TETHER - SOW 10.23.2026.pdf

Request for Information: N00173-27-RFI-EN01 Attachment No. 1

Statement of Work (SOW)

TIMED EMITTERS TRANSMITTING HIGHLY

ENERGIZED RADIATION

(TETHER)

23 OCT 2026

1. Introduction

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) performs applied research and development, systems engineering, and applications-oriented activities to preserve and enhance a strong aerospace systems technology base, and to provide expert capabilities in the development, acquisition, and operation of aerospace systems. To preserve and enhance a strong space technology base and provide expert assistance in the development and acquisition of space systems for naval missions, activities of the Naval Center for Space Technology (NCST) extend from basic and applied research through advanced development in all areas of Navy space program interest.

The Space Systems Development Division (SSDD) is the space and ground support systems research and development organization of the NCST. The primary objective of the SSDD is to develop space systems to respond to Navy and Department of War (DoW) mission requirements with improved performance, capacity, reliability, efficiency, and/or life cycle cost.

These responsibilities span the full space-to-ground spectrum of hardware, software and advanced technologies including digital processing and control, analog systems, power, communications, command and telemetry, radio frequency, optical, payload and electromechanical systems, as well as systems engineering. The DoW operates four space research and engineering support field sites in Maryland, Virginia and California.

1.1 Purpose

NRL has a requirement to support applied research and development programs with U.S. Navy and non-Navy sponsors. This Statement of Work (SOW) provides for the execution of specific radio-frequency and infrared (RF/IR) engineering, analytical, and technical efforts to support evolving timing technology in support the Navy’s mission.

This acquisition is focused on space-to-ground research for Timed Emitters Transmitting Highly Energized Radiation (TETHER) effort. SSDD is performing research with time and clock techniques that will deliver precise and certified timing to the warfighter with an accuracy of less than 2 nanoseconds delivered by alternate methods. Under this contract, the Contractor will perform the scientific and technical activities necessary to mature concepts from technical exploration through prototyping of systems that provide precise and certified timing, frequency, and geodesy support to the warfighter.

This effort is a follow-on to the Target Accuracy Precision Emitters program. In this phase the Contractor shall advance the research to achieve high-precision, more accurate transmissions with the intent of reaching femtosecond-level precision using large apertures.

2. General Requirements

This Statement of Work does not include Satellite Communications Command and Control (SC2C) activities or related systems. Expertise or past performance limited solely to SC2C is not required and will not be evaluated as relevant to this effort. The focus remains on the high-precision timing, clock ensembling, RF transmission, and associated IR/calibration research and development described herein.

2.1 Contractor Experience

The Contractor must demonstrate a minimum of 10 years Corporate Experience in the following areas:

• Ensembling algorithms used to provide less than 20 femtosecond accuracy while maintaining picosecond precision and 3 parts per trillion (PPT) stability

• Complex clocks to include but not limited to hydrogen masers, atomic clocks and atomic fountain clocks

• Signal processing with a radio frequency (RF) range of direct current (DC) to light using large apertures (>60 ft)

• Methods for precision time delivery maintaining femtosecond accuracy

• Develop and deploy electro-optic/infrared sources used for satellite testing

2.2 Technical Requirements

The Contractor will research and develop ensembling algorithms, techniques and configuration of several complex clock sources such as atomic clocks, hydrogen masers, and atomic fountain clocks. The Contractor will take into consideration the fluctuations in factors that might affect the clocks, such as temperature, magnetic field, and number of atoms in the signals all which affect the precision of time. These clocks are maintained in the timing lab at NRL.

The Contractor shall perform outlier rejection by identifying and downweighing or completely isolating deviant, erratic or failing clocks to prevent skewing the aggregate time. The Contractor shall perform pivot clock referencing using a stable baseline physical clock to continuously measure phase differences against all other participating units. In some instances, the Contractor shall split single atomic ensembles into independent components to suppress local oscillator noise via quantum or spatial control. The Contractor is to provide timing stability to 3 PPT over 10-second intervals.

Under this research, the Contractor shall use emerging techniques for RF transmission and signal processing in the 1 GHz to 95 GHz frequency bands transmitted at various power levels up to and including 120 dBm from various size apertures. These transmissions result in highly accurate time (<20 femto-seconds) and pulse width precision (<100 picoseconds).

The Contractor shall perform research and development by designing and developing these systems which use large antennas that NRL currently owns. In accordance with the Contract Data Requirements List (DD Form 1423), the Contractor shall provide incremental deliveries of software source code and algorithms, technical documentation to support the software, cost and performance reports on a monthly basis, other reports and documentation on an as-required basis and a final report upon completion.

The Contractor shall implement NRL-provided hardware designs and complete the development effort through test and integration. The Contractor shall create or update software development specifications to integrate time into existing or new RF systems owned by the Navy. The Contractor shall implement NRL-provided software designs and complete the development effort through test and integration.

The Contractor shall develop and execute test plans to ensure smooth integration of system additions, upgrades or modifications while adhering to local configuration management policies and procedures. Additionally, the Contractor shall provide end-user training for systems incorporated into an operational baseline. The Contractor shall analyze and forecast the performance of existing and future systems.

In addition, the Contractor shall implement slabs with various coating and paints that provide for greater than 94% emissivity in midwave IR. The slabs must have two different reflectivities in visible and near IR spectrums: One greater than 60% and one less than 7%. The slabs must be chemically engineered to have a spectral flatness over the visible near IR and midwave IR spectrum. The concrete used must be fiber reinforced, no rebar can be used and the surface material must be able to adhere to substrate for a duration no less than 5 years.

