Communications, Network, Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Information Technology Services (CNECTS), aka "Connects"

Key Scope Items

• AIOps platform for predictive network operations (NIPR/SIPR ingestion, automated root cause analysis)
• Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS): consolidate legacy telephony, Land Mobile Radio (LMR), and Giant Voice into IP-based platform
• Digital twin of base physical plant infrastructure (fiber optic, copper, antennas) for capacity planning and outage simulation
• IT service delivery modernization: replace reactive, fragmented BOS-IT support with automated, data-driven approach
• Production-ready systems expected; prototypes, models, and experimental frameworks also acceptable
• Phase I submissions unclassified; subsequent phases may require higher classification levels per DD Form 254

Notable Requirements

• Total 8(a) Small Business Set-Aside: 100%
• Offerors must address all three Technical Focus Areas (TFAs) in their white paper submission
• Security: Phase I unclassified; later phases may require classified performance per DD Form 254

Critical Dates

• Close Date: TBD
• Evaluation of White Papers: TBD
• Contracting Officer: TBD

Red Flags

• Funding not guaranteed: Government may fund all, some, or none of proposed solutions
• Higher classification requirements possible in subsequent phases (per DD Form 254, not yet issued)
• This is a Draft AOI (AOI-2026-001): solicitation structure, evaluation criteria, and key dates not yet finalized