RFI SFF SATCOM Terminal_NOTM-Airborne.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

NOTM-Airborne Multi-Band Multi-Orbit SATCOM terminals

RFI # M67854-26-I-0162

1.0 Description

Marine Corps Systems Command is performing market research on current small form factor satellite terminals with Multi-Band (Ku, Ka (Mil and Commercial), and X-band) and Multi-Orbit (Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO)) capabilities, suitably ruggedized for Networking On-The-Move - Airborne (NOTM-A) operations to enable beyond line-of-sight high bandwidth data and voice communications to extend services to components of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force (MAGTF).

This Request for Information (RFI) is issued for the sole purpose of soliciting from industry the availability of Commercial-Off-The Shelf (COTS) small form factor satellite terminals with a minimum Technology Readiness Level of nine by end of federal fiscal year 2027, to maintain situational awareness in support of mobile Command and Control (C2). Responses to this RFI are strictly voluntary and will be used solely for market research to determine the current performance of Contractor Off-The-Shelf (COTS) small form factor satellite solutions, their availability, associated recurring and non-recurring costs of those systems, sustainment requirements, end of sale/end of life dates of the terminal and subcomponents if able to determine, and the presence of competition. The requested information is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a procurement action will be issued. No entitlement to payment by the Government of direct or indirect costs or charges will arise because of the submission of information in response to this RFI. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any improperly identified proprietary information. Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations.

2. Requested Information

The United States Marine Corps Product Manager, MAGTF C2 Hardware and Infrastructure is seeking to identify COTS aircraft mounted satellite terminal solutions. These satellite terminals would be primarily used by the Marine Corps Command, Control, Communication, Computers, and Intelligence communities. The identified solutions should address the following attributes, characteristics, specifications, certifications, plans, or other data:

2.1. Proposed SATCOM Terminal certifications/validations

2.1.1. Specify potential solution for a lightweight, small form factor, KC-130J and MV-22 aircraft-mounted SATCOM terminal for NOTM-A operations.

2.1.2. Indicate solution’s transmission security (TRANSEC) validation status as it relates to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules and as required by DODI 8523.01 of 6 January 2021 (DOD instruction for communications security) and DODI 8500.01 Change 1 of 14 March 2014 (DOD instruction for cybersecurity) and a path migrating Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) per National Security Memorandum 10 (NSM-10) of 4 May 2022.

2.1.3. Indicate solution’s U.S. Space Force Delta 8 certification status by frequency band.

2.1.4. Identify whether the terminal can operate using the United States Space Force (USSF)

Commercial Satellite Communications Office (CSCO) bandwidth contract.

2.1.5. Indicate solution’s FCC licensing and landing rights status for commercial terminals.

2.1.6. Specify the commercial satellite service provider certifications that the terminal is authorized to use.

2.1.7. Describe how the proposed terminal’s central management is conducted and safeguarded (i.e., location is kept private, NOC safeguards, etc.).

2.1.8. Specify stage of the Department of War (DoW) spectrum certification process (Stage

1 – 4) and provide a roadmap to get to stage 4 if not already attained.

2.1.9. Indicate Naval Air Systems Command KC-130J and MV-22 flight clearance status, as applicable.

2.1.10. For any other qualifications (e.g., certifications, licenses, rights) not yet achieved, provide a roadmap to achieve those qualifications.

2.2. Proposed SATCOM Terminal Performance Characteristics

2.2.1. Look angles and power

2.2.1.1. Specify solution’s satellite look angle range relative to the base of the antenna (e.g., 0-90).

2.2.1.2. Specify the transmit Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) options and variation with look angle of the proposed solution.

2.2.1.3. Specify solution’s receive gain to receive system noise temperature (G/T) and variation with look angle.

2.2.2. Multi-Band operations

2.2.2.1. Specify solution’s instantaneous bandwidth.

2.2.2.2. Identify approach for terminal to support multiple bands in order of priority listed below:

• Military Ka-band

• Ku-band

• Commercial Ka-band

• Military X-band

2.2.2.3. Identify approach to enable switching between supported bands (e.g., selectable user interface, component change-out and any requirement for special tools, etc.).

2.2.3. Multi-orbit operations

2.2.3.1. Specify how the terminal supports independent operation on Low Earth

Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) constellations.

2.2.3.2. Define approach to enable operations on multiple constellations simultaneously.

2.2.3.3. If not capable of multi-orbit operations, provide roadmap to achieving operations on LEO and MEO satellite constellations.

2.2.3.4. Specify the transition time required to switch between satellites in the same orbit.

2.2.4. Modem(s)

2.2.4.1. Specify proposed solution’s ability to function independent of identified modem.

2.2.4.2. Indicate compliance with L-band interface to a modem.

2.2.4.3. Describe approach to interface with multiple modems.

2.2.4.4. Indicate terminal’s compliance with Open Antenna Modem Interface

Protocol (OpenAMIP) and Open block up converter (BUC) Modem Interface Protocol (OpenBMIP) standards to allow integration of future modems with proposed antenna solution.

2.2.5. Resiliency

2.2.5.1. Identify how the solution provides SATCOM resiliency in a contested environment (waveform resiliency, anti-interference/jam, Low Probability of Intercept / Low Probability of Detection (LPI/LPD).

