Space Systems Command (SSC) Weather Systems Branch (SNSE) Space-based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) Capabilities RFI

(Update # 1 20240507) (ARS - PCO) ALCON, Four documents have been added to this RFI. They may be found in the attachments section. 1. EWS Overview 2. WSF-M Overview 3. Intro to SBEM for Space Weather 4. Intro to SBEM for Terrestrial Weather Please reach out to the POCs should you have any questions.

ALCON, BLUF: Seeking industry (small, medium, and large business) interest/feedback and requesting white papers from industry WRT SBEM capes to be sent to POCs (listed below). Request by date is 1700, 07 June (Pacific Time).

NOTE: This is a request for information only and is issued solely for information and planning purposes. This does not consitute a solicitation (RFP/RFQ) nor does this contitute a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Please reach out to the technical POCs to receive JROCMs POCs:

Technical (SSC): (CC) ssc.sn.industry_day@spaceforce.mil (Primary) Mr. Andy Betz david.betz.3@spaceforce.mil (Alternate) Lt Col Joseph Maguadog - joseph.maguadog@spaceforce.mil Technical (SpaceWERX): (Primary) Lt Col Vinamra Pande (vinny.pande@afwerx.af.mil) ContractING (Primary) Capt Phillip Nguyen - phillip.nguyen.2@spaceforce.mil (Alternate) Ms. Judy Hudson - judy.hudson@spaceforce.mil Space Systems Command - Space Sensing PEO - Weather Systems Branch is interested in receiving feedback from industry with regards to Space-Based Environmental Monitoring Capabilities.

Please read below and attached document for more information.

The Government is holding Virtual Industry sessions on 07 May 24 and 18-20 June 24. The Government will provide information to all registered parties via an online SBEM industry day presentation on 07 May 24. After the Government reviews the 7-page papers due three weeks later on 07 June 24, we may contact you for an optional one-on-one, also to be conducted virtually on 25-26 June 24. Additional information and instructions regarding the SBEM Virtual Industry One-on-One Engagements will be provided to those respondents selected.

Purpose: The Space Systems Command (SSC) objective is to develop and implement cutting-edge SBEM technologies aimed at enabling SSC to establish a comprehensive, real-time, and globally responsive environmental monitoring system from space.

The end state is to create an integrated network of satellites from DoD, civil, international, and commercial partners capable of delivering accurate and actionable environmental data for enhanced situational awareness, resources management, and informed decision-making in both military and civilian sectors. To meet this objective, SSC is pursuing two separate efforts for maximum engagement with the commercial industry.

First, SSC is in partnership with SpaceWERX to seek out small businesses that may possess some innovative technologies that can be matured to address some of SBEM Gap requirements, utilizing SpaceWERX’s Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR)/Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) funds. In addition to small businesses for SpaceWERX, SSC will be soliciting the industry inputs that may support architectural designs of next generations of SBEM capabilities.

To synchronize these two efforts, SSC is co-hosting a SBEM Industry Day with SpaceWERX on 7 May 2024, to provide additional SBEM background and subject area context. This information to industry partners is applicable to guiding informed responses to both this SSC RFI and SpaceWERX Direct to Phase 2 (D2P2) SBEM solicitation #SF242-D029 targeting eligible SBIR/STTR companies. Small businesses are encouraged to respond to both the SSC RFI and the SpaceWERX solicitation.

To be competitive for SBIR Phase 2 funding, small businesses must respond directly to the solicitation via SpaceWERX, responding only to the SSC RFI will not provide eligibility.

Requested Information: Please provide the following information to most complete extent as possible: Applicable SBEM Technologies Describe your company’s technology applicable to an existing SBEM JROCM environmental parameter, identifying which specific parameter the technology can contribute sensing and/or analysis capabilities. Provide commentary describing key technical attributes (e.g. Size Weight and Power (SWAP), sensor specifics, etc.). Clearly identify operational assumptions, constraints, and/or limitations of the technology. Provide an assessment of the technology maturity level.

System Development, Testing, & Flight Heritage: To what extent has the technology been modeled in a simulation environment to assess predicted performance? Provide a summary of environmental testing and results if applicable of each SBEM technology identified in section A. If still in concept development, provide a representative schedule to complete environmental testing. Provide insights into flight heritage if applicable.

