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Request for Information (RFI): MIL-STD-188-164 and MIL-STD-188-165 Industry Week
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
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This is a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) to gather industry input on proposed updates to MIL-STD-188-164 and MIL-STD-188-165, which govern the interoperability of Super High Frequency (SHF) satellite communications terminals and phase-shift keying (PSK) modems, respectively. The RFI seeks technical feedback on evolving challenges in military satellite communications, particularly regarding the integration of digital intermediate frequency (DIF) terminals and modems that operate as virtual platforms on generic hardware, the use of Gallium Nitride (GaN) amplifiers with their inherent non-linear characteristics, and the certification requirements for virtual modems including their hosting platforms and transmission security implementations. The Government is not seeking proposals or bids and explicitly states that no contract will result from this effort; all responses are for planning purposes only and will not be compensated. Respondents must bear all costs associated with their submissions, and no award or obligation will arise from this RFI under FAR clause 52.215-3. Responses are due by July 25, 2026, and are to be submitted via email to designated points of contact at DISA and the U.S. Space Force. An Industry Week event is scheduled for August 10–14, 2026, at NIWC Pacific Topside, during which industry participants may engage in technical discussions on the standards; attendance is encouraged but not required for submission, and participation is limited to two persons per company in person, with a teleconference option to be confirmed. Companies must RSVP by July 6, 2026, and non-CAC holders or foreign nationals must initiate access requests well in advance due to extended vetting timelines. Proprietary information must be clearly marked, though all submitted material will become Government property with no guarantee of return or confirmation of receipt. The RFI does not commit the Government to future solicitations, and non-response does not disqualify participation in upcoming procurements. The NAICS code for this action is 541690, and administrative and technical questions must be directed to specified contacts with separate deadlines for each category.
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
Not specifiedSet-Aside
Timeline
Submission Closed
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
Revision 2.0, Changed Dates
THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) NOTICE ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. NO SOLITICIATION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.
Description
REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)
REQUIREMENT
Industry input on Changes to Military Standard (MIL-STD) MIL-STD-188-164: Interoperability of Super High Frequency (SHF) Satellite Communications Terminals and MIL-STD-188-165: Interoperability of Super High Frequency Satellite Communications Phase-Shift Keying (PSK) Modems.
Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) is seeking Industry feedback on proposed changes to MIL-STD-188-164 and MIL-STD-188-165.
THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) NOTICE ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. NO SOLICITIATION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.
1.0 Overview/Purpose
The Department of Defense (DoD) is soliciting industry to provide comments on the published MIL-STD-188-164C/Change 2 and MIL-STD-188-165B/Change 2 and to prepare responses to satisfy unique DoD requirements for future updates to the MIL-STDs and related Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM) systems.
2.0 Scope of Effort
This RFI request is solely for gathering information and planning purposes. This RFI does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any services or supplies whatsoever. All are advised that the U.S. 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 interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitations or requests for proposals (RFPs).
3.0 Technical Characteristics
The continuing evolution of terminal and modem capabilities presents several challenges to developing relevant and useful terminal and modem design requirements. This is particularly true in the adoption of digital intermediate frequency (IF) (DIF) terminals and modems which may not include analog IF interfaces. In addition to traditional dedicated hardware form factors, DIF modems may also be provided as virtual platforms running on generic hardware which could be performing multiple functions.
- Requested Information
The U.S Government is requesting input on changes to improve the clarity and/or consistency of the MIL-STD. Specific areas that are currently of interest are enumerated below, but input should not be limited to these areas.
- The Digital IF Interoperability (DIFI) Consortium is one of several working groups looking to define test and performance characteristics for DIF systems and components, as well as for virtualized platforms. How should MIL-STD-188-164 and MIL-STD-188-165 be updated to ensure DIF interoperability and performance? How should Digital IF modems and terminals be tested for purposes of WGS Certification? What new or updated requirements in the MIL-STDs would aid in ensuring such tests are valid and useful? MIL-STD changes should not preclude the use of analog IF for terminals supporting such interfaces. Responses speaking to DIFI or similar working group efforts are welcome but not required.
- Gallium Nitride (GaN) amplifiers are known to have non-linear characteristics. How have these non-linearities manifested themselves in real world designs? How can these characteristics be managed in the context of a terminal where linear operations are required? How can the MIL-STD-188-164 be updated to maintain adequate performance when GaN amplifiers are used?
- How should MIL-STD-188-165 be updated to ensure Virtual Modem(s) software-to-platform interoperability and performance (whether platform is vendor provided or Government procured)? Are vendors interested in supplying both Virtual Modems and suitable hardware platforms to host them?
- How should MIL-STD-188-165 be updated to address minimum server or hardware platform system requirements for Virtual Modems? What key hardware specifications would trigger a recertification of the host platform? What hardware specifications could be demonstrated as equivalent (non-risk) for purposes of certification?
