SAM #10302026-01

Air Force market research for a Cislunar Space System, including up to five spacecraft and supporting launch, ground, integration, and operations capabilities

The Department of the Air Force is gathering industry input for a potential Cislunar Space System to support future missions beyond geostationary orbit. - Opportunity: This is an RFI for market research, not a request for proposals or a commitment to award a contract. - Potential system: Up to five space vehicles, each accommodating a Government-provided payload, plus ground, communications, launch, integration, operations, and maintenance capabilities. - Vehicle and payload needs: Payload mass up to 2,000 kg per vehicle; dimensions up to 3 m × 1 m × 1 m; payload power threshold of 1 kW and objective of 3 kW. The system objectives include cislunar operations, at least 72 hours of autonomous operation, orbit maintenance and end-of-life disposal, three-axis stabilization, and 6-DOF thruster control. NSA Type-I encryption/decryption is required. - Ground and launch scope: Mission management, tasking, planning and scheduling, command and control, data processing, calibration, on-orbit initialization, narrowband TT&C, and wideband mission communications. The contemplated system would integrate with a Government-provided National Security Space Launch booster. - Industry approach: The DAF seeks rapid, low-risk solutions that rely on existing commercial or non-developmental capabilities and require minimal non-recurring engineering. - Potential awards and schedule: The Government may award up to five firm-fixed-price preliminary design study contracts. Preliminary design Authority to Proceed is anticipated in 2QFY27, initial launch capability in late CY29, and initial on-orbit operational capability in CY31.

Description

(U) The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is seeking market research information to inform the potential acquisition strategy for a Cislunar Space System (CSS). The CSS will consist of up to five (5) space vehicles (SVs), each of which will require a spacecraft bus, accommodation of a Government-provided payload, SV integration & test, a Ground Segment, including mission management and telemetry, tracking, control and communications, a solution for space launch, system (space vehicle/ground segment/communications) integration, and operations and maintenance (O&M). The Government is notionally interested in procuring up to five (5) SVs to meet DAF mission needs in late CY29. These vehicles may serve as seed vehicles that will inform the acquisition strategy for a potential future proliferated cislunar constellation. The Government is looking for information on industry's ability to provide a rapid, low-risk (minimal non-recurring engineering (NRE)) solution that can accommodate the Government's technical and programmatic objectives.

(U) The Government intends to award up to five (5) Firm Fixed Price (FFP) preliminary design study contracts upon Government consideration of the market information collected with this RFI and all other sources of information relevant to the effort. Failure to respond to this RFI may result in loss of the ability to participate in a subsequent program acquisition.

(U) This RFI does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), and industry should not construe the RFI as a commitment by the Government. In accordance with Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) provision 15.101, Early Exchanges with Industry, be advised that this is only an RFI and does not obligate the Government to reimburse any cost associated with preparation and/or submission of a RFI response. This RFI does not guarantee that the Government will issue an RFP or award a contract to provide these supplies or services.

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