Timed Emitters Transmitting Highly Energized Radiation Research, Development, and Prototyping Capability Statements
- Client
- Naval Research Laboratory
- Solicitation No.
- N00173-27-RFI-EN01
- Posted
- 10/23/2026
- Category
- US Federal
- Budget
- —
- NAICS
- 541715
- Set-aside
- No Set aside used
- Contact
- Erica N Turner
Description
AI GeneratedThe Naval Research Laboratory Space Systems Development Division seeks capability statements from industry to perform research, development, prototyping, testing, and integration for the Timed Emitters Transmitting Highly Energized Radiation effort. The buyer aims to advance high-precision timing and frequency technologies to achieve femtosecond-level accuracy using large apertures, complex clock ensembles, and associated radio frequency or infrared systems. Performance will occur at Naval Research Laboratory facilities, contractor facilities, or other locations within or outside the continental United States. Interested parties must submit a capabilities statement of up to 10 pages demonstrating their ability to perform the services and relevant past performance. Submissions must include business details, point of contact information, business size status, CAGE code, and Unique Entity ID. Responses must be emailed in PDF format to Contracting Officer Richard Waterstreet and Contract Specialist Erica Turner by November 9, 2026, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time.
Key solicitation details
AI-extracted from TETHER - SOW 10.23.2026.pdf. Confirm against the original documents before bidding.
The Naval Research Laboratory Space Systems Development Division is seeking capability statements for research, development, prototyping, test, and integration supporting the Timed Emitters Transmitting Highly Energized Radiation (TETHER) effort. This research focuses on advancing high-precision timing and frequency technologies to achieve femtosecond-level accuracy using complex clock ensembles, large apertures, and RF/IR systems for Navy missions. Interested businesses capa…
- Issued by
- Naval Research Laboratory
- Responses due
- 9 Nov 2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time
- How to submit
- Electronic via email
- Submission details
- Submit responses in PDF format to Richard Waterstreet and Erica Turner with email subject line RFI Response TETHER N00173-27-RFI-EN01. Capabilities Statement not to exceed 10 pages, excluding cover page.
- Contract term
- 12-month Base Year and four 12-month Option Years
- Place of performance
- Naval Research Laboratory facilities, Government field sites, Contractor facilities, or other CONUS/OCONUS locations
Scope of work
- Research and develop ensembling algorithms and configurations for complex clock sources including atomic clocks, hydrogen masers, and atomic fountain clocks
- Perform outlier rejection, pivot clock referencing, and split single atomic ensembles to achieve 3 PPT timing stability over 10-second intervals
- Execute RF transmission and signal processing research in 1 GHz to 95 GHz frequency bands up to 120 dBm using large apertures
- Deliver incremental software source code, algorithms, technical documentation, monthly cost/performance reports, and a final report
- Implement NRL-provided hardware and software designs through test and integration into Navy RF systems
- Develop and execute test plans adhering to local configuration management policies, and provide end-user training
- Implement fiber-reinforced concrete slabs with specialized coatings and paints for midwave IR emissivity and specific visible/near IR reflectivities
- Perform sensor calibration including Darkfield/Offset Correction, Flat Field Correction, and Absolute Radiometric Calibration
Minimum qualifications
- Minimum 10 years Corporate Experience in ensembling algorithms providing less than 20 femtosecond accuracy while maintaining picosecond precision and 3 PPT stability
- Minimum 10 years Corporate Experience in complex clocks including hydrogen masers, atomic clocks, and atomic fountain clocks
- Minimum 10 years Corporate Experience in signal processing with RF range from DC to light using large apertures (>60 ft)
- Minimum 10 years Corporate Experience in methods for precision time delivery maintaining femtosecond accuracy
- Minimum 10 years Corporate Experience to develop and deploy electro-optic/infrared sources used for satellite testing
- Personnel clearance requiring final DoD granted Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility at time of proposal submission for TS/SCI access
- Cybersecurity workforce qualifications (formerly IAT Level II or Level III) per DoD Directive 8140.01 and DoD Manual 8140.03 for designated personnel
Documents to include with the bid
- Capabilities Statement
- A001 Technical Status Report
- A002 Financial Program Management Report
- A003 Final Report
- A004 Technical Data
- A005 Patent Report
Official SAM.gov notice
