Navy Senior Leadership Communication Aircraft (NSLC_A) SATCOM System RFI_FA2541-25-008.pdf

The Government is seeking industry feedback, recommendations, and best practices during the market intelligence phase of this effort. Please DO NOT provide generic capability statements; they will be deleted. The Government is seeking well defined responses with supporting documentation to assist with developing the acquisition strategy. All responses must be submitted via email to the contacts identified below. This is for informational purposes only and the Government will not be obligated to award to any interested vendors that present information in response to this RFI/ Sources Sought. The Government does not intend to pay for information received in response to this RFI. Responders to this invitation are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received in this RFI that is marked “Proprietary” will be handled accordingly.

Title: United States Navy Senior Leadership Communication - Aircraft (NSLC-A) Satellite Communications (SATCOM) System

Current Contract: HC101320C0005 / SBS0024 Current Contractor Viasat, Inc.

Description(s):

The Naval Information Warfare Command (NIWC) in support of the Program Executive Office (PEO) Command, Control, Communications, Computers & Intelligence (C4I), Communications Program Office (PMW/A 170) is seeking information on how interested sources could provide airborne Commercial Satellite Communication (COMSATCOM) systems and engineering/integration services in support of four (4) C-37s (one (1) G500 and three (3) G550s). The aircraft are dispersed across two regions: three (3) in the Continental United States (CONUS) and one (1) Pacific region Outside Continental United States (OCONUS).

Sought After Qualifications for Possible Upcoming Requirement:

The U.S. Navy C-37 aircraft provide executive transport for Secretary of the Navy, Chief of Naval Operations (CNO), Commandant of the Marine Corps, Executive Transportation Detachment/Commander Pacific Fleet (ETD/COMPACFLT), and joint leadership passengers on Navy C-37A/B aircraft. The U.S. Navy is currently looking for ways to improve the performance and capability of the airborne SATCOM system aboard these aircraft and therefore is interested in Commercial-of-the-Shelf (COTS)/Non-Developmental Item (NDI) solutions that can improve data rates.

The U.S. Navy is interested in a COTS/NDI solution. This solution shall be a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approved, low-cost, robust, lightweight, commercial satellite communications (SATCOM) solution with Military Supplemental Type Certification (MIL-STC) for the Gulfstream C-37 aircraft. This system shall be capable of providing high data rate two-way communications over satellites in support of unclassified and classified applications, both voice and data.

1. Vendor capability questions:

a. Does your company have the capability to provide an airborne SATCOM system with a Gulfstream C-37

(G500 and G550) aircraft Military Supplemental Type Certification (MIL-STC) demonstrating that the proposed system is constrained to the area predesigned to support SATCOM systems on the aircraft and that the system will not change the airframe integrity or airworthiness?

United States Navy Senior Leadership Communication – Aircraft (NSLC-A) Satellite Communications (SATCOM) System

Request for Information/Sources Sought

RFI# FA2541-25-008

United States Space Force Space Systems Command Commercial Service Office

b. Does your company currently provide a commercially available global airborne SATCOM system and network solution that can support a minimum data rate of 15 Mbps (10 Mbps download, 5 Mbps upload), with a target data rate of 100 Mbps to C-37 aircraft for global flight operations? Describe the subscription levels typically provided to aircraft utilizing your airborne SATCOM system solution.

c. Does your company have the capability to provide an airborne SATCOM system that can support services to provide consistent communication between land-based and onboard support elements throughout global mission operations?

2. Performance Parameters of Airborne SATCOM System Solution:

a. Description of equipment and diagrams including operating frequency band, radome, antenna type, antenna control, satellite modem, environmental requirements, and system control monitoring and alarm functionality including the Graphical User Interface (GUI) description.

b. Description of airborne SATCOM terminal aircraft interface requirements including power, navigation, and environmental requirements.

c. Provide Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) value at the minimum antenna gain including radome/faring loss.

d. Provide Gain to Noise Temperature Ratio (G/T) value under clear sky conditions including radome/faring loss.

e. Provide polarization sense (e.g. right hand circular, left hand circular, linear).

f. Provide satellite acquisition time, including time to acquire from startup including satellites with inclination of up to 12°.

g. Describe coverage zones/cut outs: programmable transmission profiles that prohibit transmission to protect personnel or equipment on the aircraft.

h. Describe Emission Controls (EMCON): with transmit disabled describe airborne SATCOM terminal capability of receiving and maintaining Transmission Security (TRANSEC).

i. Describe the commercially available networks compatible with your airborne SATCOM system; identify coverage areas and data rates/information rates expected to be achieved within the coverage areas.

