"One thing I can say for certain is that with regards to ideas, the more the better. And if you can look across the broad space ecosystem and pull in as many ideas as possible, regardless of the size of the vendor that's promoting that idea, you're going to be more successful at it putting solid innovative ideas on the plate."
U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman, during his confirmation hearing for Chief of Space Operations
Space Development Agency, Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) Systems, Technologies, and Emerging Capabilities (STEC) Broad Agency Announcement
Posted On: March 4, 2026 Original Date Offers Due: March 3, 2027
SDA has released an updated Systems, Technologies, and Emerging Capabilities (STEC) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) to advance the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). SDA is soliciting executive summaries, invited proposal abstracts, and proposals for novel architecture concepts, systems, technologies, and capabilities that enable leap-ahead improvements for future PWSA tranches, enhancements to existing capabilities, or concepts for new capabilities to address emerging or evolving warfighter needs.
SDA seeks architecture studies, concepts of operations (CONOPS), modeling and simulation, system designs, key technologies, and/or risk reduction prototypes that are responsive to the following capability vectors:
- Resilient Beyond Line-of-Sight Tactical Communications (RF, Custody)
- Advanced Target Custody, Warning, Tracking and Defeat
- Advanced/Alternate Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT)
- Global Battle Management
SDA Issues Request for Information for Future Space-To-Air Optical Communication Terminals
Posted On: January 28, 2026 Response Date: February 27, 2026
Space Development Agency (SDA) today published a request for information (RFI) seeking industry solutions for airborne optical communication terminals. This initiative aims to equip aircraft with the ability to connect directly to SDA’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA), a resilient network of satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).
This effort builds directly on the success of a landmark demonstration conducted in August 2025. During that test, SDA and its partners proved the viability of space-to-air optical links by establishing a two-way, high-bandwidth connection between a LEO satellite and an airborne test asset in flight. The demonstration achieved stable, high-data-rate transmission, proving that laser communications can provide the bandwidth and security necessary to move mission-critical data to and from airborne platforms.
The RFI seeks information on airborne optical terminal designs, production maturity, and integration pathways. SDA will prioritize technology that can be rapidly demonstrated—within 12 months—and transitioned into operational service.
Responses to this RFI will specifically inform SDA's goal to enable resilient space-to-air optical links as part of the PWSA, with a potential initial operational capability as soon as 2027.
For more information on this RFI and for proposal submission instructions, please visit the link below. Responses are due by 5 p.m. ET on Feb. 27, 2026.
SDA Seeks Proposals from HALO Pool Vendors for the Tranche 2 Demonstration and Experimentation System (T2DES) Europa Program
Posted On: July 1, 2025 Responses Due: July 28, 2025
SDA seeks industry proposals from Hybrid Acquisition of Low-Earth Orbit (HALO) pool prime contractors under an Other Transaction Authority (OTA) solicitation for the Europa Program, a demonstration that will be part of the Tranche 2 Demonstration and Experimentation System (T2DES). Technologies and methods matured through Europa and other T2DES demos may be included in future proliferated constellations as part of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture.
SDA is executing the Europa Program using the HALO contract vehicle, which is SDA’s acquisition approach to solicit rapid and affordable mission feasibility demonstrations. The Europa solicitation is limited to pre-screened members of the HALO prime contractor pool.
SDA plans to issue a two-phased down-select to meet the mission need with two different opportunity tracks. Through Track 1, SDA seeks proposals for a two-space vehicle demonstration. The timeline for this track is notionally 12-18 months of development and test prior to launch, then at least one year of on-orbit testing. Through Track 2, SDA seeks proposals for commercial solutions that meets the high-level Europa priorities and objectives. The timeline for this track is notionally 6 months of on-orbit demonstrations, within 3-6 months of contract award.
Offerors will need access to CUI information to submit a competitive proposal for either Track 1 or Track 2. Offerors will need access to Secret information to submit a competitive proposal for Track 1. View the full solicitation, including the two statements of objective, one for each track, respectively, and submission instructions at the link. HALO pool member proposals due by July 28, 2025, 12:00 pm EDT.
