Missile Defense Space Based Interceptors (SBI) Request for Information (RFI)

California

06/27/2025 08:28 PM EDT

07/11/2025 07:00 PM EDT

DEPT OF DEFENSE - DEPT OF THE AIR FORCE - FA8819 SPECIAL PROGRAMS DIR SMC SP

9 July 2025 update:

- Each area's response needs to stand on its own with no cross referencing

- Removed two non-Government advisor support contractors from the list: SAIC and Parsons

- Corrected sam.gov response date to 4pm Pacific to match the RFI text

- Corrected grammatical structure in the non-Government advisor acknowledgement statement for interested parties to use in their response

- No change to response date/time
 

1.0 Introduction

The Space Force PEO Space Combat Power is conducting market research to identify Space Based Interceptor (SBI) capabilities to address the threat of attack by ballistic and hypersonic missiles. The purpose of this RFI is to identify existing space-based missile defense capabilities and strategize on an architecture of a proliferated SBI constellation capable of boost-phase, mid-course-phase, and glide-phase intercepts.

This is not a request for proposals.  The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this request.  The Government will not reimburse costs associated with the documentation submitted under this request.  Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this inquiry.  Responses to this RFI will aid in the Government’s acquisition strategy.

RFI responses may be submitted electronically, via the appropriate communication channels (Unclassified, SIPRNet, JWICS, Secure Global Network (SGN), Secure Integration Cloud (SIC), etc.).  To request classified delivery instructions, interested parties shall notify the Government via the unclassified email address below within 10 days of this notice posting if classified information will be delivered as part of their response and identify which level the submission will be at.  The Government will provide specific delivery instructions depending on the identified level of information (Secret, Top Secret, Sensitive Compartmented Information, or Special Access Required).

Unclassified electronic submissions and requests for classified delivery instructions shall be sent to:  SSC.SZ.SBI@spaceforce.mil. No classified information is to be sent to this address.

Capable sources can submit responses that address end-to-end solutions for any or all SBI Areas of Interest (i.e., two Space Based Interceptor areas, Common Ground element, and Fire Control element).  Capable sources are not required to submit responses to all elements.  Responses shall be no more than five (5) pages for the Exoatmospheric SBI Area of Interest, five (5) pages for the Endoatmospheric SBI Area of Interest, five (5) pages for the Common Ground element Area of Interest, and five (5) pages for the Fire Control element Area of Interest.  Executive-level introductions, summaries, and conclusions count toward the page limit.  Two (2) pages are allowed for cover page, non-government advisor acknowledgement, and POC information only.  Responses must be in latest version formats of Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word, or Microsoft PowerPoint.  Responses to one, two, three, or all Areas of Interest are acceptable.  Text font size shall be 10-point or greater.  Responses that exceed the page limit (for any section) or do not meet the text font size will NOT be read or analyzed by the Government.

Each capable source shall identify whether it, its parent company, or any subsidiary, sister company, subcontractor, affiliate teammate, joint venture partner, or major supplier is currently on the Contractor Responsibility Watch List (CRWL) of any military service or U.S. Government agency.

Capable sources shall submit all responses to this notice no later than 14 days after posting by 1600 PST and MUST include POC information (i.e., first/last name, company name, company division, job title, phone, email, and brief description of their Space Based Interceptors business interest/technology areas).  POC information must be unclassified and non-proprietary; the Government intends to post a list of POC information for all vendors who respond to facilitate industry teaming and networking.  Responses must be submitted at the appropriate classification level.  Interested parties are responsible for clearly and adequately portion-marking by paragraph any classified, confidential, proprietary or competition sensitive information contained in their responses.

Upon review of the RFI responses, the Government may invite selected capable sources to an industry day and/or 1-on-1 meetings, to address any or all Areas of Interest.  No additional notices will be posted for the industry day or 1-on-1 meetings – capable sources should respond to this notice to be considered.

Interested parties are advised that information submitted to the Government in response to this notice may be released to non-Government advisors for review and analysis.  All Government advisor support contracts include DFARS clauses 252.227-7025 and 252-204-7000, which prohibit disclosure of information to any unauthorized person.  The non-Government advisor support will be provided by: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Lokahi, MITRE Corporation, SAVI LLC, Systems Planning & Analysis (SPA), Tecolote Research, Inc., Space Dynamics Lab, nTSI, Tanist Technologies, Exigo Corp., Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Laboratory (MIT/LL), BCF Solutions Inc., Strategic Alliance Business Group (SABG), Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI), Mobius, and The Aerospace Corporation

1. Any objection to disclosure:
   1. Shall be provided in writing to the Contracting Officer with 10 calendar days of notice issuance, and
   2. Shall include a detailed statement of the basis for the objection.  The detailed statement shall identify the specific portions of the response that the Offeror objects to disclosure to non-Government advisors.
2. Responses shall include the following acknowledgement:

I understand technical and cost/price data submitted to the Government in response to this notice may be released to non-Government advisors to assist the Government in assessing responses.  I consent to release of any [unless objection is provided in paragraph 1) above] proprietary, confidential, or privileged commercial or financial data provided in response to this notice to the identified non-Government advisors for review and analysis.

