NATO HQ Supreme Allied Commander Transformation HQ SACT) is issuing a Request for Information (RFI) to to identify existing and under-development industrial/commercial/academic concepts, products, or capabilities that NATO could consider towards the development of the Merchant Ship Crypto System (MERCS). This will include potential for tailoring and further development, evaluation, testing, and experimentation.

Naval Cooperation and Guidance for Shipping (NCAGS) provides the means to support the military commander through effective interaction and cooperation with merchant shipping in peace, crisis and conflict in order to enhance merchant ship safety and security and to deconflict shipping and military operations.

Another contributor to Freedom of Navigation is the Allied Worldwide Navigational Information System (AWNIS), which is the provision of Safety and Security of Navigation information for the military and shipping industry in support of maritime operations. AWNIS carries out this function by facilitating the cooperation between military and civilian organizations that have maritime safety, navigational, and routing responsibilities in peacetime

The MERCS will 1) provide secure communications (duplex voice and data up to NATO SECRET) between NCAGS personnel ashore, deployed Naval Liaison Officers on board civilian (merchant) vessels, and military vessels, 2) provide reliable and secure access to services so as to support lead through procedures/transit on classified routes, and 3) fulfil the NCAGS/AWNIS organization needs for a secure and portable system for the dissemination of Maritime Security Information ashore and at sea.

This RFI does not constitute a commitment to issue a future Request for Proposal (RFP). The purpose of this request is to involve industry and academia through collaboration, in an examination of existing and under-development concepts, products or capabilities. HQ SACT has not made a commitment to procure any of the items described herein, and release of this RFI shall not be construed as such a commitment, nor as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement will be required or sought.

Further, respondents are advised that HQ SACT will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in responding to this RFI. The costs for responding to this RFI shall be borne solely by the responding party. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any subsequent RFP if issued in the future.

The RFI is attached. HQ SACT’s reference for this RFI is RFI-ACT-SACT-22-145, and all correspondence and submissions concerning the RFI should reference this number.

Do NOT submit your RFI response to the Department of Commerce. Please send your response to the HQ SACT officials identified on page 2 of the RFI. Responses must be received no later than 9:00 am EST 30 November 2022. Inquiries of a technical nature about this RFI shall be submitted by e-mail solely to the HQ SACT officals indicated on page 2 of the RFI by 9:00 am EST on 07 November 2022. Questions shall not contain proprietary and/or classified information. Answers will be posted as soon as possible on the following HQ SACT webpage: https://act.nato.int/contracting