SAM #N00173-27-RFI-EN01

NRL TETHER RF/IR Timing, Frequency, and Geodesy Research and Development

The Department of the Navy’s Naval Research Laboratory is seeking industry input on TETHER, an advanced RF/IR timing and geodesy research effort. - Government buyer: Department of the Navy; Naval Research Laboratory (NRL); Naval Center for Space Technology (NCST); Space Systems Development Division (SSDD). - Scope: Research, development, prototyping, integration, and testing for precise timing, frequency, and geodesy systems, including clock ensembles, high-power RF transmission, signal processing, software and hardware integration, and infrared (IR) calibration. - Technical targets: Timing stability of 3 parts per trillion (PPT), accuracy below 20 femtoseconds, RF operation from 1–95 GHz, and transmission up to 120 dBm. Work also includes development of IR calibration slabs and analysis of system performance. - Personnel: One key Systems Engineer is required, with a technical bachelor’s degree and at least 15 years of timing and RF-transmission engineering development experience. Additional non-key roles include Electrical/RF Engineer, Software Engineer, Field Engineer, Computer Scientist, Integration and Test Engineer, Electronics Technician, Project Specialist, and Network Engineer. Several roles have specific experience and education requirements; specified positions require Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility. All key personnel must have at least 10 years at high-precision RF generation facilities. - Deliverables and work products: Monthly reports, software/code and technical data, and a final report, along with training and technical documentation. - OEMs, vendors, products, and quantities: No OEMs or vendors are named, and no product part numbers or purchase quantities are specified. This is a services-focused research and development effort. - Performance period: A 12-month base period with four 12-month options.

Description

1. Purpose / Objective

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Space Systems Development Division (SSDD), seeks information from industry regarding capabilities to perform research, development, prototyping, test, and integration in support of the Timed Emitters Transmitting Highly Energized Radiation (TETHER) effort.

Objective: This is a follow-on to the Target Accuracy Precision Emitters (TAPE) program under Contract No. N00173-23-D-6000. The Government intends to advance high-precision timing and frequency technologies to achieve femtosecond-level accuracy using large apertures, complex clock ensembles, and associated RF/IR systems in support of Navy and Department of War (DoW) mission requirements.

A draft Statement of Work (Attachment 1), Personnel Qualifications (Attachment 2), and Contract Data Requirements List (Attachment 3) are provided for review when preparing responses.

2. Place of Performance

Performance may occur at Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) facilities, Government field sites, Contractor facilities, or other locations within the Continental United States (CONUS) or outside the Continental United States (OCONUS), as required to meet contract requirements.  The Contractor shall coordinate access to Government facilities, field sites, and Government-furnished equipment with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).  Performance at any location not otherwise identified in the contract, including additional CONUS or OCONUS locations, requires prior approval by the Contracting Officer.

3. Information Requested

Interested parties that have the capability to perform these services are requested to submit a Capabilities Statement (not to exceed 10 pages, excluding cover page) that includes the following:

Business name and address; Name, title, telephone number, and email address of the primary company representative / Point of Contact; Business size status (Large or Small) and type of Small Business (if applicable); CAGE Code and Unique Entity ID (UEI); A narrative demonstrating the ability to perform the required services, including relevant past performance.

4. Submission Information

• Submit responses electronically in PDF format to both of the following:

Richard Waterstreet, Contracting Officer – richard.j.waterstreet2.civ@us.navy.mil

Erica Turner, Contract Specialist – erica.n.turner9.civ@us.navy.mil

• Email subject line: “RFI Response – TETHER – N00173-27-RFI-EN01

• Responses are due no later than 9 Nov 2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time.

• Late responses may not be considered.

5. Points of Contact

Contracting Officer: Richard Waterstreet – richard.j.waterstreet2.civ@us.navy.mil

Contract Specialist: Erica Turner – erica.n.turner9.civ@us.navy.mil

6. Attachments

1. Draft Statement of Work (SOW) – TETHER, dated 23 Oct 2026

2. Draft Personnel Qualifications (PQs) – TETHER, dated 23 Oct 2026

3. Draft Contract Data Requirements List (CDRLs) – TETHER, dated 23 Oct 2026

7. Disclaimer

This RFI is issued for informational and planning purposes only in accordance with FAR 15.201. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quote (RFQ), or Invitation for Bid (IFB).  Responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.  The Government will not pay for information received in response to this RFI and is under no obligation to issue a future solicitation as a result of this notice.  The Government reserves the right to use information provided in response to this RFI for any purpose deemed necessary.

The intent of this RFI is to gauge industry interest, small business interest, capabilities, and relevant experience.  A small business set-aside decision may be made as a result of the responses received.

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