Firm:

Names (individual authorized to commit firm):

Title:

Date of execution:

2.0 Notional SBI Architecture

The Government defines the following SBI architecture elements that are used throughout this RFI.

• Space-based Interceptors are a class of weapon systems designed to intercept and destroy enemy targets (missiles or associated payloads) in flight.  This element comprises multiple variants and components:
  • Exoatmospheric SBIs are designed to destroy targets in the boost and mid-course phases outside the Earth’s atmosphere (above 120 km), employing a kill vehicle (KV), guidance and navigation systems, communications, and propulsion for both initial engagement and terminal guidance maneuvers.
  • Endoatmospheric SBIs are designed to destroy targets within the Earth’s atmosphere (below 120 km), employing a KV, guidance and navigation systems, communications, and propulsion for initial engagement and terminal guidance maneuvers while accounting for atmospheric effects.
  • Terminal Guidance enables the SBI to acquire and track the target autonomously after weapon release from its host satellite, executing precise maneuvers during the final phase of flight to achieve a successful intercept.
  • In-Flight Target Update provides the ability to modify the SBI’s target information while it is in flight, based on new sensor data or changes in the threat trajectory.
  • Host Satellite is a space-based platform that provides power, communication, and other essential services to the SBI payload while on orbit prior to the initiation of an intercept.
     
• SBI Common Ground Element (CGE): The CGE serves as the central command and control hub for generating and sending commands to the SBI constellation, receiving telemetry and messages from the SBI constellation, and controlling and managing communications links to the SBI constellation through the Space Data Transport Layer and antenna services.  These functions are automated to the maximum extent possible.  The CGE manages a large constellation of several interceptor variants (multiple exoatmospheric and endoatmospheric variations from multiple vendors) in a variant- and vendor-agnostic manner using an open commanding and telemetry database scheme.  CGE ensures constellation health and status, safety, and continuity of operations.  This includes autonomous station-keeping and constellation configuration adjustment required due to anomalies to minimize coverage gaps and maximize SBI constellation effectiveness, all with minimal or no operator intervention.  It also exchanges commands, orders, and messages with the Fire Control Element as well as integrates data from diverse sources, including the Ground/Space Battle Management Element (GSBME).  When directed by the President and commanded by the Fire Control Element, CGE will enable weapons for release and command intercepts computed by the Fire Control Element.
   
• SBI Fire Control Element (FCE): The FCE ingests fire control-quality data from the missile warning/missile track sensor layers and SBI constellation health and status from the CGE.  FCE conducts combat identification based on intelligence-based order of battle and real-time sources and performs weapon-target pairing based on rules of engagement to prioritize and engage multiple simultaneous targets.  The FCE calculates the predicted intercept point for the assigned SBI, commands weapon release and continuously reassesses target track data to develop and send in-flight target updates (IFTUs) to the SBI until the SBI switches to on-board terminal guidance.
   
• Architectural elements external to and not covered by this RFI include:
  • Space Data Transport Layer provides 24/7 telemetry, tracking, and command (TT&C) services to the SBI constellation and the CGE and delivers IFTUs to interceptors after weapons release, ensuring continuous communication and effective engagement.
  • Ground/Space Battle Management Element (GSBME) serves as the central orchestration and decision-making node for integrated missile defense across all missile defense layers, receiving threat data, assigning targets to respective missile defense layers, overseeing battle damage assessment to determine engagement effectiveness, and orchestrating re-engagement actions as necessary to ensure complete threat negation across the battlespace.  GSBME requires robust automation and machine-to-machine integration with the SBI CGE and FCE for timely and effective responses.

3.0 Areas of Interest

The Government is seeking industry’s innovative solutions to establish a proliferated SBI constellation in a quick and efficient manner. Solutions that leverage commercial products, processes, and services are of interest to the extent they maximize mission effectiveness and minimize cost-per-kill and time to field.  The strategy requires the U.S. industrial base to work together in developing the capability to defend the homeland, utilizing mature technologies, established production lines, and proven capabilities.  The Government is seeking specific feedback on the four Areas of Interest enumerated below.  Each Area is optional, and Capable Sources can respond to one, multiple, or all Areas.

1. Exoatmospheric Space Based Interceptor (SBI) Capabilities (5 pages maximum)
   1. What is your concept for an end-to-end solution for a SBI capable of exoatmospheric engagement?
      1. Address your approach for boost-phase and mid-course engagements.
      2. Capable sources can provide information on the boost-phase and mid-course, just boost phase, or just mid-course phase.
   2. Concepts shall address:
      1. ∆v [km/s] and nominal acceleration [m/s2]
      2. Mass of interceptor and Host Satellite [kg]
      3. Sensor technology and sensor mass [kg]
      4. Host Satellite approach
      5. Terminal guidance approach, including maturity of sensor technology, phenomenology, and algorithms
      6. Maximum g loading during maneuvers
      7. How the Host Satellite and interceptor communicate within your concept
      8. What is the orbital altitude for your concept?
   3. How long would it take you to build, integrate, and launch your SBI concept for an on-orbit point-in-space demonstration?
   4. How long would it take you to build, integrate, and launch your SBI concept for an on-orbit live-fire demonstration against a Government-provided surrogate target?
   5. In a modular open systems approach (MOSA), how should the SBI, CGE, and FCE be defined to enable the overall system to be more adaptable, cost-effective, and easier to maintain and upgrade over time?
       
