SBS0051 E4B HCX RFI Letter_Signed.pdf

RFI#: FA2541-25-014

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 there are any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received in this RFI that is marked “Proprietary” will be handled accordingly.

Title: U. S. Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) E-4B Aircraft High-Capacity Crossover (HCX) Broadband Aero Mobile Satellite Communication Service

Current Contract: SBS0023 Current Contractor: Boeing

Description(s):

Global coverage, MIL Ka-Band, High-Capacity Crossover (HCX) steerable/maneuverable spot beam, Broadband Aero Mobile COMSATCOM Services.

Sought After Qualification’s for Possible Upcoming Requirement:

The requirement involves establishing communications connectivity for the Secretary of Defense and other senior U.S.

leaders aboard the E-4B aircraft fleet. The anticipated performance period consists of a One-year base, with four one-year Option periods, starting on April 1, 2026. The government is seeking the following information to conduct market research to ensure an award is priced fair and reasonable.

Vendor capability questions:

1. Is your company able to sell (or resell) MIL-Ka-Band, High Capacity Crossover (HCX) steerable spot-beam services for

E-4B aircraft; including teleport and terrestrial connectivity; gateway connectivity for voice, video, and data; public Internet access at the Gateway; secure command and control; television services; network monitoring system (NMS) portal software development and maintenance; quality of service (QoS) traffic prioritization; and aircraft prioritization services? (Currently being provided together under a single CLIN (X001) of the SBS0023 contract)

2. Can your company provide Frequency Clearance/HNA processing as needed?

3. Are you, or are you partnered with, the integrator for the Govt E-4B aircraft fleet?

4. Can you suggest any aircraft hardware or software upgrades that will increase the throughput above what the current E-4B hardware is capable of, both on the aircraft as well as the System Integration Lab (SIL)?

a) If so, can your team perform the integration on the E-4B airframes, including all FAA licensing that may be needed for new hardware?

b) What is the estimated timelines to do the integration mentioned in the previous question for one aircraft, and then for all four E-4B aircraft in the fleet?

5. Will your company require significant subcontracting or teaming arrangements (50% of the requirement or greater) to successfully meet any/all of the performance objectives outlined in the draft Technical PWS? Please indicate the

U. S. Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC) E-4B Aircraft High-Capacity Crossover (HCX) Broadband Aero Mobile Satellite

Communication Service

United States Space Force Space Systems Command Commercial Service Office

RFI#: FA2541-25-014

areas of the PWS that will require subcontracting.

6. Is there any aspect of this requirement 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 CLINs. 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 your ability to meet the requirements outlined in 52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting.

All responses shall be submitted NLT 19 Sep 2025 by 5:00PM EST. Please submit your response to the following individuals (include all):

Mr. John Seacrist, Contracting Officer. Email: john.seacrist@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 and GSA or sent to all respondents via email. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after 04 Sep 2025 will be answered.

Response Guidelines:

In addition to answering the above questions, interested respondents are requested to provide a capabilities statement that demonstrates your company's ability to meet all the performance objectives outlined in the PWS. Capability Statements cannot exceed 10 (ten) pages, single spaced, 12-point type with at least one-inch margins on 8 1/2” X 11” page size. Page limits does not include cover page, ToC, responses to the above questions, requested information and glossary. The response should not exceed a 5 MB e-mail limit for all items associated with the RFI response. Responses must specifically describe the contractor’s capability to meet the requirements outlined in this RFI. Oral communications are not permissible. SAM.gov and GSA will be the repositories for all information related to this RFI.

Upon conclusion of market research efforts, the Government anticipates releasing a formal solicitation for this effort.

Should you have any questions please reach out to the individuals above.

JOHN K. SEACRIST, NH-III, USSF

Contracting Officer, SSC/CMK