Request for Information Cyberspace Operations Research and Development DARPA-SN-17-66 August 28 2017 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Information Innovation Office 675 North Randolph Street Arlington VA 22203-2114 Request for Information RFI Cyberspace Operations Research and Development CSO R D I Introduction Cyberspace has emerged as a new domain of human endeavor and conflict Information communication and networking technologies drive the productivity gains essential to U S economic competitiveness However networked information systems create new vulnerabilities and opportunities for attack Adversaries seek asymmetric advantage through actions in cyberspace The U S military recognizes cyberspace as an operational domain Research and development R D to advance the state of the art in cyberspace operations CSO requires specialized knowledge skills and experience Often these projects are classified and can only be solicited from a limited number of sources The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency DARPA must maintain up-to-date knowledge about potential performers to maximize the number of sources that can be solicited for classified highly specialized CSO R D initiatives DARPA seeks information regarding such potential performers Ideally respondents will include both potential performers currently holding security clearances and those who may be granted clearances based on technical capabilities and eligibility Additional background information is available in Department of Defense Joint Publications 2-0 3-0 3-121 and 3-13 II Request For Information The DARPA Information Innovation Office I2O requests information on potential performers for classified CSO R D Specifically this RFI seeks information on potential performers who have the capability to rapidly develop state-of-the-art CSO technologies responsive to current and emerging cyber threats and who have either of the following • • personnel 1 currently holding security clearances and facilities 2 cleared to receive store and process CSO information at multiple levels of classification or personnel and facilities eligible to receive clearances Depending on the nature of the information to be provided responses may be classified or unclassified Classified materials must be submitted in accordance with the guidelines outlined herein DARPA does not plan to respond to submissions other than to confirm receipt However in some cases DARPA may request additional information and or facilitate exchanges on a particular area of CSO If classified discussions are necessary DARPA will contact the applicable Point s of Contact identified on the response to make arrangements 1 2 http www dss mil psmo-i ps_faqs html http www dss mil isp fac_clear per_sec_clear_proc_faqs html DARPA-SN-17-66 CSO R D RFI 2 Respondents to previous versions of this RFI e g DARPA-SN-16-42 who satisfy the requirements listed above are encouraged to respond to this RFI to ensure that DARPA possesses current information III Submission Format Submissions shall be formatted for printing on 8-1 2 by 11 inch paper with font size not smaller than 12 point in Microsoft Word or Adobe PDF format Font sizes as small as 8 point may be used for figures tables and charts Submissions containing proprietary data should have the cover page and each page containing proprietary data marked appropriately 1 Unclassified Submissions Each white paper shall consist of the following sections a Cover Page 1 page • Organization • Technical point of contact name address phone and fax number and email address • Administrative point of contact name address phone and fax number and email address • If applicable security point of contact name address phone and fax number and email address • If applicable Commercial and Government Entity CAGE code 3 • If applicable sensitive compartmented information facility identification number SCIF ID b Presentation of Capability limited to 4 pages • Personnel provide a list of current personnel with CSO experience their clearances if any and a narrative description of their knowledge skills and abilities relevant to CSO • Facilities provide a description of your facilities and assets available for CSO R D If facilities have been approved for classified storage processing and discussion indicate the level of classification Describe any available contingencies for the expansion or upgrade of your secure facilities including spaces that are built to specification but are not accredited • Organizational Experience Describe previous accomplishments or ongoing work in this research area including identification of any Government sponsors Descriptions must include the Agency Office Program Name and Program Manager 3 A CAGE Code identifies companies doing or wishing to do business with the Federal Government See http www dlis dla mil cage_welcome asp DARPA-SN-17-66 CSO R D RFI 3 2 Classified Submissions Each white paper shall consist of the following sections a Cover Page 1 page • Organization • Technical point of contact name address phone and fax number and email address Include classified contact information as applicable • Administrative point of contact name address phone and fax number and email address Include classified contact information as applicable • Security point of contact