SDA-SN-23-0002 - SDA Datalink-Waveform RFI.pdf

Space Development Agency

Datalinks and Waveforms Application for Future National Defense Space Architectures

Request for Information

SDA-SN-23-0002

The Space Development Agency (SDA) seeks U.S. corporation industry feedback on advanced tactical datalink and waveform maturity, on-going work with other U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) agencies on datalinks and waveforms, and integrating datalinks and waveforms on future Tranches of the National Defense Space Architecture (NDSA). This would include risk reduction efforts to support command and control, sensor to shooter, and tactical satellite communication capabilities. Responses to this RFI will specifically inform SDA's Transport Layer Tranche 2 Demonstration and Experimentation System (T2DES) planning in FY2023 for subsequent contract award in FY2024.

Background

SDA is responsible for orchestrating the DOD future threat-driven space architecture and accelerating the development and fielding of new military space capabilities necessary to ensure U.S. technological and military advantage in space.

SDA was established in March 2019 to provide fast, responsive, and resilient solutions to national security space requirements. Its focus is on creating space capability that will provide for the consolidation of the future NDSA. Tranche 1 (T1) Transport Layer (T1TL) is deemed the Initial Warfighting Capability and begins launching in FY24 (Sep 2024). This layer will consist of approximately 138 space vehicles (SV) each hosting various datalinks and waveforms. These payloads are comprised of radios, interfaces, translators and power units to provide advanced capabilities to the tactical edge. The eventual NDSA will provide beyond line of sight targeting for time sensitive ground and maritime targets as well as hypersonic and advanced missile threat warning and tracking. The goal is to make data available to the warfighter anywhere on the globe "at or ahead of the speed of the threat."

The SDA mission, aligned with the National Defense Strategy (NDS), defines and delivers the Department's future resilient, threat-driven, and affordable military space architecture for the joint warfighter. With the NDS and the capability gaps identified in the DOD Space Vision guiding our thinking, SDA will continuously refine and prioritize activities to ensure U.S. leadership in space.

SDA's mission begins and ends with the warfighter. SDA recognizes that good enough capabilities in the hands of warfighter sooner may be better than delivering the perfect solution too late. SDA remains mission-focused and continues to make advances toward delivering the next-generation of capability development in support of NDSA orbital tactical applications.

This RFI seeks to inform SDA’s roadmap of future datalinks and/or waveforms to guide the integration of these capabilities into future Tranches. This RFI seeks to align datalink and waveform capabilities for baselining and/or demonstration in Tranche 2 (initial launch capability beginning September 2026).

Architecture Background

The Transport Layer is an element of the NDSA with four major tenets: low latency/high volume data transfer, sensor to shooter support, direct to weapons mission applications, and the JADC2 backbone. In order to optimize the Transport Layer to enable these, datalinks and waveforms are critical. While SDA has completed its internal review of potential Tranche 2 data links and waveforms, it is likely other military services, commands or other government agencies have completed architecture studies that have included industry or industry has internally studied or invested. Hence, SDA would like to leverage what has already been accomplished in cooperation with industry before making a final determination of the Tranche 2 architecture. As currently envisioned, the Tranche 2 Transport Layer may have different space vehicle variants. Tranche 2 is expected to operate via multiple planes at approximately 1000km in 80-90 degree inclination orbits.

SDA's Request for Information (RFI)

While a generic Statement of Capabilities provides helpful context for industry responses, SDA is explicitly seeking the following information to inform future solicitations and reduce risk toward interoperability within NDSA architecture and development plans. We will explore the state of technology, identifying systems and missions the C2, or weapons datalinks are compatible with from a proliferated low Earth orbit (p-LEO) constellation. SDA strongly encourages industry to provide feedback to the following specific questions to inform Tranche 2 Transport Layer plans.

Specific Datalink/Waveform Questions

This section is for responders with involvement in Direct Line of Sight (DLOS), Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW), Protected Forward Communications (PFC), Tactical Targeting Network Technology (TTNT), or any other datalink/waveform that can integrate into existing, space-qualified radio or any other mature (TRL 5 or better) software defined radio. In addition to answering the “General Datalink/Waveform” questions below please provide the following:

1. An assessment of the above technology’s compatibility with LEO operations from an altitude of approximately 1000 km, to include:

a. Doppler tolerance or compensation strategy for transmitters and/or receivers

b. Operational concept overview for contact opportunities of short and variable duration

c. Survey of compatible antenna apertures

d. SWaP requirements for a payload employing the technology

e. Anticipated operational limitations (e.g., duty cycle constraints, simultaneous transmission restrictions due to self-compatibility).

General Datalink/Waveform Questions

This section is for other datalinks/waveform vendors are pursuing. Please provide the following:

2. What advanced tactical datalinks and/or waveforms is industry currently pursuing with the DOD (i.e.

Combatant Commands, Services, Agencies)?

3. What platforms are expected to use these datalinks/waveforms?

4. What is the operational maturity of the datalink or waveform, the operational environment it was designed for and is being tested in, and – if different - its current operational environment?

5. What type of prototype or experimentation has been completed and successfully demonstrated?

6. Is there active acquisition and/or fielding underway with warfighter (military service and/or combatant command) sponsorship?

a. What key challenges and risks do you associate with any of these acquisition approaches, including schedule, cost, and technical challenges and risks?

b. What are the existing or likely mitigations for these risks and challenges?

7. What are the estimated costs and schedule to demonstrate a capability of TRL 7+ from low Earth orbit

(LEO)?

SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

i. All responses to this RFI must be received no later than 5:00 pm (Eastern) on December 15, 2022.

ii. Responses are limited to no more than eight pages and shall use a minimum of 12-point font, single line spacing and 1-inch margins.

iii. Responses shall be sent electronically to osd.pentagon.ousd-r-e.mbx.sda-sn-23- 0002@mail.mil.

iv. Responses to this notice shall include Vendor's Company Name, Address, and Contact Information.

v. When submitting a response, please use the subject "SDA Datalink/Waveform RFI Response [-Vendor Name]".

vi. Any responses submitted through different channels or to a different email address will not be considered.

vii. Organizations are encouraged to limit to a single response.

viii. If a vendor would like to include classified information, please submit an unclassified response as requested with a classified addendum. Contact the above mailbox for classified submission instructions. Please indicate the classification level desired.

Classified addendums are subject to same submission deadline but are further limited to one page in length, 12 pt. font, and single line spacing.

DISCLAIMERS AND IMPORTANT NOTES

This announcement contains all information required to submit a response. No additional forms, kits, or other materials are needed. This is an RFI issued 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 by U.S. corporations 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 the SAM.gov website. It is the responsibility of any potential offerors/bidders to monitor this site for release of any solicitation or synopsis. The SDA will NOT provide reimbursement for costs incurred in responding to this RFI or participating in any subsequent workshop.

SDA will acknowledge receipt of all submissions but is under no obligation to provide feedback.

mailto:osd.pentagon.ousd-r-e.mbx.sda-sn-23-0002@mail.mil mailto:osd.pentagon.ousd-r-e.mbx.sda-sn-23-0002@mail.mil

To the maximum extent possible, please submit non-proprietary information. If proprietary information is submitted, it must be appropriately and specifically marked. It is the submitter's responsibility to clearly define to the Government what is considered proprietary data. Any proprietary information should be clearly labeled as "Proprietary." The 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 the SDA on this RFI. Respondents are advised that the SDA is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt.