Program Manager: ussf.pentagon.sda.mbx.fa-240126s-001@mail.mil
Last Updated: 2026-03-06 17:03
Analyzed File:BAA STEC Final 2026.pdf
Eligibility Reasoning
FFRDCs and UARCs are subject to applicable direct competition limitations and cannot propose to this BAA in any capacity unless they meet the following conditions: (1) FFRDCs/UARCs must clearly demonstrate that the proposed work is not otherwise available from the private sector, and (2) FFRDCs/UARCs must provide a letter on official letterhead from their sponsoring organization that (a) cites the specific authority establishing their eligibility to propose to Government solicitations and compete with industry... SDA will consider FFRDC/UARC and Government Entity eligibility submissions on a case-by-case basis.
Note: This is an AI-generated summary...
Summary
The Space Development Agency (SDA) has issued Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) FA240126S0001 seeking novel concepts, systems, and technologies for its Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture (PWSA). The goal is to identify leap-ahead improvements for future PWSA tranches or enable new capabilities. The BAA outlines four main focus areas: 1) Resilient Beyond Line-of-Sight Tactical Communications (RF/Optical), including advanced optical terminals and low SWaP-C components; 2) Advanced Target Custody, Warning, Tracking, and Defeat, with an emphasis on advanced sensors, AI/ML for automatic target recognition, and system resilience; 3) Advanced/Alternate Position, Navigation, and Timing (PNT) for GPS-denied environments; and 4) Global Battle Management, including network defense, dynamic tasking, distributed command and control, and advanced on-orbit processing. SDA strongly encourages a phased submission process beginning with a two-page executive summary, followed by an invited proposal abstract and then a full proposal. Multiple awards are anticipated, potentially as FAR-based contracts or Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs). The proposal due date is March 3, 2027.
Overall Technical Areas
Optical Space CommunicationsRF Tactical CommunicationsLow SWaP-C Payload DesignInfrared Missile Warning & TrackingAI / ML for Target RecognitionMulti-Sensor Data FusionNovel Remote Sensing TechnologiesGPS-Agnostic Navigation (PNT)Autonomous Operations & OrchestrationCybersecurity & Zero Trust ArchitectureRadiation-Hardened ProcessorsAdvanced Cryptographic SolutionsDigital Engineering & Mission SimulationModular Ground Segment FrameworksSatellite Resilience Technologies
Probable LBNL Areas
BSACSAEESAESAETALDPSA
Focus Areas
Example Priorities:
SDA is interested in advanced optical terminal designs, development, testing and interoperability enabling space-to-air (S2A), space-to-ground (S2G) and space-to-maritime (S2M).
Solutions that adapt commercial communication architectures to substantially improve tactical edge capabilities in contested environments.
Low SWAP-C Communications Payload Components: This includes free-space optical communication terminals (OCTs) capable of high-bandwidth (>1 Gbps) data rates at low, medium, and geostationary relevant ranges that are compatible with the SDA OCT Open Standard.
Multi-beam / multi-user tactical data link connectivity: low SWaP-C antenna technologies enabling tactical data link connectivity with multiple user terminals and including but not limited to active electronically scanned arrays (AESA)
Advanced tactical data links and/or waveforms (Novel communications modalities): concepts and implementations enabling new and emerging tactical data link message translation and rebroadcast via alternate communication networks and/or advanced waveforms
Seeking technology solutions that advance Missile Warning, Tracking, and Missile Defense fire control capabilities.
A critical element of these solutions is the integration of automatic target recognition (ATR) algorithms that use trusted artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to classify objects in sensor data feeds.
Novel Sensing for Expanded Mission Capabilities: Innovative sensor system designs, novel remote sensing phenomenologies, or dual-use applications of existing sensor payloads that enable or enhance a range of critical missions.
Advanced Data Fusion at the Edge: Algorithms, AI/ML-enabled concepts, and systems that fuse multi-modal sensor data from systems spanning multiple domains to develop and maintain targeting solutions against time-sensitive targets
Sensor and Satellite Resilience Technologies: Advanced technologies to enhance the resilience and survivability of PWSA space vehicles and payloads in contested LEO environments.
