Crack the Code on the NAVAIR ERP RFP Opportunity Now

Brenda Crist
the purpose of the picture is to show two people cracking the code to win the NAVAIR ERP bid.

The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Business Office Support contract is one of the Navy’s most mission-critical opportunities, serving as the hub for managing the systems that power financial accountability, supply chain readiness, and operational decision-making. As the Navy pushes forward with digital modernization and its transition to SAP S/4HANA software, this contract demands more than technical expertise—it calls for a team that can deliver secure, agile, and future-focused ERP solutions. In this blog, we explore what it takes to compete and win in supporting the Navy’s ERP transformation.

Table 1: ERP Business Office Support – At a Glance

RequirementIdentifier
RFP Date (estimate)September 2025
Value$250M
Competition TypeFull and Open/Unrestricted
VehicleSeaport Next Generation
NAICS541330 (Engineering Services)
Solicitation NumberN00421125R2032 (via SeaPort Portal)
Period of Performance5-year base contract
Contract TypeCost Plus Fixed Fee
Place of PerformancePatuxent River, Maryland
Opp ID244707

ERP Business Office Support Overview

The NAVAIR Navy Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) Business Office (NBO) has issued a draft Request for Proposal (RFP) consisting of 13 documents. The statement of work (SOW) outlines the need to manage and modernize the Navy’s system of record for financial and supply chain operations. This effort spans support for critical NBO functions, including:

  • Business process management
  • Data management
  • User liaison
  • Training
  • Operational support

Contractors will work on-site at NAS Patuxent River and Webster Outlying Field in Maryland to provide technical and functional expertise across a broad range of areas, including acquisition and property management, financial accounting, workforce management, and the deployment of emerging solutions such as SAP S/4HANA.

The SOW calls for a highly skilled team capable of executing complex sustainment and transformation activities across the Navy ERP landscape. Support includes monitoring and resolving end-user issues, coordinating Navy ERP releases, evaluating and testing new capabilities, and ensuring system compliance with evolving regulations. Data analytics, reporting, user access management, and robotics process automation are critical focus areas. Contractors will also support NBO’s internal operations, including Navy Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI)/ Next Generation Enterprise Network (NGEN) technical coordination, physical security, and knowledge management. Work must be performed in compliance with federal and DOD security, cybersecurity, and operational standards, including NIST 800-171 and controlled unclassified information (CUI) handling requirements.

To meet these mission-critical needs, the SOW defines clear labor category qualifications, emphasizing experienced subject matter experts and program managers with Navy ERP expertise, particularly in SAP ECC and S/4HANA environments. The selected team must hit the ground running, bringing not only ERP technical skills but also strong capabilities in process documentation, training, and stakeholder engagement.

ERP Business Office Support Overview Draft RFP Instructions

Table 2 presents the draft instructions for preparing the proposal response. Offerors must demonstrate a detailed understanding of Navy ERP systems, especially SAP ECC and S/4HANA, and provide a strategy for delivering support across all major functional areas. Proposals should clearly articulate how the team will sustain current capabilities while enabling innovation, with a particular focus on details such as data analytics, automation, and audit readiness.

Table 2: Draft Proposal Instructions

Volume NumberVolume TitlePage Limit
1.0GATE CRITERIA
1.1Facility Security RequirementsNo Page Limit
1.2Corporate ExperienceNo Page Limit. Complete Attachment T1 – Corporate Experience Form and Attachment T2 – Organizational Crosswalk
1.3Key Personnel ResumesThree (3) Pages per Resume
2.0TECHNICAL
2.1Technical Approach – Sample TasksTen (10) Pages per Sample Task
3.0COST/PRICENo Page Limit

ERP Business Office Support Draft RFP Evaluation Criteria

The government intends to make a fair opportunity selection and award one (1) task order under FAR 16.505 to the contractor responsible whose proposal conforms to RFP requirements and is determined to have the highest technically ranked offer (HTRO) with a fair and reasonable price. The government will make the award determination using a three-step process. Contractors are required to submit their offer in its entirety to be considered during the fair opportunity competition.

  • Step 1: Offers must pass the Gate Criteria, which is evaluated on a “Pass/Fail” basis. An offer that receives a “Fail” rating for the Gate Criteria will render the entire proposal ineligible for award without further evaluation.
  • Step 2: The government evaluates the Technical Volume and selects the HTRO.
  • Step 3: The government intends to limit the cost/price evaluation to only the contractor determined to have the HTRO.

ERP Business Office Support Risks to Consider

Based on our SOW review, performance risks fall into five categories: technical complexity, workforce management, cybersecurity compliance, operational continuity, and coordination across stakeholders, which offerors should consider.

1. Technical Complexity and ERP Transition Risks: The transition from SAP ECC to S/4HANA represents a significant modernization effort with potential integration, data migration, and testing challenges. Integrating reporting platforms may result in data integrity issues, reconciliation problems, and delayed reporting deliverables. Frequent ERP upgrades, interface changes, or sustainment activities require rigorous testing, validation, and stakeholder coordination, posing risks of misalignment or system downtime.

