Loren Data's SAM Daily™

FBO DAILY ISSUE OF JANUARY 25, 2006 FBO #1521
MODIFICATION

A -- EXTENSION OF SUIBMISSION DATE TO FEBRUARY 3RD, 2006 REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/ SOURCES SOUGHT (SS) NOTICE LIGHTWEIGHT TRANSPORTABLE SATCOM ANTENNA SYSTEM AMENDMENT

Notice Date

1/23/2006
 

Notice Type

Modification
 

Contracting Office

US Army C-E LCMC Acquisition Center - DAAB07, ATTN: AMSEL-AC, Building 1208, Fort Monmouth, NJ 07703-5008
 

ZIP Code

07703-5008
 

Solicitation Number

W15P7T-06-R-P016
 

Response Due

2/3/2006
 

Archive Date

4/4/2006
 

Small Business Set-Aside

N/A
 

Description

EXTENSION OF REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/ SOURCES SOUGHT (SS) NOTICE LIGHTWEIGHT TRANSPORTABLE SATCOM ANTENNA SYSTEM TO FEBRUARY 3RD 2006 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) AND NOT A SOLICITATION. The US Army Research, Development and Engineer ing Command (RDECOM), Communications Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center (CERDEC), Space and Terrestrial Communication Direct orate (S&TCD) is requesting information from companies that have design/development experience in antenna sys tems and/or power amplifiers for vehicle-mounted Satellite Communication (SATCOM) systems in the X, Ku, Ka and Q bands. The Government wishes to de termine potential sources for the development of an affordable, lightweight Comm-On-the-Halt (COTH) multiban d antenna system for tactical satellite communications. INTRODUCTION: It is desired that next-generation multiband, transportable COTH antenna systems operate with an increased data rate, while being lighter in weight and potentially smaller than cur rently fielded systems. Ease of use and setup are also highly desired qualities. This antenna system should be capable of transmitting and receiving via multiple commercial and military satellite systems, including the Wideband Gapfiller Satell ite (WGS), commercial Ku Band systems, XTAR, Advanced EHF (AEHF), and Tr ansformational Satellites (TSAT). If easily accommodated, commercial Ka Band systems may also be of interest. Simultaneous links to more than one satellite are not required. The Government is requesting information from Industry to aid in determining the maturity of key technologies to meet these requirements. It is understood that novel or alternative approaches to the problem may be needed to meet the desired object ives. P ossible alternative approaches could include, but are not limited to: shaped dual reflector systems for increased aperture efficiency, bifocal reflectors with two multiband feeds to eliminate manual feed changes, and the incorporation of an additional agi le scan capability (either electronic or mechanical) with limited field of view to assist with antenna pointing. This information will assist the Government in formulating an acquisition strategy and associated timeline for development of a future antenna program. The Government plans to start development of a multiband antenna system in FY07, with an OTM demonstration on Army representative vehicles in FY08 to validate a Technical Readiness Level (TRL) 6. Key areas of intere st for this antenna system in clude TWT (Traveling Wave Tube) amplifiers size/power and reliability. SCOPE: The purpose of this RFI is to gather information to support a possible RFP release for a multiband COTH SATCOM TWT amplifiers, and to determine Industry interest in participating in this effort. The Government will use the information gathered in re sponse to this RFI to gain an understanding of potential approaches to meet COTH SATCOM TWT amplifier requirements. We seek to understand the current state of development that companies have achieved in TWT amplifier designs, as well as various alternative innovative and creative solutions, and how these might apply to the Government effort to achieve a lightweight, affordable, efficient COTH antenn a system to potentially replace the HC3 COTH Phoenix. DATA SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: Key areas of interest for this antenna system and amplifiers include the following items. Please address as many of the following as possible in your Information packag e: 1. Statement of interest, either as a Prime- or a Sub-contractor/partner/team member. 2. Description of qualification: Demonstrated Products, Projects, Applicable experience. State whether your current experience is in design, deve lopment or both. 3. Description of existing or planned multiband COTH antenna systems: - Antenna efficiency and size (deployed and stowed volume) - Simultaneous feed design or auto/manual feed change - Antenna controller - Acquisition/ Tracking methods - Total system size, weight, and power requirements 4. Weigh t estimates for antenna/positioner systems for 1.2m, 1.8m and 2.4m diameter antennas. 