Request for Information: Multi-Source PNT UE

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

MULTI-SOURCE PNT UE

1.0 GENERAL INFORMATION

This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for information and planning purposes (market research). This RFI does not constitute a solicitation (Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quotations (RFQ)) or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Furthermore, the Government is not, at this time, seeking proposals and will not accept any unsolicited proposals. Respondents are advised the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. Any information submitted by respondents to this RFI is strictly voluntary. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

Due to the operational sensitivity of the Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) missions, any future acquisition resulting from this market research will require strict adherence to Department of War (DoW) and Department of Defense (DoD) security, cybersecurity, and supply chain integrity standards. Consequently, while direct responses to this RFI must remain entirely unclassified (reach out to the government contacts below for information on classified submissions), respondents are required to demonstrate their organizational posture regarding facility clearances, information safeguarding, and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) supply chain compliance. For the purposes of this market research, the anticipated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for manufacturing global positioning systems (GPS) and related equipment is 334220 (Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing) with a Small Business Size Standard of $44.0 Million, and the primary Product Service Code (PSC) for Global Positioning Systems (GPS) hardware is 5825 (Radio Navigation Equipment, Except Airborne). For specialized, airborne GPS or radar navigation, the code is typically 5826. System-level R&D and engineering services for GPS are usually categorized under codes like R425 (Engineering Services) or AC13 (R&D—Defense System: Electronics).

2.0 BACKGROUND

With advances in autonomous systems and guided munitions, the force that can best synchronize its activities at a single point in time and space wields a potent strategic advantage. In the future operating environment, therefore, the Joint Force will increasingly depend on resilient, reliable, and precise position, navigation, and timing (PNT) data to execute combat operations. As such, the Space Force is required to deliver global continuous coverage with stringent civil and military position and timing requirements to assure safety and mission success. This includes at least 88% of the constellation being operationally available more than 98% of the time. Likewise, a thinking adversary will make focused and deliberate efforts to deny access to this capability, leveraging a growing suite of threats including electromagnetic weapons, cyberspace attacks, and kinetic weapons. The challenge today is that, while satellite navigation (SATNAV) through the Global Positioning System (GPS) is foundational to U.S. military operations, critical infrastructure, and global commerce, the current architecture must adapt to evolving jamming and spoofing threats. Additionally, the space and ground segments must be modernized and hardened against physical attack. To build readiness for the future operating environment, therefore, the Space Force will pursue a comprehensive navigation warfare (NAVWAR) strategy that emphasizes resilience, technology modernization, modularity, adaptability, and flexibility. Specifically, it will adopt an open hybrid approach to SATNAV architecture that weighs inputs from diverse sources according to user need, generating a more dependable capability that can withstand adversary action while enabling faster upgrade cycles to enable PNT capabilities.

The NAVWAR Objective Force pursues the development and deployment of several key capabilities to advance the SATNAV architecture. One of those elements is User Segment. To make best use of diversified PNT sources, the Space Force will enable a transition to a Multi-Source PNT user equipment (UE) reference architecture that incorporates Modular Open System Architectures (MOSA) and an onboard fusion engine to integrate all available data at the user level. The key enabler of the NAVWAR Objective Force is continued Joint Force investment in Multi-Source PNT UE that utilizes both traditional and new PNT sources. This equipment is foundational to a user’s ability to devise and execute a NAVWAR PACE (i.e., Primary / Alternate / Contingency / Emergency) Plan in degraded or denied environments. While legacy signals are expected to remain supported for civil and public functions, they are increasingly less effective in the contested environment. The military-specific M-Code is available today, while the PNT modernization signals are projected to be available by 2035.

3.0 OBJECTIVE, DESIRED CAPABILITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS

This Request for Information (RFI) is focused on obtaining access to analytical information on industrial capabilities in Multi-Source PNT UE the NAVWAR Objective Force. Interests include the following:

• Multi-Source PNT UE for Terrestrial Users on various military platforms
  • Disadvantaged user
  • High value military assets
  • MOSA
  • Signals supported (M-code, CA, commercial), etc
• Space Service Volume Multi-Source PNT UE (various orbits)
  • Small satellite users
  • Large satellite users
  • MOSA
  • Signals supported (M-code, CA, commercial), etc

Interest is in technical details that can be incorporated into technical analysis to support Space Warfighting Analysis Center, Technology and Emerging Concept Assessments performed during Force Designs. This RFI is being executed in cooperation with the Space Warfighting Analysis Center (SWAC).

4.0 SECURITY, CYBERSECURITY AND SUPPLY CHAIN REQUIREMENTS

The secure nature of this requirement dictates adherence to stringent Department of War (DoW) / Department of Defense (DoD) security protocols. While direct responses to this RFI must remain unclassified, respondents shall address their current capabilities and compliance regarding the following security domains:

a. Facility and Personnel Security Clearances

Given the operational nature of Multi-Source PNT UE and the potential for integration with multiple military architectures, e􀆯orts will likely require access to classified information and systems.

