Air Force seeks data migration solution for classified 3DExperience systems
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By
Nick Wakeman
This new market research effort focuses on air-gapped engineering environments.
The Air Force is looking for ways to package data so it can move between two classified systems that are air-gapped from each other.
The systems work in a 3DExperience environment and several data types need to move from between them including PDFs, Word documents, CATIA design and simulation files, 3DXML files and Enovia business objects.
The request for information notice posted Friday does not identify the two systems, but they are continuously in operation and handle classified data.
The notice is a market research effort by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center as it develops a new contract. There is no mention of an incumbent contractor.
Responses are due April 26.
The procurement strategy is undetermined as the notice asks all businesses with 3DX capabilities to include their size in their responses. The Air Force also wants respondents to suggest a procurement strategy.
3DX is a product lifecycle management and collaboration platform made by Dassault Systèmes, a France-headquartered software company. 3DX is widely used in defense, aerospace, automotive and manufacturing industries by engineers, designers, and program managers.
Work in each system must continue, so the solution will need to add and merge data without overwriting or deleting existing data. All data will be moved at the start, but only new and updated data will be moved between the systems.
Data can only flow in one direction between the two systems with no connection back. This security requirement is common in classified defense networks.
The Air Force says the effort is part of its broader e-program digital engineering initiative as the Defense Department pushes toward greater use of model-based acquisitions.