Call for Proposals - Space Data Transport Network Orchestration.pdf

Space Development Agency STEC BAA Special Notice

Space Data Transport Network Orchestration Capability

Call for Proposals 20 September 2024

Under the Systems, Technologies, and Emerging Capabilities (STEC) Space Development Agency (SDA) Broad Agency Announcement, FA240124S0001, posted on SAM.gov on January 16, 2024, SDA is issuing this Call for Proposals. SDA is soliciting full proposals to perform engineering studies, analyses, technical trades, and modeling and simulation of a “Network Orchestration” capability that would support data transport between the SDA Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), commercial satellite networks, and other space-based data transport networks.

Background

Recognized as the Department of Defense's constructive disruptor for space acquisition, the Space Development Agency (SDA) will quickly deliver needed space-based capabilities to the joint warfighter to support terrestrial missions through development, fielding, and operation of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The PWSA is a proliferated low-earth space architecture that provides our warfighters with a resilient, military sensing and data transport capability. Beginning with Tranche 1, SDA will deploy hundreds of space vehicles (SV) in orbit around 1,000 kilometers in altitude to field the PWSA. The T1 Transport Layer will consist of 126 SVs in multiple orbital planes that are optically-interconnected to form a data transport mesh network in space. The PWSA Transport Layer is a Government-owned and operated capability that provides low-latency data transport of perishable military data worldwide over existing tactical data links and networks.

There are also several commercial efforts to build space networks that will provide a variety of services across many business cases. SDA and the United States Space Force (USSF) are interested in understanding how the Government may be able to leverage these commercial networks to augment and add resiliency to its space data transport needs. Moreover, SDA is seeking to simulate a “Network Orchestration” capability that could be used to safely, securely, and effectively manage data traffic traversing both the SDA and commercial space networks. The orchestration capability itself facilitates the necessary coordination such that two different space networks can connect (via ground and/or space pathways) for the purposes of transporting user data. This capability vastly increases the overall resiliency of both connected space networks.

SDA envisions network orchestration rolling out in phases Early capabilities would enable data exchange between the PWSA and other constellations via ground pathways, but would eventually mature into an ability to exchange information via space optical links, either direct-connect or using transport relay nodes (i.e., “translatorsats” or Space Exchange Points (SEP)) . The preliminary design should enumerate phases of network orchestration that would enable early capability but be extensible to full data exchange in space. The preliminary design of the network orchestration should support the information exchange and coordination required to support the following use cases:

a. Using the SDA PWSA as a data transport mechanism to connect commercial satellite networks to ground infrastructure

b. Tasking mechanisms that support end users of one constellation to connect with end users of the PWSA

c. In-space communication links

d. In-space sharing of network loading, performance, and status to optimize internetwork management

Study Scope and Major Deliverables

With this Call for Proposals, SDA is specifically seeking studies and rapid software prototyping to understand the feasibility of a Network Orchestration capability. The scope of work is engineering studies, analyses, technical trades and finally a simulated capability. All proposed efforts should address, at a minimum, the following considerations:

1. Comprehensive market research of industry standards and novel techniques for network management

2. Trade space analysis and preliminary design of a Network Orchestrator capability, addressing the phased approach (or recommended improvements) as described above

3. Modeling of the PWSA Network Established Beyond the Upper Limits of the Atmosphere (NEBULA), MPLS, IS-IS, IPv4/6, and other telecommunication standards and protocols, to include centralized and decentralized control, and connected and fragmented networks

4. Software prototyping of the recommended Network Orchestrator capability. Prototypes that can be quickly transitioned to operational capabilities are desired.

5. Development of benign, nominal, and stressing network management use cases

6. Bringing these pieces together in a common simulation environment for a final capstone demonstration

Purpose of Solicited Work

SDA intends to use the results of any contracted efforts to inform planning for future ground-and/or space-based operational Network Orchestration activities. SDA intends to share the results with the Space Warfighting Analysis Center (SWAC) and other DoD stakeholders.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

All proposals shall comply with the proposal instructions set forth under the Systems, Technologies, and Emerging Capabilities (STEC) Space Development Agency (SDA) Broad Agency Announcement, FA240124S0001. SDA strongly encourages that proposals be received NLT 5:00pm Eastern Time on Monday, 21 Oct 2024. Proposals submitted after this date may be reviewed at the sole discretion of the Government.

Additional Proposal Instructions and Assumptions

1. Proposals should describe in detail the proposed technical approach (including planned tools, computing environments, and facilities to be used); schedule for completion;

relevant experience, expertise and key personnel; and, anticipated results.

2. Potential Offerors should assume an Authority to Proceed (ATP) date of 2 Dec 2024.

3. SDA strongly encourages Offerors assert Government Purpose Rights or better on all deliverables and interim products in support of the awarded effort.

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