"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
SDA Issues Solicitation for Tranche 2 Tracking Layer Space Vehicles
Original Date Offers Due: October 6, 2023
SDA seeks industry proposals for Tranche 2 (T2) Tracking Layer space vehicles of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The solicitation, issued using Other Transaction Authority and posted Sept. 5, 2023, seeks to advance the operational capability of Tranche 1 PWSA and further its resiliency.
The T2 Tracking Layer will (1) proliferate missile warning and missile tracking (MW/MT) infrared sensors (sometimes called wide-field-of-view) for near-global continuous stereoscopic coverage providing MW/MT mission capabilities, and (2) incorporate fire control (FC)/missile defense (MD) infrared sensors on a selected number of SVs that are capable of generating FC quality tracks to provide access to MD mission capabilities.
SDA requires each SV and communication system to be interoperable with the SVs and systems developed by all other PWSA performers as well as those to be deployed in Tranche 1. Additionally, all SVs must operate in an integrated fashion through a common ground system.
Please view the solicitation at the link below for additional information and proposal submission instructions. Responses are due by 5 p.m. ET on Oct. 6, 2023.
The Space Development Agency (SDA) will host an in-person Industry Day on Thursday, Aug. 3, 2023 in Northern Virginia. The Industry Day will focus on the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture's (PWSA) Fire-control On Orbit-support-to-the-war Fighter (FOO Fighter) system solicitation. This event will be held at the TOP SECRET-level and all attendees are required to hold a Department of Defense TOP SECRET and SCI-level clearance.
Go to the link below for more information and instructions to register before July 27.
FOO Fighter (F2) Draft Solicitation
Response Date: August 7, 2023
On July 7, 2023, Space Development Agency (SDA) issued a DRAFT solicitation for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture's (PWSA) Fire-control On Orbit-support-to-the-war Fighter (FOO Fighter) Program. The draft solicitation provides an opportunity for industry to review and offer feedback prior to final solicitation posting. The Foo Fighter (F2) system will accelerate the ability to provide fire-control in support of global detection, warning, and precision tracking of advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missile systems. The F2 system will demonstrate advanced missile defense capability by incorporating fire control-quality sensors into a prototype constellation.
To learn more about F2 and detailed filing instructions, please visit the link below. Responses to this solicitation are due by 5 p.m. ET, Monday, Aug. 7, 2023.
SDA Issues Request for Information for PWSA Battle Management Command, Control, and Communications (BMC3) Adaptable Processor Module
Response Date: July 28, 2023
On June 30, 2023, the Space Development Agency issued a request for information to help inform an upcoming solicitation for Battle Management Command, Control, and Communication (BMC3) processing modules intended for the PWSA. The intent is to inform the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) used for future PWSA tranches particularly the interface standards to provide best of breed solutions for space-borne data processing. The RFI will also help inform the acquisition strategy used to contract for these units going forward.
The BMC3 Adaptable Processor (BAP) modules comprise the foundation of SDA’s Battle Management Layer to provide advanced processing capabilities at the edge. This RFI seeks input on the interface description from industry players who may have spacecraft that will be accommodating BAP modules but may not be involved in designing the processors. SDA is explicitly seeking information to inform future solicitations and reduce risk toward battle management interoperability within the SDA architecture and development plans.
To learn more about the specific BMC3 challenges and details of the RFI, please visit the link below. Responses to this solicitation are due by 5 p.m. ET, Friday, July 28, 2023.
Space Development Agency Systems, Technologies, and Emerging Capabilities (STEC) Broad Agency Announcement
Original Date Offers Due: January 16, 2024
Through this updated Systems, Technologies, and Emerging Capabilities (STEC) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), SDA is soliciting executive summaries, invited proposal abstracts, and invited proposals for novel architecture concepts, systems, technologies, and capabilities that enable leap-ahead improvements for future tranches of the agency’s proliferated network of currently planned capability layers, or, that enable new capability layers to address other emerging or evolving warfighter needs.