- Solicitation number
- N00173-27-RFI-EN01
- Agency
- Department of Defense
- Buying office
- Dept of the Navy › Naval Research Laboratory
- Notice type
- Sources Sought
- Responses due
- Nov 9, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
- Posted on SAM.gov
- Oct 23, 2026
- NAICS
- 541715 · Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)
- Product/service code
- AR13
- Set-aside
- No Set aside used
- Place of performance
- Washington, DC, 20375
- Contracting contact
- Erica N Turner
erica.n.turner9.civ@us.navy.mil
2029231399 - Additional contact
- Richard Waterstreet
richard.j.waterstreet2.civ@us.navy.mil
Read the official notice description
1. Purpose / Objective The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), Space Systems Development Division (SSDD), seeks information from industry regarding capabilities to perform research, development, prototyping, test, and integration in support of the Timed Emitters Transmitting Highly Energized Radiation (TETHER) effort. Objective: This is a follow-on to the Target Accuracy Precision Emitters (TAPE) program under Contract No. N00173-23-D-6000. The Government intends to advance high-precision timing and frequency technologies to achieve femtosecond-level accuracy using large apertures, complex clock ensembles, and associated RF/IR systems in support of Navy and Department of War (DoW) mission requirements. A draft Statement of Work (Attachment 1), Personnel Qualifications (Attachment 2), and Contract Data Requirements List (Attachment 3) are provided for review when preparing responses. 2. Place of Performance Performance may occur at Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) facilities, Government field sites, Contractor facilities, or other locations within the Continental United States (CONUS) or outside the Continental United States (OCONUS), as required to meet contract requirements. The Contractor shall coordinate access to Government facilities, field sites, and Government-furnished equipment with the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR). Performance at any location not otherwise identified in the contract, including additional CONUS or OCONUS locations, requires prior approval by the Contracting Officer. 3. Information Requested Interested parties that have the capability to perform these services are requested to submit a Capabilities Statement (not to exceed 10 pages, excluding cover page) that includes the following: Business name and address; Name, title, telephone number, and email address of the primary company representative / Point of Contact; Business size status (Large or Small) and type of Small Business (if applicable); CAGE Code and Unique Entity ID (UEI); A narrative demonstrating the ability to perform the required services, including relevant past performance. 4. Submission Information • Submit responses electronically in PDF format to both of the following: Richard Waterstreet, Contracting Officer – [email protected] Erica Turner, Contract Specialist – [email protected] • Email subject line: “RFI Response – TETHER – N00173-27-RFI-EN01 • Responses are due no later than 9 Nov 2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. • Late responses may not be considered. 5. Points of Contact Contracting Officer: Richard Waterstreet – [email protected] Contract Specialist: Erica Turner – [email protected] 6. Attachments 1. Draft Statement of Work (SOW) – TETHER, dated 23 Oct 2026 2. Draft Personnel Qualifications (PQs) – TETHER, dated 23 Oct 2026 3. Draft Contract Data Requirements List (CDRLs) – TETHER, dated 23 Oct 2026 7. Disclaimer This RFI is issued for informational and planning purposes only in accordance with FAR 15.201. It does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quote (RFQ), or Invitation for Bid (IFB). Responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. The Government will not pay for information received in response to this RFI and is under no obligation to issue a future solicitation as a result of this notice. The Government reserves the right to use information provided in response to this RFI for any purpose deemed necessary. The intent of this RFI is to gauge industry interest, small business interest, capabilities, and relevant experience. A small business set-aside decision may be made as a result of the responses received.
Source: SAM.gov contract opportunities data (U.S. federal public data).
Incumbent
Current contract referenced in this notice
Recompete window- Incumbent
- MNEMONICS INC
- Contract
- N0017323D6000
- Obligated to date
- $46.7M
- Started
- Dec 1, 2022
- Current period ends
- Nov 30, 2027
Market context
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Source: USAspending.gov federal award data (U.S. federal public data). A contract is called the incumbent only when the notice or its documents cite it by number.
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