Introduction

The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is seeking industry responses to two rounds of acquisition plans for a potential five-year contract for transformational strategic assistance services of between $3 billion and $5 billion, etc. The contract, known as the Department of the Air Force Strategic Transformation Support II (DAFSTS II), will be a multiple-award, indefinite-issue/quantity (IDIQ) contract that can cover information technology equipment, infrastructure and its applications and models to help companies meet their transformation needs. The inquiry number for this purchase is FA701423R0019, and the order period is expected to last between June 2024 and 2029.

If you are interested in pursuing this opportunity, you will need a strong capture partner management and proposal development services which are tailored to your specific needs and objectives. That partner is GDI Consulting, a leading provider of captive government and design services with a proven track record of success. This article will explain why GDI Consulting is the best choice to win the DAFSTS II contract.

Historical Background

The DAFSTS II contract is the successor of the Air Force Strategic Transformation Support (AFSTS) contract, which was awarded in June 2020 to eight companies at a shared ceiling of $990 million. The AFSTS contract focused on providing support services for enterprise-wide transformation efforts, such as IT systems upgrades, cloud migration, and program management information system implementation. The AFSTS contract was divided into two tiers: Tier 1 for highly complex, undefined, and unstructured problems that require innovative solutions, and Tier 2 for moderate to complex problems that have a defined goal and requirements.

DAFSTS II RFP Description

The DAFSTS II contract will follow a similar structure as the AFSTS contract, with two tiers of services and a full-and-open competition. However, the DAFSTS II contract will have a higher ceiling value, reflecting the increased demand and scope of strategic transformation support services across the DAF. The DAFSTS II contract will also have a slightly modified name, adding “Department of” to emphasize that it covers both the Air Force and the Space Force.

The draft acquisition strategy for the DAFSTS II contract was posted on June 28, 2023, and comments and feedback from the industry are due by August 15, 2023. The draft acquisition strategy outlines the evaluation factors for both tiers, which include technical scenarios, corporate experience, small business participation plan, and management and capacity plan. However, it does not give a timeline for when the final solicitation will be released.

Who Should Participate

The DAFSTS II contract is open to any company providing strategic transformation support services to the DAF. However, only companies with past corporate experience in successfully performing studies, research and analysis, and developing transformational strategies for Fortune 1-50 companies can bid for Tier 1 services. Companies with similar experience for Fortune 1-200 companies can bid for Tier 2 services. Companies can only bid for one tier, not both.

Challenges

The DAFSTS II contract is a highly competitive and complex opportunity that poses several challenges for potential bidders. Some of the challenges are:

  • Understanding the DAF’s needs and expectations for strategic transformation support services, and aligning your solutions with their vision and goals.
  • Demonstrating your corporate experience and capabilities in solving highly complex, undefined, and unstructured problems that require innovative solutions and moderate to complex problems with a defined goal and requirements.
  • Developing a compelling and compliant proposal that addresses the technical scenarios, corporate experience, small business participation plan, and management and capacity plan for your chosen tier of services.
  • Differentiating yourself from other competitors who may have similar or better qualifications and experience in providing strategic transformation support services.

Getting Help

The DAFSTS II contract is a lucrative and strategic opportunity for companies that can provide strategic transformation support services to the DAF. However, it is also a challenging and competitive opportunity. To succeed in this opportunity, you need a comprehensive and compliant proposal that addresses all the requirements of the RFP and, at the same time, brings out your highest capabilities to the Air Force’s evaluators. With its vast experience in capture and proposal management and teams with members who are veteran Air Force officers, GDI Consulting can help you achieve this goal.