|
The Space Force has issued a Request For Information (RFI). Please direct all responses and inquiries directly to the designated point of contact as directed by paragraph seven (Submittal Instructions).
Description
The US military must preserve its asymmetrical advantage given a contested, degraded, and operationally limited space environment. The capabilities provided by GPS are critical to not only the US military, but millions of civil users nationwide and billions around the world. The Department of Defense, United States Space Force, Space Systems Command (SSC) seeks to identify mechanisms to provide GPS resiliency and responsiveness while reducing lifecycle costs.
Space Systems Command (SSC) is currently conducting market research by seeking capability statements from potential sources for development, integration, and delivery for launch of a rapidly prototyped Global Positioning System (GPS) Navigation satellite with an objective to significantly reduce Size, Weight, Power, and Cost (SWaP-C), reduce production time, reduce time to orbit, optimize/maximize satellites per launch, and broaden launch vehicle compatibility. Responses to this request will aid in the determination of the market’s ability to compete for the GPS Rapid Prototype Demonstration as well as potential future prototyping, demonstrations, and procurements.
The intent of this overall effort is to explore opportunities for non-traditional and/or traditional space vendors to rapidly manufacture, integrate, and make available for launch, navigation payloads that are interoperable with existing and future GPS User Equipment while minimizing change to current and future GPS ground control segments. The results of this rapid prototyping and demonstration effort are aimed towards lowering life cycle costs and reducing schedule for future GPS constellations.
Tranche 0 is envisioned to be the on-orbit demonstration of a rapid prototype satellite with the following capabilities (in priority order)
Broadcast of a viable and reliable subset of GPS signals compatible with current GPS User Equipment.
Contract award to available for launch (AFL) in 6-12 months
Operations at Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) (at 20,000 km)
Interested suppliers should have the ability to demonstrate GPS payload development and fabrication capability as well as satellite integration rapidly from contract award. Partnering is understood and encouraged for those without an end-to-end ability to provide the full rapid prototype. Rapid prototype satellite operations from current GPS Medium-Earth Orbit (MEO) and capability to provide modernized GPS signals are secondary to the schedule priority for the initial prototype. In answering the specific questions below, responses should include clarity on the Responder’s ability to meet the priorities, potential tradeoffs, limitations, and risks.
Submittal Instructions
Email white papers to
SS***************@sp********.mil
.
Full RFI can be found here SAM.gov.
|
