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10 February 2009
[Federal Register: February 10, 2009 (Volume 74, Number 26)]
[Notices]
[Page 6594-6596]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr10fe09-38]
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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
Department of the Air Force
[Solicitation Number: TBD, Classification Code: TBD, NAICS Code: TBD]
Synopsis: D--Request for Information for Rapid Delivery of
Military Capabilities via Space; Notice Type: Sources Sought.
Closing Date: March 15, 2009.
SUMMARY: The purpose for this Request For Information (RFI) is to
identify (1) near-term industry solutions that could provide the
Department of Defense (DoD) the capability to rapidly deliver military
capabilities via space, and (2) long-term advanced space transport
concepts that could evolve from near-term capabilities. Interested
sources should provide a white paper describing current space transport
technologies and capabilities, and commercial visions for future
capabilities that are projected to evolve from those current space
transport technologies. The vision in the white paper should be
tailored towards the interests of the U.S. Government that are outlined
in the questions listed below.
In order to clarify the DoD's need in this area and to develop a
technology assessment for these capabilities, the National Security
Space Office (NSSO) and Headquarters, Air Force Security Forces Center
(HQ AFSFC) are co-hosting a Technology Forum for the Rapid Delivery of
Military Capabilities via Space on 24-26 Feb 2009 at Lackland Air Force
Base, San Antonio, TX. This Technology Forum is open to all industry,
U.S. Government, and military interested in assisting in the
development of a technology assessment for this capability. This RFI is
being released prior to the Technology Forum in order to help generate
thought for discussion at the event. Responses are due 15 Mar 09, after
the Technology Forum, so the combination of this solicitation and the
events at the Technology Forum will help to refine responses.
The concept of Rapid Delivery of Military Capabilities via Space
was based initially on the Marine Corps' Small Unit Space Transport and
Insertion (SUSTAIN) concept which would provide the Joint Force
Commander (JFC) the capacity to rapidly transport operationally
relevant capabilities to any point on the globe, effectively
instantaneously. The SUSTAIN capability spans the full spectrum of
conflict, from strategic Special Forces employment to a full range of
specialized manned and unmanned warfighting payloads. The formal need
for a SUSTAIN capability is documented in the Marine Corps SUSTAIN
Universal Need Statement dated 22 July 2002, and the USSOCOM Space
Enabling Concept dated 25 March 2004.
RFI Requirements
The first section of this RFI seeks to identify information on
existing commercial systems or low risk systems in development that
could potentially
[[Page 6595]]
apply to a DoD capability to rapidly transport militarily relevant
capabilities through sub-orbital space to a remote location on short
notice. This nearer-term capability could serve as the first phase of a
spiral developmental effort. The following specific definitions are
applicable to this first section of the RFI:
The ``transport altitude regime'' is defined by upper and
lower sub-orbital space boundaries, namely between an altitude above 50
nautical miles and an altitude below that which requires prior
USSTRATCOM coordination.
``Rapidly'' is defined as two hours or less of flight
time, preceded by a launch preparation period, with the combined total
of flight time and preparation time not to exceed four hours.
``Militarily relevant payloads'' are defined as an
Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) or an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV),
either alternative having a mass of 200 kilograms or less, a transport
volume of 2 cubic meters or less, and either system must be fully
operational upon delivery.
The ``target destination'' is defined as any point within
5,000 Nautical miles of the launch site, including options to launch a
UAS directly into target airspace at high altitude or land a UGV on the
ground at a prepared or unprepared site.
The delivery vehicle, whether a single stage vehicle or
the upper stage of a multi-stage vehicle, must be recoverable and
reusable.
With respect to the specific definitions above that are related to
nearer-term technologies and capabilities, this RFI seeks answers to
the following specific questions:
a. What plans would improve sub-orbital and/or orbital space
transport capabilities in these areas: (1) Space-based capabilities;
(2) Terrestrial capabilities; (3) Enabling capabilities; (4) Non-
material aspects including policies, procedures, and operations
concepts?
b. What technologies are needed to achieve, maintain, or improve
sub-orbital and/or orbital space transport capabilities? What is the
practical limit of these technologies?
c. What technologies are considered high payoff for future sub-
orbital and/or orbital space transport capabilities, including those
without current funding support or U.S. Government sponsorship?
d. To what extent should autonomy or automation be implemented in
ground and sub-orbital and/or orbital space systems to support space as
a transport medium?
e. What sub-orbital and/or orbital capabilities should the U.S.
Government provide? Which commercial capabilities do you believe could
enhance U.S. Government-provided sub-orbital and/or orbital space
transport capabilities?
f. In order to achieve needed sub-orbital and/or orbital space
transportation capabilities through the 2025 time frame, what
international cooperation will be required?
g. What interrelationship is planned or desired with the U.S.
