RFI - ICBM NC3 Market Research.pdf
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- Solicitation number
- RFI_SENTINEL_NC3_FY26_001
About this file
This is a Request for Information (RFI) from the Department of the Air Force, Air Force Installation Contracting Center, 767 Enterprise Sourcing Flight, dated 16 July 2026, seeking industry feedback on Digital HF (DHF) technology maturity for potential integration into the Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3) system.
The RFI targets prospective contractors with experience in DHF technologies and seeks responses to five primary questions addressing: (1) whether DHF technology is sufficiently mature to support Sentinel NC3 Initial Operational Capability by 2033 and preferred deployment methodologies; (2) limiting factors that would inhibit DHF use in Sentinel NC3; (3) challenges, risks, or limitations the government should consider during implementation; (4) how DHF technology would complement Sentinel NC3 communications during the 2031-2040 timeframe; and (5) confirmation that any proposed system meets a minimum Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 and supports cyber-secure communications including classified data compliant with NSA High Assurance Communications Security (COMSEC) standards. Interested contractors should also provide a capabilities statement detailing their DHF system. Responses are due no later than 03 August 2026 at 1300 CDT and should be submitted to Capt Grant Wilson (Contracting Officer), Mr. Joe Carmichael (Requirements Analyst/AFGSC A10), or Mr. Edward Mendones (Defense Mission Expert, 3/AFGSC A10). The Sentinel program, managed by Northrop Grumman as the prime contractor, is transitioning from the Minuteman III analog environment and approaching a Milestone B decision by December 2026, with initial fielding slated for 2033.
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| File | Type | Posted |
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| CRM - ICBM NC3 Market Research.xlsx | XLSX spreadsheet | |
| RFI - ICBM NC3 Market Research v2.pdf |
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Text version
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE
AIR FORCE INSTALLATION CONTRACTING CENTER
767 ENTERPRISE SOURCING FLIGHT
16 July 2026
MEMORANDUM FOR AFGSC SENTINEL NC3 MARKET RESEARCH PROSPECTIVE
CONTRACTORS
FROM 767 ENTERPRISE SOURCING FLIGHT, CONTRACTING OFFICER
SUBJECT: Request for Information – Sentinel NC3 Market Research
1. The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to determine if Digital HF (DHF) technology is mature enough to be integrated in support of the Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) weapon Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3) in the 2031-2033 timeframe.
We are soliciting industry feedback on current and near-term (2031-2040) DHF technologies available for fielding as described above.
2. BACKGROUND
a. Sentinel is the replacement system for Minuteman III (MMIII). The program is in a post- Nunn/McCurdy breach approaching a Milestone B decision NLT Dec 2026. Initial Sentinel fielding is slated for 2033. Northrop Grumman is the Prime Contractor designing Sentinel for the AFNWC Sentinel Program Office.
b. As the Air Force prepares to migrate from MMIII (analog environment) to Sentinel (digital environment) we need to examine how the NC3 systems will adapt to the Sentinel environment, which could include new systems. AFGSC is seeking a solution on terrestrial NC3.
c. This market research seeks to understand how Sentinel missile operations could benefit from incorporating DHF systems into its NC3 architecture.
d. Proposed systems will be required to operate in all environments (pre, trans, and post).
3. RFI
a. Based on your company’s experience, is DHF technology mature enough to support a Sentinel NC3 Initial Operational Capability (IOC) of 2033? Is there a preferred methodology your company would utilize to support deploying a DHF system in support of Sentinel NC3?
b. Do you see any limiting factors which would inhibit the use of DHF in Sentinel NC3?
c. What challenges, risks, or limitations should the Government consider when implementing DHF in the Sentinel NC3?
d. How would you use your DHF technology to complement Sentinel NC3 communications in the 2031-2040 timeframe?
e. If your system is capable, is that system’s maturity at a minimum of a TRL 6?
e. Will your system support cyber-secure communications including classified data (e.g., NSA High Assurance Communications Security (COMSEC))?
f. If this applies to your organization, please provide a capabilities statement discussing the details of your company’s DHF system.
g. Responses should be delivered to the following individuals no later than (NLT) 03 Aug 2026
1300 CDT:
Name Title/Organization Email Capt Grant Wilson Contracting Officer/767 ESF grant.wilson.1@us.af.mil Mr. Joe Carmichael Requirements Analyst/AFGSC A10 joe.carmichael.2.ctr@us.af.mil Mr. Edward Mendones Defense Mission Expert, 3/AFGSC A10 edward.mendones.2.ctr@us.af.mil
4. If you have any questions or require further information on this RFI, please contact Capt Grant Wilson at grant.wilson.1@us.af.mil.
GRANT WILSON, Capt, USAF Contracting Officer
| 2026-07-16T14:11:24-0500 | |
| WILSON.GRANT.G.1537214062 |
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