SAM #70RSAT23FR0000025

Sole Source Extension for CISRR SETA Support Services – DHS S&T

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is planning a sole source contract extension for systems engineering and technical assistance (SETA) support services for the Critical Infrastructure Security & Resilience Research (CISRR) Program. - Government Buyer: - Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Office of Procurement Operations, Science and Technology Acquisition Division - Program Supported: - Critical Infrastructure Security & Resilience Research (CISRR) Program under the Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) - Services Requested: - SETA support services, including: - Scientific and technical expertise - Analysis and program coordination - Execution support for CISRR Program Leadership - Coverage of research areas such as: - Special event risk assessments - Electromagnetic pulse and geo-magnetic disturbance resilience - Positioning, navigation, and timing - Public safety and violence prevention - Soft target security - Telecommunications - Industrial control systems - Open-source software - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Sole source extension (no competition) - Services span a broad range of critical infrastructure security research topics - Place of Performance: - Government and contractor facilities in the metropolitan Washington, DC area - Period of Performance: - 8-month extension - No specific OEMs, vendors, or product part numbers are mentioned in the opportunity.

Description

The Office of Procurement Operations (OPO) on behalf of the Office of Science and Technology Directorate (S&T) hereby issues this notice of intent to award a sole source procurement.  DHS OPO intends to solicit and award an extension of systems engineering and technical assistance (SETA) support services as a sole source Task Order modification to Noblis, Inc, 2002 Edmund Halley Drive, Reston, VA 20191.  This is a notice of intent to solicit and award a sole source contract under the authority of FAR 6.103-1 “Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements”. The relevant NAICS code is 541611 Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services, with a size standard of $24.5 million. The PSC code is R408, Support-Professional: Program Management/Support.

Summary of the requirement

Background

In support of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Science and Technology Directorate (S&T), the  S&T Critical Infrastructure Security & Resilience Research (CISRR) Program conducts critical infrastructure security and resilience research, and development, test, and evaluation in the following areas: special event risk assessments rating planning tools; electromagnetic pulse and geo-magnetic disturbance resilience capabilities; positioning, navigation, and timing capabilities; public safety and violence prevention to evaluate soft target security, including countering improvised explosive device events and protection of U.S. critical infrastructure; and research supporting security testing capabilities relating to telecommunications equipment, industrial control systems, and open source software.

S&T created the Critical Infrastructure Security and Resilience Research (CISRR) Program to oversee activities performed under the Infrastructure Act and report to Congress on the progress of CISRR R&D activities. There are many benefits derived from the CISRR program and the Infrastructure Bill provides funding to: Perform currently unfunded customer requirements, collaborate across various S&T offices and departments to get benefits for multiple DHS Components, conduct important R&D to produce transitional products such as software, prototypes, and knowledge products.

The CISRR program is comprised of (8) topic areas that align to the Infrastructure Bill:

(1) Topic 1: Special Event Risk Assessments Rating (SEAR)​

(2) Topic 2: Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) and Geo-Magnetic Disturbance Resilience​ (GMD)

(3) Topic 3: Positioning, Navigation, and Timing​ (PNT)

(4) Topic 4A: Public Safety and Violence Prevention (PSVP)

(5) Topic 4B: Soft Target Security​

(6) Topic 5A: Telecommunications

(7) Topic 5B: Industrial Control Systems

(8) Topic 5C: Open-Source Software

CISRR is comprised of a Program Leadership Team who is responsible for the overall execution and ultimate outcome of the CISRR Program. Office of Mission and Capabilities Support (MCS) Project Managers (PM) lead each of the eight topic areas. Technology Centers Division (TCD) Technical Managers will support Leads and DHS Component POCs for each of the topic areas.

CISRR projects are managed by MCS Project Managers and are supported by matrixed staff from throughout the other Offices of S&T often serve multiple customers in multiple Divisions. It is this matrixed nature of S&T’s operations that highlights the value of a centralized R&D coordinating function for the Department.

TCD Technical Managers advise S&T programs, DHS Components, and other key stakeholders in scientific, engineering, and technology areas critical to the homeland security enterprise.

Scope

The task order provides critical scientific and technical expertise, analysis, program coordination and execution to support the CISRR Program Leadership Team. The CISRR Program Leadership Team resources its Programs and Projects through this task order with: (a) experienced program coordinators that can perform high-level management and execution of complex programs on behalf of federal program managers, (b) program management specialists and program analysts with the skillsets and experience in S&T’s core mission areas to enable them to capably support the execution of CISRR programs and projects and coordinate with program stakeholders, and (c) personnel to perform general technical support and administrative services in support of S&T program managers and matrixed program staff. These services enable S&T to deliver successful critical infrastructure solutions to its customers and drive operational success across the Department and larger Homeland Security Enterprise (HSE). CISRR programs currently developing and transitioning technology solutions to DHS operators across the Department’s missions rely on the technical expertise provided by SETA support, which is not found to the same level of experience and nuance within the S&T Federal staff.

Place of Performance: The primary place of performance will be at Government and contractor facilities in the metropolitan Washington, DC area.

Period of Performance: 8 month extension from June 3, 2026 through February 2, 2027.

Market research is underway for a competitive recompete of these support services to support S&T currently, and as it expands and reorganizes. This competitive procurement is expected to take place during calendar year 2026. A determination by the Government not to compete based upon responses to this notice is solely at the discretion of the Government.

This is a notice of the intent to award a sole source contract. It is published for informational purposes only and not a request for competitive proposals. Therefore, no solicitation document exists for this requirement.  Any firm believing that they can fulfill the requirement may be considered by the agency. Interested parties may identify their interest and capabilities in response to this synopsis. All questions and/or comments regarding this notice shall be addressed in writing to the Contracting Officer Jennifer.Koons@hq.dhs.gov by May 28, 2025 by 10:00 AM Eastern.  Questions by phone will not be considered. 

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