SDA-SN-21-0003 Tranche 1 Transport Layer Space Vehicle RFI.pdf

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Space Development Agency

Tranche 1 Transport Layer Space Vehicles

Request for Information

SDA-SN-21-0003

The Space Development Agency (SDA) is seeking industry feedback on the design and development of mission-capable space vehicles for the National Defense Space Architecture’s (NDSA) Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL). Specifically, SDA is seeking industry feedback on its ability to support a homogeneous constellation design to provide the full suite of Transport T1 capabilities. T1TL will provide an initial warfighting capability through persistent regional access to low-latency data transport services. All responses received to this Request for Information (RFI) are solely for information and planning purposes. Responses to this RFI may be used to support future solicitations.

BACKGROUND

SDA is responsible for defining and monitoring the Department's future threat-driven space architecture and accelerating the development and fielding of new military space capabilities necessary to ensure our technological and military advantage in space for national defense.

To achieve this mission, SDA will unify and integrate next-generation space capabilities to deliver the NDSA, a resilient military sensing and data transport capability via a proliferated space architecture primarily in Low Earth Orbit (LEO). SDA will not necessarily develop and field all capabilities of the NDSA but rather orchestrate those efforts across DoD and fill in gaps in capabilities while providing the integrated architecture. SDA organizes its architecture into capability “layers” and predicated on the availability of a ubiquitous data and communications transport provided by relatively small, mass-produced satellites and tactically relevant payload hardware and software.

SDA is currently in the process of developing and deploying an initial suite of capabilities – Tranche 0 or the Warfighter Immersion Tranche, comprising elements of Transport, Tracking, Battle Management, Custody and Support. SDA is also preparing Tranche 1 – the NDSA’s Initial Warfighting Capability – anticipating a proliferation of space vehicles similar to those in development for Tranche 0 Transport Layer with incremental technology enhancements and efficient payload integration. This tranche is intended to deliver regional persistence capabilities for multiple warfighter missions as the backbone for Combined Joint All Domain Command and Control (CJADC2) by enabling:

• Low-latency data transport

• Sensor-to-shooter connectivity

• Direct-to-weapon connectivity

TRANCHE 1 TRANSPORT LAYER

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SDA expects T1TL to be comprised of approximately 150 space vehicles, developed and manufactured by multiple vendors, to be launched in late FY2024. SDA plans to release Draft Request for Proposals (RFP) for the T1TL program in Summer 2021. Comprehensive solutions that include open architectures (e.g., buses that support multiple payloads and software appliqués, and payloads/software capable of integration aboard multiple buses or flight processors) and that leverage commercial capabilities, existing or planned are preferred. Additional solicitations for other capability layers will be based on identified requirements and availability of funds.

SDA expects the T1TL constellation to feature 6 near-polar circular planes with tens of satellites at 1000 km altitude in each plane. SDA is interested in deploying a homogeneous constellation design, with all space vehicles equipped with baseline mission payloads, and is seeking feedback on industry capability to design and develop these integrated space vehicles. Ideal designs would be based on mass producible Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Secondary Payload Adapter (ESPA) class, or similar, space vehicles.

T1TL space vehicles are each expected to be equipped with the following baseline mission payloads and performance specifications:

• Optical inter-satellite link (OISL) payload o Combined field of regard for all terminals of 4π steradians, excepting limited body blockages o Ability to establish and maintain at least 3 optical links concurrently, with an objective of 5 or more o Data rates of at least 1 Gbps over in-space ranges between 1000 km and 7500 km, with an objective of at least 10 Gbps o Data rates of at least 250 Mbps with airborne and ground-based optical terminals at slant ranges up to 3000 km, with an objective of at least 10 Gbps o Ability to operate all links continuously with 100% duty cycle, excepting only limited circumstances in which relative geometries and velocities preclude connectivity o Acquisition time no more than 100 seconds after bus offset calibration, with objective of no more than 10 seconds after bus offset calibration

• Link 16 transmit/receive payload o Two or more independently steerable beams, each with an objective spot size of 300 nm diameter or greater o Sufficient transmit power and antenna gain to enable link closure and network operations with handheld ground-based Link 16 terminals such as the AN/PRC- 161 within beam footprints at any ground elevation angle between 10 and 90 deg above the horizon o Ability to operate Link-16 payloads continuously for 20 minutes over one AOR and support an overall operational duty cycle of at least 25%.

