FreeSol BAA Data Call Attachment - Smallsat Electronics - extended due date.pdf

UNCLASSIFIED

UPDATE:

1. 21 February 20: The whitepaper due date has been extended from 21 February 2020 to 06 March 2020.

TOPIC 1: ROBUST POCKETQUBE ELECTRONICS PROJECT (RPEP)

1 Topic Overview Information

1.1 Brief Topic Summary

This Broad Area Announcement and Data Call is not a formal request for proposal. Proposals are not being requested or evaluated at this time. This will be a two-step closed BAA that will close on 06 March 2020.

This is a Data Call that is being issued in conjunction with the FreeSol BAA. This closed broad agency announcement (BAA) will identify and develop concepts for designing long life, high reliability, radiation-tolerant, and thermally robust miniaturized electrical subsystems compatible with satellites operating in geosynchronous orbit. The Government has identified a need for evolutionary or revolutionary miniaturization and hardening approaches to materials, circuit designs, and packaging to allow for smaller command, control, and communications subsystems capable of operating with higher reliability for longer lifetimes in more severe environments. These concepts can encompass chip-level, board-level, or subsystem level solutions.

Initially, these innovative approaches are expected to enable smaller (PocketQube-sized) sensor networks, more capable GEO CubeSats, and to enable smaller auxiliary payloads and sensors inside of traditional spacecraft. Longer term, the Government expects that the more revolutionary approaches will extend the capabilities and/or reduce the size of traditional satellites, while increasing reliability and reducing costs.

Note: While this BAA is unclassified, classified responses are permitted. If a classified response is necessary, please contact the Security Point of Contact listed in this announcement to facilitate transmission through the appropriate channels.

1.2 Program Structure and Estimated Scope

The program will be structured into two phases, Phase 1 (CLIN 0001) and Phase 2 (CLIN 0002).

Initial proposals and awards will cover a Phase 1 for concept exploration and a government exercisable option for a Phase 2 that culminates in a design review that shows how the design satisfies project objectives. Phase 2 shall be proposed as an option. The Government reserves the right to exercise the option or not. If successful, further solicitations for ground tests or on-orbit flight tests (in or on a Government-supplied host) may follow.

Phase 1 is for a concept exploration phase. The contractor will explore design concepts, evaluate those concepts ability to fulfill the program objectives, describe risks, and propose which concepts are recommended for further development in Phase 2. The duration for Phase 1 will not exceed 3 months. A notional schedule of milestones and expected deliverables are:

Month 1: Kick-Off Meeting: 2-hour meeting (in person or via teleconference) (CDRL A0001)

Month 2: Concept Review: 4-hour concept review (in person or via teleconference) (CDRL A0002)

Month 3: Delivery of recommended concepts; Phase 2 option will be executed, if applicable. 4-hour presentation of the final report. (CDRL A0003)

Phase 2 is the design phase of the program. Concepts selected for Phase 2 will be funded based on Government needs and funds available for those options. During this phase the contractor will develop a design for their concept that is sufficient to show how well they meet the Government objectives. A notional schedule of milestones and expected deliverables are:

Month 4: Kick-Off Meeting: 1-hour meeting (in person or via teleconference) (CDRL A0004)

Month 5: 3-hour requirements review (in person or via teleconference). Deliverable in contractor format. (CDRL A0005)

Month 8 (or earlier): Design Review (4-hour design review in person or via teleconference). Deliverable in contractor format. (CDRL A0006)

Month 9 (or earlier): Final Report due for each concept awarded a Phase 2 design. Final report will include any relevant schematics, layout, board configurations, and packaging details. 4-hour presentation of the Final Report. (CDRL A0007)

Table 1: Phase 1 Funding Profile

Phase 1 - Concept Exploration Phase

Number of Awards Up to 5

Maximum Award (each) Up to $75,000

Table 2: Phase 2 Funding Profile

1.3 Whitepaper Requirements

A whitepaper broadly describing the concept and technical approach for both Phase 1 and Phase 2 is requested. Whitepapers should identify the key design features, challenges (including procurement risks), experiments, and the sub-component demonstrations and tests necessary to meet required electronics capabilities.

Whitepapers are due no later than 2:00 PM Pacific Standard Time 06 March 2020 from the release of this solicitation. The Government will review these whitepapers and request proposals within 30 days of the submittal deadline for those that most closely meet the needs of the government. Multiple whitepapers may be submitted by an organization.

The anticipated funding available and number of awards for each phase is detailed in Tables 1 and 2 in Section 1.2.

Whitepapers will be evaluated in accordance with the FreeSol BAA guidelines (solicitation number:

FA8819-19-R-1002).

Phase 2 – Design Phase

Number of Awards Up to 5

Maximum Award (each) Up to $250,000

1.4.1 Points of Contact

Address technical questions to:

Capt Cameron Wainwright (cameron.wainwright.1@us.af.mil) & 1st Lt David Stiles (david.stiles.5@us.af.mil)

Address contracting questions to

Capt Patrick Enslen (patrick.enslen.1@us.af.mil) & Ms. Jacqueline Nguyen (jacqueline.nguyen@us.af.mil)

Address security questions to:

Mr. Stephen A. Taylor (stephen.taylor.2@us.af.mil)

2 Description of Technical Area(s): Robust PocketQube Electronics Project

2.1 Scope

The Government needs command, control, and communications electronics capabilities in geosynchronous orbit that are smaller, longer-lived, and more robust to the geosynchronous environment than current designs. For this solicitation, bidders will propose PocketQube-compatible electronic subsystem designs that are configurable to meet a variety of payload control, data processing, communications, and housekeeping functions. Extensibility of approaches to more capable systems is also a benefit.

