Wideband Global Satellite (WGS) Ka-Band Satellite Surrogate

DISCLAIMER: THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION: No award will be made as a result of this request. This request for information (RFI) is for informational and planning purposes only; this is not an invitation for bid, a request for proposal, or request for quotation. No solicitation document exists and a formal solicitation may or may not be issued by the Government as a result of the responses to this RFI. The Government will not be liable for payment of any response preparation expenses and is in no way obligated by the information received. Any costs incurred by interested companies in response to this announcement will NOT be reimbursed. The information provided may be used by the Army in developing a future acquisition strategy, Performance Work Statement, Statement of Objectives and/or Performance Based Specification(s). Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their response. NOTE: The use of RFI Number W56KGU-19-R-WGSKaBand is for tracking purposes only. BACKGROUND/DESCRIPTION: The Army relies on Ka and Ku band satellite communications (SATCOM) for beyond line of sight (BLOS) communications between Division, Brigade, Battalion, and Company echelons. The Army needs a viable alternative to operate in a day without SATCOM, where satellite communications are denied through electronic or kinetic attack. Viable primary alternate contingency and emergency plan alternatives are needed to continue to fight. Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Long Range Precision Fires, Next Generation Combat Vehicle, Soldier Lethality, Future Vertical Lift, all depend on BLOS communications. The United States Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (CCDC), Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C5ISR) Center, Space and Terrestrial Communications Directorate (S&TCD) is seeking to develop a low cost Ka Band payload that can be elevated to 80-100 kilo-feet on a high altitude balloon platform. This would be considered a high altitude balloon satellite surrogate, which restores denied WGS tactical communications rapidly between Division, Brigade, Battalion, and Company echelons. Overall, CCDC, C5ISR Center, S&TCD envisions a combination of multiple products, in which some are already mature, that deliver novel satellite surrogate system capabilities. Objective WGS satellite surrogate system attributes and desired capabilities include: An optimized beacon that enables ground terminals (PoP, SNE, STT, STT-HP, Phoenix) to easily track the payload Support of transponded SATCOM with a bandwidth of 45-60 megahertz, Ka-Band Protected SATCOM services via beamforming and onboard processing within the payload A coverage footprint of 200-400 miles diameter; coverage may require a constellation approach Power consumption to be 100 watts during the day and 75 watts during the night and can provide power for at least right (8) hours minimum. A payload weight to be no greater than 75 pounds A payload size to consist of multiple CubeSat/Nanosat modules in which each cube could be a sub-component of the payload as a whole, as an example. A secure telemetry/C2 link to control the payload, as necessary, and gather global positioning system coordinates, power usage, payload temperature, battery life, etc. INFORMATION REQUESTED Sources able to provide the requested information for any of the attributes described are invited to submit a white paper describing their technology, and test data relevant to this RFI. The white paper should be organized as listed below, and include the following information: Cover letter providing: Company Information Company name Date of Incorporation Number of years in business Number of employees Primarily location(s) where work is performed Mailing Address Company Website Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Codes (if the company has one) Company Point of Contact Name Title Mailing Address Email Address Phone Number Technical Approach Narrative (maximum 10 pages) The white paper should include a description of your company's approach to meeting desired capabilities that were previously described. The approach should, at a minimum, address: A summary of your technology; Maturity level (commercially available, working prototype, TRL, etc); How could it fit into the descriptions of the desired system. Substantiating Technical Data (not part of the 10 page limit) The submission should provide any available independent performance modeling and test results that substantiate the technology's performance. Specific details about the test environment such as hardware specifications, operating systems, and architectures should be included. Submitting Responses to this RFI: Interested parties are encouraged to submit their information electronically by 3:00PM EST on 06 February 2020 to the following: Technical Point of Contact (TPOC): Gilbert Green; gilbert.s.green2.civ@mail.mil AMT Mailbox: usarmy.apg.ccdc-c5isr.mbx.stcd-amt@mail.mil The subject line for the email submission should read: - RFI Submission: WGS Ka-Band Satellite Surrogate - YOUR COMPANY. The submission is limited to 10 pages in length including the technical approach narrative. The cover letter and substantiating technical data are not included in the 10-page limit. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Responses to the RFI may be used to develop Government documentation. Questions All questions should also be addressed to the following email address: Gilbert Green, TPOC - gilbert.s.green2.civ@mail.mil Technical questions will be sent to the appropriate S&TCD TPOC and/or Subject Matter Experts. The subject line for the email should read: - Technical Question(s), RFI: WGS Ka-Band Satellite Surrogate - YOUR COMPANY. Data Rights It is desirable that data be received with unlimited rights to the Government. However, it is recognized that proprietary data may be included with the information provided. If so, it is the responsibility of the interested party submitting data to clearly identify and mark such proprietary information and clearly separate it from the unrestricted information as an addendum. All information marked as proprietary information will be safeguarded to prevent disclosures to non-government personnel and entities. Please do not submit classified information in responses to this RFI; if necessary, classified discussions with the Government can occur later via secure means.