Air Force Research Laboratory B-52 Hybrid SATCOM Demonstration

The Air Force Research Laboratory is seeking commercial satellite communication (COMSATCOM) transponded capacity, ground station services, and associated engineering support for a B-52 Hybrid SATCOM Demonstration involving one L3Harris Hybrid SATCOM System. The Department of the Air Force requires approximately 5 MHz of Ka-band capacity with GEO solutions only, maintaining a minimum elevation angle of 10 degrees from the system to the satellite. The demonstration will test encrypted messaging over government test networks across three phases at different locations: Salt Lake City, Utah; Eglin AFB, Florida; and near Barksdale AFB, Louisiana. The government will provide the required modem for installation at a commercial ground station, and vendors must demonstrate their capabilities through detailed responses addressing technical requirements and potential contract vehicles, preferably GSA. Interested parties must submit their responses by July 30, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST, with responses limited to 15 single-spaced pages and a maximum 5 MB email submission limit.

This pre-solicitation notice does not include any set-aside designations and encourages participation from all qualified vendors, including small businesses that must demonstrate compliance with subcontracting limitations. While no specific incumbent contractors are mentioned, the technical specifications reference a GetSat Slingblade Ka LW mobile terminal and L3Harris RASOR modem, indicating existing equipment relationships. The contract does not specify award values or budget ranges in the available documentation. The demonstration period spans approximately three months from August 4, 2025, to October 31, 2025, with the system capable of 45 Mbps data rates and requiring 99.5% link availability. The government anticipates procuring bandwidth and services through a CTC or CSS contract and plans to release a formal solicitation after completing market research through this RFI process.