MASE Project SEEM Program Call 009

REQUIREMENT INFORMATION:

1. BACKGROUND: The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Vehicles Directorate (RV) Geospace Technologies Division (RVB) Geospace Environment Impacts and Applications Branch’s (RVBX) Space Environment Exploitation and Mitigation (SEEM) program is interested in applied research and development and advanced technology to help mitigate space environmental impacts on Department of Defense (DoD) operational systems. The SEEM Program full text FA9453-19-S-0001 outlines the general objectives of the Technical Topic Area A: Solar, Solar Wind, and Ionospheric Effects of this Call.

2. DESCRIPTION: As part of the SEEM Program research mission requirements, there is a demand to implement Ionospheric small scale structure models into AFRL systems. These models help inform our overall picture of the space environment and ultimately specify impacts to DoD systems. AFRL is seeking a better fundamental understanding of the impact of ionospheric small-scale structure on Doppler spread in Skywave propagation. AFRL’s HF Propagation tool currently uses a climatologically driven small scale structure model to determine the presence and amount of Doppler spread the ionosphere imparts on a signal for a particular path. The current model was not designed for use with Skywave propagation paths, and we require improved performance in this regime. AFRL is seeking an HF relevant small-scale structure model suitable for Skywave propagation that can consider the Doppler characteristics of received signals along similar paths.

3. OBJECTIVE: See attached Statement of Objectives entitled, “Topic: Characterization of Small Scale Structure of the Ionosphere,” dated 1 May 2023, for specifics to this Call. The Statement of Objectives (SOO), included as Attachment 1, provides the Government’s overall objectives for this solicitation.  Offerors shall use the SOO, together with other applicable portions of this Call, as the basis for preparing their proposal, including the Contractor Statement of Work (CSOW) and milestones.  The offerors shall ensure all aspects of the SOO are addressed. The CSOW should specify in clear, understandable terms the work to be done in meeting the SOO.  Preparation of an effective CSOW requires an understanding of the technical aspects that are needed to satisfy a particular objective and an ability to define what is required in specific, performance based, quantitative terms. The offerors understanding of both required technical skills, and work effort required should be fully demonstrated in the offeror's proposed CSOW.  The offeror shall use its proposed CSOW to prepare data requirements and milestones.  All data requirements shall be traceable to specific tasks defined in the CSOW. 

Please see Call 009 Announcement Final for full details.