RWP_ANSEL_SAM.pdf

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

HEADQUARTERS AIR FORCE TEST CENTER (AFMC)

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE CALIFORNIA

REQUEST FOR WHITEPAPERS (RWP)

To: AEDC Velocity Alliance Consortium Performers and Industry Partners via SAM.gov

Project Title: Advanced Navigation Simulation Environment Laboratory (ANSEL)

Contracting Organization: AFTC/PZIA (Arnold)

Applicable NAICS Code: 541330, Engineering Services

Applicable PSC Code: AC33 - R&D- Defense System: Subsystem

Acquisition Authority: 10 U.S.C. § 4022 Other Transaction Authority (OTA)

Offerors may recommend alternative NAICS and PSC for consideration.

1.0 INTRODUCTION AND PURPOSE

The primary objective of the Advanced Navigation Simulation Environment Laboratory

(ANSEL) acquisition effort is to obtain comprehensive engineering, technical, and integration support to modernize the Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) and Navigation Warfare

(NAVWAR) simulation capabilities within the Holloman AFB PNT Simulation Laboratory. This effort replaces obsolete equipment and outdated software within the Navigation Test and

Evaluation Laboratory (NavTEL) to establish a state-of-the-art testing environment.

This modernization effort is of critical strategic importance to the Arnold Engineering

Development Complex (AEDC) mission and is driven by two key objectives:

1. Multi-Sensor PNT and NAVWAR HWIL Environment: Engineering and delivering an integrated hardware-in-the-loop (HWIL) simulation framework that enables simultaneous, high-fidelity stimulation of multi-constellation Global Navigation Satellite Systems (mGNSS), alternative Radio Frequency (RF) signals, and simulated inertial/discrete data. This framework must simulate the complex RF environments observed by multi-element Controlled Reception

Pattern Antenna (CRPA) systems, allowing direct RF injection into Antenna Electronics Units

(AEU) and GNSS receivers with phase-coherent, dynamically-calculated wavefront offsets.

2. V&V and Cyber Resiliency Evaluation Suite: Establishing a mathematically, physically, and statistically rigorous verification and validation (V&V) and cyber direct-inject test capability to support the characterization of high-accuracy reference systems and advanced sensor-fusion architectures under extreme dynamic conditions.

2.0 PROJECT SCOPE AND KEY OBJECTIVES

The scope of this prototype project encompasses the system engineering, design, procurement, fabrication, integration, testing, and delivery of a single (1) integrated ANSEL System. The

Performer will modernize the PNT and NAVWAR simulation capabilities at NavTEL by achieving the following high-level objectives:

• System Lifecycle Engineering and Design: Execute full systems engineering processes, including a Requirements Review (RR), Preliminary Design Review (PDR), and Critical

Design Review (CDR), to establish the system architecture and ensure compliance with all Key Performance Parameters (KPPs) and Key System Attributes (KSAs).

• ANSEL System Fabrication & Procurement: Procure, fabricate, and assemble one integrated ANSEL unit. All instruments, simulators, control computers, and combiner matrices shall be integrated into modular 19-inch test equipment racks with casters, complying with the physical limits of the facility.

• Laboratory Integration & Checkout: Install and interface the ANSEL system within the designated secure NavTEL facility, validating RF signal paths, inter-channel/inter-element phase coherence across all RF ports, and discrete signal emulation.

• Acceptance, Verification, and Commissioning: Conduct Factory Acceptance Testing

(FAT), Site Acceptance Testing (SAT), Functional Configuration Audit (FCA), and

Physical Configuration Audit (PCA) to verify compliance with all KPPs and KSAs, including demonstrating automated system-level phase calibration of the entire RF matrix path.

3.0 INSTRUCTIONS FOR PERFORMER'S RESPONSE

3.1 Technical Competency

The Performer's response must demonstrate their capability to successfully execute the project.

The Government is evaluating the Performer’s core technical competence and engineering capabilities; no prototype designs are requested as part of this pre-award submission. Performers must specifically address their capabilities across the following criteria derived from the ANSEL technical objectives:

1. Multi-Sensor HWIL Simulation Capability: Describe experience and capability in developing and delivering phase-coherent, multi-channel RF simulation frameworks that support simultaneous stimulation of mGNSS, alternative RF (XONA/STL), and jamming/spoofing environments.

