Executive Summary
The National Spectrum Consortium has released a Request for Prototype Proposals for the Test Resource Management Center to build a prototype 5G network at Edwards AFB for aeronautical mobile telemetry testing. Only Full NSC members in good standing may respond. Proposals are due December 3, 2026, 4:00 PM ET.
The deciding factor is membership and range know-how. Only Full NSC members in good standing are invited, and the network has to cover R-2515 airspace, the Supersonic Flight Corridor and the Edwards AFB flightline, so a strong response pairs 5G infrastructure experience with an understanding of flight test operations.
Solicitation at a Glance
- Agency: Test Resource Management Center (TRMC), through the National Spectrum Consortium (NSC)
- Opportunity: 5G Range Buildout Request for Prototype Proposals (RPP), one of two TRMC RPPs announced together with the 5G Miniaturized Airborne Transceiver RPP
- Where it is posted: NSC news announcement; full solicitation details may be available to members through NSC's Solicitations area
- Award Vehicle: Prototype project through the consortium; the public announcement does not name the award instrument
- Funding: The public announcement does not show a dollar value
- Location: Edwards Air Force Base and surrounding test airspace
- Who Can Respond: Full NSC members in good standing
- Deadline: December 3, 2026, 4:00 PM ET
Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the December 3 deadline.
What Is the NSC 5G Range Buildout RPP?
The 5G Range Buildout is a Request for Prototype Proposals issued by the National Spectrum Consortium on behalf of the Test Resource Management Center. It asks NSC members to propose a prototype 5G network at Edwards Air Force Base that can be used to test cellular-based aeronautical mobile telemetry. NSC released it alongside a second TRMC RPP for a 5G Miniaturized Airborne Transceiver.
What Problem Is TRMC Trying to Solve?
TRMC wants a prototype 5G network at Edwards AFB to test cellular-based aeronautical mobile telemetry, covering R-2515 airspace, the Supersonic Flight Corridor, the Cords Road portions of R-2508, the flightline, taxiways and some indoor areas.
Priority Coverage Areas: What TRMC Is Looking For
- R-2515 airspace: coverage of R-2515 airspace.
- Supersonic Flight Corridor: coverage of the Supersonic Flight Corridor.
- Cords Road portions of R-2508: coverage of the Cords Road areas of the R-2508 complex.
- Flightline and taxiways: coverage of the Edwards AFB flightline and taxiways.
- Some indoor areas: coverage of selected indoor spaces.
- Telemetry testing: a network that supports testing of cellular-based aeronautical mobile telemetry.
Funding and Award Terms
- Amount: the public announcement does not show a dollar value. Members should check the full solicitation for budget details.
- Award instrument: the public announcement does not state the award type.
- Period of performance: the public announcement does not show it.
- Number of awards: the public announcement does not show it.
Eligibility and Participation
- Membership: "Only Full NSC members in good standing are invited to respond."
- Non-members: companies that are not Full NSC members cannot respond directly. Teaming arrangements with members are not addressed in the public announcement.
- Other requirements: the public announcement does not list security, citizenship or facility requirements. Check the full solicitation.
How to Apply
- Confirm membership: make sure your company is a Full NSC member in good standing.
- Get the full RPP: look for the complete solicitation in NSC's member Solicitations area.
- Prepare the proposal: follow the format and content instructions in the full RPP; the public announcement does not show them.
- Submit: by December 3, 2026, 4:00 PM ET.
What Happens After You Submit?
- Evaluation: the public announcement does not show evaluation criteria or a review schedule.
- Award: the public announcement does not show an expected award date.
- Next steps: watch for communications from NSC on the status of the RPP.
Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?
It fits Full NSC members with experience designing and deploying 5G networks, especially private or tactical networks, RF planning for air-to-ground coverage, and work on test ranges or other controlled military sites. Companies that can address both outdoor airspace coverage and indoor areas, and that understand flight test telemetry, are better positioned. Companies that are not Full NSC members, or that offer only a single component with no path to a full network, are a weaker fit for a prime role.
How BW&CO Can Help
BW&CO has helped deep-tech and dual-use founders secure more than $350M in non-dilutive funding. For consortium prototype solicitations like the NSC 5G Range Buildout, we help you:
- Check readiness: confirm membership status and what the RPP requires before you commit.
- Shape the approach: map your network design to each coverage area TRMC named.
- Build the team: identify partners to fill gaps in RF, integration or range operations.
- Write the proposal: a clear, compliant technical and cost response.
- Plan the follow-on: position the prototype for longer-term range use.
Plan Your 5G Range Buildout Proposal
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is running this opportunity?
The National Spectrum Consortium released the RPP for the Test Resource Management Center.
When are proposals due?
Proposals are due December 3, 2026, by 4:00 PM ET.
Who can respond?
Only Full NSC members in good standing are invited to respond.
Where would the network be built?
At Edwards Air Force Base, covering R-2515 airspace, the Supersonic Flight Corridor, the Cords Road portions of R-2508, the flightline, taxiways and some indoor areas.
What is the network for?
Testing cellular-based aeronautical mobile telemetry.
How much funding is available?
The public announcement does not show a dollar value. The full solicitation available to members may include it.
Is this the only TRMC RPP NSC released?
No. NSC announced it together with a 5G Miniaturized Airborne Transceiver RPP, which is a separate solicitation.
Where can I find the full solicitation?
The public announcement is on the NSC website. The full RPP may be available to members through NSC's Solicitations area.
Can BW&CO help with an NSC 5G Range Buildout submission?
Yes. BW&CO helps teams confirm readiness, line up partners and write a compliant proposal. Book a call with our team.
Source: National Spectrum Consortium: New RPPs for 5G-Enabled Telemetry for TRMC