Government through the 2025 time frame from a sub-orbital and/or
orbital space transport perspective? What Position, Navigation, Timing
(PNT) capabilities are expected from the U.S. Government?
h. What interest is there in providing selected sub-orbital and/or
orbital space transport capabilities?
i. What interest is there in providing a full range of sub-orbital
and/or orbital space transport services to the U.S. Government?
j. What analytical tools or simulations are recommend for assessing
the performance, cost, and utility associated with sub-orbital and/or
orbital space transport capabilities?
k. How do purchasers of sub-orbital and/or orbital space transport
end-user equipment make their needs known to the provider?
l. In general, what are the most important attributes of sub-
orbital and/or orbital space transport services (or combinations of
services) for a consumer?
This second section of the RFI seeks to identify industry concepts
that could lead to a future DoD capacity to rapidly transport a full
spectrum of militarily relevant capabilities through sub-orbital and/or
orbital space to any point globally on short notice. Such concepts
could constitute advanced phases of the spiral developmental effort
described above. Accordingly, information is solicited on the following
advanced capabilities, capabilities that are formulated as questions
for RFI responses:
a. Can capabilities be scaled up for the purpose of delivering
unmanned payloads of up to 30,000 pounds suborbitally to any point on
the globe, including the poles? If so, describe a notional spiral
evolution to the future capability?
b. Can capabilities be scaled up for the purpose of delivering
militarily relevant payloads to low earth orbit? If so, describe a
notional spiral evolution to the future capability?
c. Can capabilities be integrated with Government Furnished
Equipment (GFE) launch vehicles such as the Atlas, Delta, and future
families of launch vehicles? If so, describe a notional spiral
evolution to the future capability?
d. Can individual vehicle capabilities be man-rated to enable the
insertion of a squad-sized, combat-equipped team into any global
contingency? If so, describe a notional spiral evolution to the future
capability?
e. Can capabilities evolve to a family of assault support vehicles
capable of launch on demand and refueling-assisted transport and
insertion of systems and forces? If so, describe a notional spiral
evolution to the future capability?
f. Can capabilities be scaled up to permit the insertion of
unmanned capabilities or manned teams that is still capable of self-
extraction without refueling? If so, describe a notional spiral
evolution to the future capability?
g. Can capabilities allow for a low earth orbit (LEO) loiter-like
capability?
h. Can capabilities be increased into an on-orbit support
infrastructure for space-based support, allowing for the timed
injection of into any contingency from orbit? If so, describe a
notional spiral evolution to the future capability?
i. Can capabilities allow for an entire mission cycle from launch,
through transit, insertion, terrestrial or space execution, extraction,
and finally egress to any global point of origin, without the need for
refueling?
RFI Purpose and Limitations
The U.S. Government is aware of and understands the tactical,
operational, and strategic opportunities that space can provide the DoD
from the perspective of speed of delivery and global reach. The
Government's intention is to better understand the current, state-of-
the-art capabilities and future technological projections to determine
a technological assessment. Industry feedback is vitally important and
the Government will be receptive to any and all ideas received from
industry. This RFI is an expression of the Government's interest only
and does not obligate the Government to pay for the requested
information nor respond to any submissions. Responses to this notice
are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a
binding contract. Proprietary information is not being solicited;
however, if it is submitted, it should be properly marked.
Please limit formal white paper submission to no more than ten (10)
pages, not including the cover letter or any attachments. In addition,
it may include up to five attachments that consist of briefing slides,
suggested contract language, current plans, or standard operating
procedures.
[[Page 6596]]
Electronic submissions are strongly encouraged. All items must be
compatible with Microsoft Office or Adobe PDF format and free of all
computer viruses.
Technical questions and industry responses shall be submitted via
email to: LtCol Paul Damphousse, paul.damphousse@osd.mil.
Responses must be received no later than 2 p.m. Eastern Standard
Time, on March 15, 2009.
All material submitted in response to this RFI must be unclassified
and, if proprietary, marked appropriately.
Point of Contact: LtCol Paul Damphousse, paul.damphousse@osd.mil,
or (571) 432-1411.
This Is a Request for Information (RFI) Only
This RFI is issued as Market Research, solely for information and
planning purposes. It shall not be considered as an Invitation for Bid
(IFB), Request for Quotation (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP), or as
an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or
services. Any response to this synopsis will be treated as information
only. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges
by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of
responses to this synopsis or the Government for use of such
information. The information provided may be used by the National
Security Space Office in developing a strategy and in a Statement of
Work/Statement of Objectives and Performance specifications for any
future study. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude
participation in any future RFP, if issued. If a solicitation is
issued, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities
(FedBizOpps) Web site. It is the responsibility of any potential
offeror to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to
this requirement.
Bao-Anh Trinh,
Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-2716 Filed 2-9-09; 8:45 am]
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