The GeoSES Industry Day briefing outlines the objectives and logistics for a forthcoming event focused on the Geophysical Signal Exploitation System (GeoSES), which is integral to monitoring nuclear explosions as per U.S. commitments under the Comprehensive Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). The schedule includes registration, government introductions, and networking opportunities, along with important administrative rules for communication between industry representatives and government personnel. It emphasizes a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) focusing on innovative, cost-effective proposals for system modernization, necessitating white papers and subsequent technical proposals.
The AFTAC's mission and organization are highlighted, emphasizing its critical role in national defense against Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) threats. Ongoing modernization efforts of the GeoSES are discussed, pointing to challenges faced by the legacy system and outlining future program objectives, including risk management and integration of cutting-edge technologies. The document serves as a foundational guide for industry participants aiming to align their solutions with government needs, underscoring compliance, operational effectiveness, and collaboration in enhancing national security capabilities.
The Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) is the sole federal organization responsible for detecting and reporting technical data from foreign nuclear explosions, ensuring nuclear treaty compliance, and developing proliferation monitoring technologies. AFTAC operates the U.S. Atomic Energy Detection Systems (USAEDS), a global network of over 3,600 sensors, and provides analytical support to the Department of Defense and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Its mission includes monitoring treaties like the Limited Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, the Threshold Test Ban Treaty, and the Peaceful Nuclear Explosion Treaty. AFTAC also leads the National Technical Nuclear Forensics program and operates specialized aircraft and ships, such as the WC-135R Constant Phoenix and the USNS Howard O. Lorenzen with the COBRA KING radar system, for atmospheric collection and ballistic missile data. With a highly educated workforce, AFTAC has a rich history of responding to nuclear events worldwide and continuously improves the USAEDS, contributing to the International Monitoring System.
This Statement of Objectives (SOO) outlines the Air Force Technical Application Center's (AFTAC) need to modernize the United States National Data Center (US NDC) core capabilities by developing the Geophysical Signal Exploitation System (GeoSES). This non-personal services contract aims to transform the US NDC's legacy software, which dates back to the 1990s and is characterized by its monolithic architecture, into a modular, service-oriented framework. The project emphasizes preserving existing mission-proven science and algorithms while migrating code to modern languages and potentially leveraging cloud services. Key objectives include program management, comprehensive assessment and planning, agile software modernization, operational transition, and risk management. The SOO details government-furnished supplies and services, contractor requirements, special instructions regarding IT, security, and personnel, and a list of deliverables. The anticipated contract has a five-year ordering period for Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E), with an initial task order (0001) focusing on the performance objectives outlined.
The Statement of Objectives (SOO) delineates the Air Force Technical Application Center's (AFTAC) requirements for modernizing the United States National Data Center (US NDC) into a Geophysical Signal Exploitation System (GeoSES) over a five-year development period. The document emphasizes the transformation from a legacy software architecture, characterized by a complex monolithic structure, to a modular, service-oriented framework that supports agile integration and modern software development principles. Key performance objectives include program management, assessment and planning, software modernization, operational transition, and risk management.
AFTAC aims to maintain key scientific capabilities while enhancing the software's performance and security, potentially leveraging cloud technologies. Deliverables specified in the SOO include quantitative reports, software specifications, risk management plans, and transition plans for integrating new capabilities. The SOO mandates compliance with various government regulations and outlines contractor qualifications, including necessary security clearances. The overarching goal is to uphold treaty compliance related to nuclear activities through advanced monitoring technologies, ensuring national security while innovating legacy systems.
The document outlines a series of questions posed to industry stakeholders regarding the GeoSES project, which centers on geophysical data processing modernization. Key topics include the contract structure (fixed price versus incentive plans), transition planning, subcontracting approaches, and facility clearances. The government seeks input on capability to modernize outdated software languages, integrate with partnering organizations (like Leidos and Sandia National Labs), and address complexities related to geophysical event identification tools. Questions also cover handling software solutions in a system-of-systems environment, developing tools for continuous data processing, and overall expertise in geophysical processes. The responses will inform contract strategies, objective definitions, and resource allocation for the GeoSES initiative. This document illustrates the government's intent to collaborate with the industry for effective and efficient project execution by gathering expert insights on essential project components.
The GeoSES Industry Days document provides a list of companies participating in two industry days scheduled for May 6, 2025, and June 11, 2025. This initiative aims to engage small and large businesses in government-related contracts and collaborations within the geospatial, environmental, and software sectors. Attending companies include notable firms like Amazon Web Services, Leidos, and Microsoft Federal, showcasing a mix of small and large entities from various locations across the United States. The document is structured to first list participating companies along with their business sizes, followed by the names and details of attendees for both industry days. This summary highlights the federal government's efforts to promote partnerships and innovation in response to procurement opportunities. Overall, the GeoSES Industry Days serve as a platform for promoting collaboration between government and industry stakeholders to enhance geospatial solutions and services.
The GeoSES Industry Days document lists participating companies, their business sizes, and addresses for two industry events scheduled in 2025. The first Industry Day, taking place on May 6, 2025, includes small businesses like ACORN Science & Innovation and larger firms such as Amazon Web Services and KPMG LLP. The second Industry Day, on June 10, 2025, features companies like L3Harris Technologies and BAE Systems, predominantly large firms. The document's structure presents company names, addresses, and classifications (small or large), highlighting the diverse participation level in the ongoing federal/state RFP processes. These industry days aim to facilitate collaboration and communication among businesses looking to engage with government contracts, thereby fostering innovation and competition in areas relevant to government operations. The emphasis on both small and large companies reflects an effort to promote inclusivity in federal contracting opportunities.
The GeoSES Industry Days document lists participating companies, their business sizes, and addresses for two industry events scheduled in 2025. The first Industry Day, taking place on May 6, 2025, includes small businesses like ACORN Science & Innovation and larger firms such as Amazon Web Services and KPMG LLP. The second Industry Day, on June 10, 2025, features companies like L3Harris Technologies and BAE Systems, predominantly large firms. The document's structure presents company names, addresses, and classifications (small or large), highlighting the diverse participation level in the ongoing federal/state RFP processes. These industry days aim to facilitate collaboration and communication among businesses looking to engage with government contracts, thereby fostering innovation and competition in areas relevant to government operations. The emphasis on both small and large companies reflects an effort to promote inclusivity in federal contracting opportunities.
The Acquisition Management and Integration Center (AMIC) is seeking industry participation for the Geophysical Signal Exploitation System (GeoSES) through a sources sought notice. This initiative supports the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) at Patrick Space Force Base and aims to develop modern solutions utilizing the Military's Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP). The AFTAC invites white papers tailored to the GeoSES requirement, with submissions due by August 22, 2025. Two industry days are planned for May 6 and June 10, 2025, allowing two attendees per prime contractor. The anticipated contract will be a Firm Fixed Price Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) format, with a focus on modernizing legacy software that currently presents maintenance challenges. AFTAC’s mission includes nuclear detection and proliferation monitoring, requiring advanced technologies. The government will review submitted white papers and select the most promising solutions for further proposals. Interested vendors must adhere to security clearance requirements and follow specific registration protocols for the industry days. All communications and questions are encouraged to be submitted via designated channels, as briefings are not permitted.
The Acquisition Management and Integration Center (AMIC) is issuing a sources sought notice to invite industry participation in upcoming Industry Days regarding the Geophysical Signal Exploitation System (GeoSES) needed by the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC). This effort aligns with the Department of Defense's directive to utilize the Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP) for software development. Interested parties can submit white papers detailing innovative solutions for GeoSES through the AFTAC Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) by August 22, 2025. Two Industry Days are scheduled for May 6 and June 10, 2025, with a limit of two attendees per company. The anticipated contract award is estimated between April and June 2026, with a five-year base ordering period. The core goal is to modernize AFTAC's legacy systems, transforming a monolithic software architecture into a modular framework, enhancing interoperability, security, and performance while preserving existing scientific algorithms. Participants are encouraged to monitor for updates and follow specific registration instructions for Industry Days. All sizes of businesses are urged to respond, contributing to the enhancement of nuclear treaty compliance and proliferation monitoring technologies.
