Space- and Ground-Based Environmental Monitoring (EM) Commercial Data and Services Request for Information (RFI)

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to questions submitted by potential vendors regarding the EM Commercial Data and Services RFI. It aims to clarify requirements and provide additional context for interested parties.

• Requirement Nature: The effort is an RFI to gather market intelligence for future USSF requirements, not a new requirement itself. The government is seeking industry feedback on commercial solutions for environmental monitoring.
• Incumbent/Contract Info: Information regarding incumbent contractors or previous contract numbers is not applicable as this is an RFI for market research.
• Industry Day: The Industry Day is planned as an in-person event. Virtual 1-on-1 sessions will be offered as a supplementary option if in-person capacity is reached.
• 'Upper Atmosphere Soundings': This term includes measurements of atmospheric parameters such as ionospheric properties (density, layer heights, plasma, scintillation) and thermodynamic profiles (temperature, density) in the mesosphere and upper stratosphere, supporting space-weather and upper-atmosphere monitoring.
• Multiple Responses: Vendors are permitted to submit multiple responses, provided each represents a distinct capability offering (e.g., standalone vs. joint). Each submission must be a separate document, clearly identified (e.g., [Vendor Name]_Response_Standalone.pdf, [Vendor Name]_Response_Joint_with_[Partner].pdf), and comply independently with all RFI guidelines.

This Q&A document clarifies aspects of the RFI, particularly regarding the scope of "upper atmosphere soundings" and submission guidelines for multiple responses. Vendors should ensure their responses align with these clarifications.

Amendment / Modification

This document is Amendment 1 to the Request for Information (RFI) for Space-Based and Ground-Based Environmental Monitoring (EM) Commercial Data and Services. It does not introduce new requirements but serves to provide updated information and potentially clarify aspects of the original RFI.

This amendment updates the RFI document titled "United States Space Force Space Systems Command Space- and Ground-Based Environmental Monitoring (EM) Commercial Data and Services Request for Information (RFI) Amendment 1 (27 Jan 2026)". Specific sections of the original RFI that may be elaborated upon or clarified include:

• Section 1: Introduction
• Section 2: Project Overview (including Technology Innovation, Commercial Delivery and Pricing Models, Dual-Use Capabilities, Collaborative Partnerships)
• Section 3: Requested Information (covering SBEM & GBSEM Technologies, System Development, Scalability, Integration, and Cost Frameworks)
• Section 4: Submission Guidelines (including vendor information, response submission details, questions, and response format)
• Section 5: Additional Information (regarding industry day, sharing of responses, and contractor support)

This amendment does not appear to change the original submission deadline of 20 February 2026, 1700 PT, nor does it alter the response format requirements (white paper, page limits, email size limit). Vendors should ensure their responses align with any clarifications or additional details provided in this amendment. The deadline for submitting questions remains 10 February 2026, 1700 PT. The Industry Day is scheduled for 04-06 March 2026.

Request for Information (RFI)

This RFI is issued by the United States Space Force (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) to gather market intelligence on commercial solutions for Space-Based Environmental Monitoring (SBEM) and Ground-Based Space Environmental Monitoring (GBSEM). The goal is to inform the development of a comprehensive strategy and validate the feasibility of leveraging commercial capabilities to meet Department of War (DoW) global weather and environmental monitoring needs. This is not a solicitation, and responses are optional.

• Technology Innovation: Seeking advanced remote-sensing capabilities for terrestrial, atmospheric, and near-Earth phenomena. Specific interests include compact, low-cost GEO/HEO imagers for Theater Weather Imagery (TWI) and Cloud Characterization (CC), modular LEO/GEO/HEO platforms, innovative environmental monitoring instruments, space weather and atmospheric sensing instruments, and AI/ML algorithms for data processing and enhancement.
• Commercial Delivery and Pricing Models: Information on innovative business approaches for hardware and data services, including turnkey/hosted payloads, spacecraft/ground networks, and Data-as-a-Service (DaaS) models.
• Dual-Use Capabilities: Encouraging solutions with commercial applications or support for other government mission areas.
• Collaborative Partnerships: Seeking information on collaborations with international and academic partners.

Respondents should detail their applicable SBEM/GBSEM technologies, system development/testing readiness, scalability/affordability, integration capabilities, and cost frameworks for engineering and data services. Specific technical attributes, TRL, flight heritage, operational concepts, and cybersecurity controls are requested. Vendors should also provide Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) pricing information for data services and custom engineering/hardware.

• Deadline: 20 February 2026, 1700 PT.

• Format: Unclassified white paper, not exceeding seven pages (12-point Times New Roman, 1-inch margins), 5 MB email limit.

• Submission: Via email to SSC.SN.Industry_Day@spaceforce.mil and Maj David Kirkland (david.kirkland.9@spaceforce.mil) with subject line "EM RFI – (Company Name)".

• Questions Deadline: 10 February 2026, 1700 PT.

• Foreign firms may participate at the subcontractor level.

• Responses will be shared with SSC support contractors.

• An Industry Day is planned for 04-05 March 2026 in El Segundo, CA.

• All information submitted becomes government property.