Bid Office, SPAWARSYSCEN, Code D21B, 53570 Silvergate Avenue, Bldg. A33, Room 0061, San Diego, CA 92152-5112

20 -- UHF SATCOM/GPS ANTENNA SYSTEM FOR INSTALLATION ON THE USS DOLPHIN DUE 061699 POC Contract Specialist, Mary Wolff, Code D211, (619) 553-4516. The Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center, San Diego, (SSC-SD) is seeking market research information and sources capable of providing design, hardware and services for a UHF SATCOM/GPS Antenna system for installation on the USS DOLPHIN. (1) Introduction. The following specification defines the physical and performance requirements for a Global Positioning System (GPS), UHF Line of Sight (LOS) and UHF DAMA and NON-DAMA Satellite Communications (SATCOM) antenna system suitable for use on the USS Dolphin (AGSS 555), a deep diving submarine. (2) Characteristics. (2.1) Performance. (2.1.1) The antenna system must be capable of supporting line of sight communications from 225 MHz to 400 MHz. (2.1.2) The antenna system must be capable of supporting 5 and 25 kHz UHF DAMA SATCOM communications at 32K burst rate for both low angle and high angle operations from 243 MHz -- 270.5 MHz (Receive) and 292 MHz -- 318 MHz (Transmit). (2.1.3) The antenna system must be capable of supporting UHF non-DAMA SATCOM communications at 9600 BPS Phase Shift Keying (PSK) for both low angle and high angle operations from 243 MHz to 318 MHz. (2.1.4) The UHF antenna gain must be greater than 0 dBic (+3 dBic desirable) at low angles (greater than 5 degrees elevation angle) and greater than 0 dBic at zenith when located 4 meters above ground plane. (2.1.5) The antenna system must be capable of receiving Global Positioning System (GPS) signals at 1227 MHz and 1575 MHz military capable signals simultanous with operation of UHF Communications as specified in Paragraphs 2.1.1 through 2.1.3. (2.1.6) The antenna system must be capable of handling 200 watts of power at the antenna control unit in frequencies and capabilities described in paragraphs 2.1.1 through 2.1.3. (2.1.7) The antenna system must be azimuth omni-directional in both transmit and receive modes. (2.1.8) The antenna system shall provide a minimum of 25 dB of gain and be powered and controlled via the existing coax cables if an amplifier is located in outboard antenna components. If necessary, antenna gain may be accomplished by a combination of amplifiers located in the antenna and/or antenna control unit. (2.2) Antenna Structure (2.2.1) The antenna baseplate must be constructed of a suitable material for the marine environment. (2.2.2) The design must be suitable for the physically demanding submarine environment as indicated in paragraph 4. (2.2.3) The external skin of the antenna must be finished with a coating designed to disperse rain and minimize the effects of atmospheric moisture on RF performance. (2.2.4) The antenna must compatible with the existing OE-176 antenna foundation or, if necessary, it must be able to be mounted on the existing antenna foundation using an adapter. (3.) Modes of Operation. (3.1) The antenna must be able to support both high angle and low angle UHF SATCOM transceiver operations in full duplex (simultaneous transmit and receive on different frequencies) mode. (3.2) The antenna system must be able to support UHF line of sight operations in full duplex mode. (3.3) The antenna system must be able to support reception of Military GPS signals in accordance with paragraph 2.1.5. (3.4) High and low angle elements are to be operator switched via an inboard control box using only the coax cables specified in paragraph 4.2.1 for control signals. (3.5) The UHF SATCOM antenna pre-amp is to be controlled via an inboard control box and the existing UHF transceiver keyline. (3.6) No steering or elevation changes are to be required of the antenna to perform any of the functions listed in paragraph 2. (4.) Physical Characteristics. (4.1) The antenna and its adapter, if necessary, must be capable of being mounted on the existing OE-176 antenna foundation and meet the specifications below. (4.2) Interfaces. (4.2.1) The antenna connectors must be capable of mating with the existing UG-1424/U connectors installed on the two outboard RG 217 A/U COAX cables. (4.3) Hydrostatic Pressure.(4.3.1) The antenna must be designed to withstand hydrostatic pressures of 2800 psi. (4.3.2) The antenna assembly shall be hydrostatic pressure tested in accordance with paragraph 6.5. (4.4) Structural Loading Conditions. (4.4.1) The antenna and its mounting must be able to withstand sea slap and surfaced dynamic loads or the submerged hydrodynamic loading normally experienced when used on Dolphin. The calculations above must be approved before fabrication. (4.4.2) Sea slap loading: 500 lbs per square foot. (4.4.3) Surfaced dynamic loading: roll +/- 60 degrees @ 10.5 second period, pitch +/- 10 degrees @ 7.5 second period, heave 0.27g, surge 0.15g; all at 21.75 feet above and 20.6 feet forward of the boat center of gravity per DOD-STD-1399, REF I. An MS EXCEL spreadsheet template can be provided for these calculations. (4.4.4) Hydrodynamic loading, submerged: 650 pounds per square foot at up to +/- 20 degrees azimuth angle. (4.4.5) Factors of Safety: Structure, greater than 2.0; Fasteners, greater than 5.0. (4.5) Inboard electronic equipment such as the antenna control unit shall fit into a standard 19" equipment rack. (5.) Compatibility (5.1) The antenna system should operate with any standard UHF SATCOM or UHF LOS transceiver. (5.2) The antenna system must be compatible with the following military radio systems: AN/WSC-3V2 through -3V17 (UHF LOS/UHFSATCOM), AN/USC-42 (MINI DAMA) and AN/WRN-6 (GPS). (6.) Testing. (6.1) For all RF testing and evaluation, the antenna system shall be set-up with the Antenna Control Unit, representative transmitters/receivers and COAX cable lengths. (6.2) Manufacturers tests must demonstrate the performance of the antenna control unit, switch selection, equipment losses and compatibility with the antenna. (6.3) Factory acceptance testing and antenna radiation pattern measurements will be measured at 4 meters above ground plane. (6.4) Manufacturers test data shall be presented to demonstrate conformity to all performance specifications and modes of operation. (6.5) The antenna assembly shall be hydrostatic pressure tested to 2800 psi for ten cycles per NAVSEA SYSTEM CERTIFICATION PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA MANUAL FOR DEEP SUBMERGENCE SYSTEMS #SS800-AG-MAN-010/P-9290; ten minutes hold at pressure for first nine cycles and one hour hold for the last cycle. END OF SPECIFICATION. This is a Request for Information for technical and acquisition planning purposes, and there is not a solicitation associated with this announcement. This RFI does not constitute a commitment, implied or otherwise, that a contract will be issued. The government invites comments and interested parties to submit their indication of interest, along with any documentation deemed necessary. Product information is desired for all hardware components. The Government invites comments related to possible purchase or acquisition strategies. If there is a GSA or other contract vehicle already available for the technology being proposed, please include this information in the response. All data received in response to this RFI marked or designated as corporate or proprietary information will be fully protected from release outside the government. It is not the intent of SSC-SD to reimburse providers for the cost of submitting information in response to this RFI. The government may request presentations or seek additional market survey type information from those firms who appear to meet the requirements. All interested parties should submit their indication of interest and any applicable information by 16 Jun 99 via electronic transmission to the technical point of contact, Bud Harmon, email: harmon@spawar.navy.mil, or contract specialist, Mary Wolff, email: wolff@spawar.navy.mil. Posted 05/26/99 (W-SN336003). (0146)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0223 19990528\20-0001.SOL)