The Advanced Systems and Development Directorate (SMC/AD) is hereby soliciting information about potential sources to produce a Long Duration Propulsive ESPA (LDPE), integrate payloads, and support launch and on-orbit operations. The term "ESPA" (EELV (Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle) Secondary Payload Adapter) is used in this RFI to describe a payload adapter class whose development was sponsored and demonstrated by the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL); it is not intended to indicate a specific article or vendor. Responders may offer any equivalent qualified payload adapter technologies or structures in response to this RFI, but may use the ESPA as a point of departure.

There are two types of payloads intended for the manifest on the LDPE: 1) separable payloads, and 2) non-separable payloads. The payloads intended for LDPE integration will be provided as Government Furnished Equipment (GFE). No other GFE will be provided. Individual payload providers will be responsible for integration costs onto the core. Separable payloads are classic ESPA-class space vehicles. Non-separable payloads are integrated to the ESPA port and are supported by the LDPE for the entire mission duration. The term "fully-integrated" is used to describe an LDPE with payloads mounted to available ports and fully tested at the system level.

There are two distinct efforts for which the LDPE program office is soliciting information. The first effort will consist of one ESPA as described above and it needs to be able to meet the AFSPC-67 4th Qtr FY22 launch date. This ESPA will also be known as "LDPE-3". The second effort consists of 4 ESPAs with the first delivery needed in FY23. These ESPAs will be also known as "LDPE 4-7".