RFI N00173-24-R-RJ01 ATTACHMENT 01 - STATEMENT OF WORK.pdf

Naval Research Laboratory 4555 Overlook Avenue SW

Washington DC, 20375-5329 Code 8140

Statement of Work (SOW) For

Focused Radio Frequency Optimized Signal Transference (FROST) 01 December 2023

RFI/SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE NUMBER: N00173-24-R-RJ01 ATTACHMENT 1

1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) performs applied Research & Development (R&D), systems engineering, and applications-oriented activities to preserve and enhance a strong aerospace systems technology base, and to provide expert capabilities in the development, acquisition, and operation of aerospace systems. To preserve and enhance a strong space technology base and provide expert assistance in the development and acquisition of space systems for naval missions, activities of the Naval Center for Space Technology (NCST) extend from basic and applied research through advanced development in all areas of Navy space program interest.

The Space Systems Development Department (SSDD) is the space and ground support systems research and development organization of the NCST. The primary objective of the SSDD is to develop space systems to respond to Navy and Department of Defense mission requirements with improved performance, capacity, reliability, efficiency, and/or life cycle cost.

These development responsibilities extend across the entire space/ground spectrum of hardware, software and advanced technologies including digital processing and control, analog systems, power, communications, command and telemetry, radio frequency, optical, payload and electromechanical systems, as well as systems engineering. The Department operates four space research and engineering support field sites in Maryland, Virginia and California.

1.2 Scope

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has a requirement to support applied R&D programs with U.S. Navy and non-Navy sponsors. This Statement of Work (SOW) provides for the execution of specific Radio Frequency (RF) engineering, analytical, and technical efforts to support evolving aerospace technology where the results of such efforts will ultimately support the Navy’s mission.

This acquisition is focused on space to ground research for transmitting energy across the RF spectrum to various objects in space. This energy will be processed by the object and the results of that processing will be collected for analysis by other antennas at various locations around the world. R&D will also include integration and upgrade activities with already established systems at remote locations. Extensive travel to these locations will be required.

The research under this SOW is NOT satellite command and control or satellite communications

(SATCOM).

2.0 Applicable Documents

Document Type:

Security Regulations DoD Instruction (DoDI)

8510.01 Risk Management Framework for DoD Systems

Security Regulations Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA)

Security Regulations DoD Directive (DoDD) 8500.01

Cybersecurity

Security Regulations DoDI 8310.01 Information Technology Standards in the DoD

Spectrum Regulations DoDI 4650.01 Policy and Procedures for Management and Use of the Electromagnetic Spectrum

Security Regulations DoDD 8140.01 Cyberspace Workforce Management

Security Regulations DoDM 8140.03 Cyberspace Workforce Qualifications and Management Program

Security Regulations DoD 5220.22M Security Program Guides/Directives

NISPOM Rule National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual

3.0 Requirements

3.1 Contractor Experience

The Contractor must demonstrate a minimum of 10 years Corporate Experience in the following areas:

• Characterization of large apertures – this includes photogrammetry, calibration using celestial as well as mathematical transformations as means to calibrate

• High powered large aperture antennas. Large aperture is defined as a minimum of 60 feet.

High powered experience should include power up to 1,000 MW.

• RF range of DC to light

• Precise RF signal generation (picoseconds accuracy)

• Pulse-to-pulse measurement of generated RF signals

• RF mobile communication systems

3.2 Technical Requirements

The Contractor shall perform advanced RF engineering tasks to research proposed RF generation systems and its affects on the operations of DoD satellites and airborne platforms. These RF generation systems provide transmission and receive capability across a wide radio frequency spectrum ranging from DC (direct current) to light and a broad range of power levels up to and including 1,000,000 kW. The Contractor shall characterize specified large apertures (60ft to 150ft) to insure precise RF performance for RF energy transmission. In some cases, the Contractor will need SCI access to review the ephemeris data.

3.2.1 – Technique Development The Contractor shall recommend and develop techniques to detect and predict performance of large apertures that are used across the frequency spectrum. Additionally, mitigation techniques shall be developed or existing techniques adapted/improved to greatly reduce or eliminate the adverse impacts of space anomalies on RF signals targeted to space and airborne platforms.

Mitigation techniques may include advanced signal compensating algorithms or avoidance techniques for predicted or detected anomalies.

The Contractor shall inform NRL on changes and proposed changes to frequency spectrum allocations administered by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration. The Contractor shall test for potential interference with U.S. Navy space systems by proposed frequency spectrum allocation changes or shared spectrum using advanced RF techniques.

3.2.2 – Ground Terminal Hardware Design & Development The Contractor shall design and develop hardware for RF ground terminal systems to mitigate the effects of space anomalies and ensure the generation and measurement of precise, accurate signals for spacecraft and airborne calibration. Hardware systems include small and large aperture antennas as small as XX and as large as 150 ft diameter.

RF ground terminals may be in any stage of the system lifecycle. Additionally, some ground terminals may include repurposed antennas being transferred to the Navy “as-is” or those being moved to a new location. The Contractor shall provide solutions for upgrading existing hardware, software, communications, and infrastructure to ensure successful integration of changes.

3.2.4 – Electronics Design

The Contractor shall develop the electronic designs given a set of design specifications.

Many designs will require functional and operational compatibility with the current power and environmental limitations. The RF ground terminal systems operate across the entire radio spectrum from VLF (Very Low Frequency) range including maritime and aeronautical navigation through EHF (Extremely High Frequency) including satellite and radio astronomy frequencies.

The Contractor shall apply knowledge of the frequency spectrum to RF anomaly system design, to include, as a minimum, Safety of Life and Safety of Flight restrictions. The Contractor shall incorporate safety restrictions into the system design.

