R425 - Aviation Warfare Analytical Operational Test and Evaluation Support Services

Amendment / Modification

This amendment modifies the solicitation N0018926RW014.

• The response due date has been extended from April 2, 2026, to April 8, 2026.

• The government obligation to order maximum has been increased from $37,000,000.00 to $43,000,000.00, an increase of $6,000,000.00.

• The solicitation is amended to attach questions and answers, a revised pricing sheet, and to increase the ceiling maximum and extend the closing date.

• Response Due Date

• Government Obligation to Order Maximum

• Solicitation N0018926RW014

• The proposal deadline has been extended to April 8, 2026.

• The maximum contract value has been increased.

Solicitation

This document is a solicitation (N0018926RW0140002) for "Analytical Operational Test and Evaluation Support Services" for the Aviation Warfare Division 50 at OPTEVFOR Norfolk, VA. The solicitation outlines the government's need for technical and analytical support in the definition, conduct, and analysis of Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) for US Navy systems. The contract is a Firm-Fixed-Price, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) type, with a minimum order value of $2,500.00 and a maximum contract value of $43,000,000.00.

• Support for Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) of US Navy aviation warfare systems.

• Services include Documentation Review, Test Planning Support, Operational Test Design, Test Analysis and Reporting, Test Operations Support, Modeling and Simulation Support, and Program Management Support.

• Specific tasks involve Mission Based Test Design, Requirements Analysis, Test Design, Stakeholder Collaboration, Document and Brief Preparation, Test Execution, Post-Test Activities, and Cybersecurity Support.

• A detailed list of supported programs and systems is provided, including various aviation platforms and weapon systems.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price, Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ)

• Period of Performance: May 16, 2026, to November 15, 2031 (includes option periods).

• Estimated Value: Minimum order $2,500.00; Maximum contract value $43,000,000.00.

• Proposals are due by 11:00 AM ET on April 8, 2026.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically via email to Nicholas Stewart.

• Evaluation will be based on a Trade-off Source Selection process, considering Factor I (Facilities Clearance), Factor II (Technical Approach), Factor III (Past Performance), and Factor IV (Price).

• Non-price factors (Facilities Clearance, Technical Approach, and Past Performance) are considered more important than price.

• This acquisition is set aside for Small Business.

• NAICS Code: 541330 (Engineering Services) with a size standard of $47,000,000.00.

• Offerors must have a Top Secret Facility Clearance.

• Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) Level 1 is required.

• Specific security clearance requirements will be identified at the task order level, with a potential need for Top Secret clearance.

• The solicitation includes numerous FAR and DFARS clauses, including those related to cybersecurity, data security, and labor standards.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a revised pricing spreadsheet (Attachment 4) that requires bidders to provide detailed pricing information for labor categories and travel across multiple performance periods. It serves as a template for bidders to submit their cost proposals.

• Labor Categories: A comprehensive list of specific labor roles (e.g., Senior Program Manager, Senior T+E Engineer, Cyber Security SME) is provided for each performance period.

• Hours and Rates: Bidders must input the estimated hours and hourly rates for each labor category.

• Extended Price: The spreadsheet will calculate the extended price for each labor category based on hours and rates.

• Labor Subtotals: A subtotal for all labor costs will be calculated for each performance period.

• Travel Costs: Bidders must provide unburdened travel costs and apply any applicable burdens to determine the fully burdened travel amount for each period.

• Performance Periods: Pricing is required for the BASE Year, Year 1, Year 2, Year 3, Year 4, and the 6-month period under FAR clause 52.217-8.

• Totals: The spreadsheet requires a final total for the entire five-year period plus the FAR clause 52.217-8 ordering period.

• Provide fully burdened hourly rates for each labor category per performance period.

• Complete extended prices and labor subtotals for each period.

• Apply burdens to government-provided travel amounts to determine the fully burdened travel cost per period.

• Sum labor and travel costs for each period.

• Provide the total cost for the entire contract duration, including the FAR clause 52.217-8 period.

This spreadsheet is critical for bidders to accurately calculate and submit their proposed costs. Failure to complete this form correctly and comprehensively may impact the evaluation of the proposal. Bidders must ensure all fields are populated according to the instructions to reflect their pricing strategy for the opportunity.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding Solicitation N0018926RW014.

