SPECIAL NOTICE
16 -- SOF EC-130J RF Antenna for Multi-Mission Capability
- Notice Date
- 5/14/2014
- Notice Type
- Special Notice
- NAICS
- 336413
— Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Other Defense Agencies, U.S. Special Operations Command, Headquarters Procurement Division, 7701 Tampa Point Blvd, MacDill AFB, Florida, 33621-5323
- ZIP Code
- 33621-5323
- Solicitation Number
- 14-RFI-BroadcastAntenna051414
- Archive Date
- 7/10/2014
- Point of Contact
- Christine E Johnson, Phone: 813-826-6038, Donn Smith,
- E-Mail Address
-
johnsc1@socom.mil, Donn.Smith@socom.mil
(johnsc1@socom.mil, Donn.Smith@socom.mil)
- Small Business Set-Aside
- N/A
- Description
- SOF EC-130J RF ANTENNAS FOR MULTI-MISSION CAPABILITY RFI 1. The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is studying alternatives to expand its airborne Military Information Support Operations (MISO) broadcast capabilities. The aircraft in this study is the EC-130J Hercules modified with aerial refueling receptacle, 60/90 KiloVolt Ampere (KVA) engine generators, auxiliary third crew position, and intercom system upgrades (aka, "Super J"). This study is considering advanced antenna capabilities to support MISO high power radio and television broadcast operations in the commercial FM radio and VHF/UHF TV bands and potentially cellular operations in the commercial cellular bands. To complete the study and consider programming initiatives, USSOCOM requires current industry sources and capabilities information. 2. The objective of this Request for Information (RFI) is to identify Non-Developmental Item (NDI) or commercially available solutions to the Special Operations Forces (SOF) EC-130J requirements for a wideband small form-factor high-power RF antenna capability, assess technology and manufacturing readiness, and prepare budgetary planning estimates for possible programming initiatives. There are three basic requirements for the aircraft antenna system. First, the system must be capable of a wide range of frequencies with as few separate antennas as possible, ideally ranging from 50 MHz to 1000 MHz. Second, antennas must be capable of supporting very high input power levels, with a minimum average power levels of 1 kW and levels up to 5 kW supported. Third, the antenna(s) must be installed and removed without aircraft modifications and in as small a form factor as possible. For aeropod considerations, antenna dimensions cannot exceed 96-inches in length and 24-inches in diameter. Conformal antenna form-factors or paratroop door mounting are also of interest. 3. USSOCOM seeks information from responsible sources and interested parties who have proven solutions that can meet or exceed antenna performance requirements; can be validated by performance testing, including flight test; require minimum modification or upgrade to aircraft systems; and address sustainment concerns. Sources may provide a solution to either a portion of the required frequency range or the entire required frequency range. 4. For the purpose of this RFI, the term "proven" means solutions at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) "6" or higher, preferably TRL "7" or higher. Adaptation of NDI or commercial solutions is encouraged. Recommended solutions must be sustainable through 2025. Key performance parameters include antenna size (no greater than 96-in by 24-inch), input power handling capabilities (up to 5 kW), Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR) performance (below 1.5:1 is desired), and the desired frequency range. A supported threshold frequency range of 80 MHz-1000 MHz is sought after, with an objective of 50 MHz -1000 MHz to support TV and radio broadcast. Additionally, antennas with frequency support up to 3000 MHz are of interest. Antenna gains and support for bi-directional communications are also performance parameters of interest. Both directional and omnidirectional are of interest. 5. Interested parties should provide capabilities, qualification statements, and examples that demonstrate their ability to satisfy the required performance enhancement challenges with low integration risk to the SOF EC-130J inventory. Respondents are encouraged to provide information on all or any subset of the areas listed. No adverse evaluation will result from responses, which address only those specific areas applicable to one's core business expertise. 6. Respondents shall use a minimum number of pages to describe in detail the information requested. Page length limited to no more than 25, 8 ½" x 11" single sided pages, including attachments, figures and/or drawings. Responses are due no by close of business (4:30PM EST) 25 June 2014. 7. This notice is part of Government market research, a continuous process for obtaining the latest information on the ‘art of the possible' from industry with respect to their current and near-term abilities. The information collected may be used by the Government to explore future strategies for possible uses of platforms within the military. Information received as a result of this request will be considered sensitive and protected as such. All company proprietary information contained in the response shall be separately marked. Any proprietary information contained in response to this request will be properly protected from unauthorized disclosure. The government will not use proprietary information submitted from any one firm to establish the capability and requirements for any future systems acquisition so as to not inadvertently restrict competition. Special Note: Respondent's attention is directed to the fact that contractor consultant and advisors to the Government will review and provide support during evaluation of submittals. When appropriate, non-government advisors may be used to objectively review a particular functional area and provide comments and recommendations to the Government. All advisors shall comply with procurement integrity laws and shall sign Non-Disclosure and Rules of Conduct/Conflict of Interest statements. The Government shall take into consideration requirements for avoiding conflicts of interest and ensure advisors comply with safeguarding proprietary data. Submissions in response to this RFI constitute approval to release the submittal to Government Support Contractors. 8. U.S. and non-U.S. firms with appropriate Export Control status are permitted to respond to this RFI. Responses to questions from authorized interested parties will be promptly answered and provided equally to all interested parties unless some release of proprietary information is involved or the answer addresses a question peculiar to a company or that company's response. One-on-one information gathering sessions with respondents are currently not contemplated. If one-on-one sessions with interested parties are conducted, they will be offered to those responders that meet the requirements contained in this RFI. The purpose would be to clarify understanding of the submittal, the capability ramifications, or to discuss the form of agreement to cover any flight demonstrations. Information feedback sessions may be offered to respondents after all qualitative assessments are completed. 9. Per FAR 52.215-3, Request for Information or Solicitation for Planning Purposes (Oct 1997): The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this notice or to otherwise pay for the information solicited except as an allowable cost under other contracts as provided in subsection 31.205-18, Bid and proposal costs, of the Federal Acquisition Regulation. Although the terms "proposal" and "respondent" are used in this RFI, your response will be treated as information only and shall not be used as a proposal. Any proposed solution must meet all Operational, Safety, Suitability and Effectiveness (OSS&E) requirements mandated by the Department of Defense.
- Web Link
-
FBO.gov Permalink
(https://www.fbo.gov/spg/ODA/USSOCOM/SOAL-KB/14-RFI-BroadcastAntenna051414/listing.html)
- Record
- SN03365862-W 20140516/140514234510-21838d46c32f9c130d8ed2ad1ba8978e (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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