[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 26 (Tuesday, February 10, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6594-6596]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-2716]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Air Force

[Solicitation Number: TBD, Classification Code: TBD, NAICS Code: TBD]


Synopsis: D--Request for Information for Rapid Delivery of 
Military Capabilities via Space; Notice Type: Sources Sought.

Closing Date: March 15, 2009.
SUMMARY: The purpose for this Request For Information (RFI) is to 
identify (1) near-term industry solutions that could provide the 
Department of Defense (DoD) the capability to rapidly deliver military 
capabilities via space, and (2) long-term advanced space transport 
concepts that could evolve from near-term capabilities. Interested 
sources should provide a white paper describing current space transport 
technologies and capabilities, and commercial visions for future 
capabilities that are projected to evolve from those current space 
transport technologies. The vision in the white paper should be 
tailored towards the interests of the U.S. Government that are outlined 
in the questions listed below.
    In order to clarify the DoD's need in this area and to develop a 
technology assessment for these capabilities, the National Security 
Space Office (NSSO) and Headquarters, Air Force Security Forces Center 
(HQ AFSFC) are co-hosting a Technology Forum for the Rapid Delivery of 
Military Capabilities via Space on 24-26 Feb 2009 at Lackland Air Force 
Base, San Antonio, TX. This Technology Forum is open to all industry, 
U.S. Government, and military interested in assisting in the 
development of a technology assessment for this capability. This RFI is 
being released prior to the Technology Forum in order to help generate 
thought for discussion at the event. Responses are due 15 Mar 09, after 
the Technology Forum, so the combination of this solicitation and the 
events at the Technology Forum will help to refine responses.
    The concept of Rapid Delivery of Military Capabilities via Space 
was based initially on the Marine Corps' Small Unit Space Transport and 
Insertion (SUSTAIN) concept which would provide the Joint Force 
Commander (JFC) the capacity to rapidly transport operationally 
relevant capabilities to any point on the globe, effectively 
instantaneously. The SUSTAIN capability spans the full spectrum of 
conflict, from strategic Special Forces employment to a full range of 
specialized manned and unmanned warfighting payloads. The formal need 
for a SUSTAIN capability is documented in the Marine Corps SUSTAIN 
Universal Need Statement dated 22 July 2002, and the USSOCOM Space 
Enabling Concept dated 25 March 2004.

RFI Requirements

    The first section of this RFI seeks to identify information on 
existing commercial systems or low risk systems in development that 
could potentially

[[Page 6595]]

