SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- Enhanced Broadband Satellite Communications
- Notice Date
- 8/29/2006
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- Contracting Office
- 4301 Pacific Highway Bldg OT4 Code 02, San Diego CA 92110-3127
- ZIP Code
- 92110-3127
- Solicitation Number
- SPAWAR_Headquarters_MKTSVY_3A0BE
- Response Due
- 9/29/2006
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- 1.0 DESCRIPTION 1.1 The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR), in support of the Program Executive Office - Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence (PEO C4I), Submarine Communications Integration Program Office (PMW 770), is seeking information regarding enhanced high capacity broadband satellite communications functionality using state-of-the-art Extremely High Frequency (EHF) and Super High Frequency (SHF) satellite antennas. This includes the Global Broadcast Service (GBS) and Defense Satellite Communications System (DSCS), Wideband Gapfiller System (WGS). PEO C4I (PMW 770) will use this information to help influence future product investments and to support Department of Navy (DoN) Information Technology investment policy. 1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes ??? it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Navy is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondents are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party???s expense. Small Businesses having the capabilities to perform the tasking below are encouraged to reply to this RFI. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If an RFP is issued, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website at http://www.fbo.gov and the SPAWAR E- Commerce Central website at https://e- commerce.spawar.navy.mil. It is the responsibility of potential offerors to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement. 2.0 BACKGROUND PEO C4I (PMW 770) has acquired the OE-562/BRC Submarine High Data Rate (SubHDR) antenna system for use with its submarine broadband satellite communications systems. Capability and performance improvements to these antenna systems have been identified and an effort to acquire an enhanced broadband satellite communications antenna for submarine applications is underway. The objective of this RFI is to solicit information regarding antenna solutions that will utilize the existing and available SubHDR mast spaces; however, it will be expected to provide much greater bandwidth and throughput than its predecessor antenna systems. The information sought is relevant to high throughput, reduced size, multi-functional, durable antennas capable of surviving a submerged at sea environment. These antennas would at a minimum operate in the X/ K / Ka / Q bands and support broadband satellite communications. In addition, information is being sought for Reliability, Maintainability, and Availability (RM&A) improvements in the high power amplification components of these broadband satellite communications systems. Information regarding potential improvements in shock hardening; specifically underwater explosion (UNDEX) events, is also being sought. The antenna will connect to the Navy Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) Multiband Terminal (NMT) for RF transmit and receive, antenna control (pointing, Built in Test (BIT), Operator Machine Interface (OMI)), and power. For the purposes of this RFI assume that there will be an Antenna Interface Unit (AIU) that will provide the necessary interfacing from NMT to the antenna. This AIU would be required to have a zero physical footprint impact in the Common Submarine Radio Room (CSRR). PEO C4I (PMW 770) antenna solution will be the Advanced High Data Rate (AdvHDR) for use with its submarine broadband satellite communications systems. Specifically, the areas of information being sought regarding proposed antennas are as follows: ??? Extremely efficient use of limited antenna storage space. ??? Antenna multi-functionality using aperture partitioning and multiple beam designs. The communication frequency bands of interest with Radio Frequency (RF) connectivity needs are identified in Table 1. ??? Increased bandwidth enhancements in broadband satellite systems. ??? Shock hardening technologies. ??? Decreased mechanical complexity resulting in simpler and more cost effective antenna pointing mechanisms. The object is the reduction in single point of mechanical failures and graceful degradation of mast mounted systems. ??? Communications antenna mast design and RM&A information. ??? Decreased radar cross section (RCS) signatures technology. ??? Platform compatibility and hardware integration information. ??? Multi-beam aperture and antenna multi-function (array partitioning) technologies. ??? Increased Low probability of intercept (LPI) and low probability of detection (LPD) performance achieved by narrow beam patterns over existing SubHDR antenna, in accordance with NAVELEX 488-E ??? Increased simultaneity across the defined frequency bands ??? Increased figures-of-merit relative to the existing system capability including Gain-to-Noise Temperature (G/T) and Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP) ??? Prolonged transmission duration at 100% duty cycle Table 1: Satellite Communications Frequency Bands/RF Interface Function Band Frequency Coverage Polarization Data Rate Off Board Satellite Communications Node UFO 4-7 UFO 8-10 UFO 11 DSCS 3 & SLEP WGS 1-5 Advanced EHF MILSTAR I/II SHF DSCS/WGS (X ??? Band SATCOM) X 7.25 ??? 