The Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) has begun soliciting bids for a potential 10-year, $980 million satellite broadband contract to provide satellite communications services under the Commercial Broadband Satellite Program (CBSP), according to a request for proposals (RFP) notice posted on the SAM website.
DISA classified nine performance requirements in the RFP:
• Operations support needs;
• Operations and architecture;
• Characterization and geolocation;
• Fault management;
• Transmission plan and frequency matrix;
• Operational management;
• Cybersecurity;
• Frequency clearances and approvals;
• Radio frequency interference identification; and
• Semi-annual sun transit reporting.
The new contract is expected to augment government-owned and operated telecommunications systems to provide additional redundancy to meet critical mission requirements.
The contract also seeks to support the U.S. Navy’s commercial SATCOM requirements by enabling the military branch to acquire satellite capacity in C, Ku, Ka, and X-bands for fixed and mobile satellite transceivers on the ground, and airborne maritime platforms.
According to the RFP, the contract is structured as an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract. It will replace an existing contract that provides connectivity between Navy and military sealift command (MSC) ships and Navy designated points of presence. The Navy will also utilize the contract to procure commercial teleport services, monitoring, and control, backhaul connectivity, and operations support to deliver connectivity between Navy and Military Sealift Command ships and MSC or Navy designated points of presence.
DISA expects to award a single contract. All proposals are due on Aug 10.
