Level 2 (Self)
TECHNOLOGY AREAS
None
MODERNIZATION PRIORITIES
Integrated Network Systems-of-Systems
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Space Technology
KEYWORDS
Commercial satellite imagery; hub and spoke-style scheduling; speed of imagery reception; multi-vendor integration; single points of failure; data sharing and collaboration
OBJECTIVE
Develop a software application that uses a hub and spoke-style negotiating service for commercial satellite data providers (i.e., Imagery Synthetic Aperture Radar/ and Research and Development (SAR/RD)), utilizing their native Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) to forecast collection opportunities while optimizing resolution, speed of collection, and cost across multiple providers.
ITAR
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 section 3.5 of 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.
DESCRIPTION
Satellite imagery provides a critical foundation for maritime domain awareness (MDA), allowing the Navy to monitor vast ocean expanses, track vessel movements, and detect unusual activities while also supporting intelligence gathering by providing visual confirmation of suspected activities, revealing adversary capabilities and intentions, and informing strategic decision-making. The Navy primarily relies on its own dedicated reconnaissance assets and a limited number of Government contractors to receive imagery from satellites, which limits the speed of imagery reception and imposes reliance issues on accurate resources. A solution to the limiting factors would be to expand resources to multiple commercial satellite vendors, thus diversifying the sources of information and reducing reliance on single points of failure. The Navy seeks resilience in contested environments where access to a single vendor might be disrupted by weather or other conditions by development of an advanced hub and spoke-style scheduling optimization capability that will forecast opportunities and provide optimizing resolution, speed of collection, and costs across multiple commercial satellite providers. No known commercial capability can meet this need.
The solution application tool must provide a way to combine the following parameters.
It must achieve seamless multi-vendor integration that can be used for accessing a single, unified system and dynamically adapt to weather conditions by integrating real-time weather data and predictive models directly into the scheduling process.
It must also provide a prioritization capability for time-critical requirements such as tracking a high-value target or responding to a developing crisis.
It will optimize cost-efficiency for the scheduling process by selecting the most cost-effective vendor for a given task.
It will minimize redundant collections.
It will leverage opportunities for data sharing and collaboration among the commercial satellites.
It will enhance data fusion and analysis by combining imagery from different sources.
It must ensure data security and integrity by incorporating security measures.
The solution will be tested and must meet the following parameters:
System Functionality and Performance: includes integration testing, automated tasking and re-tasking, scalability and load testing, and user interface and functionality.
Imagery Quality and Usability: includes image resolution and clarity, cloud cover and obstruction analysis, and data fusion and processing.
Operational Effectiveness: includes simulated scenarios, field demonstrations, and user feedback/evaluation.
Security and Interoperability: includes security testing and interoperability testing.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: includes cost modeling and analysis.
Work produced in Phase II may become classified. The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. owned and operated with no foreign influence as defined by 32 U.S.C. 2004.20 et seq., National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) formerly Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances. This will allow contractor personnel to perform on advanced phases of this project as set forth by DCSA and NAVSEA in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material during the advanced phases of this contract IAW the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), which can be found at Title 32, Part 2004.20 of the Code of Federal Regulations.
PHASE I
Develop a concept for a software hub and spoke-style scheduling optimization capability that feasibly meets the requirements in the Description. Demonstrate feasibility through modeling and analysis. The Phase I Option, if exercised, will include the initial design specifications and capabilities to build a prototype solution in Phase II.
PHASE II
Develop a prototype software hub and spoke-style scheduling optimization capability. Demonstrate that the prototype meets the parameters in the Description. Support testing of the prototype at a facility provided by the Government to determine it meets the required performance goals as stated in the Description. Deliver the prototype to the Navy.
It is probable that the work under this effort will be classified under Phase II (see the Description for details).
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS
Support the Navy in transitioning the technology to Navy use. Assist in testing the capability in the Government test facilities to ensure that the system meets the demanding requirements of the Maritime Targeting Cell-Afloat/Expeditionary (MTC-A/X) program and provides for future development and deployment decisions, ultimately contributing to a more effective and responsive imagery acquisition capability.
Outside of the military, this technology has the potential to revolutionize various sectors, such as law enforcement, marine wildlife protection, climate change research, vessel collision avoidance, supply chain management, coordination of rescue/relief efforts, and meteorology. The system could be deployed across multiple domains, improving safety, efficiency, and environmental protection in diverse environments.
REFERENCES
Defence Geospatial Intelligence DGI). DGI 2015 Industry Survey. The 11th Annual Geospatial Intelligence Conference & Exhibition, 2015. http://dgi.wbresearch.com/media/1001380/27235.pdf
Cho, Doo-Hyun
Kim, Jun-Hong
Choi, Han-Lim and Ahn, Jaemyung. Optimization-Based Scheduling Method for Agile Earth-Observing Satellite Constellation. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Journal of Aerospace Information Systems, November 2018, pp. 611-669. https://arc.aiaa.org/doi/epdf/10.2514/1.I010620
National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual (NISP), 32 U.S.C. 2004.20 et seq. (1993). https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-32/subtitle-B/chapter-XX/part-2004
