NCCOSC RDTE Division Code 214B 53570 Silvergate Avenue Bldg A33 San Diego CA 92152-5113

A -- MULTIFUNCTION ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATING SYSTEM (MERS) SOL N66001-96-X-6906 DUE 080196 POC Contracting Officer, Ed Brown, (619)553-5725. Broad Agency Announcement (BAA). The Naval Command, Control, and Ocean Surveillance Center (NCCOSC), RDT&E (NRaD), Electromagnetics and Advanced Technology Division, is conducting applied research toward the demonstration of a Multifunction Electromagnetic Radiating System (MERS). The objective of this applied research is to develop the technology base in communication system antennas and electronics that will enable a significant reduction in the proliferation of shipboard Line-of-Sight (LOS) antenna systems. The anticipated payoffs of reducing the number of shipboard antenna systems are reductions in ship topside weight, volume, radar cross sectio (RCS), electromagnetic interference (EMI), and antenna blockage. The goal of the planned MERS technology development and demonstration is to provide a single antenna system, including the radiating aperture and radio frequency (RF) front-end technology, to service multiple shipboard communicatio systems. The primary candidates are UHF Communications (225 - 400 Mhz), Joint Tactical Information Distribution System (JTIDS) (960 - 1215 MHz), Identification, Friend or Foe (IFF) (1030 Tx, 1090 Rx), and Combat Direction Finding (CDF) (F1, F2). The key attributes of the MERS development are that it must be affordable, low-observable (RCS), lightweight, tolerant of the marine environment, and it must meet or exceed the performance of the current systems (e.g. EMI, SNR). A longer range goal of the MERS is to provide the capability to service up to nine additional shipboard systems; this legacy should be considered as part of the effort. The Navy is seeking an open system, non-proprietary approach to this effort. Use of non-developmental items (NDI) and commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) components is encouraged to the maximum extent proacticable, but a substantial research and development effort is anticipated. Technologies areas of interest for MERS include (but are not limited to): (1) Electromagnetics: This technology area will principally develop and demonstrate conformal and/or structurally integrated radiating element options. Design concepts should include wideband and narrowband radiators of all signal polarizations, compatibility with RCS mitigation techniques such as frequency selective surfaces, and compatibility with composite materials construction. (2) Electronics: This technology area will principally develop and demonstrate RF front-end electronics enabling both half-duplex and full-duplex signal distribution to the appropriate radiating elements. Design concepts should include multi-couplers, multi-carrier amplifiers, transmit/receive isolation networks, and the relevant supporting component technology options. (3) Photonics: This technology area will principally develop and demonstrate fiber optic based signal distribution and control links, and the relevant technology to replace RF cabling where applicable. Design concepts for all four primary systems are expected. (4) Signatures: This technology area will principally make performance predictions as well as develop and demonstrate significant RCS reduction techniques to meet predicted goals. Design concepts should include shaping, frequency selective surfaces, radar absorbig structures, radar and the relevant supporting technology. Design concepts should ensure compatibility with antenna performance requirements, and compatibility with structural design requirements. (5) Structures: This technology area will principally make performance predictions as well as develop and demonstrate adequate structural design guidelines to meet shipboard requirements (e.g. air blast, shock & vibration) Design concepts should include composite materials construction, compatibility with antenna performance, and compatibility with RCS mitigation techniques. (6) System Integration: This technology area will principally be responsible for ensuring compatibility between design concepts, design guidelines, and performance requirements for electromagnetics, electronics, photonics, signatures, and structures. Also, this area will be responsible for considering constraints imposed by implementation in the shipboard marine environment (EMI, Shielding, Lighting, Shipboard arrangement options, etc. ...). Three phases of the MERS effort are envisioned. Phase I will develop design concepts and design guidelines for the baeline MERS. This phase will principally address technical feasibility and develop technology to mitigate risk. Phase II will validate the Phase I design concepts, design guidelines, and performance predictions through full scale, land-based demonstration. Phase III will demonstrate a full-scale MERS test-article at-sea meeting all requirements. Multiple awards will be considered for all phases. Interested orgainzations are encouraged to submit an initial ten pages (excluding the cover letter and title page) white paper within thirty days of publication of this BAA. The white paper should address one or more of the technology areas, as applied to one or more of the phases of the program. Completeness should be considered due to the interrelationship of the technical areas. The narrative should include a technical description of the effort, interrelationship of the technology areas (if more than one is addressed), identification of the risks, a preliminary schedule, and a rough cost estimate for each phase addressed. All technical approaches will be considered. Offerors may submit more than one white paper. Administrative POC: G.E. Brown, NCCOSC RDTE DIV 212, (619)553-5725, gebrown@nosc.mil. Technical Contact: Steven Hart, NCCOSC RDTE DIV 856,(619)553-3886, harts@nosc.mil. NRaD has developed a technology base and a MERS design concept via an applied research program. A technical package consisting of concept description, design guidelines, and antenna system requirements will be made available to interested parties by contacting the aforementioned POC. Additional information will also be provided via a yet determined web site. The web site address, once known, will be published under this BAA number. Questions regarding the content of the aforementioned package should be referred to the aforementioned technical contact. Submitted white papers will be evaluated as to their potential interest to the government according to the following criteria: 1) relevance and effectiveness with which the proposed technology and application meets the objective of this Multifunction Electromagnetic Radiation System antenna effort, and 2) technical merit, feasibility, suitability and adequacy with which the proposed technical approach fits with anticipated needs. White papers should be unclassified. White Papers are due 30 days from the date of the CBD Publication of this announcement. Respondents shose white papers are deemed favorable with respect to the above criteria will be invited to submit full proposals. Invited proposal offerors will be provided with classified and other information presenting further details of MERS that will be necessary to submit a complete proposal. Offerors may submit classified proposals, and must have at least a secret facilities clearance. Proposed personnel should also have at least a secret clearance. An industry presentation to invited proposers may be considered at that time. White papers will be referred to a review panel for the evaluation process. White papers may be evaluated and selected as received or may be grouped for review and evaluation. However, the white papers will not be evaluated against other white papers and proposals. The cost of preparing white papers in response to this announcement is not considered an alowable direct cost under any resulting contract. The Government desires unlimited rights with regard to intellectual property including concepts, data, computer algorithms, and reports delivered under this procurement. Proprietary concepts and information should be clearly up front and marked in white papers. An original plus 5 copies of the initial white paper should be submitted to: NCCOSC RDT&E DIV, Attn: G. E. Brown, Code 212, 53560 Hull St., San Diego, CA 92152-5001. Any further questions may be addressed to: NCCOSC RDT&E DIV, Attn: Steve Hart, Code 856, San Diego, CA 92152-5000. Any awards are contingent on the availability of funds specifically allocated for this announcement. Approximately 10 million dollars is appropriated over the duration of this effort, 1 October 1996 through 30 September 1999, but is not currently available for this procurement. Final proposal submission will not be requested until funds availabilty is reasonably assured, but this will not delay notification of offerors that full proposals will be invited. Contract award will be based upon technical merit as indicated in the evaluation criteria, and funding availability. The Government reserves the right to select for consideration and possible award, all, some, or none of the white papers and proposals received in response to this announcement. This notice constitutes a BAA as contemplated in FAR 35.016. No additional written information is available, nor will a formal request for proposal (RFP) or other solicitation regarding this announcement be issued. Interested parties are invited to respond to this synopsis. All responsible parties' responses will be considered. (0180)

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