Request for Information (RFI) #3

For

SPACE MODULAR COMMON CRYPTOGRAPHY (SMCC)

1.     This RFI is in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) clause 52.215-3 (Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes - Oct 1997) and is published to obtain information for use by the United States Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Space Communications Acquisition Section (AFLCMC/HNCSA), San Antonio, Texas, for market research and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government.

2.     This RFI is NOT a Request for Proposal, Invitation for Bid, or an announcement of a solicitation; it is only intended for information or planning purposes. There is no bid package or solicitation document associated with this announcement.  Response to this RFI is strictly voluntary and will not affect any potential offeror's ability to submit an offer if a solicitation is released.  Any requests for a solicitation package will be disregarded.  The government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for the information solicited.  No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the government will arise as a result of preparing submissions in response to this RFI and the government's use of such information.  Submittals will not be returned to the sender.  Respondents to this RFI may be requested to provide additional information/details based on their initial submittals.

3.     The goal of the Space Modular Common Cryptography (SMCC) Program is to provide Information Assurance (IA) services for new satellite architectures. This will be accomplished via a family of common cryptographic (crypto) solutions that integrate Telemetry, Tracking, and Commanding (TT&C), Mission Data, and/or Transmissions Security (TRANSEC) key stream functions for the Air Force, Department of Defense (DoD), and Intelligence Community space systems. The SMCC Program's mission is to secure communication links and the data transmitted, incorporate standard interfaces that leverage existing technologies, provide a basis for future technologies, and design solutions that are scalable, upgradeable, and reconfigurable. 

The United States Air Force is moving away from legacy "stove-pipe" satellite crypto solutions and moving towards a modular approach with a family of solutions for all constellations.  Applying the concept of disaggregated/mixed satellite constellations, AFLCMC/HNCSA will develop a continuum of crypto services which will meet the constrained conditions of operating and host environments. The SMCC Program may leverage existing National Security Agency (NSA) certified embeddable chips, boards, and end cryptographic units (ECUs) to cover the wide spectrum of Space Communication Security (COMSEC) requirements.  

4.     This RFI issued by AFLCMC/HNCSA solicits industry to provide information only to the questions provided as an attachment to this solicitation.  Responses should be sent via email to the appropriate government point of contacts (POCs) no later than close of business on 1 November 2013.  Please limit responses to 5 pages or less.  All questions and concerns regarding this notification shall be directed in writing to the appropriate government POC.   

5.     Responses to this RFI have the potential to be proprietary, For Official Use Only, or Classified.