SOCOM SOF RACER Handheld HF Radio Prototype: Executive Summary for Startups

Status: Open. White papers due Monday, November 16, 2026, 5:00 PM ET by email to SOF RACER. Questions due Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 5:00 PM ET. SOF RACER membership required (free to join).

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Executive Summary

U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) trains, equips and deploys the military's special operations forces. Its tactical communications program office (Program Executive Office for Tactical Information Systems, PEO-TIS, and the SOF Tactical Communications program office) wants to prototype a next-generation handheld High Frequency (HF) radio. HF signals bounce off the upper atmosphere (skywave), so operators can talk and send data over long distances when satellite and line-of-sight links are denied, degraded or destroyed.

The solicitation, Handheld High Frequency (HF) Radio Prototype under AOI VI: Multi-Domain Communications & Cyber Operations, was released to members of SOF RACER, USSOCOM's rapid acquisition consortium. SOCOM wants a mature product at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 7 to 8 that weighs under 4.0 pounds with battery and gives secure, jam-resistant voice and data beyond line of sight. The first step is a 16-page white paper due November 16, 2026, 5:00 PM ET.

Solicitation at a Glance

• Agency: U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), PEO Tactical Information Systems (PEO-TIS), SOF Tactical Communications (STC) program office
• Opportunity: SOF RACER solicitation, Handheld High Frequency (HF) Radio Prototype
• Area of Interest: AOI VI: Multi-Domain Communications & Cyber Operations
• Effort: Prototype of a standalone handheld HF radio; the Government plans to award on the basis of proposals received
• Funding: No budget, award size or number of awards published
• Technology Maturity: TRL 7 to 8 required now
• Questions Due: Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
• White Paper Due: Monday, November 16, 2026, 5:00 PM ET
• Submission: Email to the SOF RACER solicitations inbox (members only)

Think your company qualifies? Talk with BW&CO before the November 16 deadline.

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What Is SOF RACER?

SOF RACER is USSOCOM's rapid acquisition consortium, launched with GovSignals in 2026. SOCOM releases prototype opportunities to consortium members, and only members can submit. Membership is free. Earlier SOF RACER opportunities include the Human Performance Data Management System (HPDMS) and Sensor Fusion Platforms. Official SOF RACER notices come from sofracer@govsignals.ai or sof-racer@bmnt.com.

What Problem Is SOCOM Trying to Solve?

Special operators need command and control in places where satellite and line-of-sight links are jammed or unavailable: high mountains, dense cities and at sea. SOCOM wants one handheld radio that gives long-haul, beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) voice and data without outside infrastructure, using modern wideband HF, 3G/4G Automatic Link Establishment (ALE) and anti-jamming techniques to keep communicating in a contested electronic warfare environment.

Priority Capability Areas: What SOCOM Is Looking For

• Waveforms and data: Wideband HF with selectable bandwidths from 3 kHz to at least 48 kHz (MIL-STD-188-110D or equivalent), data rates up to 256 kbps in good conditions, and narrowband 3 kHz data from 75 bps to 9.6 kbps.
• Digital voice: MELPe at 600, 1200 and 2400 bps (MIL-STD-3005), intelligible at 0 dB signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) or lower.
• Low-SNR links: Forward error correction and modulation that hold a data link at negative SNR (for example -10 dB to -5 dB), with automatic data rate, bandwidth and coding changes based on Link Quality Analysis.
• Link setup and position reports: 3G or 4G ALE (for example STANAG 4538) in one minute or less, compliance with MIL-STD-188-141D, power-on to operational in one minute or less, and burst Position Location Information (PLI) in 30 seconds or less without full link setup.
• Range and frequency: Continuous 2.99 to 30 MHz, and at least 2,000 miles by skywave with an external antenna.
• Size, weight and power: One-handed form factor, under 4.0 pounds with a standard rechargeable battery, at least 3 watts output, an 8 to 12 hour mission at 80% standby, 10% transmit and 10% receive, service-common batteries that attach directly to the chassis.
• Antennas: A tactical whip or blade antenna for on-the-move use, field expedient long-wire operation, and a standard RF connector (preferably TNC) for external antennas.
• Security and resilience: Integrated encryption using Commercial National Security Algorithms such as AES-256 (High Assurance or CHVP-certified encryption not required), Electronic Counter-Countermeasures (ECCM) such as frequency hopping, Low Probability of Intercept and Detection (LPI/LPD), manual zeroize and a path to FIPS 140-3 Level 3.
• Interoperability and usability: Works with existing Service Common HF radios in narrowband and wideband modes, standard-issue tactical headsets, remote control from a keyboard display unit or tethered end user device, display lighting from full blackout to direct sunlight, and IP68 protection.
• General features: External GPS input, at least 10 brevity codes, at least 10 groups of 10 channels, at least 4 option files, a DHCP client and IP data input.
• Reliability and production: Mean Time Between Failures over 1,000 hours with a 95% probability of success, organizational repair in 30 minutes or less, and capacity to produce radios in the required quantities and lead times.

