OUSD (R&E) CRITICAL TECHNOLOGY AREA(S): Advanced Computing and Software; Integrated Sensing and Cyber; Integrated Network System-of-Systems; Space Technology; Advanced Materials; Human-Machine Interfaces; Renewable Energy Generation and Storage The technology within this topic is restricted under the International Traffic in Arms Regulation (ITAR), 22 CFR Parts 120-130, which controls the export and import of defense-related material and services, including export of sensitive technical data, or the Export Administration Regulation (EAR), 15 CFR Parts 730-774, which controls dual use items. Offerors must disclose any proposed use of foreign nationals (FNs), their country(ies) of origin, the type of visa or work permit possessed, and the statement of work (SOW) tasks intended for accomplishment by the FN(s) in accordance with the Announcement. Offerors are advised foreign nationals proposed to perform on this topic may be restricted due to the technical data under US Export Control Laws. OBJECTIVE: The main objective of this proposal is to foster a collaborative partnership with SpaceWERX and small businesses, advancing digital transformation, hardware modernization, and operational enhancement of our future spaceports. This is to be achieved through strategic seeding of innovative small businesses, aiming to develop technological solutions that align with the Assured Access to Space (AATS) vision. The ultimate goal is to leverage the agility, ingenuity, and adaptability of small businesses to revolutionize spaceport operations and services, thereby actualizing the Spaceport of the Future (SOTF). DESCRIPTION: The Assured Access to Space (AATS) Chief Technology & Innovation office is seeking to partner with SpaceWERX in order to seed small businesses that can develop transformative technologies aimed at the realization of the Spaceport of the Future (SOTF) vision. This strategic investment in small businesses is envisioned to expedite the digital transformation of USSF bi-coastal spaceport operations, augment launch operational efficiency and capacity, and promote standardization, thereby revolutionizing the delivery of launch services. To that end, AATS is interested in making technological investments in the following four strategic areas: (1) Digital Transformation & Legacy Hardware Modernization: Looking for small businesses with expertise in cloud computing, DevSecOps, data analytics, cybersecurity, and especially modernizing legacy range hardware to aid in achieving our vision of being a digital-first service. (2) Agility & Capacity Enhancement Solutions: Seeking technologies that can improve the adaptability of our spaceports, streamline launch data analysis, and facilitate the capability for concurrent launch operations. (3) Data Management & Transport Layer Technologies: Interested in solutions that enable real-time data sharing, comprehensive spaceport health assessment, and secure data transport layers to augment our data-centric operational approach. (4) Standardization Technologies: Looking for innovations that support standardization across both eastern and western launch range operations to enhance user experiences and reduce our logistics footprint. PHASE I: As this is a Direct-to-Phase-II (D2P2) topic, no Phase I awards will be made as a result of this topic. To qualify for this D2P2 topic, the Government expects the Offeror to demonstrate feasibility by means of a prior Phase I-type effort that does not constitute work undertaken as part of a prior SBIR/STTR funding agreement. As this is a Direct-to-Phase-II (D2P2) topic, no Phase I awards will be made as a result of this topic. To qualify for this D2P2 topic, the Government expects the Offeror to demonstrate feasibility by means of a prior Phase I-type effort that does not constitute work undertaken as part of a prior SBIR/STTR funding agreement. This feasibility demonstration should encompass the evaluation of scientific and technical merit and feasibility of ideas with commercial potential. Additionally, it must validate the product-market between the proposed solution and the USSF customer. The feasibility study should identify the prime potential USSF end users for the Defense-modified commercial offering, describe integration feasibility and costs with current mission-specific products, and explore the potential use by other DoD or Governmental customers. Documentation should include all relevant information including, but not limited to: technical reports, test data, prototype designs/models, and performance goals/results. Prior work to demonstrate feasibility must meet the minimum technical and scientific merit specified in this description. Work submitted with the feasibility demonstration must have been substantially performed by the Offeror and/or the Principal Investigator. PHASE II: AATS is interested in making technological investments in the following four strategic areas: (1) Digital Transformation & Legacy Hardware Modernization: Looking for small businesses with expertise in cloud computing, DevSecOps, data analytics, cybersecurity, and especially modernizing legacy range hardware to aid in achieving our vision of being a digital-first service. (2) Agility & Capacity Enhancement Solutions: Seeking technologies that can improve the adaptability of our spaceports, streamline launch data analysis, and facilitate the capability for concurrent launch operations. (3) Data Management & Transport Layer Technologies: Interested in solutions that enable real-time data sharing, comprehensive spaceport health assessment, and secure data transport layers to augment our data-centric operational approach. (4) Standardization Technologies: Looking for innovations that support standardization across both eastern and western launch range operations to enhance user experiences and reduce our logistics footprint. Successful Phase-II proposals and awards will provide an end-to-end capability demonstration in a relevant laboratory operational environment, including initial field testing to prove that the proposed capability is prepared to move in to limited production and limited operational field testing. The successful Phase-II capability shall achieve TRL-6 or higher, as documented in a final report with laboratory and field demonstration. PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS: Phase III efforts generated out of this Specific Topic will be executed by PEO AATS to further operationalize and sustain the prototyped capabilities. REFERENCES: Spaceport of the Future (SOTF) Strategic Guidance Memorandum; Delta-V Capability Needs Statement; KEYWORDS: Spaceport Operations, Assured Access to Space (AATS), Digital Transformation, Launch Data Management, Launch Operations Standardization, Cybersecurity, DevSecOps, Cloud Computing, Real-time Data Sharing, Spaceport Health Assessment
