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This notice is published in accordance with FAR 5.201 and FAR 5.203. The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) intends to is a solicitation to Intelsat General Communications LLC (hereinafter referred to as “Intelsat”), located in McLean, Virginia, on a sole source basis. This requirement is for non-commercial research and development.

The Government intends to procure services for research, development, operations, maintenance, and systems engineering expertise in support of NRL’s space technology research utilizing Government-owned 30-meter (PAM2) and 11-meter (PAM3) antennas located at the Paumalu (PAM) site on Oahu, Hawaii.

This acquisition supports continued radio frequency (RF) atmospheric exploration in support of Department of Defense space and airborne assets. The effort includes scientific, technical, and engineering research, as well as antenna system operations and maintenance support for NRL research activities at the PAM and Opana facilities and other current and future NRL-owned antenna systems located on Oahu, Hawaii.

The scope of this effort includes the transmission and reception of RF energy; assessment of atmospheric effects on RF propagation; development and characterization of RF signals for specialized applications; operation of high-sensitivity receiver systems; precision antenna pointing; and integration of custom-designed and modified commercial-off-the-shelf equipment to achieve required RF performance. This research also includes detection, characterization, and analysis of space anomalies, including identification of causes and potential mitigation techniques.  In order to perform under this anticipated contract, the contractor must be able to obtain and maintain, for the life of the anticipated contract, a site access agreement with the property owner, Intelsat General Corporation, which the NRL owned antennas are located on, and a fully cleared workforce with TS/SCI eligibility.  Proof of site access shall be provided to NRL. The place of performance under this anticipated contract is Oahu, Hawaii.

This requirement is being processed on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source, as Intelsat is the only known source capable of meeting the Government’s requirement due to the highly specialized nature of the work, the need for continuity of operations, and the requirement for access to contractor-controlled facilities and infrastructure.

Subcontract opportunities have not been identified at this time.

This action is not being solicited as a small business set-aside.

This requirement will be solicited under solicitation number: N00173-26-R-0002. The Government expects to release the solicitation to Intelsat within the next 30 days, the anticipated closing date is 1 May 2026.

Place of Performance: Oahu, Hawaii

Responses shall reference this notice number. Classified material shall not be submitted.