R&D Contracting Directorate, Bldg 7, 2530 C Street, WPAFB, OH 45433-7607

A -- NEXGEN BROADBAND DIGITAL RECEIVER SOL PRDA No. 97-11-AAK POC Contact Dave Box, Contract Negotiator, 937-255-2902 or Kenneth Smith, Contracting Officer, 937-255-2902 INTRODUCTION: Wright Laboratory (WL/AAKR) is interested in receiving proposals (technical and cost) on the research effort described below. Proposals in response to this PRDA shall be submitted by 14 Mar 97 97, 1500 hours Eastern Time, addressed to Wright Laboratory, Directorate of R&D Contracting, Building 7, Area B, Attn: (Mr. Dave Box, WL/AAKR) Wright-Patterson AFB OH 45433-7607. Proposals submitted shall be in accordance with this announcement. Proposal submission after the cutoff date specified herein shall be treated in accordance with restrictions of FAR 52.215-10; a copy of this provision may be obtained from the contracting point of contact. There will be no other solicitation issued in regard to this requirement. Offerors should be alert for any PRDA amendments that may be published, offerors should request a copy of the WL Guide entitled, "PRDA and BAA Guide for Industry." This guide was specifically designed to assist offerors in understanding the PRDA/BAA proposal process. Copies may be requested from WL/AAKR, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433-7607 telephone (513) 255-2902 or may be obtained over the Internet at http://www.wl.wpafb.af.mil/contract. B -- REQUIREMENTS: (1) Technical Description: The objective of this effort is to design, fabricate, integrate and test (DFIT) a broadband digital receiver system that performs both the acquisition and direction finding (DF) receiver functions. The goal is to provide a small, high performance and cost effective Electronic Support Measures (ESM) receiver that can be integrated into multiple, tactical and reconnaissance platforms to provide the warfighter with accurate and timely electronic order of battle (EOB) information. In applications such as Deep Strike, Air Superiority, Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) and Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), there is a growing requirement for an accurate and robust ESM capability. This ESM capability could be resident on-board a reconnaissance aircraft such as an RC-135, a tactical fighter such as F-22or the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) or an Un-manned Aeronautical Vehicle (UAV). The receiver function that provides this ESM capability is defined by a broad instantaneous bandwidth, high probability of intercept (HPOI), good sensitivity and dynamic range and the capability to provide precise DF measurements over a wide spatial field-of-view (FOV). Presently, broadband ESM receivers are analog in nature and are being developed using specialized devices that are produced in relatively low volumes at a premium cost to the military customer. This program shall develop high performance mixed-signal and digital technology to replace analog conditioning and processing devices that are bulky, have properties that drift with time and environmental conditions, are bias as opposed to Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) limited and that are not readily adaptable to changing mission requirements. The offeror shall design, fabricate, integrate and test two brassboard prototype versions. The first, unit #1, shall be suitable for operation on-board a large body reconnaissance platform in a "cabin-type" environment. This unit shall follow the Joint SIGINT Avionics Family (JSAF) standards and shall be built in a 6U extended VME or VXI C size form factor. For unit #1, the offeror shall consider typical linear antenna arrays that may be found on one or more reconnaissance platforms in the design of the digital receiver system. The required performance of new RF to IF converters shall be specified by the offeror in order to complete the design of the system. Neither the antennas nor the RF to IF converters will be built under this program. The offeror shall build from the first IF of the system through the generation, throttling and processing of pulse descriptor words (PDWs). Broadband analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) shall interface to the specified RF to IF down converters through fixed down converters developed under the program. The digital receiver shall follow the fixed converters and provide a broadband acquisition channel and a maximum of eight DF channels. The PDW processing function shall perform the operations of sorting, binning, deinterleaving, association, identification and geolocation of incoming PDWs. Unit #1 shall be delivered in a VME/VXI chassis with an embedded control computer, embedded PDW processor and a display, along with all digital receiver circuit card assemblies (CCAs) and associated support circuitry. Unit #2 shall differ from unit #1 in the following general ways. 1) It shall be suitable for operation on-board smaller tactical and reconnaissance aircraft, such as the F-22, JSF, and UAVs, in an unpressurized and stressing environment. 2) The form factor envisioned is SEM-E or equivalent. 