TETHER - Statement of Work

Request for Information: N00173-27-RFI-EN01
Attachment No. 1

Statement of Work (SOW)

TIMED EMITTERS TRANSMITTING HIGHLY

ENERGIZED RADIATION

(TETHER)

23 OCT 2026

1.

Introduction

Request for Information: N00173-27-RFI-EN01
Attachment No. 1

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) performs applied research and development, systems engineering, and applications-oriented activities to preserve and enhance a strong aerospace systems technology base, and to provide expert capabilities in the development, acquisition, and operation of aerospace systems. To preserve and enhance a strong space technology base and provide expert assistance in the development and acquisition of space systems for naval missions, activities of the Naval Center for Space Technology (NCST) extend from basic and applied research through advanced development in all areas of Navy space program interest. The Space Systems Development Division (SSDD) is the space and ground support systems research and development organization of the NCST. The primary objective of the SSDD is to develop space systems to respond to Navy and Department of War (DoW) mission requirements with improved performance, capacity, reliability, efficiency, and/or life cycle cost. These responsibilities span the full space-to-ground spectrum of hardware, software and advanced technologies including digital processing and control, analog systems, power, communications, command and telemetry, radio frequency, optical, payload and electromechanical systems, as well as systems engineering. The DoW operates four space research and engineering support field sites in Maryland, Virginia and California. 1.1

Purpose

NRL has a requirement to support applied research and development programs with U.S. Navy and non-Navy sponsors. This Statement of Work (SOW) provides for the execution of specific radio-frequency and infrared (RF/IR) engineering, analytical, and technical efforts to support evolving timing technology in support the Navy’s mission. This acquisition is focused on space-to-ground research for Timed Emitters Transmitting Highly Energized Radiation (TETHER) effort. SSDD is performing research with time and clock techniques that will deliver precise and certified timing to the warfighter with an accuracy of less than 2 nanoseconds delivered by alternate methods. Under this contract, the Contractor will perform the scientific and technical activities necessary to mature concepts from technical exploration through prototyping of systems that provide precise and certified timing, frequency,