SEDR Questions and Answers 5 June 26.xlsx
XLSX spreadsheet 12 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- FA229126RFISATURNSEDRRFI
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers document from the Saturn Enhanced Data Rate (SEDR) Request for Information (RFI) process, with responses provided by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Aerial Networks Division (AFLCMC/C3N). The document addresses nine key inquiries from potential contractors regarding the SEDR waveform development initiative. Response deadlines have been extended to 22 May 2026 at 1300 EST, with questions due by 7 May 2026. The RFI represents market research to identify sources capable of designing, developing, and prototyping algorithms and functions for the SEDR waveform, a tactical anti-jam communications system used by U.S. and NATO forces.
The Government clarified that this RFI is entirely separate from a December RFI focused on porting a finished specification into existing radios, whereas this current effort concentrates on development and refinement of the waveform itself. The strategy has evolved from an August 2025 posting on porting activities to an accelerated development approach leveraging industry expertise in collaboration with a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). The Government is seeking vendors to help define a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and will conduct specification/design refinement, simulation validation, and initial implementation/porting efforts. Contractors must demonstrate experience integrating NSA-certified cryptography to ensure compliance with DoD cryptographic modernization requirements and secure networking capabilities. The Government plans to transition this RFI into a formal RFP, though the final acquisition strategy regarding single versus multiple awards remains under formulation. An industry day has not yet been finalized, though engagement opportunities are being considered.
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Sheet1 Saturn Enhanced Data Rate (SEDR)
RFI SEDR Development
| # | Question | Gov Response |
| 1 | Is there any possibility that the response deadline can be extended beyond 20 April? | Response date will be extended to be due No Later Than (NLT) 1300 EST 22 May 2026. Questions will be extended to be due NLT 7 May 2026. |
| 2 | Could you briefly explain the relationship between this RFI and the December RFI? Is it only that this RFI is a sources-sought for the development of the SEDR waveform, while the first RFI was a sources-sought for porting of the waveform? Or are there other relationships or differences we should be aware of? | These are entirely separate RFIs. This RFI is based around development and the capabilities concerning further creation of the waveform. RFI in December was centered on taking a finished specification and porting it into existing radios. |
| 3 | Is the first RFI still under evaluation and/or will there be Q&A related to our December response? | The December RFI is no longer under evaluation. |
| 4 | I recall a similar notice being posted around August of last year and wanted to follow up to better understand how the requirement has evolved. Specifically, are there particular capability gaps or challenges that prompted the reposting? | The previous posting from August 2025 focused specifically on porting the SEDR waveform onto a vendor radio. Since then, the strategy has evolved. The Government has decided to accelerate the development of the SEDR waveform by leveraging industry expertise to assist with its refinement. |
Under this new approach, industry partners will collaborate directly with a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC). The objective is to review the existing work on the SEDR waveform and recommend additions, modifications, or optimized approaches to ensure the waveform is readily portable. As part of this development effort, the Government is looking for vendors to help define a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). This will allow the Government to port an initial version as quickly as possible, with subsequent waveform upgrades released iteratively over time.
| 5 | Additionally, are there any current plans to align funding with this effort or transition it toward a formal RFP? | Yes, the Government plans to transition this accelerated SEDR development RFI into a formal RFP. |
| 6 | Will the development effort include specification/design, simulation, and/or implementation/porting of SEDR, or parts of it? | Yes. As noted, the strategy involves reviewing existing work, recommending modifications, and defining a Minimum Viable Product (MVP). Therefore, the effort will heavily involve specification/design refinement and simulation to validate those optimizations. It will also include the initial implementation and porting of the MVP to ensure the waveform is readily portable, with further iterative upgrades to follow. |
| 7 | Why and for what scope is experience integrating NSA-certified cryptography required? | SEDR is a tactical anti-jam communications waveform used by U.S. and NATO forces. Experience with NSA-certified cryptography is essential to ensure that the waveform's secure networking capabilites are seamlessly integrated and compliant with stringent DoD cryptographic modernization requirements. |
| 8 | Will there be an industry day prior to the potential RFP posting? | The Government has not yet finalized dates for an industry day. However, given the transition to a new collaborative approach with an FFRDC and the goal of defining an MVP, the Government is considering engagement opportunities to brief industry partners on the updated strategy |
| 9 | Please confirm if the program resulting from the potential RFP will be awarded to one or multiple vendors. | The final acquisition strategy is still being formulated. However, the Government is currently seeking input from multiple "vendors" and "industry partners" to collaborate with the FFRDC. Whether this translates to a single award or a multiple-award contract (to foster competition and accelerate iterative MVP development) will be explicitly defined in the formal RFP. |
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