2. Deterministic V&V and 6-DoF Trajectory Engineering: Describe capabilities in developing real-time deterministic synchronization between multi-media generation engines (RF wavefront, simulated inertial sensor data, barometric pressure emulations) driven by unified, low-latency 6-DoF trajectory models under extreme dynamics (up to

Mach 20, 50g acceleration, and 200 g/s jerk).

3. RF Phase Calibration and Signal Integrity: Address capabilities in designing and implementing automated system-level phase calibration systems for RF matrix paths and maintaining phase-calibration stability during transport and thermal cycling.

3.2 Intellectual Property (IP) & Data Rights

The Performer must explicitly state their compliance with "Article: Intellectual Property Rights in accordance with part 3 of the AEDC Velocity Consortium Request for Whitepaper." Offerors responding to the SAM.gov posting should include a statement acknowledging the specified data rights.

The Government requires Unlimited Data Rights to all contractor-generated technical data and contractor-developed software produced under this agreement. The Performer's submission must provide formal, written confirmation that they agree to deliver the required data and software with Unlimited Data Rights, including but not limited to:

• Test scenarios, platform trajectories, error models, and statistical validation methodologies.

• System drawings, schematics, rack layouts, electrical diagrams, and System Interface

Diagrams (SIDs).

• All source code, scripts, configurations, and commented software modules developed for the ANSEL simulation framework.

• Software-defined interface syntax, machine-readable API definitions (e.g., XML/JSON schemas), and functional descriptions of timing distribution and RF combiner interfaces.

3.3 10 U.S.C. § 4022(d) Appropriate Use of Authority

To be eligible for award, the Performer must meet the statutory requirements of 10 U.S.C. §

4022(d). The Performer's whitepaper must explicitly detail how they satisfy at least one of the following criteria:

(A) There is at least one nontraditional defense contractor (NDC) or nonprofit research institution participating to a significant extent in the prototype project.

(B) All significant participants in the transaction other than the Federal Government are small businesses (including small businesses participating in a program described under section 9 of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 638)) or nontraditional defense contractors.

(C) At least one-third of the total cost of the prototype project is to be paid out of funds provided by sources other than the Federal Government.

(D) The senior procurement executive for the agency determines in writing that exceptional circumstances justify the use of a transaction that would otherwise not be entered into.

Note 1 (Nontraditional Defense Contractor): An NDC is defined as an entity that is not currently performing and has not performed, for at least the one-year period preceding the solicitation of sources by the Department of Defense for the procurement or transaction, any contract or subcontract for the Department of Defense that is subject to full coverage under the cost accounting standards (CAS) prescribed pursuant to section 1502 of title 41 and the regulations implementing such section.

Note 2 (Significant Extent): "Significant extent" is met when the NDC or nonprofit research institution contributes a key technology, component, or critical capability; performs a major portion of the design, engineering, or integration; or otherwise plays a vital role in project execution.

3.4 Pricing and Schedule

The pricing and schedule submission shall be structured in accordance with the agreement's milestone framework:

• Base Milestones (Milestones 1, 2, and 4): Performers must provide a firm fixed price

(FFP) and a detailed execution schedule for these kick-off and design-related milestones.

• Option Milestones (Milestones 3, 5, 6, 7, and 8): Performers are not required to provide firm pricing at this stage. Instead, the Government request offerors provide a Rough

Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate and an estimated schedule for these execution, testing, and delivery milestones.

Offerors may propose an alternate milestone structure for consideration.

3.5 Cybersecurity and CMMC Compliance

Performers must demonstrate their capability to comply with "Article: Cybersecurity

Requirements (CUI and CMMC)." Performers must explicitly highlight their strategy for managing and securing Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). The submission must clearly state that compliance with CMMC and CUI protection flows down to all subcontractors and partners, and that final compliance remains the sole responsibility of the prime Performer.

Offerors responding to the SAM.gov posting must include a copy of their CMMC Level 2 (self) certification with their white paper submission.

4.0 EVALUATION DETAILS

The Government will evaluate the Performer's whitepaper using a three-step evaluation process:

Step 1: Compliance Check (Acceptability)

The Government will review the submission to ensure compliance with all instructions, including formatting, page limits, required certifications, and the 10 U.S.C. § 4022(d)

Appropriate Use of Authority certification. Submissions that do not meet these fundamental requirements may be deemed non-compliant and excluded from further evaluation.