3) If existing antenna arrays for Unit #2 platforms do not exist, they can be specified (along with the RF to IF converters) in order to complete the design of the system. Unit #2 shall be delivered in a chassis assembly (the type of which shall be proposed by the offeror) with an embedded control computer and display, along with all CCAs and associated support circuitry. The offeror shall make provisions for spare CCAs for both units in the event of failure. The prototype units shall be delivered to the government for system test and evaluation. Unit #1 shall be delivered on or before 36 months ARO and unit #2 on or before 52 months ARO. The requirements analysis for units 1 and 2 and DFIT of unit #1 shall be proposed and costed as the baseline effort. The PDW processing for unit #1 shall be proposed and costed as option 1. The design of unit # 2 shall be proposed and costed as option 2. The fabrication, integration and test of unit #2 shall be proposed as option 3. Flight test support of units 1 and 2 shall be proposed and costed as options 4 and 5 respectively. Flight test support includes the integration of the NEXGEN digital receiver onto a Government test platform, such as an RC-135 or its equivalent, and data collection and reduction support. A classified (SECRET/NOFORN) supplemental package with additional information and system goals can be requested through the Technical Point of Contact. An appropriate facility clearance must accompany the request in order to receive the package. (2) Deliverable Items: All hardware and software designed and developed under this program shall be delivered, including residual material. Hardware deliverables shall include one mechanical sample of each MCM (populated) developed under the program. Samples shall be delivered after each fabrication run. The following deliverable data items shall be proposed: (a) Status Report, DI-MGMT-80368/T, BI-monthly; (b) Cost/Schedule Status report (C/SSR) DI-MGMT-81467/T; (c) Contract Funds Status Report (CFSR), DI-MGMT81468/T, quarterly; (d) Contract Work Breakdown Structure, DI-MGMT-81334/T; (e) Presentation Material, DI-ADMN-81373/T, ASREQ; (f) Scientific and Technical Reports, Contractor's Billing Voucher, DI-MISC-80711/T, monthly; (g) Scientific and Technical Reports, Requirement Allocations Document, DI-MISC-80711/T, ONE/R; (h) Scientific and Technical Reports, Prime/Critical/Configuration Item Development Specifications, DI-MISC-80711/T, ONE/R; (i) Scientific and Technical Reports, Interface Control Document, DI-MISC-80711/T, ONE/R; (j) Scientific and Technical Reports, Software and Hardware Users Manual, DI-MISC-80711/T, ONE/R; (k) Computer Software End Item, DI-MCCR-80700/T, ASREQ; (l) Scientific and Technical Reports, Test Plan, DI-MISC-80711/T, ONE/R; (m) Scientific and Technical Reports, Test Report, DI-MISC-80711/T, ASREQ; (n) Developmental Design Drawings and Associated List, DI-DRPR-81002/T and (o) Scientific and Technical Reports, Final, DI-MISC-80711/T (Draft and Reproducible Final). (3) Security Requirements: A Top Secret facility clearance shall be required for this program. SCI security clearances are required for key personnel. TEMPEST requirements shall apply. Generation of classified material for this solicitation effort is authorized only on equipment approved for classified processing by Air Force TEMPEST authorities. The security level of the proposal shall be up to the Secret US Only level. (4) Other Special Requirements: International Trade in Arms Restrictions (ITAR) apply. C -- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: (1) Anticipated Period of Performance: 52 months technical and 4 months reporting. (2) Expected Award Date: June 1997. (3) Government Estimate: The government anticipates approximately $19,000,000 per contract award: FY97 $640,000; FY98 $3,962,000; FY99 $5,050,000; FY00 $5,400,000; FY01 $4,000,000. Only one award is anticipated. (4) Type of contract: Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF). (5) Government Furnished Property: Automated Receiver Test Software. An RC-135 or equivalent type aircraft for flight testing. (6) Size Status: For the purpose of this acquisition, the size standard is 500 employees (SIC 8731). (7) Notice to Foreign-Owned Firms: Such firms are asked to immediately notify the contracting point of contact cited below upon deciding to respond to this announcement. The prime offerors and all team members and subcontractors involved inthe design, integration and test of the NEXGEN Broadband Digital Receiver must be on-shore, US owned firms. Offerors can propose foreign-owned, on-shore subcontractors for integrated circuit and MCM foundry services and foreign-owned, off-shore subcontractors for MCM substrate fabrication only, as long as classified parameters concerning the designs of these parts are protected and all ITAR restrictions are observed. If foreign-owned, on-shore subcontractors and/or foreign-owned, off-shore subcontractors are proposed for foundry services and/or substrate fabrication, their use in the program will be reviewed by the Government on a case by case basis. D-PROPOSAL PREPARATION INSTRUCTIONS: (1) General Instructions: Offerors should apply the restrictive notice prescribed in the provision at FAR 52.215-12, Restriction on Disclosure and Use of Data, to trade secrets or privileged commercial and financial information contained in their proposals. Proposal questions should be directed to one of the points of contactlisted elsewhere herein. Offerors should consider instructions contained in the WL PRDA and BAA Guide for Industry referenced in Section A of this announcement. Technical and cost proposals, submitted in separate volumes, are required and must be valid for 180 days. Proposals must reference the above PRDA number. Proposals shall be submitted in an original and five copies. All responsible sources may submit a proposal which shall be considered against the criteria set forth herein. Offerors are advised that only contracting officers are legally authorized to contractually bind or otherwise commit the government. (2) Cost Proposal: We anticipate this acquisition being based on adequate price competition. Therefore, to