apply to a DoD capability to rapidly transport militarily relevant 
capabilities through sub-orbital space to a remote location on short 
notice. This nearer-term capability could serve as the first phase of a 
spiral developmental effort. The following specific definitions are 
applicable to this first section of the RFI:
     The ``transport altitude regime'' is defined by upper and 
lower sub-orbital space boundaries, namely between an altitude above 50 
nautical miles and an altitude below that which requires prior 
USSTRATCOM coordination.
     ``Rapidly'' is defined as two hours or less of flight 
time, preceded by a launch preparation period, with the combined total 
of flight time and preparation time not to exceed four hours.
     ``Militarily relevant payloads'' are defined as an 
Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) or an Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV), 
either alternative having a mass of 200 kilograms or less, a transport 
volume of 2 cubic meters or less, and either system must be fully 
operational upon delivery.
     The ``target destination'' is defined as any point within 
5,000 Nautical miles of the launch site, including options to launch a 
UAS directly into target airspace at high altitude or land a UGV on the 
ground at a prepared or unprepared site.
     The delivery vehicle, whether a single stage vehicle or 
the upper stage of a multi-stage vehicle, must be recoverable and 
reusable.
    With respect to the specific definitions above that are related to 
nearer-term technologies and capabilities, this RFI seeks answers to 
the following specific questions:
    a. What plans would improve sub-orbital and/or orbital space 
transport capabilities in these areas: (1) Space-based capabilities; 
(2) Terrestrial capabilities; (3) Enabling capabilities; (4) Non-
material aspects including policies, procedures, and operations 
concepts?
    b. What technologies are needed to achieve, maintain, or improve 
sub-orbital and/or orbital space transport capabilities? What is the 
practical limit of these technologies?
    c. What technologies are considered high payoff for future sub-
orbital and/or orbital space transport capabilities, including those 
without current funding support or U.S. Government sponsorship?
    d. To what extent should autonomy or automation be implemented in 
ground and sub-orbital and/or orbital space systems to support space as 
a transport medium?
    e. What sub-orbital and/or orbital capabilities should the U.S. 
Government provide? Which commercial capabilities do you believe could 
enhance U.S. Government-provided sub-orbital and/or orbital space 
transport capabilities?
    f. In order to achieve needed sub-orbital and/or orbital space 
transportation capabilities through the 2025 time frame, what 
international cooperation will be required?
    g. What interrelationship is planned or desired with the U.S. 
Government through the 2025 time frame from a sub-orbital and/or 
orbital space transport perspective? What Position, Navigation, Timing 
(PNT) capabilities are expected from the U.S. Government?
    h. What interest is there in providing selected sub-orbital and/or 
orbital space transport capabilities?
    i. What interest is there in providing a full range of sub-orbital 
and/or orbital space transport services to the U.S. Government?
    j. What analytical tools or simulations are recommend for assessing 
the performance, cost, and utility associated with sub-orbital and/or 
orbital space transport capabilities?
    k. How do purchasers of sub-orbital and/or orbital space transport 
end-user equipment make their needs known to the provider?
    l. In general, what are the most important attributes of sub-
orbital and/or orbital space transport services (or combinations of 
services) for a consumer?
    This second section of the RFI seeks to identify industry concepts 
that could lead to a future DoD capacity to rapidly transport a full 
spectrum of militarily relevant capabilities through sub-orbital and/or 
orbital space to any point globally on short notice. Such concepts 
could constitute advanced phases of the spiral developmental effort 
described above. Accordingly, information is solicited on the following 
advanced capabilities, capabilities that are formulated as questions 
for RFI responses:
    a. Can capabilities be scaled up for the purpose of delivering 
unmanned payloads of up to 30,000 pounds suborbitally to any point on 
the globe, including the poles? If so, describe a notional spiral 
evolution to the future capability?
    b. Can capabilities be scaled up for the purpose of delivering 
militarily relevant payloads to low earth orbit? If so, describe a 
notional spiral evolution to the future capability?
    c. Can capabilities be integrated with Government Furnished 
Equipment (GFE) launch vehicles such as the Atlas, Delta, and future 
families of launch vehicles? If so, describe a notional spiral 
evolution to the future capability?
    d. Can individual vehicle capabilities be man-rated to enable the 
insertion of a squad-sized, combat-equipped team into any global 
contingency? If so, describe a notional spiral evolution to the future 
capability?
    e. Can capabilities evolve to a family of assault support vehicles 
capable of launch on demand and refueling-assisted transport and 
insertion of systems and forces? If so, describe a notional spiral 
evolution to the future capability?
    f. Can capabilities be scaled up to permit the insertion of 
unmanned capabilities or manned teams that is still capable of self-
extraction without refueling? If so, describe a notional spiral 
evolution to the future capability?
    g. Can capabilities allow for a low earth orbit (LEO) loiter-like 
capability?
    h. Can capabilities be increased into an on-orbit support 
infrastructure for space-based support, allowing for the timed 
injection of into any contingency from orbit? If so, describe a 
notional spiral evolution to the future capability?
    i. Can capabilities allow for an entire mission cycle from launch, 
through transit, insertion, terrestrial or space execution, extraction, 
and finally egress to any global point of origin, without the need for 
refueling?

RFI Purpose and Limitations

    The U.S. Government is aware of and understands the tactical, 
operational, and strategic opportunities that space can provide the DoD 
from the perspective of speed of delivery and global reach. The 
Government's intention is to better understand the current, state-of-
the-art capabilities and future technological projections to determine 
a technological assessment. Industry feedback is vitally important and 
the Government will be receptive to any and all ideas received from 
industry. This RFI is an expression of the Government's interest only 
and does not obligate the Government to pay for the requested 
information nor respond to any submissions. Responses to this notice 
are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a 
binding contract. Proprietary information is not being solicited; 
however, if it is submitted, it should be properly marked.
    Please limit formal white paper submission to no more than ten (10) 
pages, not including the cover letter or any attachments. In addition, 
it may include up to five attachments that consist of briefing slides, 
suggested contract language, current plans, or standard operating 
procedures.

[[Page 6596]]

Electronic submissions are strongly encouraged. All items must be 
compatible with Microsoft Office or Adobe PDF format and free of all 
computer viruses.
    Technical questions and industry responses shall be submitted via 
email to: LtCol Paul Damphousse, [email protected].
    Responses must be received no later than 2 p.m. Eastern Standard 
Time, on March 15, 2009.
    All material submitted in response to this RFI must be unclassified 
and, if proprietary, marked appropriately.
    Point of Contact: LtCol Paul Damphousse, [email protected], 
or (571) 432-1411.

This Is a Request for Information (RFI) Only

    This RFI is issued as Market Research, solely for information and 
planning purposes. It shall not be considered as an Invitation for Bid 
(IFB), Request for Quotation (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP), or as 
an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or 
services. Any response to this synopsis will be treated as information 
only. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges 
by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of 
responses to this synopsis or the Government for use of such 
information. The information provided may be used by the National 
Security Space Office in developing a strategy and in a Statement of 
Work/Statement of Objectives and Performance specifications for any 
future study. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude 
participation in any future RFP, if issued. If a solicitation is 
issued, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities 
(FedBizOpps) Web site. It is the responsibility of any potential 
offeror to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to 
this requirement.

Bao-Anh Trinh,
Air Force Federal Register Liaison Officer.
[FR Doc. E9-2716 Filed 2-9-09; 8:45 am]
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