SDA HQ085021S0001-05 Crypto SBIR Final.pdf

Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR)

HQ085021S0001-05

Mesh Network NSA Certifiable Cryptographic Solution

Which program will fund this topic?

SBIR

DoD Technology Areas:

Information Systems Technology; Space Platforms

RT&L Technology Focus Areas:

Space Offense & Defense; Quantum Science (including Encryption & Computing); Fully Networked Command, Control & Communications; Cybersecurity (Offense & Defense) & Electronic Warfare

What type of proposals will be accepted?

Both Phase I and DP2

I. INTRODUCTION

The Space Development Agency (SDA) is issuing an SBIR/STTR Opportunity (SBO) inviting submissions of innovative research concepts supporting the advancement of our national defense space capabilities.

This SBO is issued under the SDA Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for SBIR/STTR, HQ085021S0001. All proposals in response to the technical area(s) described herein must be submitted in accordance with the instructions provided under HQ085021S0001, found here:

https://go.usa.gov/x724e.

The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items.

Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with section 3.5 of the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws.

a. Eligibility Please refer to Section 3.1, Eligible Applicants, of HQ085021S0001 for full eligibility requirements.

This SBO, HQ085021S0001-05, is being funded by the SBIR program. The research objective of this SBO is also issued as an STTR opportunity under SBO HQ085021S0001-06. Please review Section 3.1 subparagraph (b) and (c) of HQ085021S0001 for full eligibility requirements of the SBIR and STTR programs.

b. Anticipated Structure/Award Information

Please refer to Section 1, Funding Opportunity Description, and Section 2, Award Information, of HQ085021S0001 for additional details on the structure of this opportunity and prospective awards.

If a proposer can provide adequate documentation to substantiate that the scientific and technical merit and feasibility described in the Phase I section of the topic has been met and describes the potential commercial applications, the Direct to Phase II (DP2) authority allows the Department of Defense (DoD) to make an award to a small business concern under Phase II of the SBIR program without regard to whether the small business concern was provided an award under Phase I of an SBIR program. This SBO is accepting both Phase I and DP2 proposal submissions.

For this SBO, SDA will accept Phase I proposals for cost of up to $250,000 for a 12-month period of performance. SDA will accept DP2 proposals for a cost of up to $1,700,000 for a duration not to exceed 36 months.

Proposers awarded a Phase I contract will be eligible to submit a proposal for Phase II and will be contacted by SDA at the appropriate time during their Phase I period of performance. If selected, Phase II will have a cost of up to $1,700,000 for a duration not to exceed 24 months.

c. Proposal Preparation Instructions

Proposers should refer to Section 4, Application and Submission Information, of HQ085021S0001 for detailed proposal preparation instructions. Proposals that do not comply with the requirements detailed in HQ085021S0001 and the research objectives of this SBO are considered non-conforming and therefore will neither be evaluated nor considered for award.

The Technical Volume of Phase I proposals shall not exceed 10 pages. Phase II commercialization strategy shall not exceed 5 pages. This should be the last section of the Technical Volume and will not count against the 10-page limit. Please refer to Appendix A of HQ085021S0001 for detailed instructions on Phase I proposal preparation.

The Technical Volume of DP2 proposals shall include both Feasibility Documentation and the Technical Proposal. Feasibility Documentation shall not exceed 10 pages, and the Technical Proposal shall not exceed 10 pages. Phase II commercialization strategy shall not exceed 5 pages. It should be the last section of the Technical Volume and will not count against either the Feasibility Documentation or Technical Proposal page limit.

Please refer to Appendix B of HQ085021S0001 for detailed instructions on DP2 proposal preparation.

d. Evaluation of Proposals Please refer to Section 5, Evaluation of Proposals, of HQ085021S0001 for a full description of the proposal evaluation and selection process.

e. Due Date/Time Full proposal packages (Proposal Cover Sheet, Technical Volume, and Cost Volume inclusive of supporting documentation) must be submitted via the DoD SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP) per the instructions in Section 4, Application and Submission Information, of HQ085021S0001 no later than March 31, 2021 at 12:00PM ET.

f. Company Commercialization Report Please refer to Appendix A, Section A.3.f and Appendix B, Section B.3.f of HQ085021S0001 for Company Commercialization Report guidance for Phase I and Direct to Phase II proposals, respectively.

II. TOPIC OVERVIEW

g. Objective Space Development Agency (SDA) seeks development of a prototype mesh network cryptographic solution for Optical Intersatellite Links (OISL) in low earth orbit (LEO) incorporating significant low size, weight and power (SWaP). The solution must demonstrate an automated initial encryption handshake [sic] using NSA test keys, maintain encryption link, and encrypt and decrypt data with a throughput of 50 Gbps per channel (minimum of 6 channels). Introduction of latency into the system shall not expand beyond the SDA OISL standard threshold.

h. Description The OISL mesh network cryptographic solution must convincingly prove technical feasibility (proof of concept) during Phase I. Phase II will require hardware, software, or a combination of both as deliverables (depends on the solution) that can be tested to validate performance claims, with a clear path to demonstrate and deliver functional hardware meeting requirements in Phase III.

The mesh network cryptographic solution will operate in austere environments, and must address SWaP constraints commensurate with small satellite systems with other primary payloads, and demonstrate the ability to obtain NSA certification. Vendors will be expected to develop an easy to use OISL cryptographic solution capable of handling a total throughput of at least 50 Gbps per channel. Though higher throughput is likely necessary with future government programs, demonstration of initial capability is more important than meeting objective speed requirements.

