Satellite Simulator RFQ for C3N

Questions & Answers / Clarifications

This document provides responses to vendor questions regarding the Salient Characteristics for Tactical Data Networks Lab Tech Refresh Satellite Simulators.

• Waveform Emulation: The government is open to additional waveforms beyond the specified DAMA/DASA 5 kHz, 25 kHz, but baseline requirements must be met.
• Simulator Functionality: The intended use of the simulator is as a "bent pipe" to allow testing of vendor terminals in a closed environment, rather than a full-up ground station transceiver.
• Inter-Terminal Communication: The simulator is intended to communicate with other user terminals, provided it covers current constellation parameters and can be upgraded for future changes.
• Keyfill Operation: The government is interested in a simplified keyfill operation that does not require loading OW keys into the simulator, only into user terminals, as long as operational procedures for the current constellation are emulated.
• External Reference Source: The TDN lab will use a GPS Standard as its external reference source, accommodating 1pps, 10 MHz, 5 MHz, and 1 MHz.

These clarifications provide specific details on the intended functionality, waveform support, and operational requirements for the satellite simulators, which may influence vendor proposals.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

This Statement of Work (SOW) outlines the procurement of specialized hardware and support equipment to refresh aging assets within the Tactical Data Networks (TDN) Lab.

The effort involves the purchase of three types of satellite simulator/emulator hardware and accessories:

• A multichannel UHF MUOS satellite simulator.
• A multichannel UHF DAMA/IW satellite simulator.
• A GPS satellite simulator.

MUOS Satellite Emulator:

• Portable and durable design.
• Emulates MUOS system operation without live satellite.
• Supports up to 4 simultaneous call service legs and 30 concurrent netted users.
• Supports user-created custom scenarios and default scenarios.
• Simulates hard limited channels.
• Supported Call Types: Point-to-Point (PtP), Point-to-Net (PtN), Netted Comms (Group), Multi-RAB.
• Data Rates: 2.4, 9.6, 32, 64 kbps.
• Operating Frequencies: 300-320 MHz (U2B) and 360-380 MHz (B2U) (configurable).
• Control and Interface: Web-based GUI, Local and Remote Access.
• Power: 120VAC.
• GPS input, management software availability, and equipment training are desired.

DAMA/IW Satellite Emulator:

• Portable and durable design.
• Emulates IW or DAMA system operation without live satellite.
• Operating modes: IW 5/25 kHz, DAMA/DASA 5 kHz, 25 kHz supported Dedicated Access.
• Supports frequency translation, digital band-limiting, hard-limiting, variable digital propagation delay, and variable digital thermal noise.
• Channel Simulation: 1 to 4 UHF SATCOM channels.
• Encrypted order wire.
• Operating frequencies: Transmit 292-318 MHz, Receive 243-270 MHz.
• User Interface: 1 to 4 user terminals (direct connection).
• RF input power protection up to 250 W.
• Supports MIL-STD interfaces (e.g., MIL-STD-188-114, RS-232/RS-422).
• Interoperable with specified cryptographic devices.
• Supports various User I/O Rates (bps) for IW and DAMA.
• Modulations supported: SOQPSK, BPSK, DEQPSK, (S)BPSK, FSK, CPM.
• Cryptographic Keyfill support.
• External Reference: 1, 5, or 10 MHz.
• Management software availability and equipment training are desired.

GPS Satellite Emulator:

• Key Simulation Features: 1000 Hz iteration rate or greater.
• Jamming and Spoofing Capabilities: Real-time emulation of GNSS environments.
• Signal Propagation & Errors Simulation: Includes multipath, ionospheric/tropospheric models, terrain modeling.
• Error Introduction and Management: Additive pseudorange ramps, ephemeris errors, satellite clock error modification, navigation message errors.
• Antenna Pattern Models, Signal Dynamics, Max Relative Velocity up to 1,500,000 m/s.
• Receiver Trajectory Simulation: Static, circular, car trajectories, spacecraft orbits (LEO/GEO).
• Import Capabilities: NMEA, CSV, KML files.
• Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) support.
• Hardware Feature Description: Inputs include 10 MHz, 1 PPS, GPS Ant; Frequency Range 32-3225 MHz; Minimum 4 Transmit Channels.
• Can simulate all constellations and frequency bands.
• Emulates GPS Open (L1C/A, L1C, L1P, L2P, L2C, L5), GPS Encrypted (P(Y), M-Code), and GLONASS (G1, G2).
• Equipment training is desired.

