Source Multiple Integrated Radio Frequency (SMIRF)

The Air Force Research Laboratory established a Master IDIQ for Source Multiple Integrated Radio Frequency (SMIRF) research and development on September 30, 2015, with a shared ceiling of $24 million. Ordering closed on September 29, 2020 — the vehicle is no longer active and cannot support new task orders.

The vehicle contracted RF systems R&D including passive and active RF development, fire control solutions, simultaneous transmit and receive concepts, RF sensor resource management, geolocation algorithm development, simulation and test activities, and integrated sensor system studies supporting SIGINT, MASINT, GEOINT, EW, GPS, and C4ISR applications. Work encompassed engineering trade studies and integration of developmental hardware and software on manned and unmanned aircraft, with systems engineering and field testing to validate research concepts.

Four task orders were awarded between September 2015 and November 2018. Georgia TECH Applied Research Corp captured approximately 95 percent of combined potential value through two orders ($20.4 million), while Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation and HII Mission Technologies Corp each received single task orders valued at $475 thousand and $500 thousand respectively. All orders served the Air Force Research Laboratory with no multi-customer activity. All task orders were competed under unrestricted set-asides. Most recent activity occurred in November 2018; two of the four orders completed by 2016, with the largest order (DISNET) extending to October 2023. Combined task-order potential value totaled $21.4 million against the $24 million vehicle ceiling, with $19 million obligated (89 percent utilization). The vehicle saw three awards in 2015 and one in 2018, indicating limited sustained activity before the ordering window closed.

The goal is to conduct research and development of passive and active RF systems and may involve areas such as, fire control solutions (targeting), simultaneous transmit and receive RF concepts, RF sensor resource management, geolocation algorithm development, simulation, test and evaluation activities, and integrated sensor system studies. These technical areas support Signals Intelligence (SIGINT), Measurement and Signature Intelligence (MASINT), Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT), Electronic Warfare (EW), Global Positioning System (GPS), Command Control Communications Computers Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR), and Joint/Special Operations. Engineering trade studies may be required that include consideration of structural, aerodynamic, electrical, and physical architectures. Applications may involve the integration of developmental hardware and software on various aircraft, or unmanned air vehicles. Support via Systems Engineering, laboratory-based and/or field testing to demonstrate the viability of research concepts may be required as well.