2. Workforce Availability and Expertise: With nearly 100% of the work to be performed at Naval Air Station Patuxent River and the Webster Outlying Field, offerors must have a concrete plan to deliver expertise in a narrow job market in southern Maryland.

3. Cybersecurity and Information Assurance Compliance: Contractors must implement and maintain stringent cybersecurity controls to protect CUI, including multi-factor authentication, encryption, remote access monitoring, and plan of action and milestones (POA&M) remediation. Any security incident could result in reputational damage, performance penalties, or even contract termination.

4. Operational Continuity and Transition Planning: Minor disruptions, especially during fiscal year-end processing or major upgrades, could have far-reaching consequences. Surge requirements may come with little notice. Failure to scale appropriately could delay deliverables or impact system performance.

5. Stakeholder and Process Coordination: The SOW requires coordination with NAVAIR, the Navy’s General Fund Business Office (GFBO), Marine Depot Maintenance Command (MDMC), and Marine Corps Logistics Command (LOGCOM), as well as alignment with Navy Enterprise Business Solutions (PMW 220) modernization efforts. Miscommunication or misalignment between stakeholders could lead to rework, delays, or scope creep.

How to Win the ERP Business Office Support Contract

To win the NAVAIR Navy ERP Business Office (NBO) Support contract requires a team with deep expertise, a proven approach, and the ability to operate securely and seamlessly across Navy commands. Here’s how a winning offeror would differentiate themselves:

1. Demonstrate Proven Expertise in Navy ERP and SAP Modernization

Demonstrate hands-on experience supporting both SAP ECC and S/4HANA environments and prior successful work with Navy ERP programs, in addition to:

  • Experience in SAP migrations, particularly S/4HANA transitions.
  • Stellar examples of problem resolution, interface integration, and audit support in ERP environments.
  • Knowledge of relevant Navy business processes in finance, logistics, workforce, and supply chain operations, and successful project outcomes.

2. Present a Highly Qualified, Ready-to-Go Team

This contract demands key personnel with specific credentials, security clearances, and up to 15+ years of experience. A standout proposal should showcase:

  • Key personnel resumes that meet requirements and reflect relevant accomplishments.
  • Current DOD clearances (minimum interim Secret) for individuals.
  • A realistic staffing plan with surge capabilities for peak periods.

3. Offer a Thoughtful and Secure Technical Approach

Because this is a secure, on-site, data-sensitive environment, the government will look for plans that:

  • Maintain cybersecurity compliance with NIST SP 800-171 and protect CUI.
  • Support continuous operations, particularly during fiscal year-end close-out and Navy ERP upgrades.
  • Provide a sound transition plan that ensures zero disruption to operations.

4. Prove Your Ability to Deliver Value and Innovate

NAVAIR is focused on innovation, especially in areas such as automation, analytics, and audit readiness. To stand out, an offeror should:

  • Show how they’ve implemented Robotic Process Automation (RPA) or AI-assisted solutions in ERP environments.
  • Demonstrate expertise in data migration, dashboard development, and business intelligence (BI) tool integration (e.g., Jupiter/Advana/NDP).
  • Provide metrics and proof points concerning how their innovations have reduced costs, increased efficiency, or improved audit outcomes.

5. Build Confidence in Your Past Performance and Communication Skills

This is a contract that requires strong stakeholder coordination across multiple commands. Winning teams should:

  • Provide relevant CPARs or client references with high ratings in quality, schedule, and communication.
  • Show how they’ve worked across diverse Navy stakeholders and led large-scale ERP or IT transformations.
  • Present a clear, well-written proposal that mirrors the structure of the RFP and makes it easy for evaluators to score.

Conclusion

Winning the NAVAIR ERP RFP is about being exceptional in a high-stakes, mission-critical environment. This opportunity calls for a contractor who can deliver more than just technical compliance—it demands leadership in digital modernization, flawless execution in ERP sustainment, and the ability to support future-focused Navy operations. With the right team, a sharp technical approach, and a compelling proposal, this contract is yours to win. Crack the code, bring your A-team, and show NAVAIR you’re the partner they can count on when it matters most. If you need assistance in writing your proposal response, contact us.

Relevant Information

By Brenda Crist, Vice President at Lohfeld Consulting Group, MPA, CPP APMP Fellow

Lohfeld Consulting Group has proven results specializing in helping companies create winning captures and proposals. As the premier capture and proposal services consulting firm focused exclusively on government markets, we provide expert assistance to government contractors in Capture Planning and Strategy, Proposal Management and Writing, Capture and Proposal Process and Infrastructure, and Training. In the last 3 years, we’ve supported over 550 proposals winning more than $170B for our clients—including the Top 10 government contractors. Lohfeld Consulting Group is your “go-to” capture and proposal source! Start winning by contacting us at www.lohfeldconsulting.com and join us on LinkedInFacebook, and YouTube(TM).