SDA is seeking 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:
• Efficient Beyond Line-of-Sight Data Transport and Warfighter Communications
• Advanced Target Custody, Warning, Tracking and Defeat
• Global Battle Management
Although not required, SDA strongly encourages submitting an executive summary in advance of a full proposal to ensure interest and potential funding availability. SDA releases an updated Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) on an annual basis. Because SDA strives to always maintain an active BAA with similar focus areas, proposers are discouraged from submitting uninvited full proposals shortly before the BAA proposal due date simply to meet the submission deadline. They should consider instead submitting an executive summary to the subsequent BAA.
Please see the BAA for detailed descriptions of capability vectors and submission instructions.
SDA Issues Call for Proposal Under STEC BAA for BMC3 Adaptable Processor, Application Spaces Compatible with Future PWSA Tranche Space Vehicles
Response Date: July 28, 2023
On June 30, 2023, the Space Development Agency (SDA) issued a call for proposals under the SDA Systems, Technologies, and Emerging Capabilities (STEC) Broad Agency Announcement (BAA), FA240123S0001, posted on SAM.gov on January 17, 2023. With this call, SDA solicits full, but concise proposals to perform engineering studies, analyses, and technical trades of a Battle Management Command, Control, and Communications (BMC3) Adaptable Processor (BAP) with different configurations providing specialized space-based high-performance computing capabilities for the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) missions deployed through the architecture’s capability layers.
The PWSA will make use of a distributed BMC3 hardware and software framework with mission-specific processing, algorithms, and applications across its various capability layers.
The desired outcome of these studies is recommended requirements for a family of processing units for different applications that are compatible with future PWSA tranche space vehicles. The proposals will include recommendations for cost/performance trade-offs, common interface design and system architectures. SDA is looking for modular approaches that support open system configurations.
To learn more about the call for proposals and submission instructions, please visit the link below. Responses to this solicitation are due by 5 p.m. ET, Friday, July 28, 2023.
SDA Issues Special Notice seeking Proposals for Low-Earth Orbit (LEO) Backhaul Capability Concepts
Response Date: May 26, 2023
The Space Development Agency (SDA) seeks proposals to perform engineering studies, analyses, and technical trades for a “low-Earth orbit (LEO) backhaul” capability to support high bandwidth data transport via the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA).
The bulk of SDA’s Transport Layer efforts to date have been focused on delivering DOD’s Joint All Domain Command and Control (JADC2) backbone through tactical data links and edge connectivity capability. This call for proposals looks to expand that focus to provide LEO backhaul capability to deliver additional high-bandwidth data transport for DOD, with different specifications and additional capabilities beyond the edge data network already built into SDA’s Transport Layer.
The purpose of this 90-day study (or studies) is to perform market research on industry capabilities to deliver the contemplated LEO backhaul capability, and inform government reference designs and potential follow-on acquisition of such a capability. SDA is interested in options that leverage, to the maximum extent possible, existing or planned commercial, optically-interconnected orbital mesh network and ground infrastructure. View the full special notice listing for specific timeline, additional details, and deliverables required.
Through this enhanced LEO backhaul data transport capability, SDA will continue to build out DOD’s resilient, proliferated LEO architecture in the PWSA.
SDA issues Solicitation for Tranche 2 Transport Layer- Alpha Variant Space Vehicles
Response Date: July 28, 2023
SDA seeks industry proposals for one of several types of Tranche 2 Transport Layer (T2TL) space vehicles—T2TL Alpha. This solicitation, posted June 28, 2023, expands upon the foundation for Tranche 2 of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA) previously described in the T2TL Beta solicitation.
