SDA Tranche 1 Optical Communications RFI-Amendment 1.pdf

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Space Development Agency

Tranche 1 Optical Communications Standard (OCS)

Request for Information

SDA-SN-21-0004

Amendment 1

The Space Development Agency (SDA) is seeking industry feedback on the design and development of optical communications terminals (OCTs) for the National Defense Space Architecture’s (NDSA) Tranche 1 Transport Layer (T1TL). 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 capability gaps 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 through:

Low-latency data transport

Sensor-to-shooter connectivity

Direct-to-weapon connectivity

TRANCHE 1 TRANSPORT LAYER

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

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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 applications, 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. Unlike in Tranche 0, 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.

T1TL space vehicles are each expected to be equipped with the following baseline OCS payload 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 In plane connections fore and aft Cross plane connections Optical Ground Terminals during the access time 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 1 Gbps 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 an objective of no more than 10 seconds after bus offset calibration

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.

DOCUMENT LIBRARY

Please find in the document library the following:

1. SDA Optical Communications Standard (Draft)

2. SDA Tranche 0 Communications Protocol

3. T1TL OCT Requirements (Draft)

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

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Respondents should provide information on existing products, current development efforts and/or ongoing programs that address the OISL Payload topic above. In addition to their Statement of Capabilities, respondents should include the following specific information in their submissions:

Design and Development

1. The SDA Transport Layer provides alternative Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) services. These services leverage the high-precision ranging and time transfer enabled by the optical communications terminals. The mechanisms for time transfer include one- and two-way ranging.

a. Does your system currently implement a time transfer and/or ranging method?

b. What “open standard” time transfer methods does your terminal support?

2. The addition of a lower-frequency AM tone can improve signal identification against the DC background.

a. What challenges does an AM tone present?

b. Please assume, as a baseline, a 40kHz for channel A and 50 kHz for channel B where A and B are swappable and at different wavelengths for transmit and receive.

3. Are there preferred modulation formats which would simplify hardware complexity, aid in acquisition and tracking of receiving link terminals, lower the probability of intercept and create a more reliable OISL?

4. Assuming the final OCT must be demonstrated by December, 2022, what are the critical items that must be modified from your current design?

a. What requirements could be modified to reduce the required NRE, risk to cost and schedule, and manufacturability/MRL?

b. How would you change those requirements?

5. Please identify any perceived gaps in the Tranche 1 OCT Requirements that do not provide sufficient definition to design, develop, and deliver an interoperable system in the T1 timeframe

a. How would you amend the Optical Communications Standard or T1 OCT Requirements to close those gaps?

6. Description of approach/strategy for standards compliance verification.

Manufacturing

1. Provide an assessment of the feasibility of producing 150 to 450 OCTs that meet the SDA OCS and objectives within the Tranche 1 timeline described above.

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2. Describe your organization’s past experience in manufacturing optical space payloads.

Please describe, specifically, relevant experience to production in quantities of more than 10 units.

3. Describe your current production capacity.

a. What are your in-house manufacturing capabilities and throughput?

b. What are the manufacturing capabilities and throughput of vendors in your supply chain?

c. Which components will require the longest lead times?

d. For components that have not been manufactured in quantity, are alternate suppliers available?

e. What is your internal capacity for testing (e.g. thermal vacuum, vibration, and optical testing)? Similarly, what external testing capacity will you leverage?

f. What is your assessed procurement and manufacturing timeline during the program? Please provide both the full-rate production rate for 150, 300, and 450 units. Please provide the expected production timeline and effort for the first 5 units (the “ramp up” period).

4. Please provide the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) and Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) of:

a. Candidate OCTs.

b. Polarization-maintaining Erbium Doped Fiber Amplifiers (or other amplifier technologies).

5. Please describe your organizations strategy to manage subcontractor and vendor procurement activities including delivery schedules, oversight, and quality assurance.

Communications Protocols

1. Please provide an assessment of the feasibility of adopting each of the protocols (including required NRE, TRL, risk to cost/schedule, and MRL) as described in Table 2- 3 of the Optical Communications Standard.

a. What is your assessment of employing G.709 frames and G.709 Reed-Solomon FEC as the baseline standard for Tranche 1 OCTs.

b. What is your assessment of employing G.975.1 frames and G975.1 Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) FEC in addition to G.709 Tranche 1 OCTs.

2. Please provide an assessment of the feasibility of implementing a wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) component to provide both OpenZR+ (coherent), or similar, and G.709 (direct detect), or similar, service from a common optical terminal.

3. The SDA Transport Layer is expected to include optical ground terminals (OGTs) for data transfer to fixed and mobile users.

a. The atmospheric and other effects must be accounted for in a robust reliable Optical Communications protocol.

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b. What modifications (or selections within) to the protocols listed in the Standard should be considered to better serve the space-to-ground, space-to-air, and space-to-maritime links?

4. Please provide an assessment of the size, weight, and power for the system and sub-system components for your potential T1-compliant OCT.

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 15 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 30 April 2021.

Unclassified responses shall be sent to osd.pentagon.ousd-r-e.mbx.sda-sn-21- 0004@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-21-0004@mail.mil notifying SDA of this submission method no later than 5:00 pm (Eastern) on 30 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. Organizations may submit multiple responses. 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

Page ‐ 6 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 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.