The Acquisition Management and Integration Center (AMIC) invites industry participation through a Sources Sought Notice for the Geophysical Signal Exploitation System (GeoSES) in support of the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) at Patrick Space Force Base. This announcement serves to inform industry of upcoming Industry Days for potential collaboration and the opportunity to submit white papers addressing innovative solutions for GeoSES, as part of the AFTAC Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) 2024. Industry Days are scheduled for May 6 and June 10, 2025, with registration limited to two representatives per company. AFTAC's goal is to modernize outdated software architecture to enhance interoperability and efficiency, utilizing agile methodologies and potential cloud solutions. The estimated contract award is expected between April and June 2026, with a firm fixed price format for an indefinite delivery indefinite quantity contract. Companies interested in providing solutions must adhere to specific security requirements and submit capability briefs during the Industry Days. The ultimate aim is to enhance AFTAC's ability to monitor nuclear compliance and improve overall mission capabilities through advanced technology solutions.
The Acquisition Management and Integration Center (AMIC) and the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) are hosting industry days to discuss the Geophysical Signal Exploitation System (GeoSES) project at Patrick Space Force Base. This sources sought notice invites industry participation and the submission of white papers through the AFTAC 2024 Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) to propose innovative solutions for modernizing GeoSES. Attendance at the industry days is limited to two representatives per company, encouraging presentation of capabilities tailored to GeoSES needs, followed by a Q&A session.
AFTAC's goal is to transform its legacy software architecture, enhancing signal detection and monitoring capabilities while adopting modern technologies. The anticipated contract will be a Firm Fixed Price Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) with significant emphasis on research and development. Companies interested in participating must submit white papers by August 22, 2025, and the sourcing contract is expected to be awarded between April and June 2026. Furthermore, the document reinforces the requirement for a Top Secret security clearance for contractors, emphasizing the sensitive nature of the work involved in developing technologies for nuclear treaty compliance and proliferation monitoring.
The Acquisition Management and Integration Center (AMIC) seeks industry participation in upcoming Industry Days for the Geophysical Signal Exploitation System (GeoSES). This sources sought notice emphasizes that it is not a request for proposal (RFP) but aims to gather innovative solutions through white papers aligned with the AFTAC Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) 2024 for enterprise-wide integration and modernization. Industry Days are scheduled for May 6 and June 10, 2025, at Patrick Space Force Base, with a two-person limit per company for attendance. The anticipated contract type is Firm Fixed Price (FFP) IDIQ, estimated for award in April 2026. AFTAC seeks solutions to modernize its legacy software, which is outdated and incompatible with cloud technologies. Participants are encouraged to monitor developments and submit tailored white papers by August 22, 2025. The document emphasizes that this effort is aimed at enhancing national security by improving capabilities for nuclear treaty compliance and associated technologies. Registered companies can pose questions during Industry Days, but no individual briefings will be held. The initiative reflects a desire for collaborative innovation within the defense contracting community while adhering to outlined security and procedural guidelines.
The Acquisition Management and Integration Center (AMIC) is issuing a Sources Sought Notice to solicit innovative white papers from industry partners for the Air Force Technical Applications Center's (AFTAC) Geophysical Signal Exploitation System (GeoSES) modernization initiative. This effort aims to replace aging software for nuclear treaty monitoring, transitioning from an outdated, monolithic architecture to a modular, cloud-ready framework. AFTAC seeks solutions that optimize previous code investments while enhancing performance and interoperability. The initiative is not a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) but encourages submissions until August 22, 2025. The anticipated contract, projected for award between April and June 2026, will utilize a Firm Fixed Price Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) structure for research and development. Key eligibility criteria include the ability to access classified information, with a required Top Secret security clearance. AFTAC emphasizes the use of its DAF CloudWorks platform and has planned various milestones for industry engagement leading to the selection of proposals for formal acquisition processes. The notice invites all business sizes to participate, highlighting the streamlined approach enabled by the Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) framework.
