Robust Communications (RoCo) for Sub-Sonic Targets
Potential prototype OTA funding for industry-developed robust, high-bandwidth, long-range communications for Navy subsonic aerial targets, not a research grant.
⚑ RFI/sources sought only; not a solicitation and no funds available to pay for responses · Potential follow-on award may be an OTA prototype project under 10 U.S.C. 4022 · Briefing/forum limited to Naval Air Systems Consortium members · Information must be unclassified and may be shared across government and contractor support personnel
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 60 good | funds commercialization; prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 45 partial | technical depth: central; funds commercialization (capped) |
| IPPRA | 35 weak | portfolio topic: national_security_defense (primary); social/behavioral work is none; funds commercialization — not a research fit; university can only partner, not lead |
Description
DISCLAIMER THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION. THE GOVERNMENT MAY USE THE INFORMATION RECEIVED TO INFORM A POTENTIAL PROTOTYPE PROJECT UNDER OTHER TRANSACTION AUTHORITY (OTA), PURSUANT TO 10 U.S.C. § 4022. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT. ALL INFORMATION SUBMITTED IN RESPONSE TO THIS RFI IS VOLUNTARY AND THE GOVERNMENT WILL NOT COMPENSATE ANY RESPONDENT FOR ANY COST INCURRED IN DEVELOPMENT OF INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE GOVERNMENT. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL; YET IS A MARKET RESEARCH TOOL TO DETERMINE POTENTIAL FIRMS CAPABLE OF PROVIDING THE SUPPLIES DESCRIBED HEREIN PRIOR TO AN ISSUANCE OF A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. THE GOVERNMENT IS NOT OBLIGATED TO PAY FOR ANY INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM POTENTIAL SOURCES AS A RESULT OF THIS RFI. THIS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A SOLICITATION AND SHALL NOT BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT OF ANY KIND. RESPONSES IN ANY FORM ARE NOT OFFERS AND THE GOVERNMENT IS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO AWARD A CONTRACT OR NON-FAR BASED AGREEMENT (E.G. OTHER TRANSACTION) AS A RESULT OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. NO FUNDS ARE AVAILABLE TO PAY FOR PREPARATION OF RESPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICTLY VOLUNTARY. FAILURE TO SUBMIT A RESPONSE WILL NOT PREVENT A COMPANY FROM PARTICIPATION IN ANY FUTURE COMPETITION RELATED TO PMA208’S ROBUST COMMUNICATIONS FOR SUB-SONIC TARGETS. INFORMATION PROVIDED SHOULD BE UNCLASSIFIED. ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTED MAY BE REVIEWED AND USED ACROSS THE GOVERNMENT (INCLUDING WITH CONTRACTOR SUPPORT PERSONNEL). The Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), on behalf of the PMA-208 Aerial Targets Program Office, is issuing this Request for Information (RFI) to seek industry's capability to provide a robust, high-bandwidth, and long-range communications solution for its Subsonic Aerial Targets (SSAT) fleet. PMA-208 provides threat-representative aerial targets for test, evaluation, and training. Current SSAT communication architectures are primarily based on Navy Command Data Link (NCDL) and other Line-of-Sight (LOS) radio systems. These systems have limitations that hinder the ability to simulate complex, long-range threats and collect comprehensive data. For a detailed breakdown of the Government’s current technical assessment, capability gaps, system constraints, and performance objectives, respondents must thoroughly review Attachment 1: RoCo Technical Background and Capability Gaps. NAVAIR is considering awarding one or more Other Transaction Agreements (OTA), pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4022 “Authority of the Department of Defense to carry out certain prototype projects,” for Robust Communications (RoCo) for Sub-Sonic Targets. The Government reserves the right to pursue production of a successful prototype(s). The Government is considering utilizing the Naval Air Systems Consortium to potentially award one or more OTAs pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4022 “Authority of the Department of Defense to carry out certain prototype projects”. This effort will be briefed by the Government at the NASC Membership Meeting on 25 June 2026. This forum is limited to the members of the NASC. For more information about membership as well as the Robust Communications briefing, please visit nascsolutions.org.
Eligibility
Applicant restrictions (federal contract). Set-aside: No Set aside used. Notice type: Sources Sought. Organization: DEPT OF DEFENSE / DEPT OF THE NAVY / NAVAL AIR SYSTEMS COMMAND.
Apply
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · Department of Defense (BAA-style) conventions SEE A DOD EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — Department of Defense (BAA-style)'s document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.