7.75 GHz RCV; 7.9 ??? 8.4 GHz TX RHCP TX, LHCP RCV; LHCP ???& RHCP RCV & TX 1024 kbps N/A N/A N/A ??? ??? N/A N/A GBS SATCOM (UFO) K 20.2 ??? 21.2 GHz RCV LHCP RCV 24 Mbps N/A ??? N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A GBS SATCOM (WGS) K 20.2- 21.2 GHz RCV LHCP RCV 48 Mbps (RCV only) N/A N/A N/A N/A ??? N/A N/A EHF SATCOM (LDR) K/Q 20.2 -21.2 GHz RCV; 43.5 ??? 45.5 GHz TX RHCP (TX & RCV) 75 ??? 2400 bps ??? ??? ??? N/A N/A ??? ??? EHF SATCOM (MDR) K/Q 20.2 -21.2 GHz RCV; 43.5 ??? 45.5 GHz TX RHCP (TX & RCV) 4.8-1544 kbps N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A ??? ??? K/Ka-BAND SATCOM (WGS) K/Ka 20.2 ??? 21.2 GHz RCV; 30.0 ??? 31.0 GHz TX LHCP & RHCP (RCV & TX) 1.024 Mbps N/A N/A N/A N/A ??? N/A N/A EHF SATCOM (XDR) K/Q 20.2 -21.2 GHz RCV; 43.5 ??? 45.5 GHz TX RHCP (TX & RCV) 2.048 Mbps N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A ??? N/A 3.0 REQUESTED INFORMATION Provide detailed information on how the proposed product would meet the above desired requirements specified in Section 2.0 of this RFI. The response should include specific answers to the following questions: 1. How would you describe the proposed antenna and mast design footprint installed in the submarine environment? The design must fit within the mechanical constraints of the existing submarine sail and hull. 2. How will the proposed antennas enhance bandwidth, provide multi-functionality, and decrease mast assembly radar cross section? 3. Provide a general description of system performance characteristics and parameters for communications system functionality, such as expected data rates, rotation rate, use latency (from decision to use to availability, including shedding time), simultaneous beam steering, maximum off-axis steering, bands, frequencies, beam widths, 1st ??? 3rd side lobes (levels and angles), antenna gain, EIRP, G/T, etc. 4. How will simultaneous EHF/SHF, EHF/GBS or Ka, and SHF/GBS or Ka operations over the same antenna array be achieved? 5. Describe RM&A strategies for reducing failures in the high power components of the mast installed systems? 6. Describe strategies for additional shock hardening of mast mounted systems; specifically addressing UNDEX testing in accordance with MIL-STD-901D. 7. Describe strategies for a technical approach that may have reuse for cross service communication systems and electronic warfare operations. Describe standardization of system architecture to achieve cross service system reuse while maintaining interoperability/integration capabilities. 8. Describe any technical and cost risks associate with each proposed approach. 9. Which of the requirements specified in Section 3.0 of this RFI will your proposed product be unable to meet? What alternative solutions are suggested to fulfill the Navy???s requirements? 4.0 RESPONSES 4.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper. 4.2 White papers in Microsoft Word for Office 2000 compatible format are due no later than 14:00 PST on 29 September 2006. Responses shall be submitted electronically, via e-mail only, to Mark Lopez Contracting Officer (mark.lopez@navy.mil)). Proprietary information, if any, must be clearly marked. To aid the Government in its review and evaluation, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that even though all submissions will become Government property and will not be returned to the contractor the proprietary marking on the submissions will be respected. PEO C4I (PMW 770) intends to have the contractor support listed below assist in the review and evaluation of white papers submitted in response to this notice. Responses to this notice MUST clearly state that permission is granted or not granted allowing the contractor support identified below access to the contractors white paper. Should such permission be denied the government will review the contractor???s white paper without the contractor support identified below. If any respondent does not currently have a Proprietary Data Protection Agreement (PDPA) that would permit the Government support contractors listed below to review and evaluate white papers submitted in response to this RFI, the respondent is requested to sign PDPAs with these Government support contractors for this purpose. Reviewing Companies: Company: Tele-Consultants, Inc. (TCI) POC: Jane Sablan, Senior Contracts Administrator Telephone Number: (678) 893-7885 E-Mail Address: JSablan@Teleinc.com Company: General Dynamics Information Technology POC: Earl Goodby, Project Manager Phone: (401) 849-5952 x3149 Email: earl.goodby@gdit.com Company: Georgia Tech POC: Mark Mitchell, Project Director Telephone Number: (404) 388-1653 Email: mark.mitchell@gtri.gatech.edu Company: EC Systems Engineering POC: Mario Agripino, President/CEO Telephone Number: (401) 848-5800 E-Mail Address: magripino@epconllc.com Company: Predicate Logic, Inc. POC: Barbara Hubbard, Contracts Manager Telephone Number: (858) 715-0100 E-Mail Address: hubbard@predicate.com 4.3. Section 1 of the white paper shall provide administrative information, and shall include the following as a minimum: 4.3.1. Name, mailing address, overnight delivery address (if different from mailing address), phone number, fax number, and e-mail of designated point of contact. 