PWS Draft Crypto 20251209.docx

14 November 2025

Performance Work Statement (PWS) DRAFT

SSC/SSIO/CMO

Enterprise Crypto Systems Engineering Support

SSC/SSIO/CMO Objective: Develop and employ capabilities/resources for space cryptographic solutions management that replaces the transactional model currently existing between Space Systems Center (SSC) Program Offices, the Air Force Lifecycle Management Center’s Cryptologic and Cyber Systems Division (AFLCMC/HNC), and the National Security Agency’s Cybersecurity Directorate (NSA/CSD) with an integrated model requires contractor support for Crypto/Cyber Security Engineering Subject Matter Experts engaged with SSC Program Offices, AFLCMC/HNC, and NSA/CSD.

The Government requires support for SSC/SSIO/CMO that can provide assistance with the following Cryptographic Systems Engineering and COMSEC support:

1. Establishment, Enforcement, and Updates of SSC COMSEC Policies

2. Identify and Facilitate Development of Crypto Solutions to meet SSC Future Architecture Requirements (this includes End Cryptographic Units for space and ground plus key management)

a. Maintain communications with SSC Programs, AFLCMC/HNC, AF HQ/CCC, NRO, and Industry Partners

b. Conduct crypto requirements analysis and definition

c. Identify crypto gaps

d. Deliver crypto technical assessments

e. Conduct crypto trade comparisons

f. Provide crypto solutions recommendations

g. Provide support to crypto testing activities

h. Monitor development of new crypto solutions by Academic and Industry Partners

3. Coordinate with NSA to Evaluate & Certify new Crypto solutions

a. Maintain communications with NSA’s designated space systems office

b. Deliver crypto technical assessments

c. Ensure synchronization between NSA crypto certification timelines and SSC Programs’ integration and operational needs to the maximum extent possible

d. Communicate NSA crypto certification status and issues to SSC Programs

4. Requirements Analysis & Crypto Selection assistance to SSC Programs

a. Maintain communications with SSC Programs

b. Conduct crypto requirements analysis

c. Deliver crypto technical assessments

d. Conduct crypto trade comparisons

e. Provide crypto recommendations (GFE, CFE, CSfC, other non-standard solutions)

f. Conduct/provide COMSEC Risk Assessment input

5. Integrate & Embed Crypto

a. Ensure communications between SSC Programs and Industry partners as applicable

b. Facilitate crypto hardware and software integration/embedment

c. Resolve crypto integrations and embedment issues

6. COMSEC Key Management Oversight

a. Maintain communications with SSC Programs

b. Provide support to SSC Programs in drafting and maintaining System Key Management Plans (SKMPs) and Key Generation and Management Plan and Procedure (KGMPP)

c. Facilitate cryptographic key material ordering, delivery, and destruction for SSC Programs

7. Issue/Anomaly Analysis and Resolution

a. Maintain communications with SSC Programs

b. Deliver Rapid Technical Assessments of crypto issues/anomalies

c. Provide Recommendations to resolve crypto issues/anomalies

d. Leverage Academic and Industry partners’ expertise as needed to analyze and resolve crypto issues/anomalies

8. Assist and Advise SSC/SSIO/CMO Leadership

a. Prepare crypto related input for conferences, meetings, working groups as required

b. Prepare crypto related input for engagements with SSC Leadership and Programs, DoD, NRO, NSA, and other US Govt agencies/organizations/programs

c. Prepare crypto related input for engagements with Academic and Industry partners

The Government requires expert support for SSC/SSIO/CMO that can provide assistance with the following Cryptographic Systems Engineering and COMSEC tasks:

CSSE Common Support Tasks

1. The Contractor shall provide technical advice to evaluate and certify the implementation, integration, and/or embedment of cryptography and cryptographic-related cyber security solutions into SSC controlled space systems, through robust cryptographic security engineering.

2. The Contractor shall deliver technical assessments and trades in support of cryptographic and cyber security architecture definition and requirements analysis to the SSC/SSIO/CMO and SSC Programs.

3. The Contractor shall deliver advice and assistance in the areas of:

a. Cryptographic requirements definition,

b. Selecting the best available Space, ground, and/or Terrestrial cryptographic solution,

c. Space and Terrestrial COMSEC architecture development.

