AFRL-RVBY-LASER COMM FINAL.pdf

AFRL-RVBY-2021-LASERCOM R&D EFFORT 1

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI),

AIR FORCE RESEARCH LABORATORY (AFRL) SPACE VEHICLES (RV) DIRECTORATE

SPACE-BASED LASERCOM FOR STRATEGIC SYSTEMS

RFI NUMBER: AFRL-RVBY-2021-LASERCOM R&D EFFORT

14 May 2021

1.0 OVERVIEW CONTRACTING OFFICE ADDRESS AND POINTS OF CONTACTS

Department of the Air Force Material Command (AFMC), Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Space Vehicles (RV) Directorate, 3550 Aberdeen Ave, SE, Kirtland AFB, 87117-5776

CONTRACTING POINTS OF CONTACT (POC)

Mr. Francis Eggert (Primary) Ms. Ashley Patterson (Alternate) Contracting Officer Contract Specialist

AFRL/RVKB AFRL/RVKB

Email: francis.eggert@us.af.mil Email: ashley.patterson.5@us.af.mil

TECHNICAL POINTS OF CONTACT (POC)

Ms. Julie Smith Dr. Seth Lacy

AFRL/RVBY AFRL/RVEN

Email: julie.smith.7@spaceforce.mil Email: seth.lacy@spaceforce.mil

2.0 OVERVIEW

The Air Force Research Laboratory is seeking information to understand the industrial base for supporting space-based lasercom systems for networked constellation architectures as well as long range crosslinks, uplinks, and downlinks.

This is a Request for Information (RFI), and its intent is being issued pursuant to FAR 15.201(e). This RFI is not a request for competitive proposals; therefore, responses to this notice are not considered offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responses should include information identifying whether the respondent is a small or large business according to NAICs Code 541715. Companies that respond will NOT be paid for the information submitted. No telephone calls will be accepted requesting a bid package or solicitation. There is NO bid package or solicitation. Note:

Foreign contractors shall NOT be permitted to participate in this RFI pursuant to AFFARS 5305.204.

3.0 BACKGROUND

Space has become a contested, congested, and competitive environment. Increased information mobility and decreased latency is needed to keep inside the adversary’s Observe, Orient, Decide, Act (OODA) loop. This translates into increased real-time command and control of space assets through resilient multi-domain architectures. The purpose of this RFI is to seek information in continuing Research and Development (R&D) efforts supporting Size, Weight and Power – Cost (SWaP-C) optimized, long-range, space-based crosslinks and downlinks from Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Lunar orbits to support architectures such as Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2), Global Positioning System (GPS), Space Combat Cloud and others. AFRL also has an interest to be interoperable with proliferated

AFRL-RVBY-2021-LASERCOM R&D EFFORT 2

Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellations such as the Space Development Agency’s National Space Defense Architecture.

3.1 ANTICIPATED CAPABILITIES AND CAPACITY

There is an array of R&D areas of interest. Below outlines the various topic areas with the anticipated capabilities. This RFI seeks proposed solutions to one or more topic areas from the below list.

1) Topic Area 1: Strategic MEO (uplinks, downlinks, crosslinks)

a) Develop systems for the MEO space environment (≥3 year lifetimes traceable to 15 year lifetimes)

b) Interoperable with current Space Development Agency standards

i) 1550nm, intensity modulation, Left Hand Circularly Polarized (LHCP) transmit

c) Reconfigurable on orbit

i) Data Rates, Forward Error Correction (FEC), interleaver, modulation, Automatic Data Re-

Transmission/Automatic Repeat Request (ADR/ARQ)

ii) Position, Navigation, and Time (PNT) Measurements

(1) Measurement exchange rate, 1 exchange/sec typical

(2) Measurement accuracy

d) Test and evaluation capabilities including hostile radiation environment

i) Radiation tolerant to single event upsets

ii) Traceable to the strategic environment

iii) Outdoor test ranges for testing of link, FEC, and retransmission performance

e) Link budgeting and analysis

i) Ranges from 25,000km to 70,000km (uplinks, crosslinks, and downlinks)

ii) Data rates: 1 – 10 Mbps

f) Complete system designs to include optical front ends, modems, and processing units

g) PNT capable

i) Provide PNT measurements to host spacecraft for processing (range, range rate, angles, etc.)

