DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE/ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE (ACQUISITION) (SAF/AQ) Request For Information – Defense Industrial Base (DIB) interest in using Secure Enclave (SE)

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SPECIAL NOTICE: DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE/ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE (ACQUISITION) (SAF/AQ) Request For Information – Defense Industrial Base (DIB) interest in using Secure Enclave (SE) for state-of-the-art microelectronic applications.

1.0 INTRODUCTION:

The Department of the Air Force is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to conduct market research regarding the Defense Industrial Base’s potential application and use cases of Intel’s 18A and advanced packaging microelectronics technology. This RFI serves as an announcement for a Reserve Industry Day (RID) event.

2.0 REVERSE INDUSTRY DAY (RID) OVERVIEW:

The RID will be held on June 17, 2025 (Day 1), in the Northern Virginia National Capital Region. Optional scheduled “One-on-One" sessions with the Government Integrated Team will be available on June 18, 2025 (Day 2). The Government Integrated Team includes:

• Government Program Office Subject Matter Experts (SMEs)


• Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) support contractors (see Section 8.0)


• Consultants from Potomac Institute for Policy Studies (see Section 8.0)


• Intel’s 18A Secure Enclave SMEs (see Section 8.0)

The RID will be conducted at the SECRET/NF classification level. Attendance is restricted to U.S. citizens possessing a minimum of a SECRET security clearance.

3.0. PURPOSE OF RFI:

This RFI aims to gauge industry interest and potential use cases for Intel’s 18A manufacturing process and advanced 2D and 3D packaging technology for state-of-the-art (SOTA) microelectronics in Department of Defense (DoD) weapon and national security systems. Participation in the RID requires registration and Government approval.

4.0 REGISTRATION INFORMATION:

Registration Procedure: Register by submitting a completed registration form (Industry Partner or Government Agency) to SAF.JCD.ALL@us.af.mil. The subject line must read: “Registration Request for Secure Enclave Reverse Industry Day”. Do not “flatten” or “Print to PDF” before submitting.

Registration Deadline: 11:59 pm EDT, 30 May 2025. Registrations submitted after this deadline will not be considered.

Selection Notification: Notification of selection to attend the RID: NLT 11:59 pm EDT, 2 June 2025

5.0 REGISTRATION Questionnaire

The Government requests responses to the following questions to determine selection to attend Day 1 of the RID and one of the optional One-on-One Sessions on Day 2.

1. Mission Area and Application: Identify the specific mission area(s) and application or use case(s) for Intel’s 18A node and/or advanced packaging technology to fill current or anticipated gaps (e.g. medical, infrastructure, guidance and control, communications, navigation and identification (CNI), space, intelligence (xINT), AI/ML, High Performance Computing, Government Cloud Computing, Edge Computing, Enterprise, Cybersecurity).


2. Current/Anticipated Contracts: Are you currently, or do you anticipate being under contract for a project that could benefit from using Secure Enclave? (Secure domestic Intel 18A process node technology and advanced packaging technology)? (Y/N)


3. Perceived Benefits: What benefits (e.g. SWaP-C, security, provenance) do you anticipate from using Secure Enclave to procure Intel’s 18A node and/or advanced packaging technology?


4. Current Semiconductor Procurement: How does your organization, or its subcontractors, currently procure semiconductors for your systems and subsystems (e.g. through an authorized distributor, original component/equipment manufacturer, Government Furnished Equipment/Property, Government Contractor)?


5. Optimal Procurement Method: What would be the optimal method for your organization to procure secure state-of-the-art (SOTA) semiconductors (e.g., direct order through Intel Corporation, Government Business Office/Broker/Front-Door, 3rd Party Office/Broker, other)?


6. Microelectronics Experience: Describe your company/organization’s experience in designing and fielding custom SOTA microelectronics?


7. Supply Chain Role: Describe your company/organization’s role within the defense industrial supply chain (i.e., research and development, custom design, test and prototyping, rapid capability delivery, program of record supplier, sustainment and logistics supply chain).


8. One-on-One Meeting Request (with SE Program Office): If selected to attend the Reverse Industry Day, would you like to request a One-on-One meeting with subject matter experts from the SE Program Office (to include Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance support contractors and consultants)?


9. One-on-One Meeting Request (with SE Program Office and Intel Corporation): If selected to attend the Reverse Industry Day, would you like to request a One-on-One meeting with subject matter experts from the SE Program Office (including Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance support contractors and consultants) and Intel Corporation? Note: Intel Corporate NDA is required, as well as an NDA with MTSI and PIPS. (Y/N)

Note: If Yes to Questions 8 or 9, and your company/organization does not have an existing Corporate NDA with Intel and/or an NDA with Government contractors/consultants, will you sign one? (Y/N)

6.0. SECURE ENCLAVE (SE) OVERVIEW:

The Secure Enclave (SE) is a strategic initiative funded through the CHIPS and Science Act. As a vital component of national security and economic stability, Secure Enclave creates a protected overlay in a commercial environment for manufacturing of state-of-the-art (SOTA) microelectronics chips and packaged microelectronics systems, entirely in the United States. This initiative supports the U.S. in maintaining its global leadership in microelectronics technology while safeguarding against intellectual property theft, foreign interference, and other security risks.

