Phillips Laboratory, Directorate of Contracting, 2251 Maxwell Avenue SE, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5773

A -- ULTRA-WIDEBAND SOURCES AND ANTENNAS (USA) SOL DE00-01 POC David Hooker, 505-846-4626 E-MAIL: Click here to contact the contract negotiator via, David.Hooker@plk.af.mil. A -- INTRODUCTION: Research and Development Sources Sought. This is an advance notice that the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) contemplates issuing Program Research and Development Announcement (PRDA) number DE00-01 to obtain innovative research and development and engineering efforts for Ultra-wideband Sources and Antennas (USA). Funds are neither currently available nor reserved for this effort, and AFRL cannot provide assurance that it will issue the PRDA. This announcement is intended to give interested parties notice that this effort is being considered, provide information concerning the anticipated requirements of this effort, and to identify government points of contact (POCs). This announcement is for informational purposes only, and should not be construed as a Request for Proposals (RFP), call for White Papers, or assurance that this requirement will remain valid. POCs: Contractual/Business issues: David Hooker, Det 8 AFRL/PKDP (Directorate of Contracting), 2251 Maxwell Avenue SE, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5773. Phone 505-846-4626, fax 505-853-3398, and e-mail David.Hooker@plk.af.mil. The contracting officer is Steve Young, phone 505-846-4624, fax 505-853-3398, and e-mail youngs@plk.af.mil. Technical issues: Mr. Robert J. Torres, Project Officer, AFRL/DEHP, 3550 Aberdeen Avenue SE, Bldg 909, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5776. Phone 505-846-0296, fax 505-853-3081, and e-mail torres@plk.af.mil. B EFFORT SUMMARY: The Ultra-wideband Sources and Antennas (USA) program seeks technical and engineering effort in four major topic areas, as follows: 1) Source Design and Development: The thrust of this effort is to design and develop innovative high power ultra- wideband (UWB) sources and demonstrate advanced concepts. This includes gas switched and solid-state switched sources. The major performance parameters for UWB source development shall include the following: output voltage, output impedance, pulse risetime, repetition rate, weight, volume, prime power, degradation mechanisms, etc. 2) Antenna Design and Development: The thrust of this effort is to design and develop innovative antennas that will be used in the high power sources program. This effort shall include antennas that are specifically designed and optimized for radiating a distortionless replica of UWB transients. These antennas must be capable of transmitting high voltage (up to 1MV) and high repetition rate (up to 1kHz) signals, and have a fractional bandwidth of greater than 25 percent. The bandwidth associated with transient antennas shall be distinguished from the approximately 10 to 1 bandwidth of the frequency independent antennas, such as the log-periodic, spiral, flared- or tapered-notch antennas that are highly dispersive and perform poorly as high-fidelity antennas for wideband impulsive waveforms. This effort also includes conducting studies on the implementation of antennas into high power systems, use of lenses and reflectors to straighten out the wavefront, variations of current antenna designs, and design of receiving sensors. 3) Materials Physics: The thrust of this effort is to analyze, evaluate, and experiment with new materials that can be used in high power systems. This effort shall provide innovative methods and approaches for the understanding of the physics of insulators, gases, and other materials that are used in developing high power ultra-wideband sources. This effort shall determine the optimal materials to be used in high voltage and high pressure areas. This effort shall also provide innovative methods and approaches to failure mode analysis and material breakdown phenomenology issues. 4) Advanced Concept Studies: This effort shall include theoretical analysis on advanced concepts that will be used in improving the capabilities of high power ultra-wideband systems. This includes conducting studies on integrating high power UWB systems into existing systems such as aircraft, radar, and other electronic systems, evaluating the effectiveness of high power source designs to disrupt target systems or for target identification, and conducting studies in areas such as propagation and breakdown. C ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: 1) If AFRL approves issuance of the PRDA, AFRL will publish a Commerce Business Daily (CBD) and Electronic Posting System (EPS) notice in approximately four weeks. The following is informational only and is subject to change. (a) The estimated value of this effort is $15 million over 5 years. AFRL anticipates awarding one or more Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ), Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee (CPFF) contracts under PRDA DE00-01. (b) AFRL will use a two-step PRDA process. The first step requires an offeror to submit a brief, descriptive White Paper that does not exceed ten pages per topic area. After AFRL evaluates all white papers, it will identify those white papers that merit further consideration. The second step requires those selected offerors to submit full technical proposals, including a contractor statement of work, and cost proposals for contemplated task orders. After AFRL evaluates the full technical and cost proposals, it will negotiate with selected firm(s). AFRL will provide additional information and instructions regarding White Papers in the future PRDA announcement published in the CBD and EPS. (c) Foreign firms will not be permitted to participate as prime contractors in this procurement. 2) AFRL has appointed an Ombudsman to hear concerns from offerors or potential offerors, primarily during the proposal development phase of this competitive, negotiated acquisition. The purpose of the Ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the Project Officer or Contracting Officer, but to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate government personnel in the pre-proposal phase of competitive, negotiated acquisitions. Before contacting the Ombudsman, potential offerors should first communicate with the contract specialist, David Hooker, and then the Contracting Officer, Steve Young. In those instances where offerors cannot obtain resolution from the Contracting Officer, they are invited to contact the Ombudsman at the Phillips Operating Location of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), Mr. Eugene DeWall, Deputy Chief of Contracting, Det 8 AFRL/PK, at 505-846-4979, or at 2251 Maxwell Avenue SE, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5773. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the PRDA process. See Numbered Note 26. Posted 11/08/99 (W-SN398928). (0312)

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