How to Win the CAF DMO Contract: A Guide for Government Contractors

Introduction

Solicitation number CAFDMOSRFI202201 – The Combat Air Forces Distributed Mission Operations (CAF DMO) contract is a highly competitive and lucrative opportunity for government contractors who can provide advanced simulation and training solutions for the U.S. Air Force. The contract, which is expected to be awarded in 2023, has an estimated value of $6.4 billion and a duration of 10 years. In this article, we will provide an overview of the CAF DMO contract, its historical background, its requirements and eligibility criteria, its challenges and risks.

Historical Background

The CAF DMO contract is a follow-on to the current CAF DMO contract that was awarded in 2013 to Northrop Grumman Corporation. The current contract provides simulation and training services for various CAF platforms, such as fighters, bombers, command and control, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and special operations forces. The contract also supports the Distributed Mission Operations Network (DMON), which connects dissimilar aircraft simulator platforms across different locations and security levels, enabling realistic and integrated training scenarios.

The CAF DMO contract is part of the broader Distributed Mission Operations (DMO) initiative, which aims to enhance the readiness and effectiveness of the CAF through live-virtual-constructive (LVC) training. LVC training combines live (real-world) assets, virtual (simulated) assets, and constructive (computer-generated) assets to create a synthetic environment that mimics operational conditions. DMO enables CAF crews to train together in a high-fidelity, realistic virtual environment, while reducing the need to fly actual sorties for training.

RFP Description

The CAF DMO contract is expected to be solicited in 2023 by the Air Combat Command (ACC), which is the primary provider of air combat forces for the U.S. Air Force. The contract will have a base period of five years and an option period of five years. The contract will require the contractor to provide simulation and training services for all CAF platforms, as well as support the DMON and other related networks. The contractor will also be responsible for developing and maintaining interoperability standards, testing and certifying simulators, managing configuration changes, providing cross-domain solutions, and participating in various agreements with other contractors and government agencies.

The CAF DMO contract will be a multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract, which means that the government will award contracts to multiple vendors who will compete for task orders under the contract. The contract will use a best-value trade-off approach, which means that the government will consider both technical and price factors in evaluating proposals. The contract will also use a self-scoring methodology, which means that the offerors will assign themselves points based on their qualifications and experience in various categories.

Eligible Participants

The CAF DMO contract is open to any government contractor who can meet the minimum requirements and qualifications specified in the solicitation. The contractor must have relevant experience in providing simulation and training services for CAF platforms, as well as supporting the DMON and other related networks. The contractor must also have adequate resources, personnel, facilities, equipment, security clearances, certifications, licenses, and accreditations to perform the contract tasks. The contractor must also comply with various federal laws and regulations governing government contracting.

Challenges

The CAF DMO contract is a complex and challenging opportunity that requires a high level of technical expertise, operational understanding, innovation, collaboration, and risk management. Some of the challenges that the offerors may face include:

  • Developing and maintaining interoperability standards that enable seamless integration of different simulator platforms across different locations and security levels.
  • Testing and certifying simulators for compliance with the interoperability standards and ensuring their readiness for DMO training.
  • Managing configuration changes that may affect the performance or functionality of simulators or networks.
  • Providing cross-domain solutions that enable distributed training between systems that require protection at different security levels.
  • Participating in various agreements with other contractors and government agencies that facilitate collaboration and coordination in DMO working groups.
  • Demonstrating technical excellence, past performance, management approach, key personnel qualifications, corporate experience, and price competitiveness in the proposal
  • Scoring high points in the self-scoring methodology based on objective criteria.

If you are interested in pursuing the CAF DMO contract, contact GDI Consulting today and let us help you write to win. Visit our website at https://www.gdicwins.com for more information.