name address phone and fax number and email address Include classified contact information as applicable • CAGE code • SCIF ID b Presentation of Capability limited to 4 pages • Personnel provide a list of current personnel with CSO experience their clearances if any and a narrative description of their knowledge skills and abilities relevant to CSO • Facilities provide a description of your facilities assets available for CSO R D Indicate the level of classification approved for storage processing and discussion Describe any available contingencies for the expansion or upgrade of your secure facilities including spaces that are built to specification but do not currently have a sponsor for accreditation • Organizational Experience Describe any previous accomplishments or similar efforts completed ongoing in this or closely related research area including identification of other Government sponsors if any Descriptions must include the Agency Office Program Name and Program Manager For discussion of any efforts classified beyond Secret see section IV 2 b below Classified submissions shall be appropriately and conspicuously marked with the proposed classification level and declassification date Use classification and marking guidance provided by the DoD Information Security Program Manual DoDM 5200 01 Volumes 1-4 and the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual DoD 5220 22-M When marking and transmitting classified information derived from an applicable security classification guide SCG please cite the SCG appropriately in accordance with DoDM 5200 01 Volume 2 Applicable classification guide s must be included with your submission to ensure it is protected at the appropriate classification level but will not count against the page limitation If a respondent believes a submission may contain classified information as defined by Executive Order 13526 but requires DARPA to make a final classification determination the information must be marked and protected as though classified at the appropriate classification level as defined by Executive Order 13526 Submissions requesting DARPA to make a final classification determination shall be marked as follows DARPA-SN-17-66 CSO R D RFI 4 “CLASSIFICATION DETERMINATION PENDING Protect as though classified ____________________ insert the recommended classification level e g Confidential Secret or Top Secret ” IV Submission Instructions Responses to this RFI must be submitted via appropriate channels in accordance with the instructions outlined below Responses may be submitted at any time until August 31 2018 at 12 00 noon ET 1 Unclassified Submission Unclassified responses should be emailed to DARPA-SN-17-66@darpa mil 2 Classified Submission a Confidential and Secret Collateral information must be submitted by one of the following methods • Hand carried by an appropriately cleared and authorized courier to DARPA Prior to traveling the courier shall contact the DARPA Classified Document Registry CDR at 703-526-4052 to coordinate arrival and delivery or • Mailed by U S Postal Service Registered Mail or Express Mail All classified information must be enclosed in opaque inner and outer covers and double wrapped The inner envelope shall be sealed and plainly marked with the assigned classification and addresses of both sender and addressee The inner envelope shall be addressed to Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency ATTN CSO R D RFI I2O Program Security Officer Reference DARPA-SN-17-66 675 North Randolph Street Arlington VA 22203-2114 The outer envelope shall be sealed without identification as to the classification of its contents and addressed to Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Security Intelligence Directorate Attn CDR 675 North Randolph Street Arlington VA 22203-2114 b Higher classification submissions e g Top Secret Sensitive Compartmented Information must be coordinated with DARPA via UNCLASSIFIED email to DARPA-SN-17-66 CSO R D RFI 5 DARPA-SN-17-66@darpa mil in order to request instructions on format and transmission Classification inquiries may also be directed to the I2O Program Security Officer at 571-218-4538 V Eligibility All responsible sources capable of satisfying the Government's needs as outlined herein may submit a response that shall be considered by DARPA VI Disclaimer This RFI is issued solely for information gathering purposes This RFI does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals In accordance with FAR 15 201 e responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract DARPA will not provide reimbursement for costs incurred in responding to this RFI Respondents are advised that DARPA is under no obligation to provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI Response to this RFI is strictly voluntary and is not required to propose to any subsequent solicitations on this topic if any Submissions may be reviewed by the Government DARPA and partners Federally Funded R D Centers and Scientific Engineering and Technical Assistance SETA contractors All personnel with access to the submissions will be covered by a legally-binding non-disclosure agreement and hold appropriate clearances VII Point of Contact Inquiries should be submitted via UNCLASSIFIED email to DARPA-SN-17-66@darpa mil DARPA-SN-17-66 CSO R D RFI 6