4.3.2. Recommended contracting strategy, with emphasis on whether the requirement can be met by items of a type customarily available in the commercial marketplace, consistent with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12. 4.3.3. Copies of Proprietary Data Protection Agreements (PDPAs) executed with the Government support contractors identified above and a statement that the respondent will allow or NOT allow the Government to release proprietary data to the Government support contractors identified above. In the absence of either of the foregoing, the Government will assume that the respondent does NOT agree to the release of proprietary data to the Government support contractors identified above. 4.3.4. Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman- owned small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business) based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS). Please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 19 for additional detailed information on Small Business Size Standards. The FAR is available at http://www.acquisition.gov/comp/far/ind ex.html. 4.4 Section 2 of the white paper shall provide information in response to Section 3.0 of this RFI. Section 2 of the white paper is limited to twenty (20) pages (there is no page limitation for Section 1 of the white paper). 4.5 Section 3 of the white (one (1) page limit) shall address the maturity of the technology and provide a "road ahead" to the development of the capabilities described in Section 3.0. If known, the maturity of the technology shall be described using the Technical Readiness Level (TRL) metrics defined in DoD 5000 2-R, accompanied with supporting comments or data. If it is not known then an outline of the development efforts and timeline required to achieve TRL 6 ("prototype demonstration in a relevant environment") can be included. 4.6 Section 4 of the white paper shall be a single page "quad chart" in Microsoft PowerPoint format that includes at a minimum the following data: 1. One or more graphics or photos that illustrate the technical concept addressed in the response. 2. Highlights of primary capabilities referenced to the requirements of section 3.0. 3. Maturity of the concept and the relevant technology components. 4. If the program were to begin in FY08, when do you estimate the first Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) system will be available for installation on board a submarine platform. 4.7 The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The U.S. Government does not make a commitment to procure any of the items discussed in this RFI. Further, the release of the RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. It is emphasized that this is a Request for Information. It is not a Request for Proposal (RFP) of any kind and is a not to be interpreted that such an RFP for the above will be issued. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative cost incurred in response to this RFI. All costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party???s expense. Failure to respond to this RFI will not preclude participation in any future RFP, if issued. 5.0 INDUSTRY EXCHANGES Government representatives may, or may not, choose to meet with potential offerors. Such exchanges, should they occur, would be for the purpose of obtaining further clarification of potential capability to meet the requirements, especially any development and certification risks. 6.0 QUESTIONS Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing, via e-mail, to Contracting Officer, at mark.lopez@navy.mil). Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. All questions will be answered via a posting of answers to the SPAWAR E- Commerce Central website; accordingly, questions shall NOT contain trade secrets or classified information. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after 15 Se[tember 2006 will be answered. To access the SPAWAR E- Commerce Central website, go to https://e-commerce.spawar.navy.mil. Click on Headquarters, then Market Surveys to view other important information related to this RFI. Interested parties are invited to subscribe to this RFI to ensure they receive any updates. 7.0 SUMMARY THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that can provide a solution to the Next Generation Submarine Antenna System to functions with the satellite communications systems at EHF and above. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Navy has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.
- Web Link
-
Click on this link to access the SPAWAR E-Commerce Central Web Site
(https://e-commerce.spawar.navy.mil/Command/02/ACQ/navhome.nsf/homepage?readform&db=navbusopor.nsf&whichdoc=C49FB9EC0ADF4837882571D9005E39E1&editflag=0)
- Record
- SN01129107-W 20060831/060829222204 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
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FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
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