PROJECTED CMMC LEVEL REQUIREMENT
Level 2 (Self)
TECHNOLOGY AREAS
Battlespace
MODERNIZATION PRIORITIES
Space Technology
KEYWORDS
TacSRT; space sensing; analytics; surveillance; reconnaissance; tracking; terrestrial; space-to-ground; fusion; change detection; downlink; automated exploitation; maritime awareness; environmental monitoring; decision making; situational awareness; AI-ML
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this Phase I effort is to identify, assess, and demonstrate the feasibility of novel, non-missile-warning space and/or ground enabled sensing and analytic capabilities that can deliver rapid, commercially derived insights with meaningful operational utility. The effort seeks concepts that enhance geospatial tactical awareness, reduce operational risk, and provide operators with timely, relevant, and resilient information in contested environments. Phase I will evaluate scientific and technical feasibility, characterize expected performance, and define the minimum viable capability that can be matured into a rapidly fieldable prototype in Phase II.
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
This topic seeks to rapidly field non-missile-warning, space and/or ground enabled sensing and analytic capabilities that enhance warfighter decision speed. Space Force Components and Combatant Commands increasingly depend on commercially derived, space and/or ground enabled insights, but existing systems lack the responsiveness, automation, and sensing diversity needed for real-time tactical awareness. Adversary advancements and dynamic operational environments have outpaced traditional acquisition approaches, creating critical gaps that Tactical Surveillance, Reconnaissance, and Tracking (TacSRT) is working to solve.
Aligned with the Space Force Commercial Space Strategy, this topic solicits innovative, unclassified concepts across the sensing-to-analysis continuum including data collection, phenomenology exploitation, analytic fusion, and information delivery that can deliver meaningful operational utility within one year. Proposed solutions may introduce new sensing or analytic methods or significantly advance existing commercial approaches. An initial operational capability (IOC) is defined as a functional prototype that provides testable outputs directly to operators.
Solutions may include hardware, software, analytic tools, sensing concepts, data-processing architectures, or integrated workflows. Stand-alone capabilities and service-based models are acceptable, and performers may leverage commercial space-as-a-service or existing commercial space infrastructure. Approaches must deliver timely, operationally relevant insights without requiring government development of new space hardware.
Representative in-scope areas include novel phenomenology sensing, automated exploitation pipelines, multi-sensor fusion, change detection, activity characterization, material or environmental signature analysis, deep maritime or littoral monitoring, rapid-revisit analytics, unconventional sensing approaches, space-to-air or space-to-ground tipping and cueing, high-cadence environmental insight, incorporation of AI/ML, and fusion of structured or unstructured data. Out-of-scope areas include missile warning/tracking, kinetic interceptors, satellite buses, and launch vehicles. The overarching intent is to operationalize commercial capabilities rapidly and ensure warfighters receive meaningful, unique insights at the speed of need. The intent of this effort is not focused on Operational Planning Product (OPP) generation through the Global Data Marketplace but targets a new innovative solution (view Reference 1 for additional context).
PHASE I
Phase I will determine the technical merit, scientific feasibility, and operational applicability of proposed non-missile-warning space-enabled sensing or analytic capabilities. Over a three-month Period of Performance (PoP), performers will identify the core technical approach, characterize expected performance, and validate feasibility through targeted analysis, modeling, simulation, or initial prototype demonstrations. Activities may include:
- Characterizing sensing or analytic methods and defining the minimum viable capability.
- Conducting trade studies, modeling, data analysis, or small-scale experiments.
- Assessing performance in relevant operational scenarios aligned to SRT-supported Components.
- Evaluating pathways for integration into existing commercial-derived workflows or architectures.
- Identifying technical risks, operational constraints, data dependencies, and mitigation strategies.
- Outlining expected capability maturity achievable within a 12-month timeframe, from Phase I contract award through Phase II
Phase I must culminate in:
A clear feasibility assessment supported by technical evidence.
A Phase II plan aligned to the schedule, including delivery of an initial operational capability and full prototype within the Phase II PoP.
Defined operating parameters and anticipated performance metrics.
An integration and transition concept demonstrating how the capability can support SRT mission needs.
Performers must demonstrate that Phase II development can begin immediately to ensure continuity and minimizing administrative latency.
PHASE II
Phase II will mature the feasible concepts identified in Phase I into a deployable, testable prototype. As the principal R&D effort, Phase II will include design refinement, system development, integration activities, and operationally relevant testing focused on delivering a measurable improvement in tactical insight or decision advantage. Activities may include:
- Developing and demonstrating a prototype that produces actionable outputs.
- Conducting system integration, to include data pipelines, processing architectures, or delivery mechanisms.
- Evaluating performance across key operating parameters such as latency, persistence, coverage, accuracy, resilience, and usability.
- Testing in relevant or operationally representative environments, including SRT-supported workflows.
- Iterating capability in collaboration with Space Force Components and end users.
- Documenting performance, reliability, and scalability for transition planning.
Success criteria for Phase II include:
- Demonstrated prototype capability that materially improves the sensing or analytic options available to the warfighter.
- Ability to integrate outputs into operational workflows with minimal burden on users.
- Evidence that commercial markets can support long-term sustainment or scaling.
- Achievable path to Phase III transition, including identification of customers, funding mechanisms, and required approvals.
For Phase II proposals, the target should be to develop a working prototype for immediate operational demonstration and transition as soon as possible and adhere to the expected capability maturity timeframe developed in Phase I.
PHASE III DUAL USE APPLICATIONS
Phase III will pursue full transition of the capability to operational use through non-SBIR/STTR funding streams. This phase may include final integration, expanded testing, scaling to larger user bases, or adaptation for additional mission partners. Capabilities entering Phase III should target a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6-7, demonstrating functionality in relevant environments and readiness for operational deployment. Activities may include:
- Full integration into SRT operational workflows or related architectures.
- Transition planning with acquiring organizations, including SYD 810/ETT, and their stakeholders.
- Compliance with security, accreditation, data, and interoperability requirements.
- Engagement with Combatant Commands and Partner Nations for expanded adoption.
- Identifying dual-use opportunities across defense, civil, and commercial markets to strengthen long-term sustainability.
Phase III success is achieved when the capability is fielded at scale, provides recurring operational value, and reduces warfighter risk by delivering timely, commercial-derived insights that expand sensing diversity and strengthen decision advantage.
REFERENCES
https://www.ssc.spaceforce.mil/Newsroom/Article/3791948/space-force-leverages-commercial-data-analytics-to-aid-combatant-commands-in-ne.
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