AMD01 - industry input on change to military standard (MIL-STD) MIL-STD-188-165 - department of defense interface standard: interoperability of SHF satellite communications phase-shift keying (PSK) modems

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

REQUIREMENT

Industry input on Change to Military Standard (MIL-STD) MIL-STD-188-165: Interoperability of Super High Frequency Satellite Communications Phase-Shift Keying (PSK) Modems

Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is seeking Industry feedback to proposed changes to MIL-STD-188-165.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. NO SOLICITIATION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

1.0 Overview/Purpose

The Department of Defense (DoD) is soliciting industry to provide comments on the published MIL-STD-188-165B/Change 1 (January 2, 2024) and prepare responses to satisfy unique DoD requirements for future updates to the MIL-STD. Responses should include, but are not limited to, specification adjustments in the following areas of interest:  1) Test parameters for Multiple-Carrier modems, Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS), and Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum (DSSS).  2) Positive Control data points.

2.0 Scope of Effort

This RFI request is solely for gathering information and planning purposes. This RFI does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any services or supplies whatsoever. All are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitations or requests for proposal (RFPs).

3.0 Technical Characteristics

The continuing evolution of modem capabilities presents a number of challenges to developing relevant and useful modem design requirements. When MIL-STD 188-165 was first written, the preponderance of modems consisted of a limited set of modems with very few modulation and coding capabilities. This is no longer the case. In recognition of this, a number of adjustments have been made in the current MIL-STD 188-165B/C1. In the process of drafting an updated MIL-STD, a number of areas have been identified where additional investigation is necessary to craft a useful MIL-STD. In the interest of issuing meaningful guidance as soon as possible, it was decided to issue MIL-STD 188-165B/C1 while simultaneously investigating various areas of interest with the intent of including any updates to those areas in a future release.

4.0 Requested Information

4. 1  Appendix data:  The existing MIL-STD-188-165B/C1 has multiple appendices for non-standard modem functionality. The following technologies for modems are new to DoD use on managed satellite payloads. The discussion is what additional considerations need to be in the appendices and what corresponding Section 5 paragraph(s) are to be superseded, replaced, or augmented.

• Multiple-Carrier
• TDMA
• FHSS
• DSSS

4.2   Positive Control: Table VII in the published MIL-STD-188-165B/C1 release details different control and monitoring points. With the changing technology of complex modem systems, provide additional parameters available that have not been captured in the existing standard, and which, if any, may no longer apply, along with any recommended formats for managing these control and monitoring points.

4.3   Impact Assessment: Industry should also report any other anticipated impact in planning and management of any requested changes.

Response Guidelines

Companies who wish to respond to this RFI should send responses via email no later than 12 July 2024. Companies submitting responses are encouraged but not required to attend the Industry Day meetings.

Industry Day Discussions

Dates:  Monday, 5th August 2024 to Friday, 9th August 2024.

Location:  6385 Corporate Drive, Suite 200, Colorado Springs, CO 80919

Times: Meetings will occur each day, with provisions on Monday and Friday to accommodate travel, as necessary.

Monday                          0830 - 1700  (Registration available 0830 – 0900)

Tuesday                          0830 - 1700

Wednesday                    0830 - 1700

Thursday                        0830 - 1700

Friday                             0830 - 1700

Note: Times may be adjusted to facilitate morning/afternoon travel once industry responses have been received.

Note: Industry week will also encompass discussion relating to MIL-STD-188-164. Discussion relevant to MIL-STD-188-164 will generally occur earlier in the week. A meeting agenda will be released once industry responses have been received.

Dress: Business Casual

Teleconference Bridge: In person attendance will be limited. A teleconference bridge is planned but not yet confirmed for all sessions (meeting URL to be provided at a later date).

RSVP: The deadline for attendees to RSVP for the meeting is Friday 19 July 2024. Please RSVP at https://einvitations.afit.edu/inv/anim.cfm?i=895662&k=0A68470F7D55

Points Of Contact (POCs)

Mr. Henry Tran at DISA
Phone: 301-225-7496
NIPR: henry.h.tran.civ@mail.mil

Mrs. Pamela Phillips at Delta 8 SATCOM
Phone: 719-554-2002
NIPR: pamela.phillips.5@spaceforce.mil

Mr. Jeremy Kozee at Delta 8 SATCOM
Phone: 719-554-8835
NIPR: jeremy.kozee@spaceforce.mil

Disclaimer

This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only.

THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THE RFI OR OTHERWISE PAY FOR INFORMATION RECEIVED IN RESPONSES TO THE RFI.

Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received that is marked Proprietary will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly identified. All government and contractor personnel reviewing RFI responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as described 41 USC 423.

Attachments/Links

MIL-STD-188-165B/C1

https://quicksearch.dla.mil/qsDocDetails.aspx?ident_number=115558