Delivery Location: AFLCMC/C3NE, 15 Eglin Rd Bldg. 1607, Lantern (TDN LAB), Hanscom AFB, MA 01731. Delivery shall be best effort, with notification to the government ordering representative at least 5 days prior to delivery.

• Vendor shall deliver all equipment to the specified location. Installation and assembly will be completed by TDN Lab personnel.

• Vendor shall provide all owner's manuals, warranty information, maintenance instructions, and documentation.

• Vendor is responsible for damages incurred during shipping and upon receipt/assembly.

• Vendor must include a Certificate of Conformance (CoC).

• All components must comply with the Trade Agreements Act (TAA).

• Vendor must certify that end products and components originate from TAA-designated countries.

• Primary Contact (TDN Lab Manager): Louis Hegger (781-225-4393, louis.hegger@us.af.mil)

• Secondary Contact: Greg Hiller (781-225-6636, gregory.hiller.1.ctr@us.af.mil)

The Contractor shall notify the TDN Lab Manager/POC at the time of shipping.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a synopsis for a requirement to procure commercially available Satellite Simulator hardware to support the Tactical Data Networks (TDN) Lab tech refresh project. The Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) is issuing this formal synopsis concurrently with the solicitation.

The contractor shall provide one or more of the following three types of systems, including accessories and warranties:

• Multichannel UHF MUOS Satellite Emulator: Capable of emulating MUOS system operations with up to 4 simultaneous call service legs and U2B/B2U direction operating frequencies.
• Multichannel UHF DAMA/IW Satellite Emulator: Capable of emulating IW or DAMA system operations, including frequency translation, propagation delay, and thermal noise. Must be fully interoperable with specified cryptographic equipment (KY-57, KY-100, KIV-7).
• GPS Satellite Emulator: Capable of providing real-time emulation of GNSS environments, including GPS (with M-Code) and GLONASS signals, as well as jamming and spoofing simulation.

• The solicitation number is FA229126QB002.

• Product or Service Code (PSC): 7C20

• NAICS Code: 334220

• Place of Delivery/Performance: AFLCMC/C3NE, 15 Eglin Rd, Bldg. 1607, Hanscom AFB, MA 01731.

• This is a competitive, 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside (SBSA).

• All responsible small business sources may submit a quote.

• Interested parties must refer to the attached formal solicitation (RFQ Letter and Model Contract - SF 1449) for the complete list of salient characteristics, terms and conditions, evaluation criteria, and quote submission instructions.

• Response Date/Time: 29 May 2026 at 1:00 PM EST.

• Quotes must be valid for a minimum of 180 days.

• 100% Total Small Business Set-Aside (SBSA).

• Primary POC: Chhunheng Phay, chhunheng.phay@us.af.mil

• Secondary POC: James Faria, james.faria.3@us.af.mil

Other / Unclassified

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Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document is a solicitation for the purchase of three types of satellite simulator/emulator hardware and accessories for the TDN Lab Refresh project. The items to be procured are:

• UHF MUOS satellite simulator

• UHF DAMA/IW satellite simulator

• GPS satellite simulator

• Purchase of three specific types of satellite simulator/emulator hardware and accessories.

• The items are identified as "UHF MUOS satellite simulator IAW Attachment 1", "UHF DAMA/IW satellite simulator IAW Attachment 1", and "GPS satellite simulator IAW Attachment 1".

• Product Service Code: 7C20 for all items.

