Introduction

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is seeking contractors to provide geospatial research, integration, development and support services for the Army Geospatial Center (AGC) under the GRIDS IV contract. The GRIDS IV contract is a multiple-award, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract with a ceiling value of $400 million and a five-year period of performance. The solicitation number is W5J9CQ23R0001.

The GRIDS IV contract is a follow-on to the GRIDS III contract, which was awarded in 2018 to 10 contractors: BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton, CACI, Centra Technology, Continental Mapping Consultants, Dewberry Consultants, Harris Corporation, Leidos, Quantum Spatial and Woolpert. The GRIDS III contract had a ceiling value of $200 million and a three-year period of performance.

The GRIDS IV contract is a strategic opportunity for government contractors who have expertise and experience in geospatial technologies and solutions. The AGC is the Army’s primary source of geospatial information and services, supporting warfighters, commanders, planners and analysts with geospatial data, analysis, systems and products. The AGC’s mission areas include geospatial engineering, terrain analysis, hydrology, geospatial intelligence, geospatial information systems, geospatial standards and policy, and geospatial acquisition.

In this article, we will provide an overview of the GRIDS IV contract, including its scope of work, evaluation criteria, key dates and milestones. We will also discuss who should participate in this opportunity and what are the main challenges and risks involved. Finally, we will offer some tips and best practices on how to prepare a winning proposal for the GRIDS IV contract.

Historical Background

The GRIDS IV contract is the fourth iteration of the GRIDS program, which started in 2010 as a single-award IDIQ contract awarded to BAE Systems for $43 million5. The GRIDS I contract provided geospatial research and development support to the AGC’s Geospatial Research Laboratory (GRL), which conducts basic and applied research in geospatial sciences and technologies.

The GRIDS II contract was awarded in 2014 to three contractors: BAE Systems, Booz Allen Hamilton and Leidos for $48 million. The GRIDS II contract expanded the scope of work to include geospatial integration and development support to the AGC’s Enterprise Systems Directorate (ESD), which manages the Army’s enterprise geospatial systems and platforms.

The GRIDS III contract was awarded in 2018 to 10 contractors for $200 million. The GRIDS III contract further broadened the scope of work to include geospatial support services to the AGC’s Operations Directorate (OD), which delivers geospatial products and services to Army units and commands.

The GRIDS IV contract is expected to continue and enhance the services provided under the previous contracts, as well as introduce new capabilities and requirements to meet the evolving needs of the AGC and its customers.

RFP Description

The GRIDS IV contract is divided into four functional areas: Research (FA1), Integration (FA2), Development (FA3) and Support (FA4). Each functional area has a set of tasks that describe the types of services required by the AGC. The tasks are not mutually exclusive and may overlap or complement each other. Contractors may bid on one or more functional areas.

The functional areas and tasks are summarized below:

  • FA1: Research
    • Task 1: Geospatial Engineering Research
    • Task 2: Terrain Analysis Research
    • Task 3: Hydrology Research
    • Task 4: Geospatial Intelligence Research
    • Task 5: Geospatial Information Systems Research
    • Task 6: Geospatial Standards and Policy Research
    • Task 7: Geospatial Acquisition Research
  • FA2: Integration
    • Task 1: Geospatial Engineering Integration
    • Task 2: Terrain Analysis Integration
    • Task 3: Hydrology Integration
    • Task 4: Geospatial Intelligence Integration
    • Task 5: Geospatial Information Systems Integration
    • Task 6: Geospatial Standards and Policy Integration
    • Task 7: Geospatial Acquisition Integration
  • FA3: Development
    • Task 1: Geospatial Engineering Development
    • Task 2: Terrain Analysis Development
    • Task 3: Hydrology Development
    • Task 4: Geospatial Intelligence Development
    • Task 5: Geospatial Information Systems Development
    • Task 6: Geospatial Standards and Policy Development
    • Task 7: Geospatial Acquisition Development
  • FA4: Support
    • Task 1: Geospatial Engineering Support
    • Task 2: Terrain Analysis Support
    • Task 3: Hydrology Support
    • Task 4: Geospatial Intelligence Support
    • Task 5: Geospatial Information Systems Support
    • Task 6: Geospatial Standards and Policy Support
    • Task 7: Geospatial Acquisition Support

The RFP also specifies the performance locations, security requirements, quality assurance measures, reporting requirements, contract administration procedures and other terms and conditions for the GRIDS IV contract.

