Request for Information (RFI) for Enterprise Hybrid SATCOM Connectivity Solutions

Statement of Objectives (SOO)

To provide secure communications for the Mobility Air Force (MAF) fleet, aligning with the Department of the Air Force's Battle Management Network (DAFBN) and enabling a modernized force with advanced, secure connectivity.

This SOO outlines an incremental acquisition approach for fielding common MAF connectivity requirements. Key activities include:

• Increment 1: Prototyping Hybrid SATCOM (HST) for foundational connectivity and risk reduction.
• Increment 2: Prototyping with NIPR/SIPR connectivity.
• Increment 3: Prototyping with emerging next-generation DAFBN integration and production installations.
• Increment 4: Follow-on prototyping of connectivity requirements, long-term training, and sustainment.

The SOO covers a range of activities such as:

• A-Kits and B-Kits production

• Support equipment kits production

• Shipping of material

• Installation/modification of aircraft (e.g., FSR, CFT)

• Provision of spare parts

• Sustainment activities

• Engineering (including Non-Recurring Engineering - NRE)

• Training Services

• Over & Above activities

• The contractor will be required to maintain a minimum throughput production rate for installations.

• Aircraft availability and deployment schedules will impact the installation schedule and locations.

• The USAF installation schedule will be a living document.

• Installations may occur at USAF installations, Contractor facilities, and other operational sites.

• Architecture: Designs must incorporate Government Referenced Architectures for integration across multiple platforms.

• Data Rights: Preference for data with no limitations on use, modification, reproduction, release, performance, display, or disclosure.

• Associate Contractor Agreements (ACAs): May be required for joint participation.

• Security: Compliance with DD Form 254, Contract Security Classification Specification, if applicable.

• Shipping: Packaging and marking must comply with specified military standards (AWSTM-D-3951, MIL-STD-2073-1, ANSI/ESD S20.20-2021, MIL-STD-129).

• Exclusivity Agreements: Contractors shall not require exclusivity agreements that prevent further activity within the WL portfolio.

• Operations Security (OPSEC): Measures must be considered to protect sensitive unclassified information.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), Program Executive Office (PEO) Mobility (WL), to conduct market research for enterprise-focused acquisition mechanisms. The goal is to identify and understand commercial capabilities for the development, prototyping, installation, and sustainment of Hybrid SATCOM and other connectivity solutions across the Mobility Air Forces (MAF). The government seeks industry feedback on technical approaches, data availability, and considerations for a proposed acquisition strategy using 10 USC 4022 for follow-on production efforts.

• This is an RFI ONLY: It is for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP). Responses are not offers and will not form a binding contract. No costs for preparing or submitting a response will be reimbursed.
• Focus: The RFI seeks information on commercially available or commercial-derivative systems and components to support USAF PEO/WL MAF connectivity requirements, including Technical Data Packages (TDPs).
• Scope: The effort involves an incremental acquisition approach to field, certify, and scale common connectivity requirements across the MAF, with platform-specific implementation. Key tenets include common requirements/solutions with unique implementation, centralized oversight, and modernization efforts.

Respondents are requested to provide a 5-page white paper addressing:

• Corporate Capability & Experience: Experience with enterprise-level connectivity, TDPs, technical/data validation, data rights strategies, enterprise integration and sustainment, accelerated prototyping, and lessons learned.

• Technical Capability: Experience with prototyping, integration, and sustainment of secure connectivity solutions across multiple aircraft platforms, supporting open architectures and interoperability.

• Technical Approach and Validation: Methods for ensuring technical data availability, validating system performance, integrating commercial systems, and supporting future updates/cybersecurity.

• Data Rights and Sustainment Strategy: Approaches to managing technical data and IP, providing/updating TDPs, enabling agile modernization, and addressing obsolescence.

• Training Approach & Support: Recommended approaches for developing and delivering training for installation, operation, administration, and sustainment.

• Due Date: April 30, 2026, 5:00 pm EDT.

• Format: 5-page white paper in MS Word format. Responses should be no higher than Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and sent encrypted if CUI.

• Submission: Electronically to Captain Jason Kyles (jason.kyles@us.af.mil) and Debra Zides (debra.zides.2.ctr@us.af.mil).

• Attachments: Refer to Attachment 1 (Response Spreadsheet) and Attachment 2 (Draft Statement of Objectives).

• Responses do not preclude future participation in an RFP.

• Respondents will not be notified of RFI results.

• All submissions become Government property.

• The Air Force has not committed to procure any items discussed.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) for market research regarding Enterprise Hybrid SATCOM Connectivity Solutions for the Mobility Air Forces (MAF). The Air Force seeks to identify commercial capabilities for the development, prototyping, installation, and sustainment of these solutions across various MAF aircraft platforms (C-5, C-17, C-130, KC-46, KC-135). The goal is to identify sources capable of developing and delivering compliant Technical Data Packages (TDPs) for commercially available or derivative systems. Industry feedback is requested on technical approaches, data availability, and acquisition strategy considerations, potentially utilizing 10 USC 4022 for follow-on production.