• Ka band transmit/receive payload o At least a single beam with sufficient transmit power and antenna gain to enable all-weather link closure with a 5.5 m ground entry point antenna with 3 dB link margin at any ground elevation angle between 10 and 90 deg above the horizon

Page - 3 o Ability to operate payload continuously for 12 minutes and support an operational duty cycle of at least 20%

• UHF transmit/receive terminal payload o At least a single beam with sufficient transmit power and antenna gain to enable all-weather link closure with a ground or air based terminals such as the JTT-NG, IBR-Mini, JTT-Mini, or ENTR(V4) with 3 dB link margin at any ground elevation angle between 10 and 90 deg above the horizon o Ability to operate payload continuously for 20 minutes over one AOR and support an overall operational duty cycle of at least 25%

• BMC3, Routers and crypto payload o BMC3 processor operating at an estimated maximum power of 500W with an orbital average power of 325W.

o Crypto and routers/switches operating at 100% duty cycle

The above mission payloads need not manifest as fully separable subsystems of the T1TL SV.

SDA is open to industry feedback on solutions involving RF payload components such as software-defined radios and antenna systems that serve multiple frequency bands.

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

SDA is specifically seeking industry feedback on its ability to support a homogeneous constellation design to provide the full suite of Transport T1 capabilities as stated above. In support of this goal, Respondents should provide information on existing products, current development efforts and/or ongoing programs that address any or all of the items above. In addition to their Statement of Capabilities, respondents should also include the following specific information in their submissions:

1. An assessment of the feasibility of designing and producing tens of integrated space vehicles that meet the stated mission payload requirements and objectives within the Tranche 1 timeline

2. High-level integrated space vehicle design concepts, including mission payload design concepts and integration strategies to substantiate the feasibility assessment

3. Any notable anticipated limitations of the integrated space vehicle design (e.g., an inability to meet particular performance requirements or an inability to operate particular sets of payloads simultaneously)

4. Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) of candidate space vehicles buses and mission payload components

5. Description of approach and related technical challenges to the satisfaction of a space vehicle requirement for a 90% probability of reentry within 25 years

SDA plans to integrate achievable technologies, components, subsystems or systems into an anticipated RFP for the T1TL program in Summer 2021. For SDA’s purposes, achievability is measured by both TRL and MRL, with the goal of requested elements being at least Level 6 on both scales for proposal purposes and at least Level 7 by launch.

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SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS AND CONTACT INFORMATION

Responses to this notice shall include the following information:

• Vendor’s Company Name, Address, and Contact Information.

• Company Capability Statement/Overview (not to exceed one page)

Responses are limited to no more than 5 pages, and shall use a minimum of 12-point font and one inch margins. Responses must be in pdf format and not exceed 20MB. Respondents are welcome to provide commercial product fact sheets – not to exceed four pages each and 40 pages in total – which will not be counted against the stated page limit.

All responses to this RFI must be received no later than 5:00 pm (Eastern) on 23 April 2021.

Unclassified responses shall be sent to osd.pentagon.ousd-r-e.mbx.sda-sn-21- 0003@mail.mil. Confidential and Secret information may be emailed to OSD.SDA.Proposals@mail.smil.mil. Top Secret Information may be emailed to SDA.Proposals@osdj.ic.gov.

Respondents submitting classified information must send an unclassified email to osd.pentagon.ousd-r-e.mbx.sda-sn-21-0003@mail.mil notifying SDA of this submission method no later than 5:00 pm (Eastern) on 23 April 2021.

When submitting a response, please use the subject “SDA T1 Transport Layer RFI Response

– [Vendor Name]”. Any responses submitted through different channels or to a different email address will not be considered. All submissions may request read receipts which will be provided. SDA will review the RFI responses to assess value and potential performance capability.

DISCLAIMERS AND IMPORTANT NOTES

This announcement contains all information required to submit a response. No additional forms, kits, or other materials are needed. Although the word “proposal” is used in this RFI, your response will be treated solely for information and planning purposes; it does not constitute a formal solicitation for proposals. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Submission of a response is strictly voluntary and is not required to propose to a subsequent SDA solicitation. No solicitation exists; therefore, do not request a copy of the solicitation. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on betaSAM.gov. It is the responsibility of any potential offerors/bidders to monitor this site for release of any solicitation or synopsis. SDA will NOT provide reimbursement for costs incurred in responding to this RFI or participating in any subsequent workshop, briefing, Industry Day or other virtual or in-person discussion, or pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and Proposal Costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

To the maximum extent possible, please submit non-proprietary information. If proprietary information is submitted, it must be appropriately and specifically marked as “Proprietary.” It is the submitter's responsibility to clearly define to the Government what is considered

Page - 5 proprietary data. SDA will not publicly disclose proprietary information obtained as a result of the RFI. To the full extent that it is protected pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act and other laws and regulations, information properly identified by a respondent as “Proprietary” will be appropriately controlled. Submissions may be reviewed by Government personnel and support contractors bound by appropriate non-disclosure agreements. Responses to this RFI will not be returned. Intellectual or other privileged or proprietary information contained in responses to this RFI will not be distributed outside of the Department of Defense or United States Government employees from other Government agencies who are working with SDA on this RFI. Respondents are advised that SDA is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. Responses to this RFI do not bind SDA to any further actions.