USFK AQ SOFA INVITED CONTRACTOR PROGRAM (ICP) ONLINE REQUEST PORTAL

1. Introduction

The United States Forces Korea (USFK) Acquisition (AQ) SOFA Invited Contractor Program (ICP) currently processes requests for SOFA-designation Contract and Invited Contractor Packages via encrypted email and DoD SAFE. These requests are then manually entered into a PowerApp. This Sources Sought is to identify vendors capable of developing and maintaining a publicly accessible web portal to streamline, secure, and centralize this process. The objective is to replace or augment the current manual process with a user-friendly digital solution for submission, processing, and archival of SOFA-designation requests.

1.1 Purpose: To identify potential vendors with the capabilities to develop a web portal supporting the USFK AQ SOFA ICP mission, as detailed herein. This is a Sources Sought notice and is not a request for proposals (RFP). Responses to this notice will be used for market research purposes only.

1.2 Scope: The web portal will facilitate submissions from both internal (Army customers) and external users, including DoD personnel (US Air Force, US Navy, USMC), non-DoD entities, invited contractors, and their sponsoring companies. The portal will support the following request types:

• Step 1:  Request for SOFA-designation Contract Packages
• Step 2:  Request for SOFA-designation Invited Contractor Packages

The solution will host personal and contractual data, accept supporting document uploads, generate confirmation messages with tracking capabilities, provide a secure back-end for USFK AQ staff, and include chat functionality for question submissions.

2. Overall Description

2.1 Product Perspective: The solution will be a standalone, web-based application hosted in a secure, USFK-approved cloud or on-premise environment. It will feature a public-facing front-end and a restricted back-end for administrative users.

2.2 Product Functions:

• Web-based request form submission (Contract and Invited Contractor Packages)
• Upload functionality for supporting documents
• Automated notifications and status updates
• Secure login for administrators
• Dashboard for request tracking and review
• Audit logs of all actions
• Chat functionality for user inquiries

2.3 User Characteristics:

• Requestors: External individuals or organizations seeking SOFA designation.
• Administrators: USFK AQ staff processing and managing requests.

2.4 Assumptions and Dependencies:

• The hosting infrastructure will meet DoD cybersecurity requirements.
• All users will have internet access and basic web literacy.
• File uploads will be limited to predefined formats (e.g., .jpg, .png, .pdf).

3. Specific Requirements

3.1 Functional Requirements:

3.1.1 Front-End (Public Access)

• FR1: The solution shall provide a responsive, mobile-friendly user interface.
• FR2: The solution shall include two distinct submission workflows: Contract Package Submission and Invited Contractor Package Submission.
• FR3: Each form shall allow input of all required data fields.
• FR4: The solution shall allow users to upload multiple files (per predefined file types).
• FR5: The solution shall display submission confirmation with a unique tracking number.

3.1.2 Back-End (Admin Access)

• FR6: The solution shall support secure login and role-based access control.
• FR7: The solution shall provide an admin dashboard to review, approve, or reject submissions.
• FR8: The solution shall allow administrators to download uploaded documents.
• FR9: The solution shall log all actions taken by users and administrators.
• FR10: The solution must be able to generate custom reports.

3.2 Non-Functional Requirements:

• NFR1: The solution shall be accessible 24/7 with 99.9% uptime.
• NFR2: The solution shall comply with DoD and USFK cybersecurity policies.
• NFR3: All data shall be encrypted in transit and at rest.
• NFR4: The solution shall support comprehensive audit trail capabilities.

3.3 Interface Requirements:

• Web Browser: Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Safari (latest versions)
• Upload: Drag-and-drop and manual file selection
• Mobile: Mobile responsive layout for tablets and phones

3.4 Security Requirements:

• SEC1: The site must use HTTPS with TLS 1.2 or higher.
• SEC2: Admin access must be protected via 2-factor authentication.
• SEC3: File uploads must be scanned for malware.
• SEC4: Session timeout and access control mechanisms must be implemented.

4. Appendices

4.1 Sample Submission Data Fields (To Be Finalized):

• Name of Contractor
• Passport Number
• Contract Number

4.2 Upload Fields:

• Passport Info Page
• Company Credentials
• Other supporting documents

5. Information Requested from Vendors

Interested vendors are requested to provide the following information:

• Company Name and Contact Information: (Address, Phone Number, Email Address, Website)
• Core Competencies: Describe your company’s experience in developing and maintaining similar web applications, particularly those dealing with sensitive data and government requirements.
• Relevant Experience: Provide examples of past projects demonstrating your capabilities in meeting the requirements outlined above. Include project descriptions, client references (with permission), and technologies used.
• Technical Approach: Briefly describe your proposed technical approach to developing this portal. (e.g., technologies, architecture, hosting options)
• Cybersecurity Capabilities: Describe your company’s experience with DoD cybersecurity requirements and compliance.
• Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Estimate: Provide a preliminary ROM estimate for the development and initial 1-year maintenance of this solution. (Understanding this is a Sources Sought, a detailed quote is not required.)

6. Submission Instructions

Responses to this Sources Sought shall be submitted electronically to michael.l.west8.civ@army.mil, no later than June 02, 2025, 1159 KST. Please use the subject line: "USFK AQ ICP Portal - Sources Sought Response".

Disclaimer: This Sources Sought is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a commitment to issue a solicitation or award a contract. All information submitted will be kept confidential to the extent permitted by law. The Government reserves the right to use any information provided in this response and will not reimburse contractors for their submissions or the effort involved in preparing them.