Adhere to the SDA latency threshold indicated below:

Ranging and Time Transfer Parameter Threshold Objective Notes

Modem Latency

15 ms 5 ms Defined as time from photons at aperture to bits at data interface

The project needs to address these six mission areas: Interoperability, Key Management, Sustainability, Standardization, Flexible and Robust Security, and Operational Management.

Dynamic Interoperability: operate with legacy cryptographic equipment and multiple levels of security Advanced Key Management: capable of supporting Over-the-Network-Keying (OTNK) with an automated ability to process proper key loads Sustainability: support automated error handling and recovery (self-healing/self-forming) Standardization: user-tailorable with open/common interfaces Cryptographic Flexibility and Robust Security: capability to store and implement multiple algorithms, reprogrammable, capacity to expand for future requirements Operational Management: be able to support network defense to include an audit capability

i. Phase I The below actions would be required in order to successfully accomplish Phase I: At a minimum, develop and demonstrate technical feasibility for an OISL cryptographic solution that addresses the basic requirements of the stated objective above. Develop and prove feasibility of a Concept of Operation (CONOP). Develop a preliminary design to implement the CONOP, a Key Management Infrastructure plan, Interface Control Document, a technical detailed approach document, Integration and Testing plan, design for manufacturing plan, as well as a path to achieving NSA certification.

The Phase I analysis report shall include a narrative that introduces the verification analyses that were performed and, for each analysis, discusses the objective/hypothesis, parameters, assumptions, initial conditions, and expected results. Analysis results shall list technical performance metrics in a summary of findings, conclusions, and recommendations. The Phase II validation test plan shall describe a future benchtop prototype, instrumentation, and test protocol aimed at verifying

Schedule/Milestones/Deliverables

• Month 1: Project kickoff briefing to SDA Cyber/Crypto Lead detailing the proposed technical approach and schedule with milestones.

• Month 4: Quarterly progress report including technical progress to date and the technical plan for the remainder of Phase I.

• Month 6: Interim progress briefing to the Cyber/Crypto Lead detailing technical progress to date, significant tasks accomplished, major risks, a technical plan for the second half of Phase I, and any potential issues or problem areas that require the attention of SDA.

• Month 7: Quarterly progress report including technical progress to date and the technical plan for the remainder of Phase I.

• Month 10: Quarterly progress report including technical progress to date and the technical plan for the remainder of Phase I.

• Month 12: Final technical progress report and briefing of the OISL cryptographic solution, including the preliminary design, requirements verification analysis report, and Phase II validation test plan.

j. Phase II

Phase II executes a detailed design of the OISL cryptographic solution from the results of Phase I. This may include, but not limited to computer aided design (CAD) renderings, detailed drawings, specifications, and other documents that define the solution in sufficient detail to enable prototyping of the OISL cryptographic solution in Phase III.

Government furnished information (GFI), in the form of supplementary mission requirements and host spacecraft interface definitions released after Phase II kickoff, shall inform the Phase II design work.

In addition to the detailed design, Phase II shall also construct a benchtop prototype of the OISL cryptographic solution. Demonstrate the ability to successfully establish, transfer, and maintain encrypted data of at least 50 Gbps per channel prior to receiving approval to begin Phase III. (minimum of 6 channels) Detailed design and validation test reports comprise the Phase II. This, in addition to the benchtop prototype shall be delivered at the end of the Phase II period of performance.

k. Dual Use Applications (Phase III)

Phase III work would target transition and commercialization of the OISL cryptographic solution. Given the emergence of small satellite constellations within the commercial sector, commercial applications of this research may include the integration of the cryptographic solution become a standard for future investors/businesses. DoD/military applications include, but are not limited to, integration with DoD space vehicles to perform weather observations and forecasting to inform military operations around the world.

l. References

(1) Committee on National Security System (CNSS) Policy 12.

(2) Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) 140.

m. Keywords Cryptographic Solution; Encryption; Decryption; NSA; Optical Intersatellite Links; Low Earth Orbit; Cybersecurity

III. SUBMISSION of QUESTIONS From February 12, 2021 to March 2, 2021, this SBO is issued for Pre-Release. During the pre-release period, proposing firms have an opportunity to contact topic authors at osd.pentagon.ousd-r-e.mbx.hq085021s0001@mail.mil to ask technical questions about specific BAA topics. Questions should be limited to specific information related to improving the understanding of a particular topic’s requirement. Proposing firms may not ask for advice or guidance on solution approach and you may not submit additional material to the topic author. If information provided during an exchange with the topic author is deemed necessary for proposal preparation, that information will be made available to all parties through DSIP Topic Q&A module.

Once SDA begins accepting proposals on March 2, 2021, no further direct contact between proposers and topic authors is allowed unless the Topic Author is responding to a question submitted during the Pre-release period. However, proposers may submit written questions through the DSIP Topic Q&A module at https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/login. The DSIP Topic Q&A for this BAA opens on March 2, 2021 and closes to new questions on March 17, 2021 at 12:00PM ET. Once the BAA closes to proposal submission, no communication of any kind with the topic author or through Topic Q&A regarding your submitted proposal is allowed.

SDA intends to use electronic mail for all correspondence regarding this SBO. Questions related to the technical aspect of the research objectives and awards specifically related to this SBO should be emailed to osd.pentagon.ousd-r-e.mbx.hq085021s0001@mail.mil. Please reference SBO HQ085021S0001-05 in the subject line. All questions must be in English and must include the name, email address, and the telephone number of a point of contact.

Technical support for the Defense SBIR/STTR Innovation Portal (DSIP) is available Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. ET. Requests for technical support must be emailed to DoDSBIRSupport@reisystems.com with a copy to osd.pentagon.ousd-r-e.mbx.hq085021s0001@mail.mil

III. SUBMISSION of QUESTIONS