The Contractor shall perform research and development using Darkfield/Offset Correction by measuring sensor bias and dark noise. This shall be performed by collecting data with the shutter of the camera closed or during orbital night, subtracting this baseline from raw digital numbers. In some test, the awardee shall perform Flat Field Correction by applying uniformity matrices and update them using uniform in NRL’s inventory to fix individual pixel or detector variations. During the final phase of testing the Contractor shall perform Absolute Radiometric Calibration by converting raw digital sensor counts into physical units of radiance or reflectance by targeting stable reference areas by deploying calibrated tarps or salt flats, utilizing predictable moonlight using current tools.

The Contractor shall comply with all applicable security regulations and limitations as specified in Section 10.

3. Period of Performance

The period of performance shall be established in the contract. The Contractor shall perform all work, testing, integration, documentation, and deliveries within the 12-month Base Year and four

(4) 12-month Option Years, in accordance with the Government-approved schedule.

Any changes to the approved schedule that may affect a required delivery or milestone shall be promptly communicated to the Contracting Officer and the Contracting Officer’s Representative

(COR).

4. Place of Performance

Performance may occur at NRL facilities, Government field sites, Contractor facilities, or other locations identified in the contract or task order, as required to accomplish the technical effort.

The Contractor shall coordinate access to Government facilities and equipment with the COR.

Performance at any additional location shall be subject to Government approval, as applicable.

5. Government-Furnished Property and Information

The Government may provide property, equipment, facilities, technical data, hardware designs, software designs, timing laboratory resources, antennas, test equipment, or other information necessary to support performance. Government-furnished property (GFP), equipment (GFE), and information (GFI), when applicable, shall be identified in the contract or task order. The Contractor shall be responsible for safeguarding, controlling, and using Government-furnished resources only for performance of this requirement.

6. Travel

Travel may be required when necessary to support technical meetings, testing, integration, field activities, or other contract requirements. All travel shall be authorized in advance by the Contracting Officer or as otherwise specified in the contract or task order. Travel costs shall be proposed, invoiced, and reimbursed in accordance with the applicable contract terms and conditions.

7. Deliverables and Contract Data Requirements

The Contractor shall prepare and submit all required data and documentation in accordance with the Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL), DD Form 1423, and the applicable Data Item Descriptions (DIDs) incorporated into the contract. Required data shall support Government technical oversight, evaluation, configuration management, testing, and acceptance of the work performed.

At a minimum, and when identified on the applicable DD Form 1423, deliverables may include monthly technical/progress reports, cost and performance reports, software source code and algorithms, software and technical documentation, test plans, test results or reports, configuration or software development documentation, meeting or review documentation, and a final technical report. Each deliverable shall be submitted in the format, frequency, and delivery schedule specified by the applicable CDRL.

Below is a comprehensive list of all the associated Contract Data Requirements List (CDRL) submittals for this effort. Additional details on these requirements can be found within Exhibit A, CDRLs.

• A001 - Technical Status Report

• A002 - Financial Program Management Report

• A003 - Final Report

• A004 - Technical Data

• A005 - Patent Report

8. Inspection, Verification, and Acceptance

The Contractor shall verify that developed, integrated, or modified systems, software, algorithms, and technical products satisfy the performance requirements established by this SOW and the applicable contract or task order. Verification shall be supported by test plans, test procedures, test data, analyses, demonstrations, or other objective evidence, as applicable.

Government acceptance shall be based on successful completion of the applicable technical requirements, required testing, resolution of identified deficiencies, and delivery of required CDRLs. Acceptance of data and technical deliverables shall be performed by the Government in accordance with the inspection and acceptance terms of the contract.

9. Meetings and Reviews

The Contractor shall participate in requirements reviews, design reviews, technical interchange meetings, test readiness reviews, and other technical reviews required for each development program. The Contractor shall provide supporting technical information and documentation necessary for the Government to assess technical progress, risks, schedule, test readiness, and performance. Meeting frequency and specific review requirements shall be established by the Government based on the needs of each development effort.

10. Security Some of the personnel on the contract will require classified access to Top Secret/SCI technical data in performance of the contract. The number and type of clearances required will be described in the contract DD254. Some individuals will also be required to meet cybersecurity workforce qualification requirements (formerly IAT Level II or Level III) in accordance with DoD Directive 8140.01 and DoD Manual 8140.03. Privileged User (PU) accounts can only be authorized for those meeting the associated DoD 8140 series requirements.

Contractor personnel who require access to TS/SCI material shall possess a final DoD granted Top Secret security clearance with the eligibility of SCI at time of proposal submission.

Detailed security requirements are delineated in the issued DD 254s relevant to this contract.

The Contractor shall ensure that all classified material is handled in accordance with the issued DD 254, the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) (DoD 5220.22-M) and all NRL and applicable Security Program Guides/Directives.

The Contractor shall comply with and conform to security regulations and limitations including security classifications and those concerning high to low communication restrictions.

These security regulations include, but may not be limited to:

a) DoD Instruction (DoDI) 8510.01, Risk Management Framework (RMF) for DoD

Systems, dated 19 Jul 2022;

b) Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 (FISMA);

c) DoD Instruction (DoDI) 8500.01, Cybersecurity (Change 1 effective 7 Oct 2019);

d) SECNAV M-5239.3, Department of Navy Cybersecurity Manual, dated 22 Apr 2022;

e) Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) 503, Intelligence Technology Systems Security

Risk Management, Certification and Accreditation