Request for Information - Sentinel NC3 Market Research
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
AI Contract Overview
The U.S. Air Force is conducting market research through a Request for Information to evaluate the readiness of Digital HF (DHF) technology for integration into the Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile system’s Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3) architecture, with a focus on achieving Initial Operational Capability by 2033. Sentinel, the successor to the Minuteman III, is transitioning from an analog to a fully digital environment, and the Air Force needs to determine if DHF systems can provide reliable, secure, and resilient communications across all operational phases—pre, trans, and post—under demanding conditions. The inquiry seeks detailed input from industry on the current and near-term (2031-2040) maturity of DHF solutions, including whether they meet a minimum Technology Readiness Level of 6, support NSA High Assurance COMSEC for classified data, and can be deployed within the program’s timeline without compromising security or operational effectiveness. Respondents are asked to identify any technical, operational, or environmental limitations that could hinder DHF adoption in the Sentinel NC3 context, and to describe how their technology would enhance communication resilience and cyber security in a contested or degraded environment. The information gathered will inform the government’s decisions regarding system architecture and procurement strategies as the program progresses toward its Milestone B decision by December 2026. Participation is open to all industry stakeholders, with no set-aside restrictions, and responses are due by August 3, 2026, to the designated point of contact at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana. The NAICS code associated with this effort is 332994, and the solicitation is being managed by the Department of Defense through the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center’s Sentinel Program Office.
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
Fort Johnson, LA, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Response Deadline
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
The purpose of this Request for Information (RFI) is to determine if Digital HF (DHF) technology is mature enough to be integrated in support of the Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) weapon Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3) in the 2031-2033 timeframe.
We are soliciting industry feedback on current and near-term (2031-2040) DHF technologies available for fielding as described above.
BACKGROUND
- Sentinel is the replacement system for Minuteman III (MMIII). The program is in a post-Nunn/McCurdy breach approaching a Milestone B decision NLT Dec 2026. Initial Sentinelfielding is slated for 2033. Northrop Grumman is the Prime Contractor designing Sentinel for theAFNWC Sentinel Program Office.
- As the Air Force prepares to migrate from MMIII (analog environment) to Sentinel (digitalenvironment) we need to examine how the NC3 systems will adapt to the Sentinel environment,which could include new systems. AFGSC is seeking a solution on terrestrial NC3.
- This market research seeks to understand how Sentinel missile operations could benefit fromincorporating DHF systems into its NC3 architecture.
- Proposed systems will be required to operate in all environments (pre, trans, and post).
RFI
- Based on your company’s experience, is DHF technology mature enough to support a SentinelNC3 Initial Operational Capability (IOC) of 2033? Is there a preferred methodology yourcompany would utilize to support deploying a DHF system in support of Sentinel NC3?
- Do you see any limiting factors which would inhibit the use of DHF in Sentinel NC3?
- What challenges, risks, or limitations should the Government consider when implementing DHFin the Sentinel NC3?
- How would you use your DHF technology to complement Sentinel NC3 communications in the2031-2040 timeframe?
- If your system is capable, is that system’s maturity at a minimum of a TRL 6?
- Will your system support cyber-secure communications including classified data (e.g., NSA High Assurance Communications Security (COMSEC))?
- If this applies to your organization, please provide a capabilities statement discussing the details of your company’s DHF system.
- Responses should be delivered to the individuals named within the attached RFI no later than (NLT) 03 Aug 2026 1300 CDT.
If you have any questions or require further information on this RFI, please contact Capt Grant Wilson at grant.wilson.1@us.af.mil.
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