Commercial Satellite Communications (COMSATCOM) for USSOCOM J6

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides answers to questions submitted by potential vendors regarding the Global End-to-End Commercial Satellite Communications (COMSATCOM) Services RFI (Reference ID: USSOCOM J6 COMSATCOM).

• Incumbent Response: Responses from all interested parties, including the incumbent, are welcome but not mandatory for this RFI, which is part of a research effort to identify all potential, capable sources.
• Frequency Bands: The term 'etc.' in relation to frequency bands (Ku, Ka, X) is inclusive of all bands a respondent can provide, including L-band and Mil-Ka. Respondents are encouraged to describe how these can augment requirements.
• UHF Capacity: The 6x 25k Legacy UHF channels required are contractor-provided. Other UHF services may be optionally included.
• Teaming Agreements: The government recognizes FAR Subpart 9.6 and does not intend to preclude standard teaming agreements or subcontracts for this effort. The emphasis on 'currently' in Section 5.3.1 is to assess existing, in-place network infrastructure and contractual access for immediate readiness.
• Personnel Requirements (5.5.5): Requirements for directly employed personnel are to assess current maturity and demonstrated experience, not to limit competition. The government is not requiring offerors to procure staff or facilities prior to RFI submission but to describe existing capabilities.
• Facility Requirements (5.5.5 - 5.5.7): Facility requirements (25-mile radius, square footage) are based on critical operational needs for COOP, collaboration, and security, not to limit competition. A plan to acquire a facility is not considered equivalent to a currently operational one for this RFI.
• SIPRNET Requirement (5.6.4): The shift to requiring SIPRNET during the proposal process is due to evolving operational security needs to protect sensitive information. This serves as a practical test of an offeror's day-one readiness. SIPRNet access will not be sponsored or facilitated.
• HEO Services (5.7.1): Highly Elliptical Orbit (HEO) services are considered a valuable augmentation for layered resilience and high-latitude connectivity, and respondents may optionally provide details on their integration capabilities.
• Transition Approach (5.8): The provided metrics are a common baseline to assess a company's methodology and approach to managing a complex transition, differentiating between GFE and incumbent assets. The ambiguity between transitioning and replacing is deliberate to explore acquisition strategies.

No impact on proposal deadlines or submission rules was noted, as the Q&A deadline has passed. The responses clarify existing requirements and intent.

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the Commercial Satellite Communications (COMSATCOM) for USSOCOM J6 opportunity.

• Page Limit: The RFI page limit remains at fifteen (15) pages. Any changes will be communicated via amendment.
• Submission Deadline: The response due date is March 25th, 2026. Extensions will be communicated via amendment.
• Facility Location: A facility located 200 miles from MacDill AFB is considered a non-acceptable obstacle due to the critical requirement for proximity (within a 25-mile radius) for Continuity of Operations (COOP) exercises, in-person collaboration, and rapid response.
• Consortium/JV Past Performance: For this RFI, past performance is evaluated for established Joint Ventures or prime/subcontractor teams with a demonstrated history of working together. Notional teams or partnerships for future proposals are outside the scope of this market research. Responding entities must clearly define their partnership structure and the roles each member currently performs.

While the page limit and submission deadline remain unchanged at this time, the clarification on facility location and past performance for consortia/JVs significantly impacts how potential bidders should structure their responses and assess their eligibility.

Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought

This RFI is issued by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to conduct market research and identify sources capable of providing a comprehensive, global, end-to-end Commercial Satellite Communications (COMSATCOM) solution. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP), and the government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response.

USSOCOM requires a robust, flexible, and resilient COMSATCOM infrastructure to support global Special Operations Forces (SOF). The solution encompasses global satellite space segment, commercial media port services, terrestrial backhaul connectivity, and operational management support.

Respondents are asked to provide information on their capabilities and experience in the following areas:

• End-to-End Solution Management: Experience managing global COMSATCOM solutions, project management, configuration management, quality assurance, and rapid service activation.

• Global Space Segment: Access to global satellite capacity across various frequency bands, provision of specific UHF channels, service portability, and capabilities for Airborne ISR (AISR) and Communications on the Move (COTM) platforms.

• Media Port & Gateway Services: Ownership or contractual access to global media ports and satellite capacity, including details on partnerships, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), physical security, redundancy, and maintenance support.

• Terrestrial Backhaul Network: Architecture of terrestrial core networks, global Points of Presence (PoPs), diversity, throughput capacity, limitations, and GEO/MEO/LEO SaaS interconnections.

• Operations and Maintenance Support: Provision of cleared personnel (TS/SCI), 24/7 Network Operations Center (NOC) and helpdesk capabilities, integration of satellite network monitoring data, specialized support for iDirect/ViaSat/TDMA/SCPC technologies, and facility security clearances.

