Transformational capabilities office trusted network entry (TNE)

The Air Force Research Laboratory's Transformational Capabilities Office (TCO) is conducting market research to identify potential sources for Trusted Network Entry (TNE) solutions targeting airborne and space-based platforms. The procurement seeks advanced communication and network entry technologies that can increase trust at the lowest communication and networking layers, with a specific focus on edge capabilities. The effort encompasses three primary lines of effort: Trusted Network Node (TNN), Network Tokens of Trust (NTT), and Assured Network Infrastructure (ANI). Vendors are expected to demonstrate solutions that can operate in fragile network environments with dynamic topology changes and multiple near-peer threats. Responses are due by January 31, 2025, at 16:00 EST, with submissions limited to 20 pages, and both U.S. and non-U.S. firms are eligible to participate in this market research initiative.

The government has allocated a budget of no more than $6 million across all three lines of effort, with the project timeline spanning 24 months through demonstration conclusion. There is no specific small business set-aside for this opportunity, and the solicitation does not identify any incumbent contractors. Key technical requirements include implementing hardware root of trust capabilities, portable secure microcontrollers for configuration and authentication, and infrastructure elements enabling trusted network entry across the Department of Defense. The project specifically excludes products related to encryption, Cross Domain Solutions, multi-level computing, secure mesh waveform, software-defined radio, and software-defined networking. Vendors are expected to provide details on current capabilities, estimated costs, potential teaming arrangements, and technical approaches that address secure network communications for complex military platform environments.