Inactive

Background: MUOS is an unprotected narrowband Satellite Communication (SATCOM) system that supports a worldwide, multi-service population of mobile and fixed-site terminal users. MUOS provides a consi... Background: MUOS is an unprotected narrowband Satellite Communication (SATCOM) system that supports a worldwide, multi-service population of mobile and fixed-site terminal users. MUOS provides a considerable increase to legacy narrowband SATCOM capacity, with significant improvement in availability for small, disadvantaged terminals. MUOS is comprised of a Space Segment and Ground System encompassing several MUOS segments for communications transport, satellite control, ground infrastructure, network management, and a new Waveform Software Application for user terminals. The Space Segment includes a constellation of four satellites in geostationary orbit, plus one on-orbit replacement. MUOS serves a mixed terminal population. Current on-orbit MUOS satellites M1-M5 carry both the new Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA) payload and a legacy payload similar to that flown on UFO-11 to support legacy terminals, allowing for a more gradual transition to the MUOS WCDMA waveform. Users communicate with the satellite via Ultra-High Frequency (UHF) WCDMA links and the satellites relay this to one of four interconnected ground sites located in Wahiawa (Hawaii), Northwest (Virginia), Niscemi (Italy), and Geraldton (Australia) via a Ka-band feeder link. A network management facility at Wahiawa features a government-controlled, priority-based resource management capability that is adaptable and responsive to changing operational communications requirements. For satellite telemetry, tracking, and commanding (TT&C), MUOS uses existing control centers operated by the Naval Satellite Operations Center (NAVSOC) Headquarters at Point Mugu, California, and their Detachment Delta at Schriever Space Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colorado. MUOS achieved On-Orbit Capability (OOC) in 2012 and Full Operational Capability (FOC) in 2019. In 2019, the Commander Operational Test & Evaluation Forces (COMOPTEVFOR) declared MUOS suitable, effective, and cyber-survivable. MUOS satisfies the Department of Defense’s validated narrowband SATCOM requirements for increased capacity, assured access to mobile and disadvantaged terminal users in all weather and terrain (e.g., mountain, jungle, and urban canyon), interoperability with joint services and with legacy terminals, and dynamic command and control of narrowband SATCOM resources. General Dynamics Mission Systems, 8201 East McDowell Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85257, is currently sustaining the MUOS integrated ground system under Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract N0003920D0146. This includes installations at Northwest, Virginia; Niscemi, Italy; Geraldton, Australia; Wahiawa, Hawaii; NAVSOC Headquarters, California; NAVSOC Detachment Delta, Colorado; and the Joint Engineering Development Integration laboratory at the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command (NAVWAR) San Diego, California. The contract includes Ground System Management; hardware and software modification kits to correct deficiencies and address obsolescence; Integrated Logistics Support; waveform modifications and Ground System Improvements. A MUOS Ground Support Center (MGSC), including much of the electronic equipment in the ground segment, has been installed at the General Dynamics facility in Scottsdale to aid in the sustainment of the MUOS ground system and to provide terminal vendors a common facility for testing terminal interoperability. The MGSC supports the production, integration, validation, and deployment of ground hardware, software, and waveform modification kits to correct deficiencies (including Information Assurance findings) and address obsolescence. The MUOS equipment at the MGSC includes all the electronics used in the Network Management Facility and Switching Facility, and the electronics necessary to test the system’s ability to control the satellites and demonstrate system end-to-end communications using a satellite simulator. The MUOS ground system design incorporates commercial hardware and software procured from Ericsson (now Oceus). Under a special license agreement with Ericsson, General Dynamics has modified the commercial Ericsson software and integrated it into the MUOS ground system. The terms of this agreement require that the modified Ericsson software be installed on and distributed only on Ericsson-supplied equipment. Therefore, the contractor support under N0003920D0146 includes providing spares of specified Ericsson-supplied hardware to resolve system failures as required. The MUOS Program Office determines the level of ground system spares needed, and determines whether and when to replace out-of-production and obsolete equipment spares with new items. General Dynamics manages the spare parts inventory, integrates any new items that replace out-of-production spares into the MUOS ground system hardware and software, maintains MUOS ground segment configuration control, and updates MUOS ground segment technical logistics documentation. In 2020, the NAVWAR Navy Communications Satellite Program Office (PMW 146), now the Space Systems Command (SSC) Narrowband SATCOM Acquisition Delta (CGN), was directed to acquire two additional satellites to replenish the existing constellation to extend world-wide WCDMA operations to 2035. The effort is formally called the MUOS Service Life Extension (SLE). Associated with the additional satellite procurement, the MUOS ground system will be required to operate through 2040, a 10 year extension over the original plan. The ground infrastructure will be required to execute operations with a combination of current MUOS satellites as well as the two newly acquired satellites. These two new space vehicles (SVs) will provide WCDMA communication only and not include the Legacy payload. The extension of the lifespan will require upgrades to the Ground system to ensure it is available until 2040. These upgrades are described in more detail in Attachment 1, Section 3.6 and include but are not limited to developing a Digital Radio Access Network (RAN) and developing a digital Earth Terminal Interface (ETI) Signal Processor (ETISP) to satisfy the requirement to prolong service of WCDMA communication through 2040; additional terrestrial network links and Telemetry, Tracking, and Command (TT&C) strings, Satellite Control Segment (SCS) and Network Management Segment (NMS) updates, maintaining TT&C interfaces with the Ground Transport Segment (GTS), integration of Mission Unique Software (MUS) and Orbital Analysis updates, and technical studies for issues related to crypto upgrades, cybersecurity, and possible transition to Enterprise Ground Services (EGS). Summary of Requested Information: The Government is requesting information pertaining to relevant corporate capabilities and experience for continued sustainment and upgrading of the MUOS integrated ground system following completion of the current IDIQ contract N0003920D0146. The Government is particularly interested in capabilities and experience applicable to the scope of work described in Attachment 1. The information submitted in response to this RFI shall be submitted in accordance with the submission content and format instructions in Attachments 1 and 2 to this RFI. THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes. It does not constitute a solicitation (Request for Proposal or Request for Quotations) or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. This notice does not commit the United States Space Force (USSF) to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Furthermore, the USSF is not, at this time, seeking proposals. Respondents are advised that the USSF will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this notice. The Government will not assume liability for costs incurred by any attendee for travel expenses or marketing efforts. All costs associated with responding to this notice will be solely at the responding party's expense.