ii) < 30cm ranging, <1ns timing

h) Hemispherical Field of Regard

i) Emphasis on manufacturing

i) Early identification of foreign components

j) On-orbit SWaP

i) Power: <100W orbit average power (OAP) per terminal

ii) Mass: <20kg per terminal

2) Topic Area 2: Cislunar – Ground (uplinks/downlinks)

a) Systems developed for Cislunar environments (≥3 year lifetimes traceable to 15 year lifetimes)

b) Interoperable with current Space Development Agency standards

i) 1550nm, intensity modulation, LHCP transmit

c) Reconfigurable on orbit

i) Data Rates, FEC, interleaver, modulation, ADR/ARQ

ii) PNT Measurements

(1) Measurement exchange rate, 1 exchange/sec typical

(2) Measurement accuracy

AFRL-RVBY-2021-LASERCOM R&D EFFORT 3

d) Link budgeting and analysis

i) Ranges up to 400,000km (downlinks)

ii) Data rates: 10Mbps

e) Test and evaluation capabilities

i) Radiation tolerant to single event occurrences

ii) Outdoor test ranges for testing of link, FEC, and retransmission performance

f) Complete system designs to include optical front ends, modems, and processing units

g) PNT capable

i) Provide PNT measurements to host spacecraft for processing (range, range rate, angles, etc.)

ii) < 30cm ranging, 1ns timing

h) Hemispherical Field of Regard

i) Emphasis on manufacturing

i) Early identification of foreign components

j) On-orbit SWaP

i) Power: <50W per terminal

ii) Mass: <10kg per terminal

3.2 COMMUNICATION BETWEEN RESPONDENTS AND GOVERNMENT

REPRESENTATIVES

Questions related to the objectives of the effort or prior similar efforts may be answered only in writing.

If you are requesting technical clarifications please ensure you have included the Contracting Office. The email addresses for Contracting and Technical POCs are listed in Paragraph 1. Respondents are advised that only Contracting Officers are legally authorized to contractually bind or otherwise commit the Government.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. This does NOT constitute a solicitation (Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quotations RFQ)) or a promise to issue an announcement/solicitation in the future. This RFI does not commit the US Government (USG) to contract for any supply or service. Furthermore, the USG is NOT, seeking proposals at this time. Respondents are advised that the USG will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to the RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party’s expense. All information received in response to the RFI that is marked PROPRIETARY will be handled accordingly. The USG shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly identified. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Proprietary information and Trade Secrets should be clearly identified.

Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the USG to form a binding contract or agreement. The Air Force will not be obligated to pursue any particular acquisition alternative as a result of this RFI. Responses to this RFI will not be returned. The USG is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received, or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. Respondents to this RFI will have no competitive advantage in receiving any awards related to the submitted topic area. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future announcement/solicitation, if one is issued.

AFRL-RVBY-2021-LASERCOM R&D EFFORT 4

The information gathered from this RFI may contribute to future program acquisition technology development strategies and frame future announcements/solicitations, if issued. The USG will not use any proprietary information submitted to establish the capability, requirements, approach or solution so as to not inadvertently restrict competition.

4.0 SAMPLE RESPONSE OUTLINE

There is a suggested total page count limit of 6 pages for each topic area response. The following is a suggested outline for a response to this RFI. The suggested page limitation and outline to this RFI is intended to minimize the effort of the respondent. Nevertheless, respondents are free to develop their responses as they see fit.

4.1 SECTION 1: CORPORATE EXPERTISE

Briefly describe your company, your products and services, history, ownership, financial information and other relevant information. As part of your corporate expertise, please highlight critical elements in the envisioned solution to meet any of the topic areas outlined above. Also, discuss your ability to perform work in a classified environment. Identify any foreign ownership or investment. Note: This section of your response should be limited to less than 10% of the response.

4.2 SECTION 2: TECHNICAL SOLUTIONS

Describe your company’s concept for the proposed solution addressing the topic areas outlined in Section

3.1. The proposed concept should address the various capabilities and capacity as it relates to the topic area.

Describe any technologies in your current product line, as well as products currently under development that meet the capabilities. Provide performance and physical specifications for each product, as well as anticipated performance for products under development. The technical solution should also include test plan outlining a series of tests/experiments to increase Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of proposed architecture. Describe your current Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) and your approach to large scale production.

4.3 SECTION 3: COST AND SCHEDULE ESTIMATES

Provide a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost and schedule estimates for design/build to properly scope a Government Acquisition Strategy.

4.4 SECTION 4: ADDITIONAL DETAILS

Please provide any other materials, suggestions and discussions you deem appropriate. Include any recommended structure of the requirements in the event the Government decides to issue a RFP.

5.0 SUBMISSIONS OF RESPONSES

There is a suggested total page count limit of 6 pages for topic response. This page count limit does not include the coversheet. The page limitation to the RFI is intended to minimize the effort of the respondent.

AFRL-RVBY-2021-LASERCOM R&D EFFORT 5

Responses to the RFI should be submitted in MS Word format in 12 point font, double-spaced with one inch margins and use the standard letter size (8.5”x11”) paper. Responses are due no later than 29 Jun 2021 5PM MDT. Responses to all or part of this RFI will be accepted.