Intel Corporation received direct funding under the CHIPS and Science Act for a capability known as the 'Secure Enclave.' (Department of Defense & Department of Commerce Joint Statement: Announcement in Support of the Manufacture of Microelectronics and Advanced Semiconductors for National Security > U.S. Department of Defense > Release)

7.0 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Due to conference room limitations, registration is limited to two (2) representatives from each organization or business unit. The government reserves the right to further restrict the number of attendees based on interest and available space. Registrants are invited to schedule optional One-on-One sessions which can only be requested at the time of registration.

Registered participants selected to attend the RID will receive email confirmation with the venue, location and security details. Participants are required to check-in on Tuesday, 17 June 2025 starting at 8:00am EDT; must be present by NLT 8:45 am EDT from start (9:00am EDST) to finish (4:30 pm EDT) the first day; and late arrivals will not be admitted. Unregistered individuals will not be admitted to the RID.

8.0. use of Support Contractor personnel:

The Government intends to utilize support contractor personnel to provide technical, programmatic, or other expertise in support of SE both during and after the RID. The support contractor personnel will be present at the RID and may have access to information shared during the event, including potentially proprietary information.

The support contractor personnel assisting with this effort are:

• Intel Corporation


• MTSI


• Potomac Institute for Policy Studies

When registering for the RID, RID registrants acknowledge and consent to the potential involvement of support contractor personnel in support of the SE effort. If an organization has specific concerns regarding use of the support contractor personnel, the organization should submit those concerns in writing, including the basis for the concerns, to the Contracting Officer via email to Stephen Colvin (stephen.colvin.2@us.af.mil), no later than June 1, 2025.

Recognizing that RID participants may wish to share proprietary information during various aspects of the Industry Day, including the One-on-One sessions, RID participants are welcome to voluntarily execute Corporate Non-Disclosure Agreements (cNDAs) with the listed support contractors prior to the RID if selected for attendance. A cNDA is NOT required with Intel during Day 1 presentations and discussions. Content presented will not be distributed. However, if a company wants to participate in a One-on-One Session on Day 2, a cNDA with Intel will be required if one does not exist. The Government will share industry registration information with Intel Corporation to determine the existence of a cNDA.

9.0 DISCLAIMER:

This event is for informational and planning purposes only and does not commit the Government to any contractual agreement. The Government is not seeking proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals. This is not a contract solicitation, request for proposal (RFP) of any sort, a promise to issue any future contract, or commitment to offer work of any kind on the part of the U.S. Government. Responses to this request are voluntary and will not affect any contractor's ability to submit a proposal if, or when, an RFP is released for a future effort.

This request is for informational purposes only to promote exchanges of information with industry in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) part 15.201(e). The Government will not pay for any information and/or materials received in response to this request for information and is in no way obligated by the information received.

Information provided during registration will be retained by the Government for event use only. The Government is not responsible for any costs incurred by attendees, nor for any expenses related to the preparation of responses to this RFI. No entitlement to payment by the Government of direct or indirect costs or charges will arise as a result of the submission of information in response to this request.

Information received will not be considered confidential/proprietary unless marked accordingly. Company proprietary data will be reviewed by Government employees and may be reviewed by the support contractors in accordance with Section 8.0 of this RFI. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any improperly identified proprietary information. Any information submitted by attendees in response to this RFI and/or RID will remain in possession of the Government and will not be returned.

The information provided in this RFI and at the RID is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Government retains the right to modify the date, time or location of this event, or cancel the event entirely.

Disclaimer: Please note that this reverse industry day event is being held at a facility owned or operated by Modern Technology Solutions, Inc (MTSI), a systems engineering and technical assistance (SETA) contractor supporting the U.S. Government in accordance with the terms and conditions of the SETA Contract (22-F-1549). The use of the facility is strictly for logistical purposes. The Government’s use of this facility does not imply any endorsement, affiliation, or preference for MTSI, their products, or services.

10. TENTATIVE AGENDA

10.1 Day 1: Information Sharing & Gathering Session

Description: Throughout the day, Intel Corporation and the Secure Enclave Program Office team will guide you through various technical and programmatic aspects of Secure Enclave. You’ll hear from Intel and Air Force leadership, receive microelectronics threat briefing, Secure Enclave capability overview, and have a chance to provide input which will help the program office as it crafts future pilot projects and long-term acquisition strategies.

Where: Northern Virginia, National Capital Region. Meeting location will be provided once your registration has been approved.

When: Tuesday, June 17, 2025

Who: DIB Contractor, USG & SE Program Office, Intel Corporation and Potomac Institute for Policy Studies (PIPS) representatives

Classification Level: SECRET/NF

Day 1: 08:00 am - 4:30 pm EDT

10.2 Day 2: One-on-One Sessions

Description: Based on the answers provided to this RFI, your organization may be extended an invitation to a one-on-one session with various SMEs within the Secure Enclave team. This will be your opportunity to tell the team more about your organization, ask questions in a private setting, suggest pilot project ideas, and provide your organization’s input on key acquisition decisions.

Who: DIB Contractors, SE Program Office, Intel Corporation and PIPS representatives

Where: Northern Virginia of the National Capital Region

When: Wednesday, June 18, 2025

Classification Level: SECRET/NF

Day 2: 8:00 am – 5:00 pm EDT

One-on-One Sessions Format:

• 60-minute individual meetings (pre-scheduled)


• Up to 7 One-on-One sessions for discussions; with 1-3 breakout sessions per timeslot available. The number of sessions/breakout sessions may be revised to accommodate participant desire.


• One-on-One attendees must have indicated in registration form a desire to meet one-on-one.

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