US Air Force issues cyber weapons concepts tender

The United States Air Force appears to be preparing for "Cyber War" according to a broad agency announcement published on the US government's federal procurements and tender FBO website last week.

Issued by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Centre, concept papers that address information operations capabilites focusing on "cyberspace warfare operations" or CWO are invited for technology demonstration proposals.

According to the document the issuing Program Office "is an organisation focused on the development and sustainment of Cyberspace Warfare Attack capabilites that directly support Cyberspace Warfare capabilities of the Air Force."

The Air Force is looking for a range capabilities, and would like to be able to  "disrupt, deny, degrade or deceive an adversary's ability to use the cyberspace domain to his advantage."

This includes mapping data and voice networks, accessing "cyberspace domain, information, networks, systems, or devices" but also denial of service of these.

No actual weapons are sought, however, and the document makes it clear that role of contractors is purely advisory.

Any tenderer is required to provide an official Commercial and Government Entity or CAGE code.

Foreign contractor hopefuls "shall be aware that restrictions may apply which could preclude their participation in this acquisition," the document states.

Concept papers can be submitted up until December 31 this year, via email. Full text of the tender document below.

Broad Agency Announcement (BAA ESC 12-0011)