KI-492 National Security Agency (NSA) Certification

This is a NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE to award a Firm Fixed Price contract with Innoflight.

The proposed contract action is to perform continuous service and support for the following: KI-492 National Security Agency (NSA) certification Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) including fixes and updates for software release.

Purpose

This notice of intent announces the Space Development Agency's (SDA) intent to award a sole source contract to Innoflight for an ECP to provide necessary software updates and fixes to the Innoflight KI-492 encryption device.

Background

The SDA utilizes the Innoflight KI-492, an encryption and decryption device for Ka-band and optical links, crucial for securing communications. The KI-492 integrates encryption, modulation, encoding, and transport methods within a highly integrated application suite. The SDA is currently fielding the KI-492 utilizing version 5 software, which has received the appropriate approvals from the National Security Agency (NSA) for use in SDA Tranche 1 applications only. The NSA requires the updates to complete full certification for use in the SDA Tranche 2 and beyond.

Justification

Due to the proprietary nature of the KI-492's design, internal architecture, and encryption algorithms, only Innoflight possesses the requisite technical expertise and system-level understanding to safely and effectively implement the required software changes.

Any attempt by another vendor to modify the KI-492 software could compromise the device's security design, introduce unintended vulnerabilities, or render the device unusable.

Innoflight's unique knowledge of the KI-492's NSA-approved cryptographic implementation is essential to ensure the integrity and full certification of the device.

This is an intent to sole source notice for commercial items prepared in accordance with FAR Subpart 5.2, Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions.

This announcement constitutes the only notice of intent to sole source and synopsis of proposed action. The Space Development Agency (SDA), Contacts, intends to award a sole-source contract under the authority of this non-competitive acquisition as implemented by 41 U.S.C 253(c) (1) - FAR 6.302-1 (only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements), to INNOFLIGHT, LLC located at 5880 Oberlin DR STE 300 San Diego, California 92121-4735, United States.

This notice of intent is not a request for quotations; interested parties may express their interest with a full description how all elements in the attached statement of work will be fulfilled by emailing marcoantonio.g.castaneda.ctr@mail.mil and mailto:ussf.pentagon.sda.mbx.sn-26-0004@mail.mil no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time on December 22, 2025. When responding to this announcement refer to SDA in the subject line of the email. A determination not to compete this proposed contract upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Verbal and facsimile responses are not acceptable and will not be considered. All interested parties are reminded to be registered with System for Award Management (SAM) at https://sam.gov/SAM/ in order to be eligible for award of Government contracts. No telephone calls will be accepted. If after December 22, 2025 at 5:00 PM EST, no viable responses have been received in response to this announcement, SDA shall negotiate solely with INNOFLIGHT, LLC. The Government anticipates the award of a firm-fixed Price Contract.

A determination by the Government whether to compete the proposed requirement shall be based upon responses received and is solely within the discretion of the government. Information received shall be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competition.