This Government Contract opportunity from Department Of Defense was posted on August 27, 2026. The submission period has ended. Browse the details below for market research, or find similar active opportunities.
ETHEREAL FORGE: Call for Participation – Test & Evaluation of Advanced Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) Capabilities
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
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ETHEREAL FORGE is a special notice and call for participation issued by the Department of the Air Force and USSTRATCOM's Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Center. The initiative seeks to test and evaluate advanced, Modular Open Systems Approach conformant Electromagnetic Warfare capabilities against realistic threats to accelerate the fielding of next-generation Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations systems. This no-cost, phased technical campaign is designed for market research and capability evaluation, specifically targeting software applications and hardware components with a Technology Readiness Level between 4 and 7. The program emphasizes the use of AI/ML, software-defined architectures, and low-SWaP RF hardware to improve sensing, maneuvering, and precision engagement within the electromagnetic environment. Participation requires strict adherence to the Sensor Open Systems Architecture and Agile Mission Suite Government Reference Architecture standards, as well as compliance with NIST SP 800-171 and DFARS CMMC Level 2 for safeguarding Controlled Unclassified Information. The evaluation process spans a six-month window across six gated phases, moving from virtual integration and hardware-in-the-loop verification to anechoic chamber testing and operational field assessments, culminating in a Technology Readiness Assessment. Interested parties must submit a quad chart and capability questionnaire by October 10, 2026. Because this is a market research event, the government will not reimburse participation costs, and involvement does not guarantee future procurement actions or funding.
General Info
Place of Performance
0, NE, 68113, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Submission Closed
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
Overall objective: Test and evaluate Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA)-conformant, modular, advanced Electromagnetic Warfare (EW) capabilities against realistic threats in a representative environment to assess capability utility, inform the development and acquisitions processes, and gain insight to support rapid, iterative fielding of Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations (EMSO) capabilities. The objective is to be a forcing function to drive towards the next generation of modular, rapidly upgradeable EMSO systems that will sense the electromagnetic environment, make sense of it, maneuver within it, and engage with precision at the speed of light.
Background: Many promising EW capabilities are being developed based on modular hardware- and software-centric principles linked to mature open standards, such as SOSA, CMOSS, FACE, VITA, and/or AMS-GRA. These capabilities require demonstration in a representative environment before being accepted by program offices for final integration. This event will leverage lessons learned from multiple pathfinding events, experiments, and exercises over the past six years.
Expected outcomes:
- Technology Readiness Assessments of the suitability for further integration and fielding of candidate capabilities (specifically software applications and SOSA hardware components)
- Key data to support future budgeting cycles and acquisition processes
- Data-centric assessments to inform mission- and campaign-level simulations, directly supporting long-term planning and acquisitions cycles
- Prototype infrastructure and process to accelerate test and evaluation of modular hardware components and software-defined capabilities
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