Call for Solution - GEO Antennae Systems (PdM SATCOM)

Amendment / Modification

This document is Amendment 1 to the "Call for Solutions (GEO Antennae System)". It provides updated information and clarifications regarding the solicitation.

• Questions and Answers (Q&A): Section 2.1 has been updated to include details on the purpose and submission of questions. The deadline for questions is March 25, 2026, at 17:00 EDT. Government responses will be consolidated and provided in a formal amendment.

• Required and Desired Solution Attributes: Section 3.1 details the required attributes for the solution, including Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 or higher, specific performance ranges for amplifiers (WGS X-Band, Ka-Band, and Ku-Band), frequency bands, waveform support, baseband connectivity, power requirements, field configurability, tracking capabilities, security (TRANSEC per FIPS 140-3), and setup/teardown times.

• Awarding Instrument: Section 4.0 clarifies that the Government intends to award Other Transaction(s) (OT) for Prototype Project(s) under 10 U.S.C. § 4022, but reserves the right to award a FAR Part 12, Firm-Fixed-Price contract. It also notes that a successful prototype OTA may lead to a non-competitive follow-on production contract.

• Call Instructions and Notes: Section 6.1.1 outlines the content requirements for the Phase 1 Solution Brief, including a Title Page, Executive Summary, High-Level Technology Solution/Concept, Company Viability, ROM/Schedule, Affirmation of Business Status Certification, and Intellectual Property Statement. It also details the Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) Analysis and Mitigation Plan requirements.

• Evaluation Criteria: Section 7.1 details the Phase 1 Solution Brief evaluation criteria, which include Technical Merit, ROM/Schedule, and Viability, in descending order of importance.

• The deadline for submitting questions is March 25, 2026, at 17:00 EDT. All questions must be submitted in writing via email.

• The Solution Briefs are due April 20, 2026, at 17:00 EDT. Late submissions will not be evaluated.

• The document specifies the required attributes for solutions, including TRL level, performance ranges, and technical specifications, which bidders must address in their Solution Briefs.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides consolidated questions and answers from vendors regarding the "Consolidated QA for GEO Antenna System" Call for Solutions. The Government clarifies that this is a market research effort focused on understanding current and near-future satellite antenna terminal capabilities, encouraging innovative Commercial-Off-the-Shelf (COTS) or near-COTS solutions.

• Solicitation Intent: The primary goal is market research for innovative COTS/near-COTS satellite antenna terminals, not a prescriptive solicitation. Vendors are encouraged to present creative and scalable approaches, even if not perfectly aligned with all thresholds.
• Terminal Size & Packaging: The Government ideally seeks solutions with 5 cases or less, each being a two-man lift and airline checkable. Modems should ideally fit within this case allotment. The maximum weight of 204 lbs per case has been removed.
• Submission Date: The solution submission date has been extended to April 20, 2026.
• Business Status Certification: The 'Affirmation of Business Status Certification' is required for all Phase 1 submissions, regardless of proposing commercial solutions, as the Government may opt for a Prototype OTA or FAR-based contract.
• Notional Schedule: The Government seeks to understand the timeline from initial order to delivery of the proposed solution, particularly for COTS products.
• Set Aside: This is a full and open competition with no set-aside. The requirement to represent business size and status is for statistical reporting.
• TRL 7 Definition: TRL 7 is defined as a fully integrated system demonstrated in an operational environment.
• Waveform/Modem Packaging: Mud-box type packaging is preferred over transit-case based.
• Latency Measurement: Speeds will be measured from the remote modem to the hub.
• Solution Scope: The Government is looking for innovative, standalone terminal solutions.
• TRANSEC: Solutions must be both fully TRANSEC capable and FIPS 140-3 compliant.
• Setup Time: The 15-minute setup requirement includes physical setup and satellite acquisition, with systems potentially being pre-configured.
• RF Performance Baseline: Typical test environments are at 20 degrees elevation with clear sky conditions. WGS and mPower are reference baseline systems.
• Third-Party Modems: Third-party modem integrations are acceptable if the modem is TAA compliant.

Key requirements regarding terminal size, packaging, and submission deadlines have been clarified or adjusted. Vendors are encouraged to focus on innovative COTS solutions and present their capabilities within the clarified parameters.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This Call for Solutions (CFS) seeks innovative commercial technologies for a Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) High-Throughput, Low-Latency (HT/LL) Antenna System. The Army aims to close a capability gap by acquiring solutions that provide high-throughput data transmission with significantly reduced latency over GEO satellites, enabling real-time operational support. The solutions should be adaptable to multiple satellite constellations, modular, intuitive, and reprogrammable.

• Terminal Size: Modular and scalable, transportable in cases liftable by two persons (max 102 lbs per case).

• Amplifier Support: Specific EIRP and G/T thresholds for WGS X-Band, WGS Ka-Band, mPower commercial Ka-band, and Commercial Ku-Band.

• Frequency Bands: Military X and Ka Band, Commercial Ka and Ku band certified.

• Waveform Support: Current and emerging waveforms including Linkway, EBEM, iDirect Evolution, and SES mPower Sovereign Waveform.

• Connectivity: Ethernet and fiber optic baseband connectivity.

• Power: Worldwide AC power (120/208 VAC) or optional 24V DC (Mil-STD-1275).

• Field Configurable: Modular three-band kit (Mil-X, Mil/Commercial Ka, Commercial Ku) fitting within two transit cases.

• Tracking: Full rotational coverage for GEO and MEO.

• Security: TRANSEC per FIPS 140-3 on data and management links.

• Setup/Teardown: Maximum 15-minute tool-less setup/teardown.

• Technology Readiness Level (TRL): Minimum TRL 7.

• Potential award instruments include Other Transaction(s) (OT) for Prototype Projects (10 U.S.C. § 4022) or FAR Part 12 Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) contracts.

• Follow-on production contracts may be awarded non-competitively after successful prototype completion under an OT.

• Solution Briefs Due Date: 13 APR 2026, 17:00 EDT.

• Submission Instructions: Refer to Section 6 for detailed requirements. Submit via email to specified POCs.

• Questions Deadline: 25 MAR 2026, 17:00 EDT. Submit questions via email.

• Evaluation Criteria (Phase 1): Technical Merit (primary), Schedule, and Viability.

• Offerors must possess a Unique Entity ID (UEI) and be registered in SAM.gov.

• Small business status must be accurately represented.

• This is a Call for Solutions utilizing Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) procedures.

• The Government may use AI tools for administrative review, but final decisions remain with Government personnel.

• Offerors are responsible for monitoring SAM.gov for amendments.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document, "APPENDIX A: AFFIRMATION OF BUSINESS STATUS CERTIFICATION (ABSC)", is a form that must be completed by every significant participating entity for the opportunity. It requires entities to provide their legal and business status information and certify the accuracy of the representations made.

• Entity Information: Requires Legal Entity Name, Industry Size Standard for NAICS, SAM UEI No., CAGE Code, Tax Identification No., Active SAM Registration status, Address, and POC contact information.
• Business Status Certification: Entities must select one of three categories: Nontraditional Defense Contractor (NDC), Nonprofit Research Institution (NRI), or Traditional Defense Contractor.
• NDC/NRI Explanation: If an entity identifies as an NDC or NRI, they must provide an explanation of how they are satisfying specific requirements under 10 USC 4022(b)(d), including factors like supplying new technology, novel applications, material increases in performance, or accomplishing a significant amount of the project. The estimated cost and percentage of NDC/NRI contribution must also be provided.
• Small Business/Cost Share: Options are available to certify if all significant participants are small businesses or if at least one-third of the total cost is paid by non-Federal Government sources.
• Signature Block: Requires Signature, Printed Name, Title, and Date for certification.

This form is crucial for bidders to accurately represent their business status and eligibility. It is particularly important for understanding and documenting participation as a Nontraditional Defense Contractor (NDC) or Nonprofit Research Institution (NRI), as this may be a key factor in the opportunity's evaluation or structure. Bidders must ensure all significant entities complete this form accurately and provide the necessary explanations if claiming NDC/NRI status.