Respondents are asked to provide white papers addressing:

• Corporate Capability & Experience: Including experience with enterprise-level connectivity programs, TDP generation, technical/data validation, data rights strategies, and enterprise integration/sustainment.

• Technical Capability: Experience with prototyping, integration, and sustainment of secure connectivity solutions, supporting open architectures, and unique technical tools/processes.

• Technical Approach & Validation: Methods for ensuring technical data availability for TDPs, validating system performance and interoperability, integrating commercial systems, and supporting future updates.

• Data Rights & Sustainment Strategy: Approaches to managing technical data and IP, providing/maintaining TDPs, and enabling agile modernization.

• Training Approach & Support: Recommended methods for developing and delivering training for installation, operation, administration, and sustainment.

• Format: 5-page white paper in MS Word format.

• Content: Clearly explain capabilities for supplying, installing, or training Hybrid SATCOM services. Address specific questions and sub-questions using provided numbering.

• Data: No higher than Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI). CUI responses must be encrypted.

• Deadline: Responses are due no later than 5:00 pm EDT on April 30, 2026.

• Contacts: Responses to be sent electronically to Captain Jason Kyles (jason.kyles@us.af.mil) and Debra Zides (debra.zides.2.ctr@us.af.mil).

• This is an RFI ONLY; it is not a Request for Proposal (RFP).

• No costs incurred in preparing a response will be reimbursed.

• Responses will not be individually notified of results.

• The Government may use AI-assisted tools for evaluation.

• An industry day event is planned.

• The Government is particularly interested in commercially available solutions installable in FY2027.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a spreadsheet containing questions for vendors to answer regarding their company's capabilities and qualifications. It serves as a data collection tool to understand potential bidders' suitability for an opportunity.

The spreadsheet includes fields for:

• Company Information (Name, Address, Contact, CAGE Code, UEI, NAICS)
• Business Classifications (Large, Small, Disadvantaged, Woman-Owned, Veteran-Owned, HUBZone, etc.)
• Experience with Government Contracts and specific initiatives (e.g., Air Force Life Cycle Management Center Consortium Initiative)
• Personnel and Facility Clearance information
• Technical Capabilities (SATCOM systems, 3rd party data packages, installation experience)
• Cost and Schedule Estimates

Vendors must carefully review and complete all relevant sections of this spreadsheet to provide detailed information about their company. Accurate and comprehensive responses are crucial for the government to assess a vendor's qualifications and capabilities in relation to the opportunity's requirements. This document directly impacts proposal preparation by outlining the specific data points needed for evaluation.

Statement of Objectives (SOO)

This Statement of Objectives (SOO) outlines the U.S. Air Force's (USAF) need for follow-on mobility enterprise connectivity solutions to enhance secure global command and control for the fleet. The goal is to acquire, install, and sustain advanced, secure connectivity across current and emerging mobility aircraft.

The SOO details an incremental acquisition approach for common mobility air force (MAF) connectivity requirements, focusing on platform-specific integration. Key activities include:

• Increment 1: Hybrid SATCOM (HST) prototyping to establish foundational capabilities and develop government-owned technical data packages (TDPs).
• Increment 2: Prototyping and installation of NIPR/SIPR connectivity.
• Increment 3: Prototyping, installation, and integration with next-generation DAFBN capabilities.
• Increment 4: Prototyping emerging connectivity requirements and long-term training and sustainment.

Specific tasks encompass:

• Production of A-Kits, B-Kits, and Support Equipment Kits.
• Shipping of materials.
• Installation and modification of aircraft.
• Provision of spare parts.
• Sustainment activities.
• Engineering, including Non-Recurring Engineering (NRE).
• Training services.
• Over & Above (O&A) activities.

While specific metrics are to be defined in follow-on requirements, the SOO emphasizes a disciplined, repeatable approach to visualize, validate, operationalize, and scale enterprise connectivity capabilities. It also stresses the importance of developing government-owned TDPs to maximize future competition and avoid vendor-owned intellectual property dependence.

Installations may occur at USAF installations, contractor facilities, and other operational sites as required. The contract type and period of performance will be tailored to mission priorities in follow-on requirements.

• Architecture: Designs must incorporate Government Referenced Architectures for multi-platform integration and an open architecture approach.
• Data Rights: Preference is for data deliverables (TDPs, software) with no limitations on use, modification, or disclosure.
• Associate Contractors: May be required to enter into Associate Contractor Agreements (ACAs) for joint participation.
• Security: Compliance with DD Form 254, Contract Security Classification Specification, if applicable.
• Installation: Must adhere to TCTOs, coordinate MOAs for support, and manage aircraft handover protocols. A minimum throughput production rate is required.
• Shipping: Packaging and marking must comply with specified military standards (AWSTM-D-3951, MIL-STD-2073-1, ANSI/ESD S20.20-2021, MIL-STD-129).
• OPSEC: Strict adherence to Operations Security (OPSEC) measures is required due to potential adversary targeting.