SDA Seeks Proposals for Tranche 3 Tracking Layer (T3TRK) of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA)
Posted On: April 7, 2025 Responses Due: May 22, 2025
SDA seeks industry proposals for the Tranche 3 Tracking Layer (T3TRK) of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). This Other Transaction Authority (OT) solicitation for T3TRK will accelerate the capability to provide global, persistent indications, detection, warning, tracking, and identification of conventional and advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missile systems.
The T3TRK Layer expands on Tranche 2 (T2) and Tranche 1 (T1) Tracking Layer capabilities with targeted technology enhancements, expanded coverage, increased integration, established calibration processes, and greater production efficiencies. Each Tracking Layer space vehicle (SV) and communications systems will be interoperable with all PWSA SVs (e.g. Transport Layer) and will operate in an integrated fashion through a common ground system. The T3TRK Layer, when integrated with the PWSA Transport Layer, will provide low-latency data to theater to ensure kill chain closure against stressing adversary weapon systems.
SDA plans to purchase and deploy approximately 54 – and potentially more – T3TRK SVs with infrared sensors in six orbital planes using one or more vendors. SDA may also acquire additional satellites and sensor payloads under this OT authority agreement to inform requirements and constellation design. The first orbital plane of T3TRK SVs is expected to launch in spring 2029
View the full solicitation, additional details, and submission instructions at the link. Industry proposals due by noon EST, May 22, 2025.
SDA Posts Tranche 3 Industry Planning Notice
Posted On: October 2, 2024
The Space Development Agency (SDA) released a planning notice for Tranche 3 of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). This top-level solicitation timeline allows industry to plan to compete for upcoming acquisitions, in addition to supporting improved and more focused proposal responses.
SDA’s Tranche 3 programs will provide sustained capability with advanced improvements over Tranche 2 plus future warfighting applications. This includes advances in coverage, sensitivity, and accuracy of missile warning, tracking, and defense capabilities; coverage, resilience, and capacity of tactical data links; PNT resilience, accuracy of PNT solutions, and distribution of PNT solutions to users; and mission and network management performance and responsiveness enabled by autonomy.
To view the notice and instructions on how to request the full information package, use the link below.
SDA participates in the DoD Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program. Starting in October 2021, SDA began leveraging the DoD SBIR 22.4 Annual Program Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) and the DoD STTR 22.D Annual Program BAA. These programs are competitive opportunities to encourage domestic small businesses to engage in research and development with the DoD. SDA will use the SBIR/STTR program to enhance future tranches and to inform the overall architecture of spiral development projects to demonstrate warfighter capability via proliferated low Earth orbit. Through a competitive awards-based program, SDA's SBIR/STTR efforts will enable small businesses to explore their technological potential and provides the incentive to profit from its commercialization. SDA will post updated small business opportunities under the DoD Annual SBIR and STTR BAAs throughout the year as we identify specific technical topics for industry consideration and will consider partnering with other organizations such as DARPA or Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), based on their research interests and the quality of small business proposals. The annual BAAs close Dec. 31, 2022.
 
The Space Development Agency (SDA) views small businesses as critical contributors to the performance of research and development supporting national security through space and is soliciting small business participation in the advancement of the Proliferated Warfare Space Architecture.
On November 28, SDA announced SDA24-P001 the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) Advanced Capability Development Open Topic under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs, inviting submissions of innovative research proposals supporting the advancement of the PWSA. We have several focus areas, including developing the optical communication terminal technology, integrating commercial sensing to the Transport Layer, In-space processing, generic BMC3 solutions, cyber, networking, and high performance clocks. Each of these has a team of subject matter experts working at SDA to develop and build the industrial base, and seeking new and innovative technology that will help support the warfighter and their mission.
The topic was posted publicly earlier in November as a preview for interested parties. Full topic descriptions for SDA24-P001 are available on DSIP at https://www.dodsbirsttr.mil/submissions/login and SDA SBIR instructions and topic descriptions are available under the DOD SBIR 24.4 Annual listing at https://media.defense.gov/2023/Nov/08/2003337722/-1/-1/0/SDA_SBIR_244_R1.PDF.
IMPORTANT DATES:
November 28, 2023: Topic opens, begin submitting proposals in DSIP
December 28, 2023: Topic Q&A closes to new questions at 12:00 p.m. ET
January 10, 2024: Topic closes, full proposals must be submitted in DSIP no later than 12:00 p.m. ET