Responses to this RFI must be submitted to AFRL. Respondents shall provide one electronic copy (MS Word or editable PDF) of their unclassified response via DoD SAFE (https://safe.apps.mil/). NOTE:

DO NOT send via e-mail. See Paragraph 8.0 for DoD Safe submission instructions. Submission of marketing information, existing commercial documentation and product literature is NOT an acceptable response. Responses to this notice may be unclassified. Contact Ms. Julie Smith at julie.smith.7@spaceforce.mil, or Dr. Seth Lacy seth.lacy@spaceforce.mil, to coordinate classified submissions.

Respondents are advised that employees of commercial firms under contract to the USG may be used to administratively process responses or perform other administrative duties requiring access to other contractors’ proprietary information. These support contracts include nondisclosure agreements prohibiting their contractor employees from disclosing any information submitted by other contractors or using such information for any purpose other than that for which it was furnished.

In order to complete its review, AFRL must be able to share the information within the Government and with its support contractors; therefore, any responses marked in a manner that will not permit such internal Government review will be deleted without being assessed/considered.

Any response to this RFI may be subject to review by non-Government personnel. The role of these advisory and assistance services (A&AS) contractors, University Affiliated Research Center (UARC) employees and Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) employees are to function as technical advisors to the programmatic decision making.

5.1 FORMAT

The responses shall be formatted as follows:

1) Cover Sheet

Paper Title

Name of Company

Mailing Address

Business Size to NAICS 541715

Company's Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) number

Dun & Bradstreet (D&B) Data Universal Numbering System (DUNS) number

Contracting and Technical POC (names, telephone/fax numbers, and email addresses ) mailto:julie.smith.7@spaceforce.mil mailto:seth.lacy@spaceforce.mil

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Classified level at which company is cleared

Cognizant security office (name, address, zip code), and respondent’s security officer's name and telephone number

Proposed Period of Performance (allow 90 days for drafting final report)

ROM cost estimate

Proposed Contract/Agreement/OTA Type

Proposed Government Furnished Property or Base Support

Proposed Data Rights

Date Paper is valid

Teaming Arrangement or Subcontractors/consultants, including Cage codes

2) Narrative – should include but not be limited to the following:

a) Discussion of the nature and scope of the research, the problem statement, the respondents proposed objectives and technical approach/solution, all relevant assumptions, an overview of tasks and methods to achieve each objective, and expected results;

b) Evidence of current TRL and a description of state-of-the-art knowledge or methods to be employed, along with a clear strategy, resources and schedule for maturing the technology to the proposed level;

c) Description of final products to be delivered (prototypes, demonstrations, software, or anything that contributes to the description of final products);

d) Mapping of effort to specific need(s) outlined in the topic area description, with a strategy for transition of deliverables to a Government Acquisition Program;

e) Transitions can be specific to an existing/future system or have broad application to several existing/future systems;

f) Any restrictions on Government use, release or disclosure of technical data; and

g) Key personnel, consultants or subcontractors to support the effort and evidence of expertise and experience to accomplish the proposed tasks (resumes, descriptions of facilities and equipment and proposed Statement of Work are not required at this point).

3) ROM Cost – Provide a ROM cost estimate for planning purposes. The ROM should provide top level details on major cost items such as labor (# Full Time Equivalents (FTEs)), special equipment that will need to be purchased, materials and any subcontracts, consultants or other organizations’ costs (to include Government furnished facilities, equipment or personnel) for the proposed effort.

AFRL-RVBY-2021-LASERCOM R&D EFFORT 7

6.0 TIMELINE

The following is a notional timeline for the RFI and follow-on activities:

• 15 May 2021 – Release of RFI

• 15 Jun 2021 – Requests for clarifications (must be in writing to the Contracting Officer)

• 29 Jun 2021 – RFI Responses due 5PM MDT

• 13 Jul 2021 – Target date for requesting follow-up information

7.0 SUMMARY

The AFRL is interested in continuing research and development efforts supporting networked space architectures and long range crosslinks and downlinks. The communication architectures encompasses multiple efforts that include modernization of component and system technologies as well as novel technology development. Specific areas of interest are the development of interoperable, PNT capable lasercom terminals for GPS and Cislunar orbits.

The questions listed in this RFI are not all-inclusive and we strongly encourage each respondent to provide any additional information that you think may be vital to support our efforts accurately scoping the technological thresholds and objectives, realistic schedule estimations and budgetary programming for this key, high-interest mission area.

8.0 DOD SAFE SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

1) Send intention to submit response to Ms. Julie Smith for assigned drop-off request code

• The drop-off request code is valid for 14 days

2) The requestor will receive file drop-off instructions via e-mail

3) Drop off files, uploading to the DoD Safe Access File Exchange website (https://safe.apps.mil/)

• Note, file sizes > 8 GB will not be accepted

4) Enter the following e-mail address for the recipient information julie.smith.7@spaceforce.mil seth.lacy@spaceforce.mil https://safe.apps.mil/ https://safe.apps.mil/ mailto:julie.smith.7@spaceforce.mil