2.2 Objectives

The objective of this solicitation is to explore innovative concepts and design geosynchronous orbit PocketQube-compatible command, control, and communications electronics that are smaller, longer-lived, flexible to changing requirements from application-to-application, and more robust to thermal variations. The concept exploration phase will deliver conceptual electronic(s) designs that meet the minimum capabilities listed below in Section

2.2.2. Phase 2 will be a government-exercised option, the contractor will complete the electronics design and propose further options to build and test ground or on-orbit flight test articles.

Successful proposals will take into account the following considerations:

2.2.1 Operation

PocketQube is a standard for extremely small (cubes 5cm on a side) free flying satellites that may serve multiple functions in a variety of orbit regimes. For this initiative, the focus is on internal electronics that can operate and survive in the geosynchronous orbit regime with minimal shielding and thermal control. Mission applications may include backup systems for primary satellite functions to support resiliency, robust bolt-on payloads to increase access to space, free flying sensor networks to increase space situational awareness, and a general decrease in the size, weight, and power (SWaP) required to conduct space missions.

A successful design will enable long life geosynchronous capabilities that require minimal radiation shielding and/or are more robust to the wide range of temperatures that may occur with a small system that lacks the SWaP for elaborate thermal controls. If this initiative is successful then future payloads, support functions, and satellite of all sizes will benefit from more robust and/or lower SWaP options for internal electronics to accomplish their missions.

2.2.2 Desired Capabilities and Performance

The concepts and designs should satisfy as many of these objectives as possible:

Supply voltage range: 1.8V- 5.SV

Microcontroller or equivalent functionality o Volatile memory: 16 kB (TBR) o Non-Volatile Memory: 512 kB (TBR)

RF Transceiver o Frequency Range: 100- 500 MHz (TBR), 800-1000 MHz (TBR) o Data rates: 600 to 9600 bps (TBR) o Modulations: (G)FSK, BPSK, ASK, OOK (TBR) o Transmit Power: +10 dBm (threshold), +25 dBm (objective)

At least 2 fault-protected output power buses (3.3 V and supply V) @ 0.8 A (TBR) each At least 5 switched power lines @ 3.3V

At least 2 dedicated data buses

(UART/12C/SPI) At least 12 (TBR) GPIO

(general purpose 10) lines Low power states or sleep modes

Internal clock and timer Test port

Reset Line

Duty cycle o Capable of executing bus, RF, and payload functions 1 hour per week (threshold) o Capable of executing bus, RF, and payload functions continuously

(objective) Consistent with NASA Class B standards

Life in GEO to perform the described functions o 99% (TBR) reliability at 10 years (threshold) o 90% (TBR) reliability at 15 years (objective)

Total Ionizing Dose consistent with a typical geosynchronous orbit radiation cycle assuming

1.2 mm of Al shielding o The GCR and proton flux at GEO should be calculated using standard programs such as CREME96

Survive SEE consistent with 99% (TBR) availability

Thermal Ranges o -60 deg C to +125 deg C (threshold) o -100 deg C to +150 deg C (objective)

The contractor is welcome to innovate and introduce additional capabilities that they believe may be of value to the overall goals.

2.2.3 Size Weight and Power (SWaP)

(U) While the applications for the designs that result from this solicitation may vary, the proof of concept will come via compatibility with the 1P PocketQube form factor:

• External dimensions (including 1.2 mm for the walls of the enclosure) of a 1P PocketQube are 5 cm (h) x 5 cm (w) x 5 cm (d)

• 3 cm (h) x 5 cm (w) x 5 cm (d) are reserved for the electronics functions required for this solicitation (less enclosure)

• Remaining approximately 2 cm of height is reserved for power generation, power storage, antennas, payloads, and other non-electronic items, as applicable.

These dimensions are for objective systems. For ground testing (breadboard, brassboard, etc.)

or on-orbit demonstrations additional SWaP may be available for non-electronics related items.

2.3 Software, Firmware, and VHSIC Hardware Description Language (VHDL)

The contractor shall provide unlimited rights for all deliverables and software. If prototype hardware or software is developed during Phase 1 or Phase 2, it shall be Government owned and delivered at the end of each phase.

3 Schedule

The contractor will propose a schedule not to exceed 3 months for the Concept Exploration Phase and 6 months for the Design Phase.

4 Other Requirements

4.1 FAR

The announcement incorporates FAR and supplemental provisions and clauses by reference.

The full text of provisions and clauses can be found at: www.acquisition.gov

4.2 Export Control

Information involved in these research efforts will be subject to Export control (ITAR) 22

CFR 120-131 or Export Administration Regulations (EAR) 15 CFR 710-774. A Certified DD

Form 2345 Military Critical Technical Data Agreement shall be submitted with all proposals.

4.3 Export Controlled Items

As prescribed by DFARS 225.7901-4 “Procedures” and DFARS 252.225-7048, "Export-

Controlled Item (JUN 2013)" is contained in this solicitation. This clause shall be applicable to all resulting contracts.

5 Other Information

5.1 Government Furnished Property Availability

GFP is not anticipated to be made available under the resulting contract.

5.2 Government Furnished Information

Contact the technical POC to work out accesses and transfer as applicable.

5.3 References

BAA-RQR-2019-0001

6 Deliverable Items

6.1 Data Items

CDRL Table

CDRL Title

A0001 Phase One Kick-Off Presentation

A0002 Phase One Mid-Term Review Presentation

A0003 Phase One Final Report

A0004 Phase Two Kick-Off Presentation

A0005 Phase Two Requirements Review

A0006 Phase Two Design Review

A0007 Phase Two Final Report

A0008 Data Accession List (DAL)