2.2.5.2. Identify the data path between mobile units, SATCOM constellations, downlinks (Government and commercial) and military operations centers.

2.2.5.3. Identify how the solution continues operations in a Global Positioning System (GPS)-challenged environment.

2.2.5.4. Specify Military (M)-Code compliant Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) solution, including external GPS interface capability.

2.2.5.5. Specify solution’s time and operator involvement to recover from blockages.

2.2.5.6. Specify solution’s capability to implement interference avoidance techniques.

2.2.6. Operational Suitability

2.2.6.1. Specify ability to obtain and maintain satellite connection while operating airborne in accordance with the Naval Air Systems Command test procedures and aircraft configurations. Provide test data upon request.

2.2.6.2. Specify compliance with MIL-STD-461 by design, self-test, or independent test for electromagnetic interference (EMI)/electromagnetic compatibility

(EMC).

2.2.6.3. Specify input power range of the proposed solution and its compliance with

MIL-STD-1275E.

2.2.6.4. Specify solution’s time and operator involvement to startup (e.g., mission planning, warmup, ease of use, sequence).

2.2.6.5. Specify solution’s time and operator involvement to recover from coverage blockages.

2.2.6.6. Specify the solution’s operator interface to control and manage the antenna.

2.2.6.7. Specify input power range of the proposed solution and its compliance with

MIL-STD-1275E.

2.2.6.8. Specify power consumption required by the proposed solution (during initial power up, max power (peak) and nominal)

2.2.6.9. Identify solution’s multi-band radome and hardening to provide protection to the antenna without negatively impacting its performance.

2.2.6.10. Identify tactical color options and procedures for applying to terminal components.

2.2.6.11. Provide Reliability, Availability, and Maintainability data and proposed maintenance strategies including planned maintenance requirements.

2.2.6.12. Identify factors impacting integration of the solution on aircraft platforms.

2.2.6.13. Specify dimensions and weight of the integrated solution.

2.2.6.14. Describe mounting provisions of proposed solution.

2.2.6.15. Describe human lift requirements of the proposed solution.

2.2.6.16. Describe package, handling, shipping and transport (PHS&T) approach for the proposed solution.

2.2.6.17. Specify MIL-STD-810H environmental ratings for high/low temperature, solar loading, humidity, wheeled vehicle profile shock & vibration, salt/fog, dust, altitude, fungus, freezing rain, driving rain, and ice. This will determine whether environmental protection from an enclosure and/or airframe is required.

2.2.6.18. Describe and provide the proposed terminal’s signal profiles to inform and assess terminal’s potential of electromagnetic radiation hazards to ordinance, personnel, and fuel (HERO, HERP, HERF).

2.2.7. Cybersecurity and administration

2.2.7.1. Specify the solution’s operator interface to control and manage the terminal.

2.2.7.2. Specify administrative and user profiles access.

2.2.7.3. Describe vendor approach to allow independent government Assured

Compliance Assessment Solution (ACAS) vulnerability scans of terminal.

2.2.7.4. Specify country of origin of components for Trade Agreement Act (TAA) compliance purposes.

2.2.8. Lifecycle Costs

2.2.8.1. Specify Production capability/capacity and lead time.

2.2.8.2. List USMC and/or other DOW Programs of Record (PoRs) and platforms currently integrating proposed solution.

2.2.8.3. Identify all procurement and support costs to include all required hardware, cables, etc. and software/firmware maintenance support.

2.2.8.4. Identify coverage and bandwidth service plans and costs.

2.2.8.5. Describe what SATCOM services and plans have been coordinated and teaming with other vendors.

2.2.8.6. Identify solution’s warranty coverage, cost, and duration.

2.2.8.7. Indicate solution’s expected end-of-life/end-of-sale (EOL/EOS).

2.2.8.8. Include ability to support bailment options, date bailment could be initiated, and duration.

2.2.8.9. Indicate ability to provide engineering support for Government evaluations.

3.0 Responses

Sources should submit a response with capability statements that provide sufficient information to determine the performance, actual capability state relative to the above requirements and expression of interest to provide the Government with two systems via bailment for limited government assessment. At a minimum, this information should include the following: (a) identification of company or organization to include business size by North American Industry Classification System and company Commercial and Government Entity code, (b) company or organization assertion of its existing and available capability to meet the listed requirements, (c) business, contracts, and/or marketing office points of contact information, (d) cost information, to include any recurring and sustainment costs, and (e) any additional information that may be useful to the successful procurement of the system, if solicited.

Those expressing interest should adhere to a thirty (30) page submission limit, plus commercial marketing information or web links. All should be submitted by 1400 on 1 August 2026, via e-mail to Joseph Newton at joseph.s.newton@usmc.mil and Bryan Keys at bryan.keys@usmc.mil.

The RFI # needs to be in the subject line of the email.

mailto:joseph.s.newton@usmc.mil mailto:bryan.keys@usmc.mil

This sources sought notice is the initiation of market research as described by Part 10 of the Federal Acquisition Regulation and are not a Request for Proposals. No solicitation document currently exists. Issuance of this notice does not constitute any obligation on the part of the Government to procure these items or to issue a solicitation. In addition, the Government is under no obligation to pay for information submitted in response to this notice, and responses to this notice cannot be accepted as offers.