- What is your approach for implementing transmission security (TRANSEC) with Virtual Modems?
Response Guidelines
Companies who wish to respond to this RFI should send responses via email no later than 24 July 2026. Companies submitting responses are encouraged but not required to attend the Industry Week meetings. Companies interested in participating in the Industry Week meetings are encouraged but not required to submit technical responses.
Questions
Administrative questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the POCs below. Answers to administrative questions will be posted to SAM.gov. Technical implementation questions regarding this announcement may be submitted in writing by email to the POCs below. The Government will address technical questions during industry week after receiving industry input. The Government does not guarantee that administrative questions received after 29 June 2026 will be answered. The Government will not reimburse companies for any costs associated with the submissions of their responses.
Industry Week Discussions
Dates: Monday, 10th August 2026 to Friday, 14th August 2026.
Location: NIWC Pacific Topside
Times: Meetings will occur each day.
Monday 0830 - 1700 (Registration available 0830 – 0900)
Tuesday 0830 - 1700
Wednesday 0830 - 1700
Thursday 0830 - 1700
Friday 0830 - 1700
Note: Industry Week will encompass discussion relating to both MIL-STD-188-164 and MIL-STD-188-165. Discussion relevant to MIL-STD-188-164 will generally occur earlier in the week with discussion relevant to MIL-STD-188-165 generally occurring later in the week. A meeting agenda will be released once industry responses have been received. Foreign national wideband SATCOM partners (vendors and government representatives) are welcome to participate.
Dress: Business Casual
Teleconference Bridge: In person attendance will be limited to approximately two people per company. A teleconference bridge is planned but not yet confirmed for all sessions (meeting URL to be provided later).
RSVP: Please indicate intent to visit by 6 July 2026 by email to all POCs below. The deadline for VAR submissions via DISS is 20 July 2026. Non-CAC holders and foreign nationals will require additional time.
Visit Procedures: This meeting will be held at the UNCLASSFIED level. All visitors must submit visit requests per NIWC Pacific procedures. Note, the Pass and ID Office require 15-20 business days to process vetting forms for anyone without an authorized credential. The CAC or DBIDS MUST match the purpose of the visit. Visitors cannot use a Reserve, Retiree, or Dependent CAC for access if they are visiting as contractors.
Submissions via DISS are preferred.
SMO Code 660015 - H-66001-NAVY-SPAWARSYSCEN PACIFIC-00
Dates: 10-14 August 2026
Purpose: SHF TWGs Industry Days
POCs: Include the NIWC Pacific POCs below.
For more details, particularly for non-CAC holders requiring a DBIDS credential for the visit, please refer to the following visitor guidance:
https://www.niwcpacific.navy.mil/Connect/Visitors/
Foreign Nationals representing their government will need to submit to NIWC Pacific a foreign visit request via their embassy. This may take 30 day to process. Foreign Nationals representing vendor communities should reach out to the NIWC Pacific POCs below for further guidance.
Additional visit information will be shared with the RSVP list closer to the meeting dates.
Points Of Contact (POCs)
All responses:
Mr. Dana DeFrancesco at DISA
Phone: 667-890-3670
NIPR: dana.m.defrancesco.civ@mail.mil
Mrs. Pamela Phillips at USSF 53 SOPS
Phone: 719-554-2002
NIPR: pamela.phillips.5@spaceforce.mil
Mr. Matthew Eckert at USSF 53 SOPS
Phone: 719-554-2086
NIPR: matthew.eckert.4@spaceforce.mil
NIWC Pacific POCs for visits:
Tech POC:
Mike Eriksson
Phone: 619-559-9127
NIPR: michael.n.eriksson.civ@us.navy.mil
Security POCs:
Michelle Dykes
Phone: 619-553-3202
NIPR: dawn.m.dykes2.ctr@us.navy.mil
Rebin Mustafa
Phone: 619-553-0437
NIPR: rebin.m.mustafa.civ@us.navy.mil
Disclaimer
This RFI is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) 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 synopsis.
All information contained in the RFI is preliminary as well as subject to modification and is in no way binding on the Government. FAR clause 52.215-3, “Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes”, is incorporated by reference in this RFI. The Government does not intend to pay for information received in response to this RFI. Responders to this invitation are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. This RFI will be the basis for collecting information on capabilities available. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received in this RFI that is marked “Proprietary” will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned nor will receipt be confirmed. 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.
Attachments/Links
MIL-STD-188-164
https://quicksearch.dla.mil/qsDocDetails.aspx?ident_number=115564
MIL-STD-188-165
https://quicksearch.dla.mil/qsDocDetails.aspx?ident_number=115558
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