Space-to-Space (S2S) Communication Broad Agency Announcement (BAA)

Quick Summary

The Space Systems Command (SSC) / Space Combat Power (SCP) Program Executive Office (PEO) has issued a Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) for Space-to-Space (S2S) Communication to advance state-of-the-art technology in proliferated low Earth orbit (pLEO). This unrestricted solicitation seeks solutions for S2S communications and space networking. Two active calls are: Call 1.1: Link-182 System Development and Demonstration (White Papers due October 6, 2025) and Call 1.2: USSF pLEO Mesh Concepts / Industry Consortium for Space-to-Space Communications (White Papers due December 17, 2025).

Purpose & Scope

The BAA aims to develop and deliver combat power capabilities in and through space, countering threats and acquiring resilient space capabilities. It focuses on advancing pLEO technologies in two overarching areas:

1. Space-to-space Communications: Including optical communication, advanced data links/waveforms, novel communication techniques, alternate Positioning, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), space hardware advancements (e.g., LINK-182 radios), support infrastructure, RF communication payload maturation, and payload hosting.
2. Space Networking: Covering high-rate mesh backbone, seamless multi-level security (MLS) operations, cyber defense, and enterprise hybrid architecture.

Key Calls & Requirements

• Call 1.1: Link-182 Space-to-Space Comms System Development and Demonstration
  • White Papers Due: October 6, 2025.
  • Objective: Develop a low Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) solution for the Link-182 waveform for Golden Dome (GD) space-based interceptor (SBI) risk reduction.
  • Requirements: Design a Link-182 Space Qualified Flight Radio (LEO to GEO, scalable, <1.36 kg, <30W, 7-year design life, NSA Type-1 crypto compatible), conduct a LEO Space-to-Space Communication Demonstration, develop an Application Programming Interface (API), and submit a Final Report.
  • Period of Performance (POP): 12 months.
• Call 1.2: USSF Proliferated Low Earth (pLEO) Mesh Concepts / Industry Consortium for Space-to-Space Communications (ICSSC)
  • White Papers Due: December 17, 2025, 12:00 PM PST.
  • Objective: Gather industry input on forming an ICSSC to address technical and integration challenges for a pLEO space-to-space communications mesh, forming the backbone of the Space Data Network (SDN).
  • Requirements: White papers providing feedback on the draft ICSSC construct, proposing company capabilities, and suggesting other consortium members/cooperative demonstrations.
  • POP: Minimum 12 months.

Contract Details

• Type: Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) with targeted calls.
• Anticipated Awards: Multiple agreements, potentially including Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), Cost Reimbursable (CR), Firm Fixed Price (FFP), and Other Transaction Authority (OTA) for Call 1.2.
• Overall BAA Period of Performance: September 15, 2025, to September 14, 2030 (60 months).
• Set-Aside: None (Unrestricted solicitation).
• NAICS Code: 541715 (Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences, except Biotechnology).

Submission & Evaluation

• Approach: Can be Two-Phase (White Paper then Full Proposal) or One-Phase (direct Full Proposal).
• White Paper Evaluation Factors: Contribution to Focus Area(s)/Objective(s), Technical Approach, and Cost.
• Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI): For CUI white paper submissions (e.g., for Call 1.1 and Call 1.2), contractors must email the Security POC, Mr. Steven Mafla (steven.mafla.ctr@spaceforce.mil), to initiate a DOD SAFE "Request a Drop-Off" action.
• Required Attachments: Offerors must utilize Attachment A (OCI Statement Template), Attachment B (Cost and Price Proposal Workbook Template), and Attachment C (CSOW Instructions and Template).

Points of Contact

• Contracting: Melanie Gipson (melanie.gipson@spaceforce.mil), Tobias Richards (tobias.richards.1@spaceforce.mil)
• Security (CUI): Mr. Steven Mafla (steven.mafla.ctr@spaceforce.mil)