3.2.5 – Software Design, Development, Test and Integration The Contractor shall implement NRL-provided hardware designs and complete the development effort through test and integration.

The Contractor shall design and develop software for RF ground terminal systems to ensure the generation and measurement of precise, accurate signals for spacecraft and airborne calibration.

The required software may be used in new, modified, or upgraded weather and RF systems.

Software shall be designed using industry standards and best practices to ensure software maintainability and reliability. Geographic Information System data shall be integrated into RF ground terminal systems. The Contractor shall conduct object-oriented analysis and design of instrument control systems.

The Contractor shall create or update software development specifications to integrate anomaly mitigation into command and control of components required for the calibration of new or existing spacecraft.

The Contractor shall implement NRL-provided software designs and complete the development effort through test and integration.

3.2.6 – Network Design & Development The Contractor shall design, develop, and maintain networks used as part of the RF and anomaly detection, prediction and mitigation systems. These networks may connect RF systems and devices using uncommon protocols and complex configurations. Some of these networks provide high to low communications.

The Contractor shall comply with and conform to security regulations and limitations including security classifications and those concerning high to low communication restrictions.

3.2.7 - RF Mobile Communication Hardware Design & Development The Contractor shall design and develop or modify specialized, secure RF mobile communication systems. Some mobile RF system hardware may be dictated by the specific project and some may be developed or recommended by the Contractor. The Contractor shall develop secure communication and interface software for RF mobile communication systems. These systems work in conjunction with the above mentioned systems.

3.2.8 – Development of System Plans and Documentation The Contractor shall develop and modify system plans and documentation to accommodate the discovery of new anomalies, advanced mitigation techniques or new spacecraft. New documentation shall be creating using industry accepted formatting as appropriate. Changes to existing documentation shall be performed in compliance with local configuration control (CM) processes and procedures.

3.2.9 - Develop, Update and Maintain Interface Control Documents (ICD) The Contractor shall develop, update and maintain internal and external Interface Control Documents (ICD’s) which specify interface requirements for designed hardware.

3.2.10 - Operations Documentation Development The Contractor shall develop engineering, logistics, and operations documentation for operators and maintainers of all systems developed.

3.2.11 - Test Plan & End-User Training Development The Contractor shall develop and execute test plans to ensure smooth integration of system additions, upgrades or modifications while adhering to local CM policies and procedures.

Additionally, the Contractor shall provide end-user training for systems incorporated into an operational baseline. The Contractor shall analyze and forecast the performance of existing and future systems.

3.3 Travel

Travel to CONUS and OCONUS antenna sites for collaborative and comparative analysis is required to perform research tasks including but not limited to: configure, observe, analyze and record research testing and results. CONUS and OCONUS travel is required for members of the research team to be physically present at various antennas within the global NRL antenna system to conduct precision testing simultaneously in real-time, to be able to monitor results, ensure accurate outputs, and verify data for future analysis.

3.4 Meetings and Reviews

The Contractor shall participate in requirements reviews, design reviews, and technical interchange meetings for each development program.

3.5 Security

Access to classified Top Secret/SCI technical data may be required in the performance of the contract. The number and type of clearances required will be described in the contract DD254.

Some individuals will also be required to meet IAT Level II or Level III training and certification requirements IAW DoDD 8570. Privileged User (PU) accounts can only be authorized for those meeting the associated DoDD 8570 requirements.

Contractor personnel who require access to TS/SCI material shall possess a final DoD granted Top Secret security clearance with the eligibility of SCI at time of proposal submission. Detailed security requirements are delineated in the issued DD254 relevant to this contract. The Contractor shall ensure that all classified material is handled in accordance with the issued DD 254, the National Security program Operating Manual (NISPOM) (DoD 5220.22M and all NRL and applicable Security Program Guides/Directives.

Contractor personnel providing access control and security related tasking must have a favorably adjudicated DoD Tier 5 investigation, a final Top Secret security clearance and written approval of the MRC Security Manager.

4.0 Deliverables

The Contractor shall provide NRL with the following Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL).

4.1 Technical Status Report

The Contractor shall provide a Technical Status Report (CDRL A001). The Contractor shall provide highlights of significant actions that occurred during the reporting period relative to contract performance. Significant actions include any that will impact, or have impacted, the projected performance, cost or schedule of the program effort.

The Contractor shall provide information on planned technical deliveries, meetings and schedules versus actual activities performed. Actual and projected schedule changes shall be reported along with their actual and projected impact on overall contract performance. The Contractor shall provide details on the progress of each contract task or item including hardware and software design, development, configuration management, quality control, integration and test and/or other actions needed to fulfill contract requirements. The status of materials, data items, and subcontracting must also be reported, including an update of any previously reported unresolved problems.

4.2 Financial Program Management Report

The Contractor shall provide a Financial Program Management Report (CDRL A002). The Contractor shall provide information on contract and sub-contracts financial and staffing levels.

The cost data shall include current month as well as cumulative monthly cost data and manpower usage reporting. Contractor shall provide a breakdown of costs and hours associated with work scheduled and completed for all Contract Line Items (CLIN) including labor, material, ODCs, and travel.

4.3 Technical Data and Documentation

The Contractor shall provide a Technical Data and Documentation Deliverable (CDRL A003).

The Contractor shall provide all technical data and documentation to include but not limited to source code, user code, algorithms, and design documents, acceptance testing for hardware, software, firmware, and databases as well as metrics generated as the result of research.

4.4 Final Report

The Contractor shall provide a Final Report (CDRL A004) at the end of the contract performance period. The Contractor shall provide a comprehensive final report that summaries all the scientific objectives, findings, and recommendations, research development, and other efforts performed and the results.

4.5 Patent Report

The Contractor shall provide a Patent Report (CDRL A005) that documents and summarizes any research product that is eligible for patents.