RFI: GEO Refueling Vehicles for Sustained Space Maneuver

The United States Space Force Space Systems Command, Servicing, Mobility, and Logistics (SSC/SYD80) Program Office is seeking information on technical concepts and approaches for on-orbit refueling services for National Security Space assets in Geostationary Orbit (GEO) to support the Sustained Space Maneuver operational need by 2030. This Request for Information (RFI) is issued for market research and acquisition planning purposes only and does not commit the government to any contract award. Respondents must provide detailed information on refueling solutions compatible with either Northrop Grumman's Passive Refueling Module (PRM) or Orbit Fab's Rapidly Attachable Fluid Transfer Interface (RAFTI), both of which have been approved by the System Engineering Review Board. Key technical requirements include technology readiness level assessments, cost and schedule estimates for first flight and recurring production, performance parameters (minimum 1,000 kg of transferable propellant capacity, GEO design lifespan, compatible propellant types, autonomous and ground-controlled rendezvous/proximity operations/docking capabilities), compliance with industry standards including CNSSP No. 12 and Do No Harm principles, ground system architecture details, and demonstration plans within three years. Responses are limited to 10 pages in PDF format (8.5 x 11 inches, Times New Roman 12-point font) and must be submitted by 1600 Mountain Time on March 13, 2026, to Wade Pilcher, Contracting Officer, at wade.pilcher@spaceforce.mil.

There is no set-aside designation for this opportunity. The contemplated NAICS code is 336414 (Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing), though respondents may suggest alternatives. The RFI does not specify an award value or budget range, as this is a pre-solicitation notice for information gathering. However, the government requires solutions capable of supporting an annual mission tempo of at least three refueling operations and must address both contractor-owned/operated and government-owned/contractor-operated operational models. Proprietary information submitted in responses will be protected as Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) under DoD Instruction 5200.48, and respondents should not expect reimbursement for response costs. An amendment to the RFI clarified language in Question 1.b.ii and removed a previous reference to "NSSL PLUG," with an additional clarification noting that the 10-page submission limit does not include title pages, tables of contents, or acronym lists.