Cornerstone Request for Information (RFI) - High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS)

Introduction

The Department of Defense, OUSD R&E (FutureG) is conducting a survey of High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS), sometimes referred to as “stratospheric platforms”. The potential use cases include, and are not limited to, communications (including 5G/nextG), ISR, and others.

This RFI is being used by OUSD R&E (FutureG), to conduct market research for information and planning purposes regarding High Altitude Platform Systems (HAPS). OUSD R&E (FutureG) will use the results of this RFI to determine current capabilities in HAPS. Additionally, this information may be used to develop preliminary cost estimates and/or an acquisition strategy.

This is a Request for Information (RFI) only and does not constitute a solicitation or an obligation on behalf of the U.S. Government. Issuance of this RFI is not a guarantee of a future solicitation or an award and is not a commitment of any kind by the Government. Further, neither OUSD R&E (FutureG) nor the Government will be responsible for any cost incurred in furnishing information.

Requirements

Please provide answers to questions 1-6 below in a word document.

Also, please provide answers to questions in the accompanying spreadsheet. If answers are left blank, it is assumed that the information does not exist. Use the “Comments” column in spreadsheet to provide additional information/clarifications. Use averages (mean) for numeric values, unless otherwise noted, and optionally provide ranges in the comments.

Responders will not be held to cost estimates provided. Responders are encouraged to be as accurate as possible, since responses will be used to inform planning for potential future efforts.

Pricing information provided is non-committal and strictly confidential. It may be used to guide architecture and strategy. It will not be used for procurement decisions. Pricing may depend on a range of factors. You may provide multiple sheets if pricing depends on configuration, options, or other factors. For example, if the same platform comes with or without power available to payload devices, please provide 2 sheets. If the number of possible configurations is high, please provide at a minimum the base price and a sample “fully loaded” configuration.

Questions

1. In less than half page, what does your company do?


2. What are the origin(s)/supplier(s) of components and materials? (This will be used to address supply chain questions).


3. Who are your customers, and how do they use your product(s)?


4. Provide detail on the ability to carry payload of electronic devices, and any restrictions.


5. Provide “Mean Time Between Failures” (MTBF) data from operations. “Failure” means any system fault (H/W, S/W, or other, but not external factor such as weather) that renders the platform unusable, but can be repaired.


6. See questions in the accompanying spreadsheet. Use one sheet per product.

Responding to this RFI: Interested parties responding to this RFI must provide the following information:

• Company name


• Business size


• If your company is a small business, please identify any socio-economic category that applies


• CAGE code

All information received in response to this RFI may be marked “Proprietary”. An e-mail response will be sent after all data has been reviewed.

Response Submission Deadline: Responses to this RFI must be submitted no later than 1700 ET, March 14th 2025. RFI submissions will be accepted as email attachments only. All responses must be sent to yiannis.argyropoulos.ctr@mail.mil with “HAPS RFI” in the subject line.