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58 -- AMPLIFICATION OF REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON COMMERCIAL KA-BAND SATELLITE COMMUNICATIONS CAPABILITIES SOL TBD DUE 101598 POC Pamela F. Kibler, Contracting Officer, (619) 524-7192 WEB: This RFI will be posted on SPAWAR home page; click, http://www.spawar.navy.mil. E-MAIL: E-mail address of the Contracting Officer for this, kiblerp@spawar.navy.mil. The following is provided to amplify the Request for Information (RFI) previously published on or about 15 September 1998 entitled "Commercial Ka-Band Satellite Communications" and further explain its relationship to the Space and Missile System Center RFI in support of the SHF/Ka Wideband Gapfiller program. Industry has indicated a need to better understand the DoD's plan for commercial Ka usage and its application in the overall DoD communications architecture. The commercial Ka-Band RFI is for information purposes only. It is not intended as a prelude to an imminent acquisition nor is it an alternative to the SHF/Ka Wideband Gapfiller program. The overall objective is to open a dialogue between Industry and the DoD Ka Initiative Team, co-led by the Navy and DISA, to assess and explore the capabilities of emerging commercial Ka-band SATCOM systems and their ability to augment the currently planned DoD Wideband Gapfiller program. Through this dialogue, we will jointly clarify DoD requirements for commercial Ka SATCOM and develop an approach for integrating commercial Ka-band systems into the overall DoD communications architecture. Furthermore, we will explore innovative business approaches for commercial Ka services and will identify impediments and challenges which must be addressed to fully leverage these capabilities. Information regarding business and regulatory aspects is required including: current/anticipated cost for usage; program status and schedule; consortiums and/or partnerships and the division of responsibilities; and up-to-date business plans. To clarify the original RFI concerning "commercial and military satellite frequency spectrum", DoD is interested in exploring the feasibility of approaches for incorporating Government Ka-band on commercial systems for government use. We will not, however, entertain approaches that involve Government release of Ka spectrum to the commercial market. This RFI is open to all interested vendors capable of providing Ka-band SATCOM services in the 2001-2006 timeframe. Lack of a response to this Ka-Band RFI does not preclude participation in ongoing dialogue regarding this subject; however, DoD will use the responses from the RFI to establish a baseline for further communications. Posted 10/13/98 (W-SN261416). (0286)

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