RFI - Integrated Broadcast System - Encryption/Decryption
ID: FA8555-23-R-CRYPType: Sources Sought
Overview

Buyer

DEPT OF DEFENSEDEPT OF THE AIR FORCEFA8555 AFLCMC HBKAROBINS AFB, GA, 31098-1670, USA

PSC

OTHER CRYPTOLOGIC EQUIPMENT AND COMPONENTS (5811)
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Defense, specifically the Department of the Air Force, is conducting market research for a new hardware/firmware-based encryption/decryption system through a Request for Information (RFI) issued by the Integrated Broadcast Service (IBS) System Program Office. The objective is to gather input on systems that can replace the existing KIV 7M device, with specific requirements including support for up to 16 channels, compliance with NSA Type-1 certification for SECRET level data, and adherence to military standards. This procurement is crucial for enhancing secure communications within military operations, and interested parties are encouraged to submit their responses electronically by April 30, 2025, detailing their capabilities and relevant experience. For further inquiries, Cedric Reese and Brandi Jacobs can be contacted via email at cedric.reese@us.af.mil and Brandi.Jacobs.2@us.af.mil, respectively.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    The Integrated Broadcast Service (IBS) System Program Office is seeking market research responses for a new hardware/firmware-based encryption/decryption system to replace the KIV 7M device. This Request for Information (RFI) aims to gather input to inform an acquisition strategy, potentially facilitating a competitive bidding process or Small Business Set-Aside. Interested parties are encouraged to respond but at their own cost, with no obligation on the Government's part to issue a contract. The requested encryption device must support up to 16 channels, meeting defined COMSEC requirements, including NSA Type-1 certification for SECRET level data. It should handle specific report formats, ensuring compliance with military standards. The document outlines requirements regarding operational performance, key handling, encryption capabilities, physical characteristics, and interface specifications. The ideal solution should require no scheduled maintenance and use commercially available materials while achieving a minimum MTBF of 100,000 hours. Responses must be submitted electronically by April 30, 2025, providing company details and demonstration of relevant capabilities, including the ability to produce prototypes and timelines for certification. This RFI serves to guide potential future contract solicitations without guaranteeing any specific acquisition paths.
    The Integrated Broadcast Service (IBS) System Program Office (SPO) is seeking information for the acquisition of hardware/firmware-based encryption/decryption systems to replace the KIV 7M device. This Request for Information (RFI) invites responses to assess market capabilities and to potentially create a competitive acquisition strategy, including possible small business set-asides. The new system must meet specific COMSEC and performance requirements, facilitating the encryption of classified data across multiple channels while conforming to military standards. Key functional specifications include support for up to 16 operational channels, NSA Type-1 certification for SECRET data, and compatibility with existing key management systems. The system design should allow for encryption with minimal latency and include various interfaces for connecting to network systems. Additionally, the system is required to have a no-cost prototype capability, provide extensive documentation, and ensure a high reliability rate (MTBF of at least 100,000 hours). Responses to this RFI should include company information and an overview of capabilities by May 9, 2024, with details on production capacity and long-term support. The document underscores the government’s ongoing commitment to enhancing secure communications through advanced technology.
    Lifecycle
    Title
    Type
    Similar Opportunities
    58--ENCRYPTION-DECRYPTI
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of Defense, through the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Aviation at Philadelphia, PA, is soliciting offers for the procurement of encryption-decryption equipment under the title "58--ENCRYPTION-DECRYPTI." The contract requires the delivery of 13 units of the specified equipment, with strict adherence to guidelines regarding the provision of newly manufactured spares, as refurbished or remanufactured items will not be accepted. This procurement is critical for ensuring secure communications within defense operations, emphasizing the importance of compliance with government standards and regulations. Interested vendors should direct inquiries to Keli Barish at 215-737-3861 or via email at KELI.BARISH@DLA.MIL, with proposals due by the specified deadline.
    KI-492 National Security Agency (NSA) Certification
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of Defense, through the Space Development Agency (SDA), intends to award a sole-source contract to Innoflight for the KI-492 National Security Agency (NSA) certification Engineering Change Proposal (ECP), which includes necessary software updates and fixes for the KI-492 encryption device. This procurement is critical for ensuring the device's compliance with NSA requirements for secure communications, as the KI-492 is integral to the SDA's operations, particularly for Tranche 2 applications. Interested parties may express their interest and provide a description of how they can fulfill the requirements by emailing the primary contact, Marco Castaneda, by December 22, 2025, at 5:00 PM EST. The anticipated contract will be a firm-fixed price agreement, and all interested vendors must be registered with the System for Award Management (SAM) to be eligible for award.
    Cryptographic Systems Engineering Support
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of Defense, specifically the Department of the Air Force, is seeking potential sources for cryptographic systems engineering support and Communications Security (COMSEC) services. The objective is to transition from a transactional model to an integrated approach for managing space cryptographic solutions, requiring contractors to provide subject matter expertise in cryptographic systems engineering and COMSEC support to various defense agencies. Interested parties must submit a capability statement by December 18, 2025, detailing their technical approach and relevant past performance, with responses directed to Amanda Fay Henderson and Brenda M. Sydney via their provided email addresses.