permit a cost realism analysis, the submission of a SF 1448, available from the contracting point of contact, is required in lieu of a SF 1411. A suggested format for submission of cost information is available from the contracting point of contact. Contractors are urged to use this format (which may be tailored as needed) in the submission of cost proposals. (3) Technical Proposal: The offerors must present and give a detailed explanation (including relevant background and trade-offs) of their approach to the design, fabrication, integration and test (DFIT)of the NEXGEN digital receiver system. This explanation of technical approach and rationale shall consist (at a minimum) of the following elements: requirements flow-down from provided program goals; tie-in to system applications, interfaces and relevant standards; overall ESM system design and simulation (Including existing antenna/PDW processing tie-in); NEXGEN digital receiver design and simulation; fixed converter, local oscillator and clock DFIT; analog-to-digital converter and demultiplexer DFIT; analog and mixed signal circuit packaging DFIT; Digital Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs) DFIT; digital packaging (Multi-chip modules) DFIT; Circuit Card Assemblies DFIT; PDW processing software methodology and DFIT of the PDW processor; power conversion and regulation DFIT; heat management and cooling; Prototype Unit DFIT; system, ASIC and MCM Built-In Test methodology; prototype test and evaluation. Each hardware development section from the above list should include a risk assessment and detail plans to mitigate component fabrication failure such as including a second design, fabrication and test runs if necessary. The offerors must show evidence of a strong in-house capability to design, fabricate and test the components (ADCs, digital ASICs, MCMs, etc.) required for the integration of the NEXGEN digital receiver or show evidence that they either have a strategic alliance or corporate agreement with another commercial (non-government) entity to design, fabricate and test the required components in small lot sizes. The technical proposal shall include a Description/Specification (D/S) detailing the technical tasks proposed to be accomplished under the proposed effort and suitable for contract incorporation. The D/S must be directly linked to the cost/work breakdown structure. This should include referencing pertinent Basis of Estimate (BOE) sections or pages from the cost volume in the D/S. This should be described in the technical volume along with the cost volume. Offerors should refer to the WL Guide referenced in Section A to assist in SOW preparation. Any questions concerning the technical proposal or D/S preparation shall be referred to the Technical Point of Contact cited in this announcement. (4) Page Limitations: The technical proposal shall be limited to 100 pages (12 pitch or larger type), double-spaced, single-sided, 8.5 by 11 inches. The page limitation includes all information, i.e. indexes, photographs, foldouts, appendices, attachments, etc. Pages in excess of this limitation will not be considered by the government. Cost proposals have no limitations, however, offerors are requested to keep cost proposals to 20 pages as a goal. (5) Preparation Cost: This announcement does not commit the Government to pay for any response preparation cost. The cost of preparing proposals in response to this PRDA is not considered an allowable direct charge to any resulting or any other contract. However, it may be an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost as specified in FAR 31.205-18. E -- BASIS FOR AWARD: The selection of one or more sources for award will be based on an evaluation of an offeror's response (both technical and cost aspects) to determine the overall merit of the proposal in response to the announcement. The technical aspect, which is ranked as the first order of priority, shall be evaluated based on the following criteria which are of equal importance: (a) new and creative solutions with respect to the technical proposal section above; (b) the offeror's understanding of the scope of the technical effort with respect to the program goals and the intended applications for the NEXGEN digital receiver system; (c) soundness of offeror's technical approach with respect to the design, fabrication, integration and test of the NEXGEN digital receiver system as outlined in the technical proposal section above and the realism of the cost; (d) the availability of qualified technical personnel and their experience with applicable technologies; (e) the offeror's past experience with respect to the design, fabrication, integration and test of digital receiver components (relevant to this program) and analog/digital ESM receiver; and (f) organization, clarity, and thoroughness of the proposed D/S. Cost is ranked as the second order of priority. No other evaluation criteria will be used. The technical and cost information will be evaluated at the same time. The Air Force reserves the right to select for award of a contract or grant any, all, part, or none of the proposals received. F-POINTS OF CONTACT: (1) Technical Contact Point: Engineer, Scott M. Rodrigue, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433-7607 (513) 255-9272 ext. 1513. (2) Contracting/Cost Point of Contact: Questions related to the contract/cost issues shouldbe directed to the Wright Laboratory, Directorate of Research and Development Contracting, Dave Box, WL/AAKR, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH 45433-7607, (513) 255-2902. (0027)

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