How to Win the $1.5B MDA AIMSS Contract: A Guide for Small Businesses

Introduction

The Missile Defense Agency (MDA – Solicitation number: HQ085723R0001) is a research, development, and acquisition agency within the Department of Defense (DoD) that is responsible for developing, testing, and deploying a layered ballistic missile defense system (BMDS) to protect the United States and its allies from missile attacks. The MDA’s mission is to develop and field an integrated, layered, and effective BMDS to defend the United States, its deployed forces, allies, and friends against all ranges of enemy ballistic missiles in all phases of flight.

To support its mission, the MDA requires a variety of software development, data management, and other related services to modernize and operate its agency-wide data repository. The data repository is a critical component of the MDA’s data collection and analysis efforts, as it enables the storage, distribution, archival, and dissemination of data from various sources, such as sensors, radars, satellites, interceptors, and test events. The data repository also supports the development and implementation of enterprise-focused data initiatives, such as data governance, data quality, data standards, data integration, data visualization, and data analytics.

To procure these services, the MDA has established a contract vehicle called AIMSS, which stands for Agency Information Management and Software Services. AIMSS is a multiple-award, indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract that has a total ceiling value of $1.5 billion and a period of performance of 10 years. AIMSS is exclusively reserved for small businesses that can provide software development, data management, and other related services to the MDA.

In this article, we will provide you with a comprehensive guide on how to win AIMSS contracts. We will cover the historical background of the AIMSS program, the RFP description and requirements, the uniqueness of the solicitation and who should participate, and the challenges and risks involved in pursuing AIMSS contracts. We will also introduce you to GDI Consulting, a professional capture and proposal services provider that can help you with every step of the process.

Historical Background

The AIMSS program was initiated in 2020 as a follow-on to the previous MDA Data Management Services (DMS) contract that expired in 2021. The DMS contract was awarded in 2016 to four small businesses: Data Systems Analysts Inc., E&M Technologies Inc., KBRwyle Technology Solutions LLC, and Sentar Inc. The DMS contract had a ceiling value of $249 million and a period of performance of five years.

The DMS contract provided software development and maintenance services for various MDA systems and applications, such as the Data Analysis System (DAS), the Data Distribution System (DDS), the Data Archive System (DAR), the Test Resource Planning System (TRPS), and the Data Quality System (DQS). The DMS contract also supported the MDA’s data governance activities, such as developing data standards, policies, procedures, and best practices.

The AIMSS contract is expected to expand the scope and size of the previous DMS contract by adding more services and capabilities to support the MDA’s data repository. The AIMSS contract will also leverage cloud-based technologies to improve the performance, security, scalability, and accessibility of the data repository.

RFP Description

The RFP for AIMSS has not been released yet, but the MDA has issued a request for information (RFI) to solicit feedback from industry. The RFI was issued on December 10, 2020, and responses were due on January 18, 2021. The MDA has also promised to hold an industry day in early 2021 to provide more information and answer questions from potential offerors.

Based on the RFI, we can summarize some of the key features and requirements of AIMSS as follows:

  • The contract will be divided into two pools based on the size standards: Pool A – $41.5 million; Pool B – $16.5 million.
  • The NAICS code for both pools is 541715 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences.
  • The competition type for both pools is set-aside for small businesses.
  • The contract will have a five-year base period and one five-year option period.
  • The contract type will be FFP or T&M depending on the task order.
  • The contract will require offerors to provide software development services using agile methodologies and DevSecOps practices.
  • The contract will require offerors to provide data management services using cloud-based platforms and tools.
  • The contract will require offerors to have relevant experience and past performance in providing similar services to the MDA or other DoD agencies.
  • The contract will require offerors to have adequate resources and capabilities to perform the work under AIMSS.
  • The contract will require offerors to have a high self-scoring potential based on the scoring factors in the RFP.

Uniqueness of the Solicitation and Who Should Participate

AIMSS is a unique solicitation for several reasons. First, it is one of the few contract vehicles that is exclusively reserved for small businesses that can provide software development, data management, and other related services to the MDA. This gives small businesses a competitive advantage over large businesses and an opportunity to showcase their capabilities and expertise to the MDA. Second, it is one of the largest and most comprehensive data services contracts in the federal market. It covers a wide range of services that are essential for the MDA’s data collection and analysis efforts, as well as its enterprise-focused data initiatives. Third, it is one of the most innovative and cutting-edge contracts in terms of technology and methodology. It leverages cloud-based technologies and agile methodologies to improve the performance, security, scalability, and accessibility of the data repository.

Given the uniqueness and attractiveness of AIMSS, it is expected that many small businesses will be interested in participating in this solicitation. However, not all small businesses are eligible or qualified to compete for AIMSS. To be eligible, a small business must meet the following criteria:

  • It must be registered in SAM.gov and have an active DUNS number and CAGE code.
  • It must meet the size standards for the respective pool (Pool A – $41.5 million; Pool B – $16.5 million).
  • It must have relevant experience and past performance in providing software development, data management, and other related services to the MDA or other DoD agencies.
  • It must have adequate resources and capabilities to perform the work under AIMSS.
  • It must have a high self-scoring potential based on the scoring factors in the RFP.

To be qualified, a small business must also have a competitive edge over other offerors in terms of price, quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction. A small business must be able to demonstrate that it can provide value-added solutions that meet or exceed the MDA’s expectations and requirements.

Challenges and Risks

Pursuing AIMSS contracts is not without challenges and risks. Some of the major challenges and risks that small businesses may face are:

  • The high level of competition among small businesses within each pool. There are thousands of small businesses that are eligible to compete for AIMSS contracts, but only a limited number of awards will be made (the MDA is projecting 10 awards across both pools). Therefore, small businesses will have to differentiate themselves from their competitors and prove their superiority in terms of experience, performance, quality, and price.
  • The complex and rigorous evaluation criteria that require extensive documentation and evidence of qualifications and experience. The RFP will have a self-scoring methodology that will assign points to offerors based on various factors, such as relevant experience, past performance, certifications, clearances, key personnel, facilities, equipment, subcontractors, etc. Offerors will have to provide detailed information and documentation to support their self-scoring claims. Any missing or inaccurate information may result in lower scores or disqualification.
  • The requirement to maintain the size standards throughout the life of the contract. The RFP will require offerors to certify their size standards at the time of proposal submission and maintain them throughout the life of the contract. If an offeror exceeds its size standards due to growth, acquisition, or any other reason, it may lose its eligibility to compete for task orders or even its contract award. Therefore, offerors will have to monitor their size standards and report any changes to the MDA.

How GDI Consulting Can Help You Win AIMSS Contracts

If you are a small business that is interested in pursuing AIMSS contracts, you may need professional assistance to increase your chances of success. GDI Consulting is a leading provider of capture and proposal services for federal contractors. GDI Consulting can help you with every aspect of the AIMSS solicitation