• PDF Acceptability: PDF versions of the Non-Price Volume are acceptable, even though the RFP specifies Microsoft Office 2016 compatibility, to preserve formatting.
• Labor Category Systems: The systems listed in PWS Section 9.15 (Naval Air Integrated Defensive Electronic Countermeasures System, IDECM Block IV, IDECM SWIP) are confirmed as accurate for the Navy Unmanned Aviation Systems Specialist labor category.
• CVN78 Support: Support for CVN78 programs, if needed beyond the current contract's period of performance, will be awarded at the Task Order level and is considered part of the overall scope.
• PWS Wording Correction: The solicitation has been corrected regarding the wording "AND OR AND" between sections. The correct PWS wording is provided, clarifying the logical operators between specific sections.
• Pricing Spreadsheet: Vendors are instructed to provide pricing for the 20 LCATs and the Cyber Security SME based on the solicitation pricing sheet as revised in Amendment 0002.

This Q&A document clarifies specific requirements and submission instructions, particularly concerning document formatting, labor categories, and pricing. Vendors should refer to the corrected PWS and Amendment 0002 for updated details.

Amendment / Modification

This amendment (0001) to solicitation N0018926RW014, dated March 12, 2026, makes the following changes:

• Formatting Correction: A formatting correction has been made to section 9.26 of the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

• New Attachment: A "Questions and Answers" attachment has been added.

• Clause Modifications: Corrections have been made to clauses 252.204-7021 and 252.204-7025.

• Performance Work Statement (PWS), Section 9.26

• Clauses 252.204-7021 and 252.204-7025

• Addition of "Questions and Answers" attachment

This amendment does not extend the due date for receipt of offers. Bidders must acknowledge receipt of this amendment with their offer. If a bidder has already submitted an offer, they may change it via letter or electronic communication referencing this amendment.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a pricing spreadsheet (Attachment 1) that requires bidders to provide detailed cost breakdowns for labor and travel across multiple performance periods. It serves as a template for submitting pricing information as part of the proposal.

• Labor Categories: Includes Senior Program Manager, Journeyman Program Manager, Senior T+E Engineer, Journeyman T+E Engineer, Senior Operation Analyst, and Journeyman Operations Analyst.
• Performance Periods: Requires pricing for the BASE Year, Year 1 through Year 4, and the FAR clause 52.217-8 (6-month) ordering period.
• Cost Components: Bidders must provide hours, rates, and extended prices for each labor category per period. They must also provide unburdened travel costs, apply any burdens, and calculate the fully burdened travel amount.
• Subtotals and Totals: The spreadsheet requires labor subtotals, labor + travel subtotals for each period, and a grand total for the entire five years plus the FAR 52.217-8 period.

Bidders must accurately complete this spreadsheet to detail their proposed costs. The rates and totals provided here will be a critical component of the proposal evaluation. Failure to complete the spreadsheet correctly or in accordance with instructions may impact the proposal's competitiveness.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation, N0018926RW014, is for Analytical Operational Test and Evaluation Support Services for the Aviation Warfare Division (Code 50) at OPTEVFOR Norfolk, VA. The government is procuring technical and analytical support for the definition, conduct, and analysis of Operational Test and Evaluation (OT&E) of U.S. Navy systems. This support may include documentation review, test planning, test design, test analysis and reporting, test operations support, modeling and simulation support, and program management support.

• Provide technical and analytical support for OT&E of U.S. Navy systems.

• Support may include: Documentation Review, Test Planning Support, Operational Test Design, Test Analysis and Reporting, Test Operations Support, Modeling and Simulation Support, and Program Management Support.

• Specific tasks include Mission Analysis, Requirements Analysis, Test Design, Stakeholder Collaboration, Document and Brief Preparation, Test Execution, and Post-Test Activities.

• Cybersecurity support is also required, including Cyber Survivability Test Planning and Research.

• Contractors must comply with all applicable security requirements, including Top Secret clearance and SCI eligibility.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP), Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ).

• Period of Performance: Ordering period from 16 May 2026 to 15 May 2031, with an option period extending to 15 November 2031.

• Estimated Maximum Contract Value: $37,000,000.00.

• Minimum Contract Value: $2,500.00.

• Minimum Order: $2,500.00.

• Maximum Order: $10,000,000.00.

• Proposals are due by 02 April 2026, 11:00 AM local time.

• Proposals must be submitted electronically via email to Nicholas Stewart.

• Evaluation will be conducted in two phases: Phase I (Facilities Clearance) and Phase II (Technical Approach, Past Performance, and Price).

• The selection will be based on a trade-off source selection process, with the Non-Price Proposal being significantly more important than the Price Proposal.

• Within the Non-Price Proposal, Factor III (Past Performance) is more important than Factor II (Technical Approach). Within Factor II, the two sub-factors (Staffing Approach and Performance and Management Approach) are weighed equally.

• NAICS Code: 541330 (Engineering Services) with a size standard of $47,000,000.00.

