SSC-IA BPC SOW - 20250225.pdf

STATEMENT OF WORK

FOR

SUPPORT EQUIPMENT, SPARES, SERVICES, AND INSTALLATION CONSTRUCTION

ASSOCIATED WITH COMMERCIALLY OFF-THE-SHELF (COTS) MOBILE OFF-GRID

ROBOTIC TELESCOPE OBSERVATORIES

Prepared by

Space Systems Command (SSC) International Affairs (IA)

Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Division

February 25, 2025

Section 1. Scope/Description of Work.

1.1 Background. The SSC Space Domain Awareness (SDA) program office (SSC/SZB) is maturing strategies for mobile, off-grid, robotic observatories, defined here as a ground-based optical or short-wave infrared optimized telescope, imaging a field of artificial satellites and stars. The motivation for these concepts is for relatively fast fielding of systems, both from a use of Commercially Off-The-Shelf (COTS) devices and, more importantly, due to the ability to place them in areas that would not otherwise require long-term facilities planning and negotiations. Modern designs feature a 1 m class aperture and >3 deg2 field of view (FOV) on a fast-imaging detector, along with various COTS filters for satellite characterization data. Some are: (1) integrated onto a trailer that conforms to US highway transport regulations; (2) able to operate entirely on solar-charged batteries; (3) tasked, optimized, operated, and monitored entirely robotically at all times, 24/7; and (4) accompanied with edge-processing for schedule optimization (i.e. in network outages) and data processing (i.e. for large images). The observatories in this work will either follow this concept but may include smaller analogues, for example 0.5 m class, less sensitive, narrower field-of-view (≲1 deg2) systems. Exact choice of hardware, makes, and models is not strictly required to match current publicly available designs.

1.2 Work Description. This section of the Statement of Work (SOW) contains the tasks to be performed by the contractor as it supports the Governments efforts to further develop current capabilities.

1.2.1 SSCI Observatory Designs and Integrations. This work item requires the design, procurement, installation, and checkout of observatories as part of the USSOUTHCOM and USAFRICOM Significant Security Cooperation Initiative (SSCI). Some observatories may or may not have fixed requirements, but all are to be built with COTS products. Given the goals to optimize against point-source sensitivity and search rate in the 0.5 m aperture class, all observatory designs will strive for mobile, off-grid, robotic operational capability. Some of these observatories will be optimized for daytime observations of geosynchronous satellites. Additional observatories may be added as additional SSCIs are approved. Adherence to requirements at the final installation site(s) may be required, where the contractor will work closely with the government Integrated Product Team (IPT) for guidance. Some Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) may accompany this requirement, to include but not limited to: hardware control and orchestration software, observation scheduling and data processing and dissemination software, requirements for use of DAF CloudWorks for network infrastructure and accreditation, and solar energy generation and storage designs.

1.2.2 Towards >1.0 m aperture, >3.0 deg2 FOV systems. SSC/SZB aims to increase both aperture and FOV beyond 1.0 m and 3 deg2, respectively, for commercial providers, where products shall optimize against search rate and Space Object Identification (SOI) operations and all-around equipment fidelity, i.e. for use in remote, robotic operations scenarios. This work item provides for the opportunity to further improve upon: shorter focal ratios, a means for sourcing inexpensive (i.e. relatively poor wavefront error) transmissive, broadband coated windows for telescope enclosures, more robust primary mirror cell mounting to accommodate more frequent travel – i.e. from the currently envisioned 1x per 1-2 years to the possible 1x per 1-2 weeks, and trailer and trailer mounting improvements, to include the possibility of solar panel integration into the moving assembly. Additional potential scope includes extreme winterization for polar climates. (Note: Work will be exercised if commensurate funding becomes available at Government’s discretion).

1.2.3 Large Aperture, Wide-FOV Procurements. This work item requires the design, procurement, installation, and checkout of such large aperture, wide-FOV observatories.

These systems may be of the modern 1.0 m class aperture, ~3 deg2 FOV design or of the improved design as described in SOW paragraph 1.2.2, provided that the work is exercised and the corresponding schedule, based on the potential improvements relative to the requested procurements of this item, favorably allows it. Adherence to requirements at the final installation sites will be required, where the contractor will work closely with the government IPT for guidance. Some GFE may accompany this requirement, to include but not limited to: hardware control and orchestration software, observation scheduling and data processing and dissemination software, requirements for use of DAF CloudWorks for network infrastructure and accreditation, and solar energy generation and storage designs.

1.3 Description of deliverable products/services.

1.3.1 SSCI Observatory Designs and Integrations. (1) Observatory(ies) that meet(s) the requirements of each SSCI case and the associated labor to install them at each destination and, as needed in the case of non-mobile or non-off-grid, connect them to power and communications; (2) List of critical and recommended spares; and (3) Relevant training and equipment user manual(s).

1.3.2 Towards >1.0 m aperture, >3.0 deg2 FOV systems. Per SOW paragraph 1.2.2, provided that the products from those designs are made commercially available, no designs are expected to be delivered to the Government as a result of this work item.

Services include one (1) Requirements Kickoff and monthly Technical Interchange Meetings (TIMs) for relevant requirements, designs, analysis, and testing.

1.3.3 Large Aperture, Wide-FOV Procurements. (1) Observatory(ies) that are identical in design for each procurement and the associated labor to install them at each destination;

(2) List of critical and recommended spares; and (3) Relevant training and equipment user manuals.

Section 2. Location of Work.

2.1 SSCI Observatory Designs and Integrations: (1) USSOUTHCOM: Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador; (2) USAFRICOM: To be determined (TBD); and (3) as required, for installation services only.

2.2 Towards >1.0 m aperture, >3.0 deg2 FOV systems: No requirement.

2.3 Large Aperture, Wide-FOV Procurements: TBD for installation services only.

Section 3. Special Requirements.

3.1 Special Requirements. No special security requirements nor clearances are anticipated for this work. All designs, procurement details, and installation requirements are considered not classified. Any necessary work to complete system checkout in light of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) or classified software and network requirements will be executed by cleared personnel on the government IPT. Some associate contractor agreements may be required. The contractor need only provide remote support.

Acronyms

COTS Commercial Off-The-Shelf CUI Controlled Unclassified Information DAF Department of the Air Force FOV Field Of View GFE Government Furnished Equipment IPT Integrated Product Team SDA Space Domain Awareness SOI Space Object Identification SSCI Significant Security Cooperation Initiative TBD To Be Determined US United States USAFRICOM United States Africa Command USSOUTHCOM United States Southern Command