RFI_5G-Network_Amend03.pdf

Request for Information (RFI) For

Missile Field Cellular Communications Amendment 01 02 03

11 17 28 30 April 2025

UNCLASSIFIED

Request For Information, 11 April 2025

Section 1: Purpose

The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to gather market research information for understanding the Government’s options regarding the usage of 5G cellular Network architecture for the Sentinel Weapon System. Missile field communications are used for operational command and control (OC2) of mobile security and maintenance force personnel. Within Sentinel, OC2 for mobile forces requires a communications system capable of transporting voice, data, and imagery at the Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) Level, throughout the geographic areas of interest. The Government is evaluating modern cellular options for missile field mobile security and maintenance users.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY

This RFI is issued solely for information/planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. Further, the Government is not seeking proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised the Government will not pay for any information or costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued.

Section 2: RFI Questions

1. Demonstrate your ability to design, deploy and maintain a public 5G-Network with additional option to create a public network integrated non-public 5G-Network (PNI- NPN) at the CUI Level, to provide coverage within the regions of Malmstrom Missile Field, Minot Missile Field, and FE Warren Missile Field. Responses should speak to the technical approach and time expected to establish a mature capability, accounting for the required resources (e.g., cleared personnel, equipment, supply chain and facilities).

2. Demonstrate your ability to design, deploy and maintain a private standalone non-public 5G-Network (SNPN) to provide coverage within the regions of Malmstrom Missile Field, Minot Missile Field, and FE Warren Missile Field. Design should comply with the most current 3GPP Release standard at the CUI Level. Potential for 5G radio access network (RAN) equipment sharing may be permitted. Responses should speak to the technical approach and time expected to establish a mature capability, accounting for the required resources (e.g., cleared personnel, equipment, supply chain and facilities).

3. Describe in detail the steps you would take to provide 5G coverage for Malmstrom missile fields, Minot missile fields, and FE Warren missile fields, to include existing coverage and additional coverage needed. Combined approximate coverage area of 42,000 square miles. Potential for missile field tower sharing for coverage needs may be permitted, including 400+ towers. Potential for missile field conduit or right-of-way corridor sharing for backhaul needs may be permitted. Options may utilize Government Furnished Equipment (towers, conduits/corridors) where possible. Options should follow

Request For Information, 11 April 2025 cyber security specifications such as NIST SP 800-53, NIST SP 800-207, NIST SP 800- 125, DoD 8500.01, COMSEC, 3GPP TS 33.501, 3GPP TS 33.210. Systems should be capable of transporting voice, data, and imagery at the CUI Level throughout the geographic areas of interest. Responses should speak to the technical approach and time expected to establish a mature capability, accounting for the required resources (e.g.

cleared personnel, equipment, supply chain and facilities).

4. Provide a high-level schedule for your approach that covers lead time, installation, initial capability, and maturation to full 5G-Network capability.

Section 3: Responses

RFI responses are due no later than 2 16 May 2025, 1700 MDT. Responses are limited to 10 pages, single spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font. Cover page, table of contents, and 1 page executive summary are excluded from the page count. Appendixes with graphics, figures, charts, tables, and glossaries to support the narrative responses will also not count towards the 10 page limit. Please provide answers to questions 1. and/or 2. as applicable, then 3. and 4. Please submit all responses by email to Ken Tilby, kenneth.tilby@us.af.mil.

Your response shall be unclassified.

All respondents please provide the following information:

Company name:

Address:

CAGE Code:

Point of Contact:

Phone Number:

Fax Numbers:

Email Address:

For NAICS codes 517112 Cellular Telephone Communication Carriers and/or 517410 Satellite Telecommunications Business Size and Socioeconomic Classification:

_____Other than Small Business (large business, educational institution, non-profit, etc.)

_____Small Business _____8(a) _____Woman-Owned/Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned _____Historically Underutilized Business Zone (HUBZone) _____Veteran-Owned _____Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned)

Permission to Release Responses must also include a statement that the responder will allow the Government to release its RFI responses and/or any associated proprietary data to the two below-listed Government support contractor personnel:

BAE Systems (POC: Cole Gabaldon, cole.gabaldon@baesystems.us) The MITRE Corporation (POC: Larry Petrie, lpetrie@mitre.org) The Aerospace Corporation

Request For Information, 11 April 2025

Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Applied Physics Lab Utah State University (USU) Space Dynamics Lab

The responding company may require each such covered Government support contractor to enter into a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) directly with the contractor (or the party asserting restrictions) regarding the covered Government support contractor’s use of such data, or alternatively, that the contractor (or party asserting restrictions) may waive in writing the requirement for an NDA. If the interested contractor objects to release of its RFI responses or any proprietary data, please indicate so in writing.

Questions Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted via e-mail to the following contracting officer: Ken Tilby, kenneth.tilby@us.af.mil.

Section 4: Summary

This announcement constitutes an RFI issued pursuant to FAR 52.215-3 – Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes. No solicitation exists; therefore, please do not request a copy of the solicitation. This RFI is only to support market research for 5G Network capabilities for U.S. intercontinental ballistic missile fields. The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The United States Air Force has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed herein, and the release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.