• Respondents must state their current Facility Clearance Level (FCL) (e.g., None, Secret, Top Secret) and classified safeguarding capabilities.
• Respondents should confirm their capacity to provide appropriately cleared personnel (Personnel Security Clearances - PCL) and facility infrastructure to support secure development, testing, and operations.
• Please indicate your facility's current capability and experience in handling, storing, and integrating Communications Security (COMSEC) and Transmission Security (TRANSEC) materials.

b. Cybersecurity and Information Safeguarding (CUI/CDI)

The protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and Covered Defense Information (CDI) is critical to this effort. In accordance with DFARS 252.204-7012, 7019, and 7020, respondents must describe their current capability to safeguard CUI/CDI.  Please indicate your current compliance status with NIST SP 800-171, confirm whether an active assessment score exists within the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS), and state your current readiness posture for the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) (Level 2 or higher).

c. Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) & NDAA Compliance

Due to the critical nature of space capabilities and the associated user segment architecture, rigorous supply chain integrity must be maintained.  Respondents must confirm their current compliance with Section 889 of the FY19 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) (FAR 52.204-24 and 52.204-25), which prohibits the procurement or use of covered telecommunications equipment or services from prohibited Chinese entities. Briefly describe your corporate Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) approach to identifying and mitigating risks (e.g., counterfeit parts, malicious hardware/software insertion) across both the space vehicle payload and any proposed commercial ground infrastructure.

5.0 INFORMATION REQUESTED

Responses shall provide clear descriptions of the existing or proposed user equipment capability offered to the Government, including a detailed assessment of its compliance with the DESIRED CAPABILITIES AND CHARACTERISTICS and the SECURITY, CYBERSECURITY, AND SUPPLY CHAIN REQUIREMENTS. Furthermore, respondents must explicitly identify any anticipated intellectual property restrictions and state the expected level of Data Rights (e.g., Unlimited Rights, Government Purpose Rights, or Specifically Negotiated License Rights) to be conveyed to the Government. Responses shall include any relevant data rights or regulatory requirements.

6.0 SUBMISSION DETAILS

RFI response must be submitted via DoD Safe, (https://safe.apps.mil/). In order to submit, please contact the Contract Specialist, no later than close of business, three (3) workdays prior to the submission deadline to receive a DoD Safe drop-off request. A drop-off request is valid for 14 days. Offerors will receive an automated email containing the instructions for uploading the file(s). If you did not receive an automated e-mail message for your drop-off request within 3 business days, please contact the Contract Specialist. If classified submissions are requested, please contact the Contract Specialist for a way to send that information.

• Clarifying Questions Due: 2 Nov 26, 1400 Mountain Time. Submit via email to the POCs below with the subject line "Hybrid User Equipment RFI: Clarifying Questions". The Government will post consolidated responses on SAM.gov prior to final response due date.
• Final Responses Due: 16 Nov 26, 1400 Mountain Time

Points of Contact:

Contract Specialist (Primary): Hanna Wardell, hanna.wardell@spaceforce.mil

Contracting Officer (Alternate): LaDonna Nivens, LaDonna.Nivens@spaceforce.mil

Responses to this RFI shall be sent to the POCs identified and include a cover page and the following information:

• Subject Line: “Multi-Source PNT UE RFI: Response”
• Submitter’s Name and Parent Company, if applicable
• Business Address: Street, City, State, NINE-digit zip code
• Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code Unique Entity ID
• Company socio-economic status
• POC (i.e., company representative)
• POC telephone number and email address

Responses, in entirety, shall be limited to 15 single-sided pages. Documents shall be formatted in accordance with the following:

• Single-spaced,
• One-inch margins
• US letter-size (8.5” x 11”)
• 12-point font (Times New Roman), and
• Be formatted with current Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat Reader versions. 
• Not be protected via password or other information management mechanism. 

Submissions shall not exceed a 7 MB email limit for all items associated with the response. Hard copy responses will not be accepted. The Government will accept company literature or marketing materials that are responsive to this RFI, in which case the page limit applies but font sizes may vary.   

Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with applicable regulations. Respondents shall indicate which portions of its response are Intellectual Property (IP) and mark IP accordingly. Classified submittals can be accepted. Please contact the Contract Specialist on how this will be accomplished.

The PCO has entered into agreements with Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) and/or Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance staff working for the Government, including The Aerospace Corporation. These organizations support the Government by performing technical reviews, systems engineering and integration analyses, cost estimation, and other advisory services. Respondents are hereby notified that all responses will be provided to AFRL and SWAC support contractors. Please include a statement in your submission acknowledging that the submitted document(s) can be provided to AFRL support contractors. If respondents disagree to the release of its RFI response to any of the aforementioned firms, the respondent shall clearly state this restriction in the cover letter accompanying the RFI response.

Foreign firms cannot participate in this acquisition at the prime contractor level. However, foreign firms can participate in this acquisition at the subcontractor level if they are eligible to do business with the US Government. The research and test data produced under a resultant contract may contain Military Critical Technology List (MCTL) information whose export is restricted by the Export Control Act (Title 22, U.S. Sec 2751, et seq.) or the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended (Title 50, U.S.C., App. 2401, et seq.). Request certification and registration from the Defense Logistics Services Center (DLSC), Federal Center, 74 North Washington, Battle Creek, MI 49016-3412 as soon as possible.

7.0 DISCLAIMERS

The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for the information solicited herein. This RFI is issued solely for market research and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quotation (RFQ), or a promise to issue a future solicitation. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Information obtained through this RFI will be used solely for information, program planning, and to assist the Government in shaping future acquisition strategies. Follow-on activities to this RFI may utilize Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Space Technology Advanced Research (STAR) Annoucement, Space Systems Command (SSC) Space Enterprise Consortium (SpEC) Other Transaction Authority (OTA), or other agency contract mechanisms, as determined by the Government. Information may also be used as the basis for Reverse Industry Days.