• Security: Company security programs, personnel vetting processes, experience with DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF) and Authority to Operate (ATO), and secure communications capabilities (SIPRNET, STE/VoSIP).

• Subscription Services: Capability to provide and integrate services from GEO/MEO/LEO SaaS providers and plans for future technology integration.

• Transition: Experience with transitioning global satellite and terrestrial communications networks and approaches to meeting 90-day transition timelines with minimal disruption.

• Responses should be submitted as a white paper, not exceeding fifteen (15) pages, single-spaced, 12-point type, with one-inch margins.

• The email submission limit is 5 MB.

• Responses must specifically address the interested party's ability and capabilities to meet the requirements outlined in this RFI.

• Questions Due: March 12th, 2026, by 12:00 P.M. EDT

• Response Due: March 25th, 2026, by 12:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time

Companies, large or small, are encouraged to respond.

Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought

The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is seeking information on industry capabilities to provide a comprehensive, global, end-to-end Commercial Satellite Communications (COMSATCOM) solution. This RFI aims to conduct market research and identify potential sources capable of meeting requirements. It is for informational and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP).

The required solution encompasses:

• Global satellite space segment
• Commercial media port services
• Terrestrial backhaul connectivity (including interconnections to Satellite as a Service providers)
• Comprehensive operational and management support

Specific areas of interest include:

• End-to-End Solution Management experience
• Global Space Segment capabilities (including specific UHF channel requirements)
• Media Port & Gateway Services
• Terrestrial Backhaul Network architecture
• Operations and Maintenance Support (including cleared personnel and facilities)
• Security and adherence to DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF)
• Subscription Services from GEO/MEO/LEO SaaS providers
• Transition capabilities for global networks

Not applicable, as this is an RFI.

• Responses should be concise, focus on existing capabilities, and follow the RFI structure.
• Submissions must be a white paper, not exceeding 15 pages (excluding attachments), single-spaced, 12-point type.
• Email submission limit is 5 MB.
• Response Due Date: March 25th, 2026, by 12:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time.
• Questions due by: March 12th, 2026, by 12:00 P.M. Eastern Daylight Savings Time (EDT).

Companies, large or small, are encouraged to respond.

• The U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI.
• Answers to questions will be posted on SAM.gov.

Request for Information (RFI) / Sources Sought

This RFI is issued by the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) to conduct market research and identify sources capable of providing a comprehensive, global, end-to-end Commercial Satellite Communications (COMSATCOM) solution. This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP), and the government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response.

USSOCOM requires a robust, flexible, and resilient COMSATCOM infrastructure to support global Special Operations Forces (SOF), including connectivity for command-and-control (C2), intelligence dissemination, and operational support. The solution encompasses global satellite space segment, commercial media port services, terrestrial backhaul connectivity, and operational/management support.

Respondents are requested to provide information on their capabilities and experience in the following areas:

• End-to-End Solution Management: Experience as a Prime Contractor, project management, configuration management, quality assurance, and rapid service activation.

• Global Space Segment: Access to global satellite capacity across various frequency bands, specific capabilities for Legacy UHF channels (EUCOM, AFRICOM, Middle East, Pacific), service portability, and experience with Airborne ISR (AISR) and Communications on the Move (COTM) platforms. Includes EMI/RFI mitigation.

• Media Port & Gateway Services: Ownership or contractual access to global media ports and satellite capacity, specific commercial media ports, physical security, power redundancy, network diversity, geographically separated redundant ports, and touch maintenance support.

• Terrestrial Backhaul Network: Architecture of terrestrial core network, global Points of Presence (PoPs), GEO/MEO/LEO SaaS interconnections, geographic diversity/redundancy, and network management/monitoring capabilities.

• Operations and Maintenance Support: Ability to provide cleared personnel (TS/SCI), 24/7 Network Operations Center (NOC) and helpdesk capabilities, experience integrating satellite network monitoring data, specialized support for iDirect/ViaSat/TDMA/SCPC technologies, and details on cleared facilities and personnel.

• Security: Company security program, personnel vetting process, experience with DoD Risk Management Framework (RMF) and Authority to Operate (ATO), and capability to provide secure communications (SIPRNET, STE/VoSIP).

• Subscription Services: Capability to provide and integrate services from GEO/MEO/LEO SaaS providers and any future technology plans.

• Transition: Experience with transitioning global satellite and terrestrial communications networks and a notional approach to a 90-day transition timeline.

• Response Format: White paper, not exceeding 15 pages (excluding attachments), single-spaced, 12-point type, 1-inch margins, 8.5" x 11" page size. Email submission limit of 5 MB.

• Response Due Date: March 30th, 2026, by 12:00 P.M. Eastern Standard Time.

• Questions Due Date: March 16th, 2026, by 09:00 A.M. Eastern Daylight Savings Time (EDT).

Companies, large or small, are encouraged to respond.