Specific Technical Skills:
Infrared (IR) Sensor TechnologyArtificial Intelligence / Machine LearningAutomatic Target Recognition (ATR)Missile Defense Fire ControlRemote Sensing PhenomenologiesMulti-modal Data FusionEdge ComputingSatellite ResilienceDirected Energy CountermeasuresSpace Domain Awareness (SpDA)
Potential PIs for this Area:
Name
Score
Organization
Shawn Tornga
0.73
LD | LD | ONHS
Zhe Bai
0.70
CSA | AMCR | Computer Science
Marco Salathe
0.70
PSA | NSD | ANP
Alexander Sim
0.70
CSA | SciData | Data Science Research
Samuel Williams
0.69
CSA | AMCR | Computer Science
Nicolas Abgrall
0.68
PSA | NSD | ANP
Edward Bethel
0.68
CSA | SciData | Data Science Research
Nicola Falco
0.68
EESA | CESD | Integrated Ecosystem Sciences
Qiang Du
0.68
PSA | Engineering | Electronic Engineering
Daniela Ushizima
0.68
CSA | AMCR | Applied Math & Computational Sciences Div Office
Example Priorities:
Resilient GPS-agnostic space networking: Systems and algorithms enabling highly precise and accurate range measurements with free-space optical communications incorporating precise nanosecond time transfer as an integral component of proposed systems
GPS-agnostic Alt-PNT solutions: Capabilities required to enhance Speed, Time, And Ranging (STAR) and Constellation, Speed, Time, and Ranging (COSTAR) navigation and timing performance in GPS-denied environments.
Technology solutions may include but not limited to: ...mass-producible low SWaP-C atomic clocks, space vehicle (SV) guidance navigation and control systems and optical timing/ranging measurement systems that when fused form an onboard orbit and clock determination (OCDA) application for space-based autonomous navigation.
GPS Situational Awareness (SA): Space-based GNSS SA systems that act as monitors for GNSS signal-in-space integrity, and can measure potential terrestrial interference
Specific Technical Skills:
Alternate PNTGPS-denied NavigationFree-space Optical CommunicationsPrecise Time TransferAtomic ClocksGuidance, Navigation, and Control (GNC)Onboard Orbit DeterminationGNSS Situational AwarenessOptical RangingLow SWaP-C Design
Potential PIs for this Area:
Name
Score
Organization
Qiang Du
0.70
PSA | Engineering | Electronic Engineering
Shawn Tornga
0.69
LD | LD | ONHS
Alp Sipahigil
0.68
ESA | MSD | Material Physics
Boubacar Kante
0.68
ESA | MSD | Material Physics
Emil Rofors
0.68
PSA | NSD | ANP
Mauricio Ayllon Unzueta
0.67
PSA | ATAP | FS&IBT
Antoine Islegen-Wojdyla
0.67
ESA | ALS | Photon Science Development
Stijn (Stan) Wielandt
0.67
EESA | EG | Geophysics Dept
Yilun Xu
0.67
PSA | ATAP | BACI
Marco Salathe
0.67
PSA | NSD | ANP
Example Priorities:
Network Defense: Architectures, protocols, intrusion detection, mitigation and response, and tools for layered cyber defense of the ground and space segment
Dynamic tasking and networking (Autonomous Operations, Network Orchestration): Dynamic, status-aware, and optionally AI-enabled algorithms and systems to provide for the automation of resource allocation, scheduling, and network orchestration.
Radiation-hardened and radiation-tolerant advanced processors: High- performance, low SWaP-C on-orbit processing capabilities such as rad-hard or rad-tolerant GPUs, CPUs, FPGAs or other components
Advanced Cryptographic Solutions and Scalable Architectures: Advanced cryptographic solution... capable of securing high-speed, ground – and space-based communications.
Enterprise System of Systems Digital Engineering for Mission Analysis, Test, and Training: Rapidly developed, low-cost, low maintenance calibrated digital engineering tools and approaches to advance the SDA PWSA Enterprise Digital Ecosystem.
Ground Segment Framework Evolution and Integration: Advancements that enable a more modular, scalable, and resilient PWSA Ground Segment.
Dynamic Operations: Coordinated autonomous control of space vehicles, payloads, and network resources to achieve a desired mission effect.
Specific Technical Skills:
CybersecurityNetwork DefenseZero Trust ArchitectureAutonomous SystemsAI/ML AlgorithmsRadiation-Hardened ElectronicsAdvanced CryptographyDigital EngineeringModeling & SimulationModular Open Systems Approach (MOSA)
ONHS Funding Opportunity Report