STAR-FISH CALL 017 - Secure By Design

FA9453-21-S-0001 Air Force Research Laboratory/Space Vehicle Directorate ANNOUNCEMENT OVERVIEW CALL 017, Topic Area 1. Space Technology Advanced Research - Fast-tracking Innovative Software and Hardware (STAR-FISH) DATE: 26 August 2026 NAICS Code: The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541715 for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology), and the small business size standard is 1,000 employees. Federal Agency Name: Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate, Phillips Research Site ARA Title: Secure by Design Space Vehicle (STAR-FISH), Announcement, procurement for experimentation of spaceflight and space-related signal, energy, and transportation technologies. ARA Number: FA9453-21-S-0001 CALL Type: Two-Step Process, initial announcement CALL Title: Secure by Design Space Vehicle CALL Number: 017 White Papers and/or Proposal Due Date and Time: The Government is requesting White Papers at this time for the Topic Area identified above. White Papers addressing any other technology area identified in the basic Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) will not be accepted at this time unless a CALL for that specific area is posted. White Papers or proposals received after the due dates and times shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215- 1(c)(3). It should be noted that this installation observes strict security procedures to enter the facility. These security procedures are NOT considered an interruption of normal Government processes, and white papers or proposals received after the stated date and time in the CALL as a result of security delays will be considered “late.” Furthermore, if offerors utilize commercial carriers in the delivery of white papers or proposals, they may not honor time-of-day delivery guarantees on military installations. Early submission is encouraged. Brief CALL Summary: See Attachment 3, Statement of Objective (SOO) Submission: Two-Step Process First Step: The due date and time for White Papers submitted in response to this CALL is no later than (NLT) 12 Oct 2026, 1600 (Mountain Standard Time (MST). Question & Answer Session Online – 0900 AM, 17 September 2026 White Papers must be prepared using the provided Template, saved as a PDF and submitted via DoD Safe, (https://safe.apps.mil/) NLT 12 October 2026, 1600 (Mountain Standard Time (MST). In order to submit the White Papers, please contact the Contracting Officer, Mr. Gabriel Salazar, email: [email protected], Ms. Heather Miller, email: [email protected], or Ms. Erika Trujillo; email: [email protected] ; no later than three (3) workdays prior to the submission deadline to receive a DoD Safe drop-off request. A drop-off request is valid for 14 days. Offerors will receive an automated email containing the instructions for uploading the file(s). If you do not receive an automated e-mail message for your drop-off request within 3 business days, please contact the Contracting Officer. See Attachment 2 (STAR-FISH White Paper Template) for White Paper Template. No classified white paper submission will be accepted. The Template can be accessed and downloaded from the following link: https://valideval.com/star_documents/ (please download a new copy of the template prior to submitting your white paper to ensure that you have the most current version). Each White Paper submitted needs to include the company’s Unique Entity ID (UEI) per System for Award Management (SAM) with the DUNS Number. No classified white paper submissions will be accepted. Second Step: Proposal Due Date and Time – To be provided in “Requests for Proposals (RFP)” sent to offerors whose white papers are selected. Announcement Request: Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate Phillips Research Site is soliciting white papers on the research effort described in Attachment 2 Statement of Objectives pursuant to the authority of 10 U.S.C 4023, Procurement for Experimental Purposes. Announcement Modifications: Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Announcement Overview and Full Text. Type of Contract/Instrument: The Space Force anticipates awarding Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF) contracts that will have a base period and two options “Government has the right not to exercise the option” as a result of this CALL, but also reserves the right to award the instrument best suited to the nature of research proposed. Please note, the offeror shall have an approved Accounting System in accordance with FAR 16.301-3, Limitations, and other approved Business Systems. Anticipated Number of Awards: The Air Force anticipates awarding multiple contracts. However, the Air Force does reserve the right to make one award, more than one award, or no awards pursuant to this CALL. System for Award Management (SAM) Registration: Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453- 21-S-0001, Announcement Overview. Points of Contact: Technical Manager (Primary): Mr. Joseph “Dan” Trujillo, AFRL/RJSW, [email protected] Program Manager (Alternate): Mr. Manual Gonzales, AFRL/RVFC, [email protected] Contracting Officer (Primary): Mr. Gabriel Salazar, [email protected] Contracting Officer / Specialist: Heather Miller, [email protected] Contracting Specialist: Ms. Erika Trujillo; email: [email protected] ADVANCED RESEARCH ANNOUNCMENT WITH CALLS FA9453-21-S-0001 Air Force Research Laboratory/Space Vehicle Directorate FULL TEXT ANNOUNCEMENT CALL 017 as of 29 June 2026 NAICS Code: The NAICS Code for this acquisition is 541715 for Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology), and the small business size standard is 1,000 employees. Federal Agency Name: Air Force Research Laboratory, Space Vehicles Directorate, Phillips Research Site ARA Title: Space Technology Advanced Research - Fast-tracking Innovative Software and Hardware (STAR-FISH), Announcement, procurement for experimentation of space-flight and space-related signal, energy, and transportation technologies ARA Number: FA9453-21-S-0001 CALL Type: Two-Step Process, initial announcement CALL Title: Secure by Design Space Vehicle CALL Number: 017 White Paper and/or Proposal Due Date and Time: The Government is requesting White Papers at this time for the Topic Area identified above. White Papers addressing any other technology area identified in the basic Advanced Research Announcement (ARA) will not be accepted at this time unless a CALL for that specific area is posted. White Papers or proposals received after the due dates and times shall be governed by the provisions of FAR 52.215- 1(c)(3). It should be noted that this installation observes strict security procedures to enter the facility. These security procedures are NOT considered an interruption of normal Government processes, and white papers or proposals received after the stated date and time in the CALL as a result of security delays will be considered “late.” Furthermore, if offerors utilize commercial carriers in the delivery of white papers or proposals, they may not honor time-of-day delivery guarantees on military installations. Early submission is encouraged. Submission: Two-Step Process First Step: The due date and time for White Papers submitted in response to this CALL is no later than (NLT) 12 Oct 2026, 1600 (Mountain Standard Time (MST). Question and Answer Session Online - 09:00 AM on 17 September 2026 White Papers must be prepared using the provided Template, saved as a PDF and submitted via DoD Safe, (https://safe.apps.mil/) NLT 12 Oct 2026, 1600 (Mountain Standard Time (MST). In order to submit the White Papers, please contact the Contracting Officer, Mr. Gabriel Salazar, email: [email protected], Ms. Heather Miller, email: [email protected], or Ms. Erika Trujillo; email: [email protected] no later than three (3) workdays prior to the submission deadline to receive a DoD Safe drop-off request. A drop-off request is valid for 14 days. Offerors will receive an automated email containing the instructions for uploading the file(s). If you do not receive an automated e-mail message for your drop-off request within 3 business days, please contact the Contracting Officer. See Attachment 2 (STAR-FISH White Paper Template) for White Paper Template. The Template can be accessed and downloaded from the following link: https://valideval.com/star_documents/ (please download a new copy of the template prior to submitting your white paper to ensure that you have the most current version). No classified white paper submission will be accepted. Second Step: Proposal Due Date and Time – To be provided in “Requests for Proposals (RFP)” sent to offerors whose white papers are selected. Program Description: Statement of Objectives (SOO)/Description of Technical Areas: Scope: The scope of this effort is to address cyber threats to national critical space missions (e.g., Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT), Missile Warning/Missile Tracking (MW/MT), Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR), and Satellite Communications (SATCOM)) through the research, design, development, testing, and demonstration of a comprehensive Secure by-Design Space Vehicle (SDSV) system. Objective: The performance objectives of this effort are to: The Government's objective is to achieve the following capabilities and milestones across the period of performance. The contractor shall propose the specific methodology and detailed work breakdown to achieve these objectives: Phase Technical Objectives & Deliverables CLIN 0001 - Labor: Key Deliverable: esign & Integration Report Design & Build: Design and construct a space vehicle flat-sat and a corresponding space vehicle cyber range. Integration: Integrate the flat-sat with the cyber-range and