How to Win the USMC Network Engineering Testing and Cybersecurity Support Services (NETC) Contract

Introduction

Solicitation number M6890923I7600 – The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) is seeking small businesses that can provide network engineering, testing, and cybersecurity support services to the Marine Corps Tactical Systems Support Activity (MCTSSA). The contract, known as Network Engineering Testing and Cybersecurity Support Services (NETC), is expected to be worth up to $500 million over 10 years. This article will provide an overview of the historical background, the RFP description, the eligibility criteria, and the challenges of this opportunity. It will also highlight how GDI Consulting can help you prepare a winning proposal for this contract.

Historical Background

The NETC contract is a follow-on to the Business Support Services III (BSS III) BPA, which was awarded in 2019 to Telesolv Consulting LLC for a base period of one year and four option years. The BSS III BPA provided a range of services such as acquisition management, project management, performance and process management, service management, asset and enterprise logistics support, and workforce support services to the Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Cyber and Intelligence Service Center (C5ISC) and Coast Guard Cyber Command (CGCYBER). The BSS III BPA had a ceiling value of $99 million.

The NETC contract is expected to expand the scope of services and the number of customers beyond the BSS III BPA. According to a presentation by MCTSSA Acquisition Officer Major Adam Foushee, the NETC contract will also support the Coast Guard Chief Information Officer’s (CIO) Office, Commandant (CG-4, CG-6, CG-7; and CG-93). The NETC contract will also include additional services such as network services, innovation services, data analytics, cybersecurity and cloud computing.

RFP Description

The USMC plans to issue a solicitation for the NETC contract by September 30, 2023. The solicitation will be a small business set-aside under NAICS code 541611 (Administrative Management and General Management Consulting Services) with a size standard of $24.5 million. The USMC intends to award multiple blanket purchase agreements (BPAs) under FAR Subpart 8.4 for a period of 10 years (five-year base period with five one-year option periods). The estimated value of the contract is $500 million.

The USMC will evaluate proposals based on the following factors: technical approach, past performance, key personnel qualifications, small business participation plan, and price. The USMC will use a trade-off process to select the best value proposals for award.

Eligible Participants

The NETC contract is a great opportunity for small businesses that have experience and expertise in providing network engineering, testing, and cybersecurity support services to federal agencies, especially in the C5I domain. The NETC contract will require contractors to perform a wide range of tasks such as:

  • Providing consulting services on acquisition management, project management, performance and process management, service management.
  • Supporting cybersecurity service provider program maturation and recertification activities for CGCYBER.
  • Providing network services such as network design, development, integration, testing, deployment, maintenance, and enhancement.
  • Providing innovation services such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cloud computing.
  • Providing data analytics services such as data collection, processing, visualization.

To be eligible for the NETC contract, small businesses must meet the following requirements:

  • Have a valid DUNS number and be registered in SAM.gov.
  • Have an active GSA Schedule 70 or Professional Services Schedule (PSS) contract with SINs that match the scope of work.
  • Have relevant past performance within the last five years that demonstrates successful performance of similar or greater scope and complexity as the NETC SOW.
  • Have qualified key personnel that meet or exceed the minimum education. The key personnel positions are: program manager; project manager; acquisition manager; performance & process manager; service manager; asset & enterprise logistics manager; workforce manager; network engineer; cybersecurity engineer; innovation engineer; data analyst.
  • Have a small business participation plan that demonstrates how the offeror will meet or exceed the small business subcontracting goals established by the USMC.

Challenges

The NETC contract is a highly competitive and complex opportunity that poses several challenges for small businesses. Some of the challenges are:

  • Understanding the needs and expectations of the USMC and its customers, and tailoring the technical approach to address them effectively and efficiently.
  • Demonstrating relevant and successful past performance that showcases the offeror’s capabilities and experience in providing network engineering, testing, and cybersecurity support services to federal agencies, especially in the C5I domain.
  • Identifying and securing qualified key personnel that meet or exceed the USMC’s requirements, and providing compelling resumes and letters of commitment.
  • Developing a realistic and reasonable price proposal that reflects the offeror’s understanding of the scope of work, the labor mix, the labor rates, and the other direct costs.
  • Complying with the solicitation instructions, terms, and conditions, and submitting a compliant and responsive proposal by the deadline.

If you are interested in working with GDI Consulting for the NETC contract opportunity, please contact us today.