• This SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE is for market research and acquisition decision-making purposes only.
• Responses are required in writing to Documentation shown below: The Government's needs can be addressed by responding with a Capability Statement outlining its qualifications and capability to perform as a contractor.
• Information should include the company name, address, point of contact, phone, fax (if applicable), email, unique entity identifier, cage code, tax ID number, type of business; SDVOSB; VOSB; WOSB; small; or large.
Please respond by email to melissa.chanduviholmes@va.gov with the subject line "Sources Sought Notice No. 36C24526Q0799 Cable Service". All information submissions must be received no later than January 30, 2026.
• GENERAL STATEMENTS OF CAPABILITY ARE NOT ACCEPTABLE.
Please note: The Government's needs cannot be addressed by responding to this SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE solely.
• The Department of Defense, Contracting Division intends to award a sole-source contract to L3Harris for components of the C-5 aircraft's Communication Navigation System and Air Traffic Management.
• Small business participation in this acquisition is restricted due to the critical nature of the CNS/ATM system, which provides navigation guidance to the C-5 Galaxy transport aircraft.
• The NSN 58952-01-3433UC component is a Satellite Data Unit (SDU), while the SATCOM Antenna and Part Number 1242-A-0010-21 are individual products under this contract.
• The Department of Veterans Affairs, Network Contracting Office 23, seeks access to bandwidth on a UHF-capable MEO satellite for experimental purposes.
• This offering prioritizes existing space vehicle, payload, and communications link capabilities for immediate or near-term use initially, with potential future development as an MEO capability.
• An initial launch capability by 2030 is sought but innovation leading to this goal can be explored earlier.
• Access involves technology solutions that leverage existing capabilities to provide on-orbit service immediately.
Here are three to four bullet points summarizing the requested information:
• The Department of Defense, Space Technology Mission Directorate, requests access to a UHF-capable on-orbit satellite carried by a commercially owned, commercially operated communications system.
• The satellite should be used to characterize its onboard systems and demonstrate interoperability with other space-based systems.
• Prioritizing existing spacecraft, payload, and communications link capabilities, the Government seeks innovative technology solutions for an on-orbit UHF service initially expected to launch by 2030.
• The RFI aims to utilize a commercially owned, commercially operated UHF-capable on-orbit MEO satellite for experimental purposes.
• The chosen satellite's technology shall be primarily utilized to enhance or replace the existing GEO UHF system, prioritizing existing space vehicle, payload, and communications link capabilities.
• Innovative proposals seeking an earlier on-orbit capability (by 2030) are encouraged, yet must specifically reference and address potential limitations in the initial prototype.
Here are exactly 4 bullet points based on the RFI:
• The Government seeks access to a commercially owned, commercially operated UHF-capable, on-orbit Master Equipment Office (MEO) satellite carrying bandwidth for an experimental campaign.
• Technological requirements include demonstrating interoperability between future MEO systems and the existing GEO constellation, inform a time-sequenced pathway to MEO, and considering technology solutions that leverage existing space vehicle, payload, and communications link capabilities immediately.
• An Initial Launch Capability (ILC) by 2030 is sought, with innovative approaches to earlier on-orbit capability prioritized for more feasible timelines; consideration of an initial prototype providing UHF services may be necessary.
• The Government acknowledges the limited representativeness of a potential final MEO architecture and requests that any future product offering prioritize demonstration of on-orbit service capability from MEO rather than focusing solely upon representation.
• VOA requires satellite capacity and managed teleport services for HD Persian TV distribution.
• Acquisition is not set-aside under any specific program or NAICS code.
• The work must be distributed on existing satellites at the 52o East orbital location from USAGM headquarters in Washington, D.C. and Ashburn data center in Ashrayan (Ashrayan is a misspelling of Ashurany, which likely refers to Ashurany, VA), with contributions to diverse satellite offerings.
• No specific response deadline is provided; however, it should align with requirements for timely telecommunications distribution.
• The Department of Veterans Affairs requires a sole-source contract for commercial satellite communications to support emergency management operations at the Martinsburg VA Medical Center.
• This acquisition is set aside for small businesses under NAICS 517410 (Radio and Television Broadcasting Services) and PSC 5895.
• OEM relies on MSAT/G2 portable satellite communication systems, necessitating reliable long-term service from a single provider.
• The U.S. Agency for Global Media needs satellite capacity and managed teleport services to support VOA Persian TV.
• This acquisition is open to full competition with no set-aside program specified.
• Services must be compatible with the 52o East orbital location, originating from USAGM headquarters in Washington, D.C., and USAGM Data Center in Ashburn.
VA.
• No deadline provided in the description; however, response submission should occur promptly due to potential urgency related to media distribution needs.
FedOps