verify the functionality of selected space vehicle subsystems. Software Hardening: Initiate cyber-hardening of the space vehicle flight software utilizing Cyber-Hardened Satellite Software (CHSS). Key Deliverable: Design & Integration Report. CLIN 0002: ODCs Integration: Integrate the cyber-hardened flight software into the established flat-sat/cyber range environment. Functional T&E: Assess the function and performance of the cyber-hardened solution against a non-hardened baseline. Cyber-Effectiveness T&E: Develop cyber-attack scenarios and evaluate the defensive effectiveness of the hardened solution against the baseline. Key Deliverable: T&E Reports (Functional, Performance, and Cyber-Effectiveness). CLIN 0003 - Reports: Operational Procedures and Ground Demonstration CONOPs & COAs: Develop and test Concepts of Operations (CONOPs) and Courses of Action (COAs) for cyber detection, protection, and recovery. User Interface: Develop a UI for interaction, visualization, and further development of the cyber-hardened solution. Demonstration: Conduct ground-based experimentation and system demonstrations. Key Deliverable: CONOPs and COAs Report, Ground Demonstration Completion. Live Experimentation: Conduct on-orbit experimentation and a live demonstration of the developed cyber-hardened space vehicle system. Key Deliverable: Successful On-Orbit Demonstration and Final Technical Report. CLIN 0004: Contractor Acquired Property - CAP Areas from the ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Full Text: Space Battle Management, Command, and Control: Enable uninterrupted delivery of tactical, operational, and strategic space services within a contested environment by providing unprecedented domain awareness; accurate and timely battle management tools; and robust command and control options. Specific areas of technology being sought include data fusion, machine learning, artificial intelligence, and related methods for rapid threat assessment and response; multi-domain (land, sea, air, and space) net-centric command and control concepts; autonomy and on-board threat assessment algorithms to enhance satellite resiliency; and integration of allied, commercial, and non-traditional capabilities. Deliverable Items: Data: DD Form 1423-CDRLs Key Deliverable Report: Design & Integration Report. T&E Reports. CONOPS and COAs Report. Ground Demonstration Completion. Final Reports: Final Scientific and Technical Report to be delivered under each award, 3 months after the end of the technical effort. Software: Cyber-Hardened Satellite Software (CHSS) will not need to be provided to contractor. Hardware: The government and MITLL developed CHSS and since MITLL will be performing the cyber-hardening, CHSS will not need to be provided to contractor. The government will provide CHSS interfaces and drivers in order for the flat-sat software to interface. The government will provide requirements/information for the space vehicle contractor to design the flat-sat and then build it. Other Requirements: Program Security Classification: While it is anticipated that this effort may be performed UNCLASSIFIED, CUI to Secret. Individuals must be US citizens and have a security classification level equal to or higher than the security requirement for the effort. Offerors may be required to have a level of safekeeping. DD Form 254, Department of Defense (DoD) Contract Security Classification Specification, will be attached to each CALL, as this call is anticipated to conducted work at the Secret level, therefore a draft DD254 is attached. If a DD Form 254 is applicable, Offerors should ensure their facility clearance information is valid and must verify their Cognizant Security Office information is current with Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency at http://www.dcsa.mil OPSEC: The contractor shall provide Operations Security (OPSEC) protection for all sensitive/critical information as defined by AFI 10-701 (Operations Security) and critical information list. The AFRL/RV OPSEC coordinator will evaluate the OPSEC posture of AF Contract activities and operations. OPSEC requirements will apply to all contract activities. RISC assessment: Per AFRLI 161-113, in the RFP to offeror or offerors, attachments to comply to this policy will be submitted and require completion. Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Full Text, Section 4, paragraph b. Export Control: Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Full Text, Section 4, paragraph c. Export-Controlled Items: Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Full Text, Section 4, paragraph d. Other Information: Government Furnished Property (GFP)/Government Furnished Information (GFI): is anticipated for this ARA. If GFP is proposed, the Government will provide maximum accommodation possible for requests of GFP or other permitted assistance that arise during the performance of the contract. In accordance with RFO 45.201(b), Solicitation, the contractor is responsible for all costs related to making the property available for use, such as payment of all transportation, installation or rehabilitation costs. In accordance with RFO 45.201(c), Solicitation, if GFP is requested, Offerors shall submit the following information with the proposal: (1) A list or description of all Government property that the Offeror or its subcontractors propose to use on a rent-free, non-interference basis. The list shall identify the accountable contract under which the property is held and the authorization for its use (from the Contracting Officer having cognizance of the property); (2) The dates during which the property will be available for use (including the first, last, and all intervening months) and, for any property that will be used concurrently in performing two or more contracts, the amounts of the respective uses in sufficient detail to support prorating the rent; (3) The amount of rent that would otherwise be charged in accordance with RFO 52.245-9, Use and Charges; and (4) A description of the Offeror’s property management system, plan, and any customary commercial practices, voluntary consensus standards, or industry- leading practices and standards to be used by the Offeror in managing Government property. The above information should be provided within the Business Cost Volume paragraphs which pertain to GFP Support. The Offeror shall also supply applicable information in the format shown below for each item requested. b. Contractor Acquired Property (CAP): The Offeror may propose CAP as necessary to fulfill the proposed objectives. Offerors should be aware that the Government will cross-check any CAP proposed with AFRL/RVOI/LMCA for availability. CAP is anticipated to be submitted to the government during the performance of the awards resulting from this call. This will entail the CAP being converted into Government Property. Base Support: Base Support is not anticipated on this CALL. However, Base Support may be provided upon written request and if required. Reference ARA with CALLS FA9453-21- S-0001, Full Text, Section 5, paragraph b.Available Base Facilities: Available Base Facilities are not anticipated on this CALL. However, Base Facilities may be provided upon written request and if required. Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Full Text, Section 5, paragraph c. Overseas Performance: Overseas Performance is not anticipated on this call. Data Rights Desired: Unlimited Data Rights that may be required are Government Purpose Rights. Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Full Text, Section 5, paragraph e. Award Information Anticipated Number of awards: The Air Force anticipates awarding multiple contracts. However, the Air Force does reserve the right to make one award, more than one award, or no awards pursuant to this CALL. Anticipated Funding: Anticipated funding for this CALL (not per contract or award) is as follows: FY 2027 $5M FY 2028 $2M FY 2029 $2M FY 2030 $5M Total $14M This funding profile is an estimate only and will not be a contractual obligation for funding. Offerors should note that full funding for this effort is uncertain and may be largely affected by government fiscal year budgets that are yet to be established. The Government reserves the right to select all, part, or none of the proposals received in response to this CALL, subject to the availability of funds. All funding is subject to change due to government discretion and availability of funds. Schedule: The period of performance for individual awards is based upon the scope of the effort and how the work shapes to the SOO phases Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Full Text, Section I, paragraph 5. Points of Contact: Mr. Gabriel Salazar (Primary) Contracting Officer AFRL/RJZS Kirtland AFB, NM 87117 [email protected] Ms. Heather Miller (Primary) Contract Specialist / Contracting Officer AFRL/RVKY Kirtland AFB, NM 87117 [email protected] Ms. Erika Trujillo Contract Specialist, AFRL/RJZS Kirtland AFB, NM 87117 [email protected] Technical Manager: Mr. Joseph “Dan” Trujillo, AFRL/RJSW [email protected] Program Manager (Alternate): Mr. Manual Gonzales, AFRL/RVFC, [email protected] Eligibility Information Eligible Offeror: Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Section II, paragraph 1. Cost Sharing or Matching: Cost Sharing or Matching is not required on this call. Federally Funded Research and Development Centers: Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Section II, paragraph 3. Government Agencies: Reference ARA with CALLS, FA9453-21-S-0001, Section II, paragraph 4. Foreign Participation: Foreign-Owned Offerors are not authorized to propose to this CALL as prime contractor. The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774,