Secure Tasking of Commercial Assets

Objective: Develop a capability for intercommunication between Government and commercial satellites. Description: Maritime Targeting Cell-Afloat/Expeditionary (MTC-A/X)’s purpose is to provide weapons-quality tracks to support over-the-horizon targeting by using multi-intelligence capabilities across all domains and deliver direct sensor data downlink capability. To maintain a tactical advantage, the Navy requires the ability to task commercial satellites at Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI)/Information Level-5 (IL-5) and Secret Level (IL-6) to ensure tasking is not discoverable by adversaries. The Navy could task commercial satellites for missions requiring secure handling of sensitive information, like targeting; however, commercial satellite providers typically do not offer the security levels required for classified Government operations [CUI impact levels (IL)-5 or Secret IL-6]. They could modify existing military systems for commercial use but that is prohibitively expensive and impractical for commercial vendors. Nothing that is commercially available can fulfill this communications need. The Navy needs a capability to securely task commercial satellites at the required classification levels. This requires a solution leveraging both Government and commercial technologies, such as implementing end-to-end encryption within existing commercial tasking interfaces, secure data transfer protocols, and blockchain-based solutions for verifying the authenticity and integrity of tasking requests. The performer must evaluate the feasibility of integrating commercial security technologies like secure cloud platforms and Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and explore emerging technologies such as quantum-resistant cryptography for enhanced long-term security. The solution must establish a baseline for data security with an initial focus on establishing secure methods for tasking commercial satellites at the required CUI levels. Subsequent efforts will focus on solutions that demonstrate measurable reductions in tasking latency - measuring the speed and efficiency of the tasking process, verifying a targeted 90% reduction in tasking time compared to current methods, for which standard tasking can take up to 14 days from order to delivery. Seamless integration across different cybersecurity requirements will further contribute to more timely tasking, increased tasking opportunities, and a stronger overall cybersecurity posture. The developed technology will be evaluated in a simulated environment against National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) standards for secure communications and data handling at the specified classification levels. This performer will also leverage existing Navy contracts, such as those managed by the Commercial Space Program Office (CSPO), to ensure rapid transition and widespread adoption across the DoW. Work produced in Phase II may become classified. Note: The prospective contractor(s) must be U.S. owned and operated with no foreign influence as defined by 32 U.S.C. § 2004.20 et seq., National Industrial Security Program Executive Agent and Operating Manual, unless acceptable mitigating procedures can and have been implemented and approved by the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA) formerly Defense Security Service (DSS). The selected contractor must be able to acquire and maintain a secret level facility and Personnel Security Clearances. This will allow contractor personnel to perform on advanced phases of this project as set forth by DCSA and NAVSEA in order to gain access to classified information pertaining to the national defense of the United States and its allies; this will be an inherent requirement. The selected company will be required to safeguard classified material during the advanced phases of this contract IAW the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM), which can be found at Title 32, Part 2004.20 of the Code of Federal Regulations. Keywords: Commercial Satellite Tasking; Blockchain-Based Authentication; End-to-End Encryption; satellite tasking classified information; Secure Data Transfer; Quantum-resistant cryptography CMMC Level: Level 2 (Self)