acquisition: Small Business Set-Aside

Period of performance: 13 August 2022 - 12 August 2027 (Base period plus 4 one-year option)

REQUIRED CAPABILITIES:

1. The GTMO SFOC Project Office provides the highly specialized support required for operational sustainment of the GTMO SFOC systems, and thus, requires support from skilled and experienced SFOC engineers and/or technical support personnel to ensure their operational effectiveness.

Please describe your experience in operations and maintenance of SFOC systems, to include experience in the use and operation of Xtera Corporation’s proprietary Network Management System to monitor and manage system operations.

1. The GTMO SFOC Project Office requires skills in development and maintenance of MOPs needed for immediate response to any potential system outages and/or issues, to include cable cuts, shunt faults, submerged plant hardware (repeaters/branching units) failures, near shore cable repairs, etc.

Please describe your experience in development and management of SFOC MOPs, and, if available, provide samples of MOPs previously developed for both deep water and near shore submerged plant failures and/or faults.

1. The GTMO SFOC Project Office requires ongoing engagement with the ICPC, through the Government’s appointed ICPC representative, to prevent impact or damage to the GTMO SFOCs by other cable operators or vendors.

Please describe your experience with the ICPC and/or the Government’s appointed

representative.

1. The GTMO SFOC Project Office requires secure, NIST 800-171 compliant, document storage and management for highly sensitive MOPs, SFOC technical data, cable-crossing data, and RPLs, which can be readily accessed by approved Government personnel, engineering and technical support personnel, and SFOC repair ship contractors, when required.

Please provide a description of your current secure document management capabilities, and, if available, your applicable System Security Plan (SSP), and independent audit validation of NIST 800-171 compliance of vendor data storage system.

1. The GTMO SFOC Project Office is tasked to provide for immediate response to emergent GTMO SFOC system submerged plant failures which requires ACMA membership for immediate and cost-effective response. The current ACMA runs through December 31, 2026, and, under normal circumstances, requires member commitments for the duration of the Agreement. The Government is seeking sources for less than full-term commitment (one-year increments, subject to availability of funds).

Please identify existing ACMA arrangements you can leverage or your capability to provide ACMA support immediately upon contract award.

1. GTMO SFOC Project Office requires storage of submerged plant spare equipment (spare cable, branching units, optical amplifiers (repeaters) and jointing kits) in close proximity to the ACMA ship home-ported in Curacao. The Curacao location is critical to minimize ship-days required, and thus cost and repair times, to reach and load spares to a repair ship in response to GTMO SFOC submerged plant failures.

Please describe your ability to provide for the required storage at a suitable specialized storage depot in Curacao.

1. GTMO SFOC Project Office requires the ability to conduct Comprehensive Desktop Studies (DTS) as well as Marine Route Surveys (MRS)s. These studies are essential in the establishment of new cables by determining the detailed requirements used in the development of new SFOC systems that would include but would not be limited to identifying routes, potential landing locations, cost estimates, timelines, environmental and other factors.

Please describe your ability to successfully conduct a DTS as well as generate deliverables explaining results in order for follow-on efforts to be determined.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

1. Must have Top Secret Facility Clearance. Please provide your current Facility Clearance level. Engineers and technical support personnel must have Top Secret clearances in place upon contract award. Confirm current staffing for this requirement. If not currently on staff, provide a response as to how you would meet this requirement.

SOURCES SOUGHT:  

The North American Industry Classification System Code (NAICS) for this requirement is 517810, with the corresponding size standard of $40M.  

In order to make a determination for a small business set-aside, two or more qualified and capable small businesses must submit responses that demonstrate their qualifications.  Responses must demonstrate the company’s ability to perform in accordance with FAR clause 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting.

To assist DISA in determining the level of participation by small business in any subsequent procurement that may result from this Sources Sought Notice, provide information regarding any plans to use joint ventures (JVs) or partnering.  Please outline the company's areas of expertise and those of any proposed JV/partner who combined can meet the specific requirements contained in this notice.

SUBMISSION DETAILS:

Responses should include:

1. Business name and address;
2. Name of company representative and their business title;
3. Small Business Socio-economic status (if small);
4. CAGE Code;
5. Prime contract vehicles; to include ENCORE III, SETI, NIH CIO-SP4, NASA SEWP V, General Service Administration (GSA): OASIS, ALLIANT II, VETS II, STARS III, MAS (including applicable SIN(s), groups or pools), or any other Government Agency contract vehicle that allows for decentralized ordering.  (This information is for market research only and businesses with a valid cage that lack prime contract vehicles are still encouraged to respond to this notice.)

Businesses who wish to respond must send a response via email NLT 4:00 PM Central Standard Time (CST) on August 31, 2026 to shamra.y.joiner.civ@mail.mil, michael.n.zaloga.civ@mail.mil, joshua.m.shifflett.civ@mail.mil and leslie.a.burgossosa.civ@mail.mil. Interested businesses should submit a brief capabilities statement package addressing the specific questions above (no more than eight pages) demonstrating the ability to perform the services listed under Required Capabilities and Special Requirements.      

Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials.  All information received that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly.  All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.  All government and contractor personnel reviewing submitted responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as pursuant to 41 USC 423.  The Government shall not be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified.

For information on DISA’s requirements, you can find current information on our home page: www.disa.mil – that includes current forecast and the current acquisition strategies. If there is no information regarding the requirement you may be inquiring about, then there is no additional publicly available information. Please continue to review www.disa.mil.