4. The Contractor shall deliver technical assistance and associated coordination with industry to resolve issues and anomalies impacting SSC/SSIO/CMO’s COMSEC key management requirements and NSA certified Aerospace Vehicle Equipment (AVE) and Ground Operating Equipment (GOE) types.

5. The Contractor shall coordinate SSC/SSIO/CMO cryptographic certification activities with NSA’s designated space responsible office.

6. The Contractor shall deliver subject matter expertise in the architectures and operations of satellite ground stations and space cryptography used by the National Space Community.

7. The Contractor shall deliver support in reviewing and editing Systems Key Management Plans (SKMP) and Key Generation Management Plans and Procedures (KGMPP) documents.

8. The Contractor shall deliver guidance on cryptographic solutions to senior leadership in technical discussions and evaluations.

9. The Contractor shall deliver liaison support and promote communication between the SSC/SSIO/CMO, SSC Programs, and external agencies in the form of meetings and conferences.

10. The Contractor shall develop and support briefing cryptographic opportunities of interest for SSC/SSIO/CMO and technology sponsors/mission partners.

11. The Contractor shall assist SSC Programs in resolving cryptographic related programmatic and technical issues.

12. The Contractor shall deliver cryptographic risk assessment support for identified SSC programs to the SSC/SSIO/CMO.

13. The Contractor shall deliver integration and implementation support for all key management, End Cryptographic Units (ECUs), associated hardware, keying devices, and firmware and software upgrades being introduced into SSC’s networks or key management systems.

14. The Contractor (in coordination with NSA) shall deliver advice and guidance for the certification, and production of Top Secret and Below (TSAB) NSA-approved cryptographic security products and solutions for use in SSC space systems.

15. The Contractor shall assist the SSC/SSIO/CMO and SSC Programs in the management, certification and implementation of ECUs supporting all SSC space systems using TSAB Government-off-the-Shelf (GOTS) certified solutions and processes, including the NSA Customer Service Requirement Portal (CSRP) and the NSA scoping process.

16. Per direction of the SSC/SSIO/CMO, the Contractor shall attend and participate in applicable cyber security conferences and cryptographic systems working groups.

17. The Contractor shall provide advice and assistance to the SSC/SSIO/CMO and SSC Programs for acquisition of cryptographic solutions when coordination with AFLCMC/HNC’s Cryptologic and Cyber Systems Division is required to contract for the design, development, production, acquisition, and life cycle in support of SSC Programs.

18. The Contractor shall assist SSC/SSIO/CMO and SSC Programs in forwarding to external offices – including but not limited to NSA and the USAF – accurate, NSA-unique, cryptographic certification-related documentation submitted by development/engineering/integration Contractors.

19. The Contractor shall support the generation of sustainment requirement schedules and cost estimates in program planning and budgetary exercises.

20. The Contractor shall coordinate with AFLCMC/HNCS Cryptologic and Cyber Systems Division on Space COMSEC equipment sustainment requirements.

21. The Contractor shall determine and coordinate operational sustainment and maintenance program cryptographic requirements among the SSC programs, industry vendors, and AFLCMC/HNCS’s Cryptologic and Cyber Systems Division.

22. The Contractor shall deliver cryptographic historical technical and cost information supporting SSC/SSIO/CMO and SSC Programs negotiations for the procurement of NSA-approved cryptographic security products meeting existing SSC cryptographic baselined solutions.

23. The Contractor shall assist with management the equipment portion of SSC’s Space and Terrestrial COMSEC Equipment requirements process. Management shall include, but is not limited to, tracking SSC Programs and their required cryptographic solutions, quantities, date ordered, and equipment in place dates.

24. The Contractor shall deliver COMSEC and project management support by organizing and coordinating the SSC COMSEC Working Group (SSC CWG). This will include defining agendas, meeting announcements and facilitating the meeting. Reports on these matters will be delivered on request by the Government.

25. The Contractor shall track Space COMSEC requirements in support of SSC/SSIO/CMO’s Space COMSEC Requirement Review (SCRR). This includes working with Space Program COMSEC leads to capture Space COMSEC equipment requirements as they emerge and coordinating with Space Program Offices on time slots for briefing their requirements.

26. The Contractor shall manage and orchestrate internal project plans, facilitating and delivering customer COMSEC material (key and equipment) solutions.