RFI -Next Generation Firewall Ruggedized
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of the Air Force, specifically the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Control and Reporting Center (CRC) Program Management Office (PMO), is conducting market research through a Sources Sought/Request for Information (RFI). The purpose is to identify vendors capable of providing a ruggedized, field-deployable Next-Generation Firewall (NGFW) for the Starshield project. This RFI aims to gather information on solutions that can be integrated into a transit case, operate in contested environments, and enable a Zero Trust security architecture. Responses are due by April 30, 2026, 1 PM MST.
Scope of Interest
The AFLCMC seeks comprehensive security solutions that meet demanding cybersecurity requirements. This includes the ability to propose, deliver, and sustain the NGFW.
Key Requirements
Vendors should provide detailed information on:
- Solution Overview: Complete, ruggedized NGFW (preferably COTS), integration approach, key features, and estimated costs (ROM).
- Licensing: Models for air-gapped or DIL environments, including subscription, perpetual, activation, and renewal.
- Performance: Metrics for firewall, threat prevention, and VPN throughput; concurrent sessions; new connections per second; and physical specifications, with conditions detailed.
- Advanced Security: Capabilities for App-ID, User-ID, IPS, sandboxing, URL filtering, encrypted traffic inspection, Zero Trust enablement (micro-segmentation, granular policy), and detection/mitigation of reconnaissance/DoS attacks.
- Environmental Ruggedization: Compliance with MIL-STD-810H (temperature, shock, vibration, humidity, altitude) and MIL-STD-461G (EMC).
- Management & Integration: Interfaces (local/central), API capabilities for SIEM/SOAR, autonomous operation, local logging, and High Availability (HA).
- Power Architecture: Compatibility with standard AC (90-264 VAC) and tactical DC (28 VDC, MIL-STD-1275E), including power management and failover.
- Compliance: Listing on DISA APLITS and NIAP, FIPS 140-2/3 validation, TAA compliance, and a detailed Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) plan.
Submission & Deadlines
- Response Due: April 30, 2026, 1 PM MST.
- Questions Due: April 17, 2026.
- Format: Microsoft Word or searchable Adobe Acrobat PDF, 8.5 x 11-inch pages, limited to 15 pages (excluding commercial documentation). Unclassified, with proprietary information marked.
- Submission Method: Electronically via email to Ms. Wendy Farley (wendy.farley@us.af.mil) and Mr. Carlos Michel (carlos.michel@us.af.mil).
- Document Access: A current DD2345 form is required to access the RFI document. Email your DD2345 to the POCs to request access.
Contract Details
- Type: Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI).
- Set-Aside: None specified.
- NAICS: Primary NAICS is R425 (Engineering And Technical Services), but 334111 (Electronic Computer Manufacturing) is also welcomed.
- Disclaimer: This is for market research only and is not a solicitation or commitment by the Air Force. The government will not pay for information submitted.