CALL 0006 Q A 1.pdf

HPMTESLA BAA 10-RD-03, CALL 0006 Q&A#1

High Power Microwave Technological Electromagnetic Susceptibility with Laboratory Applications (HPMTESLA)

BAA 10-RD-03

CALL 0006

Questions and Answers #1

Q1: SOO #1 – Are offerors encouraged to use a parallel serpentine waveguide pulse forming network approach?

A1: SOO #1 has been revised to remove the bullet relating to the pulse power objective. The offeror may propose any type of pulse power approach that meets the system specifications in the SOO.

Q2: SOO #2 - Clarify the requirement of "develop a system/network that contains the resulting sources"

A2: The proposed solution should include the suggested source, pulse forming network, power supply, and all components up to the antenna.

Q3: SOO #2 - Are the requirements listed in the 4 increments solidified, or is there room for flexibility?

A3: The objective capabilities identified in the SOO are rough estimates. If there is a more functional and/or cost effective capability, identify it in the proposed approach, along with supporting documentation.

The Government understands that there are tradeoffs for each desired parameter. Proposed approaches should identify the most efficient approach to covering the majority of the spectrum while maximizing a group of parameters to include power, cost, pulse width, ease of use, and mobility.

Q4: SOO #2 – Will there be a DD 254 for SOO #2?

A4: The Government anticipates that the highest security classification for any resulting contract would be For Official Use Only (FOUO). Therefore, a DD Form 254 would not apply. If, at a later date, the contract’s security classification changes, a DD Form 254 will be generated if necessary.

Q5: SOO #2 - Title says "COTS magnetrons" will some development be allowed to fill in the frequency range requested?

A5: This is dependent upon the offeror’s proposed approach. COTS were identified as a preferred method of maximizing cost efficiency among other factors. Any COTS development should be specified in the proposal.

Q6: SOO #2 - Does AFRL expect all of the frequency range to be covered? Or is some percentage acceptable?

A6: The objective capabilities identified in the SOO are rough estimates. If there is a more functional and/or cost effective capability, identify it in the proposed approach, along with supporting documentation.

The Government understands that there are tradeoffs for each desired parameter. Proposed approaches should identify the most efficient approach to covering the majority of the spectrum while maximizing a group of parameters to include power, cost, pulse width, ease of use, and mobility.

Q7: SOO #2 - There is no duty cycle or PRF mentioned. Is there a preferred value or target for either?

A7: The rep rate is a lower priority than maximizing the frequency span and power identified in the SOO. A majority of the testing performed is single shot. If alternate rep rates are achievable without sacrificing the other listed parameters, they should be identified in the proposal.

Q8: SOO #2 - On page 3 of 5 the statement “The contractor shall use the developed sources to test a variety of government identified, government provided targets for susceptibility.”… Does AFRL want just the hardware for AFRL to conduct the testing or is the contractor expected to perform all the testing?

Is the intent for the contractor to provide support for AFRL testing? Would the testing be at AFRL?

A8: The offeror is expected to participate in the testing and make adjustments/changes/modifications to the equipment necessary to maximize effects on electronic systems. Testing will be performed at Kirtland

AFB.

Q9: Is there a specific format required for the proposal?

A9: BAA 10-RD-03, as amended, provides information on the overall program, proposal preparation and submission requirements, proposal review and evaluation criteria, award administration, agency contacts, etc.

Q10: SOO #3 – Paragraph 2.0 states: "AFRL/RDH is also interested in exploring the effects of employing alternative system technologies, and the impact of varying waveform parameters such as pulse repetition rate on digital system susceptibility." Please comment on what other parameters (other than repetition rate) is of high interest to you.

A10: The areas of interest for SOO #3 are as follows:

a. High level modeling of the upset of a complex digital system by HPEM waveform

b. Impact on model of alternative architectures/fabrication scaling

c. Impact on model of changing waveform parameters, including PRF, pulse duration and pulse shape

Q11: SOO #3 – Paragraph 3.0 (first paragraph /last sentence) states: "As a first step, RDH needs to characterize the process of upset, and determine the resulting state (hardware and software) of the digital system." But then, the last statement in 3.0 states: "The next step is to validate and model the effects and the underlying electronics investigated under previous efforts, and further breakdown the process of digital system upset as isolated." Please comment if you are interested in digital system level study for CALL 0006 or at a component level.

A11: This is a digital system level study not a component level study. The Government is interested in functional modeling of complex digital system upset. The SOO sentences in question are intended to refer to a top down approach desired to enable the development of a high level digital system upset model.

Q12: If one were to propose a $200K proposal for TA1 only, is that contractually acceptable?

A12: The Government’s objectives and anticipated funding for SOO #3 are provided in the CALL. It is up to the offeror to determine its proposed approach.

Q13: SOO #2 - The requirements for SOO#2 state the following for the 2nd increment: "A tunable narrowband source system, roughly covering 750 GHz - 1.1 GHz, capable of several MWs of power."

Was there a typographical error in the frequency where the low end of the frequency band is supposed to be 750 MHz?

A13: Yes. SOO #2, Paragraph 2.2 should read as follows: “2nd increment: A tunable narrowband source system, roughly covering 750 MHz – 1.1 GHz, capable of several MWs of source power. Pulse width capable of 100 ns to 1 µs”