How SOCOM Scores White Papers

• Technical performance (30%): Band coverage, bandwidths, data rates, MELPe voice, low-SNR operation, adaptive rates, burst position reporting, link setup and BLOS capability.
• Technical maturity and validation (20%): Evidence of TRL 7 to 8: representative hardware, demonstrations, test reports and gap-closure plans. Verified performance earns more credit.
• Size, weight, power and usability (15%).
• Interoperability, security and resilience (15%): Including the FIPS 140-3 Level 3 path and its milestones.
• Execution, delivery and production readiness (10%).
• Cost and overall value (10%).

Each factor is rated 0 to 5 and weighted to a 100-point total. Mandatory requirements get a separate compliance determination and are not offset by points earned elsewhere. The attachments released with the solicitation are marked as proposed language for Government approval, so watch for updates.

Eligibility Requirements

• SOF RACER membership: Only consortium members can submit. Membership is free.
• Mature product: The proposed radio must be at TRL 7 to 8 today.
• Registrations: The cover page asks for a Unique Entity ID (UEI), CAGE code, business size and socioeconomic designations.
• Foreign ownership: Disclose any foreign ownership, control or influence, and any foreign participation on the team.

How to Submit

• Send questions by November 4, 2026, 5:00 PM ET to sofracer-solicitations@govsignals.ai with the subject "Questions: Handheld HF Radio".
• Write one searchable PDF of up to 16 pages: a 1-page cover page with company information, a 10-page technical and management white paper including cost, and a 5-page requirements compliance matrix covering every requirement in RFP Sections 5.1 to 5.5 (Meets, Partially Meets or Does Not Meet, with evidence and closure milestones).
• Follow the format: 8.5 x 11 inch pages, 1-inch margins, Arial or Times New Roman at 11 point or larger (9 point for tables and figures), numbered pages, company name and title in the header or footer, file name CompanyName_HandheldHF_WhitePaper.pdf. No brochures or extra appendices.
• Organize the narrative into technical performance (3 pages), maturity and validation (2), size, weight, power and usability (1.5), interoperability, security and resilience (1.5), execution and production readiness (1) and cost and value (1). Separate demonstrated performance from projected performance.
• Submit by November 16, 2026, 5:00 PM ET to sofracer-solicitations@govsignals.ai with the subject "Solicitation Response: Handheld HF Radio".

What Happens After You Submit?

• Evaluation: Evaluators score each white paper against the six weighted factors and reach a documented consensus.
• Compliance check: Mandatory requirements are judged pass or fail separately.
• Selection: SOCOM selects the solution with the greatest overall value and plans to award based on the proposals received. The documents give no award date.

Is This Opportunity a Good Fit for Your Company?

It fits tactical radio makers, software-defined radio companies, HF modem and waveform developers, RF front-end, amplifier and antenna companies, and communications security teams that already have field-tested handheld HF hardware. Companies with a strong waveform, antenna or crypto module but no complete radio should look at teaming with a radio maker. Early-stage concepts below TRL 7 are not a fit for this call.

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 calls like the SOF RACER Handheld HF Radio, we help you:

• Check your fit against the Sections 5.1 to 5.5 requirements before you commit.
• Organize test evidence so it proves TRL 7 to 8 under representative conditions.
• Write the 10-page narrative to match the six scored factors and their page allocations.
• Build the compliance matrix with clear status, evidence references and closure milestones.
• Price the prototype with a credible cost breakdown, unit pricing and assumptions.

Plan Your Handheld HF Radio White Paper

Frequently Asked Questions

When is it due?

White papers are due Monday, November 16, 2026, 5:00 PM ET. Questions are due Wednesday, November 4, 2026, 5:00 PM ET.

Who can submit?

Only SOF RACER consortium members. Membership is free.

How much funding is available?

The solicitation does not publish a budget, award size or number of awards.

How mature does the radio need to be?

TRL 7 to 8 now, backed by representative hardware, demonstrations and test reports.

How long is the white paper?

Up to 16 pages in one PDF: a 1-page cover, a 10-page narrative including cost and a 5-page compliance matrix.

Is High Assurance encryption required?

No. The radio needs integrated encryption using Commercial National Security Algorithms such as AES-256 and a path to FIPS 140-3 Level 3. High Assurance or CHVP-certified encryption is not required.

What range does SOCOM want?

At least 2,000 miles by skywave when connected to an appropriate external antenna.

How is it scored?

Technical performance 30%, maturity and validation 20%, size, weight, power and usability 15%, interoperability, security and resilience 15%, execution and production readiness 10%, and cost and value 10%.

Can BW&CO help with a SOF RACER Handheld HF Radio submission?

Yes. BW&CO can help you check your radio against the compliance matrix, organize test evidence for TRL 7 to 8, write the 10-page narrative and cost section, and build the requirements matrix. Book a call with our team.

Source: SOF RACER solicitation "Handheld High Frequency (HF) Radio Prototype" (AOI VI), released to consortium members, with Attachment 1 (White Paper Submission Requirements), Attachment 2 (USSOCOM Handheld HF Request for Proposal) and Attachment 3 (Evaluation Criteria).