SOURCES SOUGHT
A -- RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
- Notice Date
- 8/19/2014
- Notice Type
- Sources Sought
- NAICS
- 541712
— Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)
- Contracting Office
- Department of the Navy, Naval Sea Systems Command, NSWC Dahlgren Division, 17362 Dahlgren Road, Suite 157, Dahlgren, Virginia, 22448-5100, United States
- ZIP Code
- 22448-5100
- Solicitation Number
- N0017814Q3006
- Archive Date
- 3/28/2015
- Point of Contact
- Tina Lynn, Phone: 540-653-8325
- E-Mail Address
-
tina.lynn@navy.mil
(tina.lynn@navy.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- This synopsis is being posted to both the Federal Business Opportunities (FBO) page located at https://www.fbo.gov REQUEST FOR INFORMATION: THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION; no award will be made as a result of this request. This Request For Information (RFI) is for informational purposes only; this is not a Request for Proposal (RFP). All interested parties are encouraged to respond to this RFI. The Government will not pay for information and/or materials received in response to this RFI and is in no way obligated by the information received. BACKGROUND/DESCRIPTION: The Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD), Dahlgren, VA is seeking development of a photo-sensitive material that responds reactively to radio frequency electromagnetic radiation, and that is compatible with printing methods. The intent of this market research is to determine mechanisms and materials that can be mutually developed towards low-cost and dynamically controllable electromagnetic structures that are frequency agile. Frequency selective surfaces, metamaterials and reflectarrays are amongst the structures of interest. One possible mechanism is a pigment-based ink that utilizes particulates of photoconductive materials in an insulating binder. This is a known example of a photo-dielectric effect [1,2]. Of interest are particulates of < 100 micrometers, and preferably < 10 micrometers, and more preferably < 1 micrometer. The control wavelength of interest can be from the infrared to visible spectrum but preferably closer to the near infrared. The absorption of light by the particulates must be limited such that light can penetrate deep into the ink in order to reach underlying particulates within the ink material. Thus, a binder that is transparent to the optical wavelength is necessary. A desirable characteristic is for conductivity of the particulate to change by a minimum of an order of magnitude using minimal light intensity of preferably less than 1 mW/cm2. Frequency bands of interest are from HF to Ku. An example of a material that performs in the X-band is AgCl [3] for example. The ink must be curable into solid form. To maximize effect, it is preferable that the resultant particulates having a large volume fraction preferably over 50% within the matrix. The particulates cannot present a percolation path through the ink meaning that the ink cannot present a conduction path for direct current. Specifically, NSWCDD is seeking rapid development of the ink towards a TRL-5 level and above, as defined in the Department of Defense Technology Readiness Assessment Guidance, dated April 2011. Although the photo-dielectric effect is listed as one possibility, all possible mechanisms will be considered. TOPICS OF INTEREST The Navy seeks photo-variable material that responds reactively to radio frequency electromagnetic radiation, and that is compatible with printing methods. Specifically of interests to NSWCDD include: 1. Photo-variable capacitive inks with particulates < 100 micrometers, and preferably < 10 micrometers, and more preferably < 1 micrometer. 2. Photo-variable capacitance inks with optical control wavelength from near infrared to visible with a preference towards near infrared. 3. Photo-variable capacitance inks that can be formed thin or thick (up to several millimeter thick). 4. Photo-variable capacitance inks that can vary by an order of magnitude preferably, or at least by 100% in response to optical stimulus. 5. Photo-variable capacitance inks that have an active range of optical stimulus that is minimal and preferably < 1 mW/cm2. 6. Photo-variable capacitance inks that are compatible with an electromagnetic material that covers any frequency band from HF to Ku. 7. Photo-variable capacitive ink that is curable to a solid form. 8. Photo-variable capacitive ink that is insulating and not susceptible to direct conduction current. 9. All response times will be considered, but photo-variable capacitive ink that is responsive to controlled changes within 10 nS or less are preferred. REQUESTED INFORMATION: Interested parties are invited to submit responses addressing the following information, as applicable to the topic areas above: 1. A positive statement of interest to submit a proposal as a contractor on a future solicitation for this system. 2. Company name and address, point(s) of contact with phone number(s). 3. Technical Approach. 4. TRL level at start and finish. 5. Schedule for Development. 6. Schedule for Test & Evaluation (T&E). 7. Government resources required. 8. Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) for development, including contractor T & E, cost and unit cost for potential future Government procurements. The response should also address any other features of your system that may enhance overall photo-variable capacitance ink. Responses should not exceed 15 pages in length. The data received in response to this RFI is for information purposes only and does not mandate or impose requirements or commit the Government or vendor to any action. The Government does not intend to award a contract based on responses to this RFI. It is recognized that proprietary data may be included with the information provided. Clearly mark all proprietary information. All responses to this RFI shall be submitted no later than 4:00 PM EST (local time at Dahlgren, VA) on 13 March 2015. Electronic or hard copy submissions are acceptable. Please submit responses to the Contract Specialist listed in the Points of Contact section below. Responses are expected to be unclassified. POINT OF CONTACT: Questions should be submitted to: Tina Lynn, Contract Specialist Code CS40-5 Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren Division 17632 Dahlgren Road, Suite 157 Dahlgren, VA 22448 Email Address: tina.lynn@navy.mil Phone: (540) 653-8325 ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: All information received in response to this RFI that is marked proprietary will be handled accordingly. Responses to the RFI will not be returned. Responses to this RFI are not offers for contract and will not be used by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. Vendors having products that they believe would be suitable for Navy photo-variable capacitance ink as described herein shall submit all supporting documentation requested by this RFI to the POC noted above. [1] H. Kallman, B. Kramer, and A. Perlmutter, "Induced conductivity in luminescent powders. II. ac impedance measurements," Phys. Rev., vol. 89, no. 4, Feb. 1953. [2] K. A. Boulais, P. Rayms-Keller, S. Feng, M. S. Lowry, P. L. Wick, Jr., W. D. Sessions, K. J. Long and F. Santiago, "Optically Controllable Composite Dielectric Based on Photo-conductive Particulates," IEEE Microwave Theory and Tech., vol. 62, no. 7, July 2014. [3] R. J. Deri and J. P. Spoonhower, "Microwave photodielectric effect in AgCl," Phys. Rev. B, vol. 25, no. 4, pp. 2821-2827, Feb. 1982.
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