• Pricing Arrangement: Firm Fixed Price for all items.

• Delivery Schedule: 60 Calendar Days from the date of award.

• Inspection and Acceptance: Both destination and origin inspection/acceptance are applicable.

• The contract will be administered by AFLCMC C3NE at Hanscom AFB, MA.

• Offer Due Date: May 29, 2026, 01:00 PM.

• The solicitation incorporates FAR clauses 52.212-1, 52.212-4, and 52.212-5 by reference.

• Evaluation factors are not explicitly detailed in the provided pages, but the document states the Government will award to the responsible Offeror whose offer is most advantageous, considering price and other factors.

• This acquisition is set aside 100% for Small Business.

• North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code: 334220, with a size standard of 1250 employees.

• Payment requests and receiving reports are to be submitted electronically via Wide Area WorkFlow (WAWF).

• The document includes various DFARS and FAR clauses related to contract administration, cybersecurity (CMMC), small business programs, and other requirements.

Solicitation / RFQ

This Request for Quote (RFQ) is for TDN Lab Satellite Simulators. The U.S. Government (USG) is seeking quotes to provide these simulators in accordance with Attachment 1, Salient Characteristics. This is a small business set-aside under NAICS 334220.

• Offerors must quote based on Attachment 1, Salient Characteristics.

• Quotes must meet all requirements for the CLINs quoted to be considered technically acceptable.

• Failure to meet specifications for a CLIN will result in that CLIN being excluded from evaluation.

• Offerors must submit a technical approach and acknowledge technical capabilities.

• The technical volume must include a complete Bill of Materials with components, quantities, and part numbers.

• Supply Chain and Cybersecurity compliance will be assessed via SPRS and NIST.

• The Government reserves the right to make one, multiple, or no Firm Fixed Price awards.

• Awards may be divided among multiple Offerors based on Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable (LPTA) CLINs.

• Quotes are valid for 180 days.

• Any resulting award over the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) will be subject to Limitations on Subcontracting (LOS) and the Nonmanufacturer Rule (NMR).

• Offerors can quote a minimum of one (1) CLIN to a maximum of three (3) CLINs.

• Quotes are due electronically no later than 29 May 2026 at 1:00 PM Eastern Time (ET).

• The target date for questions is 14 May 2026 at 1:00 PM ET.

• Evaluation will be based on Lowest Priced Technically Acceptable (LPTA).

• Technical acceptability will be evaluated against Attachment 1.

• Cost/Price Volume will be evaluated for reasonableness.

• Any exceptions to the terms and conditions in Attachment 2 (Model Contract) will render a submission technically unacceptable.

• This RFQ is a small business set-aside.

• Offerors must affirm they are a small business under NAICS 334220.

• Offerors must not be listed on the Supplier Performance Risk System (SPRS) National Security Systems (NSS) restricted list.

• Funds are not presently available; no award will be made until funds are available.

• The Government reserves the right to cancel the solicitation.

• Offerors must submit an assessment of potential or actual Organizational Conflict of Interest (OCI) issues, if any, with a mitigation plan.

• Attachments include: Salient Characteristics, Model Contract, Price Format Sheet, and Synopsis Notice.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a pricing sheet template provided for bidders to fill out their proposed prices for specific contract line items (CLINs).

• CLINs: Lists specific items to be priced, including 'Aircraft Workshop Cabinet', 'Helibox', and 'Mechanic Cabinet'.
• SatSim Type: Identifies the nature of the item.
• CLIN Type: Specifies the contract type for each CLIN (e.g., 'FFP' for Firm-Fixed-Price).
• QTY: Indicates the quantity required for each CLIN.
• Unit Price: A field for the bidder to enter their proposed unit price.
• Instructions: Bidders are instructed to fill in the yellow-highlighted fields and enter 'n/a' if they are not quoting on a specific CLIN.

This sheet is critical for bidders to provide their pricing information in the format required by the government. It directly impacts the proposal submission and will be used for evaluating the financial aspect of the bid.