STEC Call for Proposals - BMC3 Module Compute Capabilities Concept Studies.pdf

Space Development Agency

STEC BAA FA240123S0001

Transport Layer “BMC3 Module” Capability Concepts

Call for Proposals

June 30, 2023

Under the Space Development Agency (SDA) Systems, Technologies, and Emerging Capabilities (STEC) Broad Agency Announcement, FA240123S0001, posted on SAM.gov on January 13, 2022, SDA is issuing this Call for Proposals. With this Call, SDA is soliciting full but concise proposals to perform engineering studies, analyses, and technical trades of a “Battle Management Command, Control, and Communications (BMC3) Adaptable Processor” with different configurations providing specialized space-based high-performance computing capabilities for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) missions deployed through “layers”.

Background

Recognized as the Department of Defense's constructive disruptor for space acquisition, SDA will quickly deliver needed space-based capabilities to the joint warfighter to support terrestrial missions through development, fielding, and operation of the PWSA. SDA capitalizes on a unique business model that values speed and lowers costs by harnessing commercial development to achieve a proliferated architecture and enhance resilience. SDA will deliver ever increasing product capability - on time, every two(2) years - by employing spiral development methods, adding capabilities to future generations as the threat evolves.

The operational utility of the PWSA will make use of a distributed BMC3 hardware and software framework with mission-specific processing, algorithms, and applications across the various layers throughout the PWSA. Each Space Vehicle (SV) and Operations Center (OC) contain instances of the BMC3 hardware and software that execute BMC3 applications with the support of the other PWSA layers. These applications are interoperable with Joint Warfighter mobile and stationary ground platforms, other weapon systems and C3 operations centers (e.g., Tactical Intelligence Targeting Access Node (TITAN), F-35s, Air Operations Centers, etc.). The extent to which processing is accomplished within individual space nodes will be driven by individual mission need timelines. The goal of the BMC3 architecture is to accelerate kill chain closure for all missions that involve space asset support. Ultimately, SDA will have a constellation which will incorporate increasing levels of autonomy with less reliance on ground resources. On a practical level, this means that most functions normally done on the ground will migrate into space over time.

Introduction

Future space-based edge processing is the focus of these Tranche 2 BMC3 Module design studies. We are interested in exploring the adoption of modular development attributes to directly respond to DoD guidance to create development objectives that support Modular Open System Approaches to major subsystem design integration. These approaches will allow development of more rapid technology integration and create opportunities to leverage industrial base investment. These highly scalable and customizable compute modules will represent hosted processing capability that will be designed to open standards to drive toward component interoperability. Having the ability to configure and integrate qualified designs that can accommodate “just-in-time integration” will create the ability to respond to mass, power, and compute flexibility demands or opportunities.

The future of space processing will be evolving faster than anyone can predict. Having the ability to ensure our design approach will be well positioned to support the variable demands is crucial to the PWSA. Whether the design objectives are focused on generalized high performance computing, enhanced AI related capabilities, or processing functions to accelerate the exchange of information from different domains, we are looking to industry to define hardware solutions that we should consider for future inclusion into the PWSA.

In this transition between what was previously developed and how that begins to support the modular open system approach, we intend to use a government reference description of hardware elements that represent our minimum threshold capability for the generalized high performance compute instantiation, as described in Appendix A of the T2 BMC3 Study Design and Interface Description. Designs will be evaluated against this notional reference design to assess the degree of compliance and performance exceedance. As we all understand, short development times are very important, but long-term development capability is also very important.

In the true spirit of collaboration, our future requirements will be negotiable and developed through a process of capabilities-based requirements definition. Design descriptions provided by study participants will then be converted into acquisition requirements that represent what is required to be delivered in follow-on activities, as appropriate.

Since there is not going to be one single set of performance requirements, we have coined the name BMC3 Adaptable Processor (BAP) for the set of capabilities that may be incorporated within future spacecraft. There are currently three top-level mission objectives that this compute capability is being developed to address: (1) Direct support to enhanced warfighter information exchange, (2) PWSA resiliency through autonomy, and (3) Space enabled data integration and translation in support of all domains that can contribute to warfighting objectives. These three mission areas drive capability classes that focus on: (1) Generalized high performance computing, (2) High performance computing with Enhanced AI capabilities, and (3) Data translation and versions of Multi-Level Security (MLS) handling to facilitate the bridging of PWSA backbone with other advanced space assets.

A BAP Design Document, Appendix B of the T2 BMC3 Study Design and Interface Description, provides initial foundational requirements and high-level interface inputs to bound the design process for the development of the BAP variants intended for consideration for future spacecraft. This documentation will evolve over time through collaborative iteration. SDA’s BMC3 Cell will oversee the information interaction between BAP contractors and possible space vehicle providers in the pursuit of this open interface description.

Initial Proposal, Study Scope and Final Proposal

The purpose of these studies is to fund activity that produces foundational design information to support the assessment of the proposed design concept and to produce supporting documentation for a more informed government decision to proceed to prototype development. The proposal shall describe your vision for one or all the BAP modules. Each proposer is to determine the appropriate engineering studies, analyses, and technical trades to inform the Government’s decision-making needs. All contracted studies will be at a fixed price and of negotiated short term duration.

Topics for consideration:

1. Proposed modifications and refinements to Appendix A and Appendix B?

2. Linkage between Capability Definition and Driving Use Cases

3. System Architecture and Key Requirements

4. Concept of Operations (CONOPS)

5. Study scope should include:

• Assessment and description of hardware parameters for each proposed concept shall include, at a minimum:

i. SWAP

ii. Key Performance Parameters and foundational requirements

iii. Processing capacity and compute throughput estimates

iv. Processing Architectural descriptions and rational for component selection, i.e., GPP, GPU, FPGA, AI Accelerator, etc.

v. Radiation tolerance of the unit

vi. Strengths and weaknesses of alternative H/W architectures/configurations for executing various mission applications processing at the edge

vii. Design considerations for optimizing unit cost and performance

6. Proposers may choose to address any number or combination of the following compute capability concepts to explore for BMC3 Modules in space:

• Image and / or Signal processing (SAR, EO/IR, ELINT)

• Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning (AI/ML)

• Parallel processing

• Multi-INT fusion – Multi-Hypothesis Tracking/Increased Tracking Sensor Mix/Tracking problems

• Multi-Level Security (MLS), especially related to leveraging commercial ISR data within PWSA and for delivery to PWSA users

• Distributed Database / Storage Nodes

• Increasing Tracking Sensor mix – Users desire for raw data

• Translator / Firewall Router - extending National and commercial capabilities

• Unique BMC3 considerations for Cloud solutions

• Cybersecurity capabilities - active and passive defense measures

7. Integrated Master Schedule, Critical Milestones, and Key Dependencies

8. Top Schedule, Cost, and Technical Risks, and Recommended Mitigation Plans

9. Options and Recommendations for Potential Follow-on Acquisitions

SDA is open to allowing each proposer to define any or all planned interaction during the study period.

Purpose of Solicited Work

The purpose of these studies is two-fold: 1) to inform SDA on the technical approach of a Transport Layer BMC3 Adaptable Processing module for space edge processing, and 2) to inform and support any follow-on acquisition activities. Specifically, depending on the quality and conclusiveness of all contracted study results, SDA may consider using the results to support justification of an accelerated, limited competition, and/or selective awards for any follow-on acquisitions and contracts.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

SDA is seeking FULL PROPOSALS only. All proposals shall comply with the full proposal instructions set forth under the PWSA STEC SDA Broad Agency Announcement, FA240123S0001. Please note that the instructions for Volume 1 for this Call for Proposals only have been modified per the attachment provided with this Call for Proposals on sam.gov.

Additional Proposal Instructions and Assumptions

1. SDA encourages proposals to address the Offeror’s technical approach to initiating and executing this activity. SDA also strongly encourages proposals to include preliminary concepts of the Transport Layer BMC3 Module. Moreover, SDA encourages solutions that highly-leverage commercial capabilities or plans, as well as describes approaches for the Government to leverage such capabilities or plans.

2. Potential offerors shall propose a study period of performance (PoP) of 150 calendar days assuming an Authority to Proceed (ATP) of 1 September 2023.

3. SDA strongly encourages proposal submissions be received NLT 5:00pm Eastern, Friday, 28 July 2023. Proposals submitted to this Call that are received after the above deadline may be reviewed at the sole discretion of the Government.

4. SDA strongly encourages Firm Fixed Price proposals

5. SDA is contemplating multiple awards, but the Government reserves the right to make a single award, multiple awards, or no awards at all.