• The solicitation is set aside for Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) concerns.

• Attachments include Pricing Spreadsheet, Draft DD254, Wage Determination, and Past Performance forms.

• Offerors must comply with Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) requirements.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a "Past Performance Information Form" intended for offerors to provide details about their performance on previous contracts. It serves as a template for bidders to submit relevant past performance data to the government.

• Name of Offeror: To identify the bidding company.
• Contract Number, order number, or identifier: To specify the contract being referenced.
• Customer Name & Location: To identify the client for the past performance.
• Customer Point of Contact: Contact information for the client.
• Total dollar value for this effort: Financial scope of the past performance.
• Period of Performance: Duration of the contract.
• Number of personnel (FTE) performing per year: Staffing levels.
• Detailed description of the work performed: A crucial section requiring a description of the work performed, sufficient to demonstrate relevance to the current solicitation's scope. Specific guidance is provided for Helpdesk work.
• Scope: Further details on the work performed.
• Magnitude: Information on the scale of the effort.
• Subcontractor(s) Utilized: Details on any subcontracting involved.

Bidders must complete this form accurately and thoroughly to provide evidence of their past performance. The detailed description of work performed, scope, and magnitude are critical for the government to assess the offeror's capability and the relevance of their past experience to the requirements of the current solicitation. Failure to provide sufficient detail may negatively impact the evaluation of past performance.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a DD Form 254, Contract Security Classification Specification. It provides the necessary security requirements for a contract, including facility security clearance levels, safeguarding of classified information, and personnel security requirements. This form is crucial for bidders to understand the security obligations associated with the contract.

• Facility Clearance: Specifies the level of facility security clearance (FCL) required (e.g., Top Secret).
• Personnel Clearance: Details the required personnel security clearances, including Top Secret (TS) and Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) eligibility.
• Safeguarding: Outlines requirements for protecting classified information, including Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI).
• Performance Location: Identifies the actual performance location(s) and their associated security offices.
• Contracting Activity: Provides information on the Government Contracting Activity (GCA) and points of contact.
• Security Guidance: Includes specific instructions and provisions for the protection of classified and controlled unclassified information.

Bidders must review this form to determine if they possess the necessary security clearances and capabilities to meet the contract's security requirements. Failure to meet these requirements can disqualify a bidder. It highlights the need for potential personnel security investigations and facility clearances, impacting resource allocation and proposal timelines.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a Past Performance Report Form provided by NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk (FLCN). It is intended to be completed by an agency or company that has previously contracted with the offeror. The purpose is to gather feedback on the offeror's past performance to aid in evaluating their probability of successful accomplishment of work for a current solicitation.

• Contractor Information: Company Name, POC, Email, Contract/PO Number, Contract Amount, Contract Type, Period of Performance, Business Address, Phone Number.
• Completed By Information: Command/Company Name, POC, Title/Position, Email Address, Business Address, Phone Number.
• Performance Areas: The form requests ratings and comments on Quality (Recruiting, Retention, Meeting Contract Requirements, Customer Satisfaction, Rework/Deficiency Reports, Innovative Work Applications), Timeliness (Performance Schedules, Submission of Information/Reports/Invoicing), and Responsiveness (Customer Concerns, Problem Isolation/Resolution, Cost Control).
• Additional Observations: Overall strengths/weaknesses, satisfaction with award, willingness to contract again, awareness of similar efforts, and recommendations for other contacts.

Bidders should be aware that this form will be used to gather feedback on their past performance. They should ensure their past performance is well-documented and that they have positive relationships with previous contracting agencies. The questions focus on key areas that influence contract success, such as quality of work, adherence to schedule, and responsiveness to issues. This feedback directly impacts the evaluation of their proposal for the current opportunity.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a U.S. Department of Labor Wage Determination (No. 2015-4341, Revision No. 32) for North Carolina and Virginia counties. It establishes the minimum wage rates and fringe benefits required for various occupations under the Service Contract Act.

• Lists specific occupational codes and titles.
• Provides the minimum hourly wage rate for each occupation.
• Details required fringe benefits, including Health & Welfare, Vacation, and Holidays.
• Includes notes on Executive Orders 13706 (Paid Sick Leave) and 13658 (Minimum Wage).
• Outlines specific conditions for computer employees, air traffic controllers, and hazardous pay differentials.
• Describes the process for conforming unlisted classifications and wage rates.

Bidders must use this wage determination to ensure they are offering compliant wages and benefits for all covered service employees. Failure to meet these requirements can lead to contract violations. The document is crucial for accurate cost estimation and proposal development, particularly for opportunities involving service contracts in the specified geographic areas.