Describe if the network is a multi-orbit or multi-band design.

j. Describe communications transition between satellite coverage beams: methodology should include a description on transition approach including a step-by-step explanation starting from how the airborne antenna system will either transition between beams on the same satellite or re-acquire on an adjacent satellite following through to system data buffering requirements and expected latency between transition events. Discussion should also indicate if the transition capability is solely dependent on the airborne SATCOM antenna and control system or is the aircraft satellite modem an integral part of the solution and cannot be separated as an independent component.

k. Provide physical characteristics including airborne SATCOM system size and weight. Size and weight characteristics should be provided for the antenna and radome, antenna control system, satellite modem, and any other related system components. System interconnect drawings showing cable types and connections are also appropriate.

l. Describe satellite modem: description should include available waveforms, Forward Error Correction (FEC), modulation and rates, intermediate frequency range, interfaces, power requirements, and the ability to be integrated as part of the airborne SATCOM transition between satellite coverage zones capability.

m. Describe shore modem/equipment: in addition to the information requested on the satellite modem, describe whether the shore modem is a single hub/management system designed to support multiple remote airborne modems or does the shore configuration consists of multiple modems (e.g. one aircraft modem to one ground modem. Management system is independent).

n. Describe if the airborne SATCOM hardware solution presented utilizes an airborne satellite modem that includes a Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 140-3, level 2, validated Advanced Encryption Standard AES-256 encryption capability for TRANSEC.

o. Describe airborne SATCOM system/modem management system including a detailed description on whether the management system is an integrated part of the modem solution or a stand-alone solution. The explanation should also cover the system’s ability to remotely manage frequency, bandwidth and satellite power as well as its role supporting seamless transition between satellite coverage beams.

p. Describe airborne SATCOM system operator interface: GUI description should include list of parameters that are accessed by the user to control and monitor system functionality (e.g. Eb/No, SAT Lock, Antenna position-Az & El, etc.).

q. Provide maintainability information: provide information on system reliability and supportability including system drawings that illustrate the location of Lowest Replaceable Units (LRU’s) and related discussions on LRU access. For preventative maintenance performed in the antenna, provide periodicity and time frame required as well as list of maintenance action performed. Also include all history on the following: System Availability (Ao); Mean Time Between Operational Mission Failure (MTBOMF); Mean Corrective Maintenance Time Between Operational Mission Failure (MCMTBOMF); and preventative maintenance requirements and technician skill level.

r. Provide information on how Host Nation Agreements are handled when required for Aircraft flying into OCONUS, Non-US locations.

s. Certification information: provide information to ensure that the proposed system is approved to operate on subject aircraft and applicable satellite constellations, information on the following certifications is requested: M I L - STCs for Gulfstream C-37 aircraft; Wideband Global SATCOM (WGS) Certification; Sky-Net 5 Certification; INTELSAT Earth Station Standards (IESS)-601 G Certification or equivalent; Aerospace Standard AS9100B Commercial Airline Safety Standards; FAA Parts Manufactures Approval (PMA); RTCA DO-160F; ARINC 741, 429, 629; Military Standard (MIL-STD) 461/464 or equivalent test results; and FIP 140-3, level 2 Certification for AES-256 implementation.

t. Troubleshooting Communications: The capability to communicate with the aircraft crew chief or communications operator on the aircraft during flight and the Network Operation Center (NOC).

3. System Pricing Information:

a. Respondents are requested to provide any published commercial pricing information on the proposed airborne SATCOM system and services (e.g. GSA pricing information).

4. Engineering and Integration Services:

a. Respondents are requested to provide information on their capability to provide engineering and integration services for the proposed COTS/NDI airborne SATCOM system. Engineering services includes a respondent’s capability of producing modifications and/or future enhancements to their proposed solution. Integration services shall focus on the respondent’s ability to install the proposed airborne SATCOM system on a Gulfstream C-37 aircraft (provide MIL-STC package from previous installs in response). If a respondent is capable of installing/integrating their solution, please include a proposed timeline for any such installation on a per aircraft basis to include typical FAA inspection steps in the timeline where applicable.

5. Is there any aspect of this RFI that may limit or restrict your ability to bid? If so, please provide details and recommendations.

Requested Information:

In addition to providing responses to the above questions and a tailored capability statement (see below for instructions) indicating the ability to provide the above services, interested vendors are asked to submit the following information:

A. Vendor Information Requested

a. Name of Business

b. Cage Code

c. Business Type SB/Large

d. POC: Name/Phone number/email

B. The intent is to solicit this requirement via GSA. However, if there are other contract vehicles that should be considered, please provide recommendations. If your company is within an appropriate GSA Schedule for this acquisition, please provide contract information to include Schedule #, NAICS and relevant SINs. Additionally, if you have a GSA schedule but would require your schedule to be modified to meet this requirement, please identify what those would be.

C. If your company is a small business, please describe the ability to meet the requirements outlined in 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting.

All responses shall be submitted NLT 13 June 2025 by 5:00PM EST. Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper embodied as a PDF file no larger than 5MB in size. Submissions cannot exceed 25 pages, single spaced, 12-point type with at least one-inch margins on 8 1/2” X 11” page size, including all identifying information requested above. Please submit your response to the following individuals (include all): Please submit your response to the following individuals (include all):

Mr. John Seacrist, Contracting Officer. Email: John.Seacrist@spaceforce.mil Mr. Jassiem Hodge, Contract Specialist. Email: jassiem.hodge@spaceforce.mil

Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the contacts above. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Answers to questions will be posted to SAM.gov or sent to all respondents via email. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after 30 May 2025 will be answered.

Upon conclusion of market research efforts, the Government anticipates releasing a formal solicitation for this effort, but does not guarantee a formal requirement will be released. Should you have any questions please reach out to the individuals above.

JOHN K. SEACRIST

Contracting Officer Space Systems Command COMSO mailto:John.Seacrist@spaceforce.mil mailto:jassiem.hodge@spaceforce.mil