The Software Development Strategy Document (SDSD) outlines the software development guidelines for the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC), focusing on creating a cohesive architecture for both operational and research applications. It aims to unify AFTAC's diverse software systems, promoting a common set of capabilities and architecture to enhance efficiency and integration.
Key points include establishing clear roles and responsibilities for IT leadership, promoting a layered architecture approach, and adopting a services-oriented design. The strategy emphasizes the importance of planning and collaboration across projects to optimize resource use and technology adoption. AFTAC advocates for leveraging existing software solutions (COTS, GOTS, FOSS) when available, in line with federal practices.
Security protocols are central to the software lifecycle, mandating compliance with rigorous scanning and testing standards before deployment. The document also covers deployment strategies, data governance, and the necessity of contingency planning for mission-critical operations.
This strategy aligns with government standards for federal RFPs, reflecting a commitment to optimal performance, security, and accountability. It serves as a framework for both internal and external teams involved in AFTAC's software development efforts, ensuring that all technologies align with operational and strategic goals.
The Department of Defense (DoD) addresses the urgent need to modernize its software acquisition processes in the evolving landscape of software-defined warfare. Recognizing that software is integral to weapon systems, the DoD intends to transition from a hardware-centric acquisition approach to a performance-based, software-centric model. To achieve this, the memo mandates the adoption of the Software Acquisition Pathway (SWP) as the preferred strategy for all software initiatives, urging components to utilize existing authorities and streamline contracting strategies. Commercial Solutions Openings and Other Transactions will serve as the default methods for soliciting software capabilities. This reform is critical for maintaining technological superiority over adversaries and will be implemented through a plan developed by the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment within 30 days. The memo illustrates a focused effort by the DoD to enhance its efficiency and responsiveness in software procurement, reinforcing its commitment to supporting the Warfighter effectively.
The Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for the United States National Data Center (US NDC) outlines the Air Force Technical Applications Center's (AFTAC) role in operating and maintaining this crucial system for nuclear explosion monitoring. The US NDC processes seismic, hydroacoustic, and infrasonic data from various global sources, including AFTAC-unique sensors, the International Monitoring System (IMS), and the United States Geological Survey. It analyzes and reports on events to detect, locate, identify, attribute, and characterize nuclear explosions, supporting treaties like the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT). Challenges include modernizing the 30-year-old brittle software, which requires significant enhancements for efficiency and information assurance compliance. Key responsibilities for operation, maintenance, and development are distributed among the 709th Surveillance and Analysis Group, 709th Support Group, Strategic Integration Directorate, Systems Development Directorate, and Directorate of Plans and Programs. The US NDC ensures the United States Atomic Energy Detection System (USAEDS) can verify treaty compliance.
The Concept of Operations (CONOPS) for the United States National Data Center (US NDC) outlines the responsibilities and operational framework for monitoring nuclear explosions through geophysical data processing. Managed by the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC), the US NDC continuously gathers seismic, hydroacoustic, and infrasonic data from a global network of sensors, both proprietary and international, to analyze and report on nuclear-related events. The document highlights the mission of the US NDC to detect, locate, and characterize such events while discussing the challenges faced by the aging software system, necessitating modernization. It details the organizational structure, outlining roles of various groups, like the 709th Surveillance and Analysis Group and the Systems Development Directorate, in maintaining and enhancing the system's capabilities. Training, maintenance, and program management are also emphasized. The US NDC plays a critical role in ensuring compliance with several nuclear treaties. Overall, the document serves as a foundational guideline for ongoing modernization efforts and ensuring operational efficacy in nuclear monitoring and assessment.