    SPE4A726R0218 – 5895- KEYER / WSIC N
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of Defense, through the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA Aviation), is seeking proposals for an indefinite quantity contract (IQC) for the procurement of keyers under solicitation SPE4A726R0218. The contract will cover a base period of five years, with an estimated annual quantity of 81,000 units, and a minimum delivery order quantity of 14,000 units, requiring delivery within 142 days after order placement. This procurement is crucial for maintaining communication equipment capabilities, and the solicitation will be issued as an unrestricted procurement, with evaluations based on price, past performance, and delivery. Interested vendors should prepare written quotes and can access the solicitation on the DLA Internet Bid Board System (DIBBS) around December 12, 2025; for inquiries, contact Thuy Ho at Thuy.Ho@dla.mil.
    TACLANE-FLEX Customizable Encryption Platform
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of Defense, specifically the Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division, is seeking to procure the TACLANE-FLEX Customizable Encryption Platform, which operates at 1 Gb/s and utilizes Single Mode technology. This procurement will be fulfilled on a Sole Source basis from General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc., indicating that the government intends to negotiate with only this supplier under the authority of FAR 13.106-1 (b) (1) (i). The TACLANE-FLEX platform is critical for secure communications and compliance within military operations. Interested parties with questions regarding this notice should contact Jillian Randazzo via email at jillian.randazzo.civ@us.navy.mil, as no phone inquiries will be accepted.
    MFT 25-96 - DCC Surveillance System
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of Defense, specifically the Department of the Air Force, is seeking qualified vendors for the MFT 25-96 - DCC Surveillance System, as indicated in a Special Notice. This procurement is set aside for small businesses and aims to acquire communications security equipment and components, classified under the NAICS code 334220. The goods and services are critical for enhancing surveillance capabilities within the military framework. As of September 25, 2025, the solicitation is currently on hold indefinitely. Interested parties can reach out to Mr. Michael Goetz at michael.goetz.7@us.af.mil or by phone at 707-424-7788, or Mr. Vitaliy Kim at vitaliy.kim.1@us.af.mil or 707-424-7740 for further inquiries.
    RFI - Enhanced Data Rate (SEDR) Waveform onto Operational Radios
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of Defense, specifically the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC), is seeking qualified vendors to assist in porting the Enhanced Data Rate (SEDR) waveform onto operational radios. This Request for Information (RFI) aims to identify vendors with the necessary technical expertise to implement the SEDR waveform, which includes obtaining required certifications such as NSA Type-1 for COMSEC and ensuring airworthiness for the radios used. The successful integration of this waveform is crucial for enhancing communication capabilities within military operations. Interested vendors must submit a Statement of Interest by December 19, 2025, detailing their qualifications and experience, with questions due by November 21, 2025. For further inquiries, vendors can contact Aidan Nugent at aidan.nugent@us.af.mil or Alexandra Hutchinson at Alexandra.Hutchinson.1@us.af.mil.
    Digital Intermediate Frequency System
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of Defense, specifically the Product Manager Wideband Enterprise Satellite Systems (PdM WESS), is seeking information from qualified systems integrators for a Digital Intermediate Frequency (Digital IF) solution to be implemented across up to 18 SATCOM teleport sites globally. The primary objective is to establish a flexible, modular, standards-based Digital IF architecture that enhances scalability, interoperability, and long-term sustainment of SATCOM ground segment solutions. This initiative is crucial for ensuring operational advantages in the Department of Defense's satellite communications capabilities, particularly in supporting Wideband Global System (WGS) operations and certification. Interested vendors must submit their responses by December 19, 2025, and can direct inquiries to Keith Magaw at keith.a.magaw.civ@army.mil or Kristin Dacey at kristin.l.dacey.civ@army.mil.
    Department of the Air Force (DAF) Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) Enterprise III, Request For Information (RFI)
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of the Air Force (DAF) is seeking a qualified vendor to provide comprehensive services for its Identity, Credential, and Access Management (ICAM) Enterprise III program, as outlined in a Request for Information (RFI). The procurement aims to identify a single vendor capable of managing platform operations, sustainment, and enhancement of the DAF ICAM platform, which is critical for onboarding over 3,300 applications and supporting a user base of over 750,000 personnel and millions of non-person entities. This initiative is part of a broader cybersecurity transformation to transition to a Zero Trust Architecture, aligning with the Department of Defense's Digital Modernization Strategy. Interested parties must submit their responses by January 6, 2026, and can direct inquiries to Kurtavius Brown at kurtavius.brown@us.af.mil or Darnita McBride at darnita.mcbride@us.af.mil.
    AN/ALQ-172 Repair
    Dept Of Defense
    The Department of Defense, specifically the Department of the Air Force, is seeking potential sources for the repair of redesigned AN/ALQ-172 Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) as part of a Request for Information (RFI). The procurement focuses on several specific NSNs, including 5865-01-718-3672EW (LRU-4), TBD (LRU-8 P/N 2624708G007), 5865-01-668-8772EW (LRU-10), and 5865-01-669-5621EW (LRU-12), due to a lack of complete repair data and serviceable assets, with no funding available for reverse engineering. This initiative is currently a sole-source effort with L3Harris, but the RFI encourages responses from both large and small businesses, including joint ventures, to showcase their repair capabilities and quality assurance processes. Interested parties must submit their responses by January 5, 2026, to Kenneth Dickman at kenneth.dickman@us.af.mil, with participation being voluntary and no reimbursement provided for submissions.