Navy releases RFI for $3.4B NGEN recompete

Friday afternoon the Navy finally released the request for information and kicked off the recompete process for the $3.4 billion Next Generation Enterprise Network.

This RFI is just the first in a series of outreach efforts the Navy has planned. The Navy promises a second RFI by the end of 2015. It also is planning industry days in November and February, though the RFI doesn’t include dates for them. The Navy also said it plans to create several opportunities for industry to review and comment on draft procurement documents through mid2016.

To get to the RFI, follow this link. Then click on the Headquarters folder on the left hand side of the page. Then click on Market Surveys and the link to NGEN RFI should be at the top of the list on the Market Surveys page. The Navy also has a warning to open the link using Internet Explorer on a PC because other browsers may not work. As of Friday evening, the RFI had not been posted on FBO.gov. The solicitation number is N00039-15-R-1008

The RFI includes a fillable PDF that the Navy wants respondents to use file their responses to the Navy’s questions. The 50-page PDF includes sections asking questions about cybersecurity, end-user services, enterprise services, functions, network services and video and voice services.

The Navy is trying to determine what kind of acquisition approach to use to recompete the NGEN contract currently held by Hewlett-Packard Co. HP won the current contract in 2013. It expires June 28, 2018. HP also was the incumbent on the Navy Marine Corps Intranet contact, which NGEN replaced. The NMCI contract was won by EDS in 1999. HP later acquired EDS.

NGEN has 34 services areas and with the new contract, the Navy wants to leverage other delivery models for its network infrastructure, including staying with the NMCI network, the Marine Corps Enterprise Network, and cloud services. The Navy wants to explore the use of infrastructure as a service, platform as a service and software as a service.

“The key tenets of any potential future contracts include global reach, speed to delivery, cloud-based services, innovation, mobility, data analytics and cybersecurity,” the Navy writes in the RFI.

The NMCI network, which the NGEN contract manages, is one of the largest in the world, with 300,000 seats and 700,000 users at 2,500 locations. Users include Navy and Marine Corps personnel, civilian employees and contractors.

Responses to the RFI are due Oct. 19.