D -- MEM RF SWITCHES!!

Notice Date

September 7, 2001

Contracting Office

General Services Administration, Federal Technology Service (8TF), Denver Federal Center, Building 41, Room 297G, Denver, CO 80225

ZIP Code

80225

Solicitation Number

NA!!

Response Due

September 22, 2001

Point of Contact

Suzanne Schuman, (303) 236-7565!!

E-Mail Address

click here to contact the customer service representative (suzanne.schuman@gsa.gov)

Description

The General Services Administration, Federal technology Service, Region 8, Denver and its Client, AFRL/SNRR at Wright Patterson AFB, Dayton Ohio intend to procure on a Sole Source basis from Dr. John Kent Smith, proprietor, 5423 Ridgeview Drive, Doylestown, PA, 18901, 215-348-9872, the following services: evaluate approaches to increase life and reliability of MEM RF switches. These MEM switches are built on a micron scale, often using the processes that were developed for integrated circuit manufacture. While the MEM process has been used commercially to build ink jet printer components and accelerometers, it is only in the past few years that is has been applied to RF switching. Because of the newness of the technology and the broad range of application, wide range expertise is required to assist in developing contractor approaches and measurements for reliability improvement. This expertise must include extensive knowledge of MEMs RF devices, microwave test techniques, subsystem and system application, and program management for complex and technically challenging developments. An important part of the proposed effort will be to assure that the technical resources of the reliability contractors are properly organized to address the wide range of issues. Doing this will require extensive experience in Program Management in a number of programs at DARPA. These programs involved developing thorough solutions to complex problems, which were beyond state-of-the-art. A SOLICITATION WILL NOT BE ISSUED as a result of this CBD. Onl7y one order will be issued for this requirement, no partials. PURPOSE: The purpose of this effort is to evaluate approaches to increase life and reliability of MEM RF switches. IMPACT: Just in the past few years the MEM process has been applied to RF switching. The switches can be used to re-configure antennas and to build phase shifters. Electronically Scanned Arrays (ESAs) require a phase shifter or time delay unit (TDU) to electronically steer the beam of microwave energy, replacing the mechanical gimbal. The MEMs phase shifters have the advantage of being low cost, using low switching power, and exhibiting very low RF loss. JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION: Dr. Smith initiated and led the Mem-tenna program, which is the first large scale of MEMs phase shifters in a phased array for fire control radar. He developed the requirements and managed the development of MEMs phase shifters, which were of sufficiently low loss that they could be used to replace solid-state transmit/receive modules. He produced design concepts, and flowed down the requirements to establish the level of performance required by the MEM switches. His extensive understanding of the requirements is due to his long involvement with T/R modules programs including MMIC. He also is experience in microwave measurements, having been involved in microwave device and antenna development, both in the laboratory and as a manager. He is an expert in the waveforms and beam steering strategies which a missile or radar must use. He was technical program manager of the Reconfigurable Aperture (RECAP) Program, which uses RF MEMs to change antenna properties such as operating frequency in antennas for communications, SIGINT, and radar. He possesses knowledge of microwave systems and weapons systems as a result of his involvement in the development of ESA antennas. He has lead the development of ESA for more than 20 years. He received the OSD award for Outstanding Achievement in 1998, and was DARPA Program Manager of the Year in 1999. Dr. Smith has a unique set of experience in the application of RF MEMs to seekers, radar and communication. Other consulting individuals or companies cannot duplicate this combination of skills and experience, and therefore a sole source award to Dr. John Kent Smith is justified. Concerns having the ability to furnish the above services/supplies are requested to give written notification (including the telephone number for a point of contact) to the acquiring office listed in this notice within 15-calendar days from the date of this synopsis. This notification should clearly show their ability to do so without compromising the quality, accuracy and reliability of the requirement. This is not a formal solicitation. However, concerns that respond should furnish detailed data concerning their capabilities and may request a copy of the solicitation when it becomes available. All information is to be furnished at no cost or obligation to the government. Along with the above requested product information, please include Company name, mailing and e-mail address, telephone and fax numbers*****.

Web Link

N/A!! (N/A!!)

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010911/DSOL013.HTM (W-250 SN50X0P4)