Step 2: Technical Capability Evaluation

The Government will evaluate the Performer's demonstrated capability to meet the requirements of the Statement of Objectives (SOO), Key Performance Parameters (KPP), and Key System

Attributes (KSA). This will focus on the Performer's ability to successfully engineer, fabricate, integrate, and verify the ANSEL system, demonstrating technical competence without requiring a fully completed prototype design in the response.

Step 3: Cost/Schedule/ROM Assessment

The Government will assess the proposed pricing for the Base Milestones (Milestones 1, 2, and

4) to ensure they are fair, reasonable, and realistic for the proposed scope of work. The

Government will also assess the Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimates and schedules proposed for the remaining milestones to determine the financial feasibility and programmatic risk of the proposed effort.

5.0 SUCCESSFUL PROTOTYPE DEFINITION

In accordance with 10 U.S.C. § 4022(e)(5), a prototype project is successfully completed if it meets the physical, functional, and performance parameters established in the agreement.

For this project, the Operational Utility Prototype (Type E) is defined as the fully integrated, verified, and operational ANSEL system.

To achieve a "Successful " determination under 10 U.S.C. § 4022(e)(5) for an Operational Utility

Prototype (Type E), the prototype must demonstrate specific, measurable performance parameters in an operational testing environment as detailed in the KPPs/KSAs found in the

SOO.

6.0 PROGRAM MILESTONES

The modernization program will be executed in accordance with the following milestone schedule. To support the hybrid acquisition model, milestones are designated as [Base

Milestone] (Firm-Fixed Price) or [Unfunded Option] (Rough Order of Magnitude), and are mapped to the Operational Utility Prototype:

Milestone

ID

Milestone Description &

Scope

Deliverables Funding /

Pricing Type

Prototype

Mapping

Milestone

Project Kickoff Meeting

Establish coordination protocols, finalize project schedule, and initiate quality controls.

Cost estimate, schedule, Quality Control Plan (QCP)

[Base

Milestone]

(Fixed Price)

Operational

Utility

Prototype

Milestone

Requirements Review &

Preliminary Design Review

Draft Facility Requirements, review initial architecture, interface control documents, and system performance capabilities.

Initial Requirements

Compliance Matrix, PDR

Package, Draft Facility

Requirements Document

(FRD)

[Base

Milestone]

(Fixed Price)

Operational

Utility

Prototype

Milestone

Long Lead Procurement

Initiation

Procure critical instruments, hardware elements, and simulation computers.

Long Lead Procurement

Plan and Bill of Materials

(BOM)

[Unfunded

Option]

(ROM Price)

Operational

Utility

Prototype

Milestone

Critical Design Review and

Finalize Facility

Requirements

Finalize design drawings, CDR Package, FRD [Base

Milestone]

(Fixed Price)

Operational

Utility

Prototype electrical schematics, rack layouts, and facility parameters.

Milestone

Factory Acceptance Test at

Vendor Facility

Conduct formal FAT to verify

KPPs and KSAs prior to shipping.

FAT plans, procedures, and reports

[Unfunded

Option]

(ROM Price)

Operational

Utility

Prototype

Milestone

Delivery & Site Installation of

ANSEL system at NavTEL

Transit and physical installation within designated NavTEL facility.

ANSEL system hardware, complete installation at

NavTEL

[Unfunded

Option]

(ROM Price)

Operational

Utility

Prototype

Milestone

Verification Readiness Review

& Site Acceptance Test

Verify system ready for operational testing and perform

SAT.

VRR Package, SAT plans, procedures, and reports

[Unfunded

Option]

(ROM Price)

Operational

Utility

Prototype

Milestone

Functional & Physical

Configuration Audits, Vendor

Training and Project Closeout

Conduct audits, perform personnel training, and close out the project.

FCA/PCA audits, vendor training, and closeout documentation

[Unfunded

Option]

(ROM Price)

Operational

Utility

Prototype

7.0 SUBMISSION DETAILS

• Submission Deadline: 12 November 2026 at 4:00 pm (Central)

• Submission Format: Microsoft Word (.docx) and Adobe PDF (.pdf) formats.

• Page limit: 15 pages, excluding pricing and schedule sheets.

• Government Point of Contact (POC): Haley Smith at haley.smith.10@us.af.mil

8.0 ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1: Statement of Objectives (SOO) – ANSEL

HALEY M. K. SMITH

Agreements Officer mailto:haley.smith.10@us.af.mil