Provide insights into potential on-orbit demonstration opportunities if applicable with an associated schedule. Scalability and Customization Discuss your company’s approach to ensure the technology is scalable and affordable to accommodate current and future USSF requirements. To what extent can the technology be customized for USSF operational needs?

Integration and Compatibility Discuss your company’s ability to utilize standard environmental data exchange formats such as Hierarchical Data Format (HDF) or Network Common Data Form (netCDF) for efficient data delivery and assimilation into DoD METOC processes. Cost Please provide a rough order of magnitude breakdown of costs associated with remaining non-recurring engineering, environmental testing, software development, and on-orbit demonstration if applicable.

Provide a breakdown of costs for providing data-as-a-service if applicable. Certifications Small businesses are recommended to state their certification (WOSB, VOSB, SDB, HubZone, SDVOSB). All claimed certification will be compared to the current SBA Dynamic Search Tool. Submission Details Submittals should be limited to seven (7) pages total. The Government may not be able to comprehensively review responses in excess of seven (7) pages at this time.

Page size should be 8.5 x 11 inches; single spaced with text no smaller than 12-point Times New Roman; font size within graphics and tables should be no smaller than 8 point, Times New Roman. Margins are to be one inch on all sides. The title page and front matter such as transmittal letter, cover page, and table of contents will not count against the page limit.

Respondents are requested to provide an unclassified response to the RFI to the maximum extent possible, the Government will not be accepting any classified information at this time with prior coordination with Technical POCs. Respondents need to clearly indicate whether their responses contain any proprietary information if the respondents wish for the responses to be handled as such. The Government shall NOT be held liable for any damages incurred if proprietary information is not properly identified.

Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. Any submission in response to this RFI is strictly voluntary. The Government will not reimburse any cost(s) associated or incurred by information submitted in response to this letter, nor shall any cost be allowed on any Government contract. Submittal Instructions Please email your unclassified submittals to the technical POCs listed above, with the subject line “SBEM RFI – (company name)” and CC the contracting POCs. Please include your organizations pertinent information as listed below:

Submitters Name and Parent Company (if applicable)

Mailing Address/Facility: Street address, City, State, NINE-Digit zip code Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code Unique Entity Identification Point of Contact (POC) POC Telephone number and email address. Disclaimer This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for information and planning purposes (market research) to inform future SSC SBEM requirements and architectural trades.

This RFI does not constitute a solicitation (Request for Proposal (RFP) or Request for Quotations (RFQ)) or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Responses to this RFI due 07 June 24 are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Furthermore, the Government is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept any unsolicited proposals.

Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the responding party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if any is issued. Any information submitted by respondents to this RFI is strictly voluntary. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

Proprietary information will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Proprietary information or trade secrets shall be clearly identified. Proprietary information if any, should be kept to a minimum and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED.

In order to review the response, PROPRIETARY information may be given to Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC), System Engineering and Integration (SE&I), Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA), and/or Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS) contractors working for the Government. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

SSC has entered into contracts with Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) and/or Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I), and/or Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) staff working for the Government. These could include but are not limited to:

The Aerospace Corporation (FFRDC), LMI (SETA), Booz Allen Hamilton (SE&I), Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) (SETA), Stellar Solutions (SETA), and Tecolote Research (SETA). These companies support the Government by performing technical reviews, systems engineering and integration analyses, cost estimation, and other advisory services. Respondents are hereby notified that all responses will be provided to SSC support contractors for services to SSC.

If Respondents disagree to the release of its RFI response to any of the aforementioned firms, the Respondent must clearly state this restriction in the cover letter accompanying the RFI response. Foreign firms are advised that they will not be allowed to participate in this acquisition at the prime contractor level; however, provided they are eligible to do business with the US Government they may be eligible to participate at the subcontractor level.

The research and test data produced under a resultant contract may contain Military Critical Technology List (MCTL) information whose export is restricted by Export Control Act (Title 22, U.S. Sec 2751, et seq.) or the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended (Title 50, U.S.C., App. 2401, et seq.). Request certification and registration from the Defense Logistics Services Center (DLSC), Federal Center, 74 North Washington, Battle Creek, MI 49016-3412 as soon as possible.