5. Technologies or approaches for lightweight, large aperture (1.2-2.4m) antennas operating in a high wind environment. 6. Feed technologies or approaches to mitigate setup complexity. For reflector-based approaches, a minimum number of feeds are desired to cover the listed frequency bands. Approaches that do not require manual changing of feeds are also desirable, as are smaller, lightweight feeds. For small feeds that may have wider beamwidth (~120 degree 10 dB beamwidth), comment of the feasibility of associated reflectors for this application. 7. Applicability of the aforementioned technologies to a 2.4m X/Ka band transit-case terminal. 8. Description of existing or planned feed-mounted COTH amplifiers at X-, Ku-, Ka- and Q-band with RF power at 1dB gain compression for 75W-100W, 150W-200W and 250W-350W (except Q-band): -Amplifier power and efficiency -S ize and weight -Effects of vehicle vibration and temperature of lifetime 9. Description of existing or planned multi-band amplifier design -Ka/Q, X/Ku, Ku/Ka 10. For TWTs and SSPA, describe existing or planned line arization technology for improved performance with linear modulation schemes 11. Description of solid-state-power-amplifier (SSPA) and TWT hybrid solutions for reduction of size and weight. 12. Risks and risk mitigation strategies. 13. Costs: Methods for setting and achieving realistic cost objectives. What capabilities/ components are expected to be the major contributors to the cost? What is the estimated cost for the development of a pre-production prototype? DESIRED CHARA CTERISTICS of the SATCOM COTH ANTENNA SYSTEM include, but should not be limited to: 1. Multiple Band Capability: RF Band (Transmit/Receive) - X-band: Transmit 7.9-8.4 GHz, Receive 7.25-7.75 GHz; Ku band: Transmit 14.0  14.5 GHz, Receive 10.95  12.75 GHz; Ka-band: Transmit 30.0-31.0 GHz, Receive 20.2-21.2 GHz; Q-band: Transmit 43.5-45.5 GHz, Receive 20.2-21.2 GHz 2. Antenna System Weight. In order to make this antenna system useful for application to a variety of military vehicles , its overall weight must be minimized 3. Throughput: X-, Ku-, Ka- and Q-band : 20 Mbps peer-peer 4. Able to acquire and remain pointed at a satellite in a wind of 45 mph, with gusts to 60 mph. Pointing requirements are to maintain a signal loss of less than 2 dB at all bands under these conditions, and less than 0.5 dB nominally. 5. Antenna Pointing: -5 to +105 deg elevation and 360 deg azimuth. 6. Operate and Mountable on various military vehicles, including H MMWV. 7. Thermal Operation Requirement - -20 deg C to +50 deg C with added solar loading DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS of the SATCOM COTH AMPLIFIERS include, but should not be limited to: 1. RF Band - X-band: Transmit 7.9-8.4 GHz, R F power ; Ku band: Transmit 14.0  14.5 GHz, Ka-band: Transmit 30.0-31.0 GHz, Q-band: Transmit 43.5-45.5 GHz 2. Amplifier Weight. In order to make this amplifier useful for application to a variety of military platforms, its overall size per band mi nimized to a goal of 442 cubic inches at the feed with option of remoted power supplies. 4. Operate and Mountable on various military vehicles, including HMMWV. 5. Thermal Operation Requirement - -40 deg C to +55 deg C with added sola r loading The information received will not obligate the Government in any manner nor will the Government reimburse contractors for any costs associated wit h submittal of the requested information. This request does not constitute an Invitation For Bid or a Request For Proposal Responses to this RFI/SS Notice are due to by COB FEBRUARY 3, 2006. Respondents should identify their company's name, address, teleph one number, point of contact, and whether they are a large or small business. Proprietary information should be clearly marked. The electronic format may be in Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) or compatible with Microsoft Office 200 0 suite of software. The white paper response shall not exceed 10 pages, including company information (single sided, sing le line spaced and utilizing Times New Roman font with 12-dot pitch). All submissions shall be sent only via e-mail to the following address: Herald Beljour Herald.Beljour@us.army.mil (732)- 427 -7418
 

Place of Performance

Address: US Army C-E LCMC Acquisition Center - DAAB07 ATTN: AMSEL-AC, Building 1208 Fort Monmouth NJ

Zip Code: 07703-5008

Country: US
 

Record

SN00970973-W 20060125/060123212111 (fbodaily.com)
 

Source

FedBizOpps Link to This Notice
(may not be valid after Archive Date)

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