2. Endoatmospheric Space Based Interceptor (SBI) Capabilities (5 pages maximum)
   1. What is your concept for an end-to-end solution for a SBI capable of endoatmospheric engagement?
      1. Address your approach for boost-phase and glide-phase engagements, with a specific focus on defeating hypersonic glide vehicles (HGVs)
      2. Capable sources can provide information on boost-phase and glide-phase, just boost phase, or just glide-phase
   2. Concepts shall address:
      1. ∆v [km/s] and nominal acceleration [m/s2]
      2. Mass of interceptor and Host Satellite [kg]
      3. Sensor technology and sensor mass [kg]
      4. Host Satellite approach
      5. Terminal guidance approach, including maturity of sensor technology, phenomenology, and algorithms
      6. Maximum g loading during maneuvers
      7. How the Host Satellite and interceptor communicate within your concept
      8. What is the orbital altitude for your concept?
   3. How long would it take you to build, integrate, and launch your SBI concept for an on-orbit point-in-space demonstration?
   4. How long would it take you to build, integrate, and launch your SBI concept for an on-orbit live-fire demonstration against a Government-provided surrogate target?
   5. In a MOSA, how should the SBI, CGE, and FCE be defined to enable the overall system to be more adaptable, cost-effective, and easier to maintain and upgrade over time?
       
3. Common Ground Element (5 pages maximum)
   1. What is your concept for an end-to-end solution for managing the SBI constellation (functions as described, e.g., health, status, safety, commanding, and common operating picture)?
   2. Concepts shall address:
      1. Maximum number of satellites that can be controlled simultaneously
      2. Levels of automation
      3. Existing capability or new solution
      4. Cloud versus on-premises approach
      5. Use of commercial and/or military standards
      6. Antenna/TT&C access
      7. Schedule required to participate in an end-to-end SBI integrated system demonstration
      8. Full-time equivalent estimate (Government/contractor) needed to operate the SBI constellation
   3. Describe the maturity of your concept, including variants currently in operation and amount of development required to perform CGE functions as described
   4. Describe the ownership and data rights aspect of your concept, i.e. you own the capability, capability available on commercial terms or licensing, modification or adaptation of a commercial product, Government-owned, etc.
   5. What is your approach to operate multiple SBI variants as a vendor-agnostic solution?
   6. In a MOSA, how should the SBI, CGE, and FCE be defined to enable the overall system to be more adaptable, cost-effective, and easier to maintain and upgrade over time?
       
4. Fire Control Element (5 pages maximum)
   1. What is your concept for an end-to-end solution to perform all FCE functions described, including weapons-target pairing, fire control commanding, and in-flight target updates?
   2. How do you assess and maximize the effectiveness of your weapons assignment and management algorithms against a wide range of raid scenarios?
   3. Address the following:
      1. Artificial intelligence and machine learning
      2. Weapon/target pairing algorithm and figures of merit
      3. Automation
      4. Weapon system safety measures
      5. Ability to control complex and dynamic threat picture
      6. Schedule required to participate in an end-to-end SBI integrated system demonstration
      7. Integration with the Ground/Space Battle Management Element
   4. Describe the maturity of your concept, including variants currently in operation and amount of development required to perform FCE functions as described
   5. Describe the ownership and data rights aspect of your concept, i.e. you own the capability, capability available on commercial terms or licensing, modification or adaptation of a commercial product, Government-owned, etc.
   6. In MOSA, how should the SBI, CGE, and FCE be defined to enable the overall system to be more adaptable, cost-effective, and easier to maintain and upgrade over time?

4.0 Areas of Non-Interest

This RFI is specific to end-to-end solutions for SBIs, SBI Common Ground Element, and/or SBI Fire Control Element(s).

1. RFI responses that address other aspects of the Missile Defense architecture (e.g., missile warning and missile track) will NOT be read or analyzed by the Government.
2. For each of the four Areas of Interest, RFI responses which solely address sub-systems, components, contributing technology, or partial solutions will NOT be read or analyzed by the Government.  Responses that address end-to-end solutions for any one, multiple, or all of the four Areas of Interest are acceptable.
3. RFI responses that are not system-specific, including responses that only address constellation design, design considerations, integration and test, ideas, or policy and/or doctrine will NOT be read or analyzed by the Government.  RFI responses that do adequately address full system elements (per the Areas of Interest) can include these additional considerations within the page limit, but nothing is required beyond what is outlined in each Area of Interest.
   
   
   Questions
   Unclassified questions regarding the RFI must be directed to both the Primary Point of Contact, Brent Jorgensen, and the Secondary Point of Contact, Lt Col Nicholas Milano, listed in this notice.