STEC Call for Proposals T2 GMI Phase 0.pdf

Space Development Agency

NDSA STEC BAA HQ085022S0001

Tranche 2 Ground, Management, and Integration Layer Phase 0 Call for Proposals

Under the National Defense Space Architecture (NDSA) Systems, Technologies, and Emerging Capabilities (STEC) Space Development Agency (SDA) Broad Agency Announcement, HQ085022S0001, posted on SAM.gov on January 13, 2022, SDA is issuing this Call for Proposals. SDA is soliciting full proposals to perform engineering studies, analyses, and technical trades of the Tranche 2 Ground, Management, and Integration (GMI) Layer to inform the Government’s technical baseline and follow-on acquisition approaches.

Tranche 2 Overview

SDA deploys new space capabilities in tranches, every two years. A tranche is essentially one generation, or iteration, of SDA’s National Defense Space Architecture (NDSA). Tranche 0 (T0), the warfighter immersion tranche, is nearing launch and its minimum viable product is demonstrating the feasibility of the proliferated architecture in cost, schedule, and scalability towards necessary performance for beyond line of sight (BLOS) targeting and advanced missile detection and tracking. Tranche 1 (T1) – the initial warfighting capability tranche for BLOS targeting and advanced missile tracking – is also in development with an Initial Launch Capability (ILC) of September 2024. Tranche 2 (T2) is the next tranche that will look to continue to proliferate T1 capabilities, as well as spiral on targeted enhancements and capabilities, with an ILC of September 2026.

SDA is still working with its customers, the Combatant Commands and other critical warfighting entities, to refine the T2 Minimum Viable Product (MVP), but it will continue the trajectory and SDA’s mandate to address BLOS targeting and advanced missile detection and tracking.

Specifically, the MVP will likely include but is potentially not limited to:

• Global, persistent Link 16 sensor-to-shooter and JADC2 connectivity;

• Sufficient TACSATCOM capabilities to support multiple, high intensity regional engagements;

• Persistent legacy IBS broadcast support over the polar region;

• Limited scope and risk reduction demonstration for next generation Tactical Data Links (TDL) from space and advanced Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) capabilities;

• Global, persistent advanced missile warning (MW) and missile tracking (MT); and

• Expanded demonstrations or initial capabilities for missile defense (MD)

To achieve these capabilities, SDA envisions 250-400 satellites in T2 depending on the final capability determined. SDA is contemplating a similar space segment acquisition approach as T1, whereby the Space Vehicles (SV) are delivered by multiple vendors, as well as the associated ground solutions (hardware, software, and personnel) necessary to command and control those SVs as part of an integrated system-of-systems construct. Finally, SDA is also contemplating a T2 Ground, Management, and Integration (GMI) performer with the responsibility of overall T2 mission systems engineering and integration, integrated ground solution development, and system and battle management operations.

As part of the T2 GMI scope, SDA is contemplating the buildout of a “third” Operations Center (OC), notionally called the Test and Checkout Center (TCC). The TCC will be a standalone OC with terrestrial connectivity, Ground Entry Points (GEP), and all other necessary infrastructure to support the full range of T2 system operations. The TCC would be used for SV initialization, functional checkout, orbit raising and phasing, interoperability validation, and all other on-orbit system readiness preparations, allowing for a deliberate and orderly crossover to the SDA Operations Centers at Grand Forks Air Force Base, ND and Redstone Arsenal, AL. After transition to operations of all T2 SVs, the TCC would be a leave-behind capability for future tranches, OC “test rail,” extended-duration SDA and partner demonstration programs, or other activities that benefit from operating outside the operational OCs.

Study Scope and Major Deliverables

SDA is soliciting FULL PROPOSALS ONLY for industry partners to perform technical studies related to the T2 GMI effort. The scope of work includes engineering studies, analyses, and technical trades to inform the Government’s T2 GMI technical baseline. All contracted studies will be a fixed, short duration (90-day) technical effort with the following major deliverables:

1. System Architecture and Key Driving Requirements, to include any T2 GMI system requirements and work performance, as well as T2 Space Vehicle system requirements and work performance, that enable system integration

2. System Concept of Operations (CONOPS), documenting both how the system interacts with user community, how the major elements of the T2 system interact internally, and how the T2 system transitions from the TCC to the Operations Centers

3. T2 Portfolio-Level Integrated Schedule, Critical Milestones, and Key Dependencies

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

5. Initial Baseline for T2 Ground, including but not limited to minimal specifications for the TCC, GEP Laydown, and Operations Center Transition Plan.

SDA is expecting final results for all above deliverables on or before the conclusion of the study performance period, as well as one major interim deliverable on or before 60 days into the performance period, with on-going, regular technical and study progress exchanges in between.

Purpose of Solicited Work

SDA is issuing this Call for Proposals. SDA is soliciting full proposals to perform engineering studies, analysis, and technical trades of the Tranche 2 Ground, Management, and Integration (GMI) Layer. The purpose of these studies is two-fold: 1) to accelerate early engineering and risk reduction activities to inform the T2 GMI technical baseline, and, 2) to potentially inform any follow-on acquisition activities. Specifically, depending on the quality and conclusiveness of all contracted study results as well as Government planning activities, SDA may consider using the results to support justification of an accelerated, limited competition, and/or single award for any follow-on acquisitions and contracts.

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

All proposals shall comply with the proposal instructions set forth under the National Defense Space Architecture (NDSA) Systems, Technologies, and Emerging Capabilities (STEC) Space Development Agency (SDA) Broad Agency Announcement, HQ085022S0001.

Additional Proposal Instructions and Assumptions

1. SDA encourages proposals to address the Offeror’s technical approach to executing this study. SDA also strongly encourages proposals include preliminary concepts of the TCC and how T2 operations would transition from the TCC to SDA Operations Centers.

2. Potential Offerors shall assume a study Period of Performance (PoP) of ninety (90) calendar days with an Authority to Proceed (ATP) of not later than 10 February 2023.

3. SDA strongly encourages a draft study report delivered not later than sixty (60) calendar days from ATP and final study report delivered not later than the full ninety (90) calendar days Period of Performance.

4. SDA strongly encourages proposal submissions received not later than 12:00pm EST, Thursday, 12 January 2023.

5. SDA strongly encourages Firm Fixed Price proposals

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

7. SDA strongly encourages all study deliverables, including any interim and working products, are provided with no less than Government Purpose Rights