SDA expects to procure approximately 100 T2TL- Alpha space vehicles divided into two sub-constellations – T2TL-Alpha-Low comprised of four (4) lowly inclined orbital planes of 19 SVs, and T2TL-Alpha-High comprised of six (6) highly inclined orbital planes of four (4) SVs. The Alpha variant will share certain common characteristics with the other T2TL variants (Beta and Gamma). Baseline payloads and subsystems on all T2TL satellites include:
Three optical communication terminals (OCTs)
Ka-band mission payload
Networking and data routing subsystem
Navigation subsystem
S-band backup telemetry, tracking, and control (TT&C) subsystem
T2TL-Alpha space vehicles specifically will include the following additional payloads/capabilities:
Fourth OCT
Link 16 mission payload
Battle Management, Command, Control, and Communications (BMC3) module
Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) Situational Awareness (SA) capability within navigation subsystem
T2TL features multiple space vehicle and mission configuration variants procured through a multi-solicitation and multi-vendor acquisition approach. The initial launch capability is scheduled for September 2026.
Please view the full solicitation at the link below for additional information and proposal submission instructions. Responses are due by July 28, 2023.
SDA Posts Draft Solicitation Seeking Feedback ahead of Tranche 2 Tracking Layer Solicitation
Original Response Date: July 20, 2023
SDA released a DRAFT Other Transaction Authority (OTA) solicitation for the Tranche 2 (T2) Tracking Layer of the Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The draft solicitation provides an opportunity for industry to review and offer feedback in advance of final solicitation posting. The T2 Tracking Layer will accelerate the capability to provide global, persistent indications, detection, warning, tracking, and identification of advanced missile threats, including hypersonic missile systems. The T2 Tracking Layer will also demonstrate a missile defense capability by incorporating fire control-quality sensors in the constellation.
SDA plans to purchase and deploy approx.54 - and potentially more - space vehicles (SV) with infrared (IR) sensors in six orbital planes using more than one vendor. SDA may also acquire additional satellites and sensor payloads under this OTA to inform requirements and constellation design. The first orbital plane of the T2 Tracking Layer constellation will be launched no later than April 30, 2027 with the launches of subsequent orbital planes expected to follow on one-month intervals.
SDA requires each SV and communications system to be interoperable with the SVs and systems developed by all other PWSA performers as well as those to be deployed in Tranche 1. Additionally, all SVs must operate in an integrated fashion through a common ground system.
Information gathered through this draft may inform this and other future solicitations. View the full draft solicitation at the link for additional details and submission instructions. Industry feedback is requested by July 20, 2023.
SDA Requests Information ahead of Tranche 2 Demonstration and Experimentation System (T2DES)
Response Date: June 15, 2023
The Space Development Agency (SDA) seeks industry feedback on space payloads planned for the Transport Layer Tranche 2 Demonstration and Experimentation System (T2DES) satellite set.
Each space vehicle will likely carry a set of standard payloads plus one or more additional payloads. SDA anticipates that T2DES include approximately 20 satellites configured into several variants.
The information provided will inform SDA on both the technical and manufacturing readiness of payloads required for T2DES as well as enable potential contractors to establish teams to prepare for T2DES efforts. Information gathered through this RFI may be used to inform this or other future solicitations. The agency expects to issue a solicitation for T2DES space vehicles later this year and make an award for T2DES during the second quarter fiscal year 2024.
Responses to the request for information are due by 5 p.m. ET on June 15. Please view the full RFI at the link for additional detail on the type of information sought and for submission instructions.
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.
SDA Releases New Small Business Innovation Research Topic for Integrated Architecture Technology (IAT)
Original Response Date: April 12, 2022
SDA is issuing new Small Business Opportunities (SBO) under the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, inviting submissions of innovative research concepts supporting the advancement of our national defense space capabilities. This SBO (SDA224-001) pertains to modeling, simulation and analysis (MS&A).
This project looks to develop and demonstrate an integrated architecture technology solution that will serve as a testbed, enabling realistic and informative mission design that facilitates the formation of traceable requirements.
This SBO is issued under the DOD Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for SBIR, 2022.4. All proposals in response to the technical area(s) described herein must be submitted in accordance with the instructions provided under DoD SBIR FY2022.4, found at the link below. SDA is currently accepting and seeking proposals for Direct to Phase II (DP2) awards.