Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Communications

TITLE: Low Earth Orbit Communications - Capability White Paper REQUESTED INFORMATION Program Executive Office Command Control Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T) Project Manager Mission Command (PM MC) Product Manager Mounted Mission Command (PdM MMC) Purpose: The Government is requesting interested sources to provide White Papers which demonstrate the capability of current and future Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation and the satellite transceivers/antennas necessary to utilize them that may provide a solution for the next generation of Blue Force Tracking systems. Note that the satellite transceivers/antennas are defined as the tactically employed end user terminals and will henceforth be referred to as user terminal, or just terminal. The Government is requesting interested sources to provide sufficient information in the form of a White Paper (not to exceed 10 pages including annexes, in size 12 font with single line spacing, and no less than 1 margins), that demonstrates recent experience (within the last 3 years) and capabilities in providing the requirements described within this RFI. Intent: This is a Request For Information (RFI) only. This RFI shall not be considered an Invitation for Bid, Request for Task Execution Plan, Request for Quotation, or Request for Proposal. There is no obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services described in this RFI or its responses. Responses to this RFI will be treated only as information for the Government to consider and serves as Market Research for the Government. There is no payment for direct or indirect costs that are incurred in responding to this RFI. This request does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this effort. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary, restricted or competition sensitive information contained in their response. The Government will not pay for the information submitted in response to this RFI. Generic capability statements will not be considered. Requirement Overview: PM MC is seeking explanations of current industry LEO capabilities, to include the following information and answers to the following questions: User terminal size options Informational note: There is a desire for a device that fits within a space that is not larger than 8.75 wide x 8.75 deep x 5 high Can user terminals operate on-the-move? Are the user terminals all-inclusive, not requiring any external proprietary software or proprietary hardware to operate? Note: A non-proprietary Application Programming Interface (API)to operate the terminal is acceptable. Additionally, the terminal is expected to handle encrypted data, with no knowledge of the contents, excluding possible priority fields. The frequency bands that user terminals and ground stations operate in The instantaneous over-the-air bandwidth(s) What are the transmit and receive data rates available? Is there any reliance on a GPS or other position, navigation, or timing capability for the user terminals or anywhere else within the constellation/ground station? Informational Note: The Government desires a capability that does not rely on GPS, or similar, for the ground terminal to function Does the user terminal perform beam forming, beam steering, and/or other such capabilities? Describe if any beam pointing is accomplished mechanically, electronically, or as a hybrid electro-mechanical approach Describe if the user terminal solution is tailor-made for a specific constellation or intended to support multiple constellations If applicable, describe which constellations your terminal solution is intended to support Include in the description if the solution meets the air interface requirements of the proposed/desired constellations Describe if the terminal solution is full or half duplex Describe the current Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of your solution For responses regarding constellations: Describe if there are inter-satellite links such that data can be shared worldwide Describe if your constellation allows third-party developers to develop products to connect to your network Describe the estimated dates that your constellation will be operational and meet any stated capabilities Describe the overall security architecture of the end-to-end LEO capability to ensure Government data is protected Are any methods used to separate military and commercial traffic? Please describe the architecture in detail. Describe how government traffic will be protected. Describe the maximum number of devices that can be operating on any one beam or geographic area Describe the size of the geographical area and size of a beam's footprint Describe the number of beams in a satellite Describe available capacity changes as the number of users in a given area changes Describe the aggregate capacity in a given satellite Note: The Government must understand the realistic capacity offered and available at all times Describe time to connect, time to switch satellites, frequency of satellite switchovers, any expected outage windows, and coverage overlaps Responses to this RFI should include a pricing structure by volume and anticipated operating costs by beam and number of platforms per beam. Responses to this RFI should include projected unit costs assuming quantities of 500 to 2500 per year over ten (10) years Submission of Responses: Responses shall be submitted by no later than 1300 hrs. EST on 22 December 2023. All questions and responses shall be submitted via Microsoft Word and emailed to Cynthia Grove, cynthia.a.grove.ctr@army.mil. Additional Discussions: The Government may choose to reach out to select respondents for additional discussions as a result of this RFI. Such discussions would only be used to obtain additional information as part of the market research effort. Questions: Questions regarding this RFI shall be submitted in writing by email to the contacts listed above. Questions are due by 1300 hrs. EST on 27 November 2023. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after 27 November 2023 will be answered. Disclaimer: This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. This RFI is not a solicitation and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals, nor will any award be made as a result of this request. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.215-3, - Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes, is incorporated by reference. The Government does not intend to reimburse respondents for any costs associated with the submissions of their responses to this RFI; respondents to this RFI are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding. Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received in response to this RFI that is marked - Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Contact Information: Contracting Office Address: 6560 SURVEILLANCE LOOP ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD 21005-1846 USA Primary Point of Contact: Cynthia Grove cynthia.a.grove.ctr@army.mil Secondary Point of Contact: MAJ Nathaniel Titus nathaniel.l.titus.mil@army.mil