Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW) Joint Hub Variant Request for Information (RFI)
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The Department of the Air Force, through FA8807 MIL COMM AND PNT SSC/CGK, is conducting market research via a Request for Information (RFI) for a Protected Tactical Waveform (PTW) Joint Hub Variant (JHV). This RFI seeks industry input on the expected cost, schedule, and effort required to modify the existing PTWoW PTES Joint Hub design into a common baseline JHV. Responses are due by April 23, 2026, at 2:00 PM Pacific Time.
Scope of Work
The JHV will serve as a common baseline for multiple PTW programs, including PTES (PTWoW and PTWoC) and Protected Tactical Satellite - Global (PTS-G). JHVs will be located at U.S. Department of War (DoW) Teleports and interface with mPOWER Gateway terminals for Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) SATCOM and Enterprise gateway terminals for Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) SATCOM. The JHV must support Anti-Jam (AJ), Low Probability of Intercept (LPI) communications and integrate an NSA-certified End Cryptographic Unit (ECU).
Information Requested
The Government is requesting information on:
- Company experience with similar projects, including designing/building JHV solutions for GEO and MEO missions, and integrating NSA-certified ECUs.
- Proposed modifications to existing ECU requirements for efficiency.
- Proposed Government Furnished Property/Information (GFX) list.
- Ability to design, build, and test JHVs with PTES security controls.
- Identification of program risks and mitigations.
- Justification for alternative contract types if Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) is not ideal.
- Justification for alternative contract vehicles if Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) is inadvisable.
- Technical competency in SATCOM ground systems hardware and software development.
- Ability to satisfy GEO/MEO capabilities, cybersecurity, and information assurance requirements, including approaches for all four requirement categories (HUBA, HUBG, HUBM, HUBW).
- Schedule Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for developing and producing 36 JHV units (12 HUBG, 12 HUBM, 12 HUBW), with an anticipated contract award in 3Q CY 2027.
- Cost ROM estimate for 36 JHV units, broken down into Non-recurring Engineering and Recurring Engineering costs.
- Proposals for a reduced Size Weight and Power (SWaP) JHV configuration.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI)
- Set-Aside: None specified (small businesses encouraged)
- Response Due: April 23, 2026, 2:00 PM Pacific Time
- Published: March 23, 2026
Submission Details
Responses should be submitted as a white paper (PDF or Word) to Scott Lucas (scott.lucas.1@spaceforce.mil), Heather Ayres (heather.ayres@spaceforce.mil), and William Chan (william.chan.5@spaceforce.mil). All materials must be UNCLASSIFIED, non-confidential, and non-proprietary to the maximum extent practicable. This RFI is for planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation.