ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (November 16, 2020) – The Army is calling upon industry for solutions for three capabilities needed to support Capability Set 23 (CS23), the next iteration of its modernized tactical network.The Army Futures Command’s Network Cross-Functional Team (N-CFT), partnered with Program Executive Office Command Control Communications-Tactical (PEO C3T), have released a call for white papers for technologies that may be ready for experimental consideration as part of CS23, which seeks to increase capacity, resiliency and convergence of the network.
The three white paper topics, resulting from a September 2020 virtual technical exchange meeting between government and industry, are:
· C5ISR/EW Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS)/Modular Open RF Architecture (MORA) Digital Radioheads (RHs). This effort specifically seeks digital RHs that are capable (or have a path to capability) of implementation with CMOSS. The Digital RH performs signal conditioning functions such as power amplification, filtering, RF tuning, and transmit/receive switching. The Digital RH concept also encourages the colocation of both high-power amplifier for the transmitter and low-power amplifier for the receiver in a Digital RH module external to the vehicle with the antenna. Besides SWaP-C improvements, communications systems performance can be optimized with this configuration as well.
· Command Post Integrated Power Solutions. Modern command posts must power a variety of new computing systems, servers, radios and audio/visual components. To mitigate this, the Army is interested in exploring the use of vehicle mounted advanced lightweight auxiliary power units/generators, high-density energy storage, intelligent power distribution, optimized controls and prognostics/diagnostics.
· Intra Command Post Wireless. To support the Command Post Integrated Infrastructure (CPI2) program, the Army is seeking a wireless communications system that can provide at-the-halt, and ideally on-the-move, vehicle-to-vehicle communications operating in multiple frequency bands while also limiting Radio Frequency (RF) signature. The solution aims for an integrated radio/antenna with low Size Weight and Power (SWaP). The capability will be integrated onto vehicle platforms and operate using vehicle power.
The call for white papers is part of a Broad Agency Agreement (BAA) sponsored by the N-CFT to procure critical capabilities required for incremental modernization of the Army’s tactical network. The BAA utilizes a two-phase process to solicit offers and select a source for award.
· Phase One – Step One: Submission of White Papers
*Step Two: Technological Demonstration (by invitation only)
· Phase Two – Submission of Proposals (by invitation only)
“The BAA allows flexibility to support the broad range of topics and types of contracts the Army anticipates needing for capability set development,” said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Chris Westbrook, who serves as the N-CFT’s primary interface for collaboration with industry and other partners.
Based on industry feedback for a better collaborative process, the Army is using the Joint Communications Marketplace (JCM) to manage the white paper pro
cess. The JCM will automate workflow and allow the government to provide industry feedback on prototype activities.
To help answer industry questions regarding the subject and content of the white papers, the Army will host virtual discussion sessions for each white paper topic. During these sessions, subject-matter experts will answer questions related to the white paper problem set and requirements. For more detailed information, to include the dates and times of those sessions, please visit the JCM Joint Tactical Networking Center (JTNC) site, via https://jtnc.force.com/
The call for white papers is posted on beta.SAM.gov at https://beta.sam.gov/opp/d2471ffd5b6747c2b8fca38b827caa14/view
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