The RFP states that the USACE intends to award multiple IDIQ contracts under full and open competition, as well as reserve a portion of the awards for small businesses. The RFP also indicates that the USACE may use various types of task orders, such as firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost-plus-incentive-fee, cost-plus-award-fee and time-and-materials.

The RFP provides the evaluation criteria for the contract award, which include the following factors:

  • Technical Approach
  • Management Approach
  • Past Performance
  • Price

The RFP also provides the instructions for proposal preparation, submission and evaluation. The RFP states that the proposals will be evaluated using a trade-off process, which means that the USACE may make an award to a higher-priced offeror if the benefits of its technical and management approach outweigh the price difference.

The RFP was issued on October 13, 2023 and the deadline for proposal submission is November 15, 2023. The USACE expects to make the contract award by January 31, 2024.

Who Should Participate

The GRIDS IV contract is a lucrative opportunity for government contractors who have expertise and experience in geospatial technologies and solutions. The contract covers a wide range of geospatial services that are essential for the AGC’s mission and operations. The contract also offers a long-term and stable source of revenue for the contractors, as well as a chance to establish or strengthen their relationship with the AGC and other Army customers.

The GRIDS IV contract is suitable for contractors who have the following capabilities and qualifications:

  • A proven track record of delivering high-quality geospatial research, integration, development and support services to the AGC or similar customers in the federal government or private sector.
  • A deep understanding of the AGC’s mission areas, requirements, challenges and opportunities in geospatial engineering, terrain analysis, hydrology, geospatial intelligence, geospatial information systems, geospatial standards and policy, and geospatial acquisition.
  • A strong team of geospatial professionals, including researchers, engineers, analysts, developers, integrators, testers, trainers and project managers, who have relevant education, certification, experience and clearance.
  • A robust infrastructure and resources to support geospatial service delivery, such as laboratories, facilities, equipment, software, data and security.
  • A competitive price that reflects the value and quality of their geospatial services.

Challenges and Risks

The GRIDS IV contract is not without challenges and risks for the contractors who want to pursue it. Some of the potential challenges and risks include:

  • The complexity and diversity of the geospatial services required by the AGC. The contractors need to demonstrate their ability to perform all or most of the tasks in each functional area they bid on. They also need to show their flexibility and adaptability to handle changing or emerging geospatial needs of the AGC.
  • The competition and differentiation among the contractors. The contractors need to stand out from their competitors by highlighting their unique value proposition, strengths and differentiators in their technical and management approach. They also need to be aware of their competitors’ capabilities, strategies and weaknesses.
  • The compliance and responsiveness to the RFP requirements. The contractors need to follow the RFP instructions carefully and submit a compliant and responsive proposal that addresses all the evaluation criteria. They also need to avoid any errors or omissions that could result in their proposal being rejected or downgraded.
  • The uncertainty and volatility of the federal budget and procurement environment. The contractors need to be prepared for any changes or delays in the RFP issuance, proposal submission or contract award. They also need to monitor any legislative or regulatory actions that could affect the funding or scope of the GRIDS IV contract.

Conclusion

The GRIDS IV contract is a strategic opportunity for government contractors who have expertise and experience in geospatial technologies and solutions. The contract provides a wide range of geospatial services that are vital for the AGC’s mission and operations. GDI Consulting can help you write a winning response to the proposal, visit us today at www.gdicwins.com to learn more.