Call_for_White_Paper_mmW_(24_Oct_2018).docx

Solicitation: BAA-18-R-STCD Data Call 002 Topic #: S1804

BAA-18-R-STCD

WHITE PAPER CALL 002

“Millimeter Wave (mmW) Communications”

18 OCT 18

This call for White Papers (WP) is being issued under Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) BAA-18-R-STCD, which was published on FedBizOpps.gov on 20 June 2018, and last updated on 28 September 2018. Offerors must refer to the solicitation document entitled BAA-18-R-STCD _ 20180620, BAA Final, Rev2 (27SEP18), and it must be read in conjunction with this call for WP’s. All instructions set forth in the BAA-18-R-STCD solicitation document apply to this call.

The Space and Terrestrial Communications Directorate (S&TCD) is issuing this call for WP’s in association with Topic #S1804. To be eligible for consideration and possible contract award, the technology or methodology shall be either basic research, applied research, advanced technology development not for a specific system/hardware, or demonstration and validation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Problem Statement:

The Army needs resilient (anti-jam (AJ) and low probability of detection/interception (LPI/LPD)) and spectrum efficient communications. Directional systems provide an elegant solution to AJ/LPI/LPD and spectrum efficiency, however Size, Weight and Power (SWAP), cost, and system complexity have historically been the major issues/challenges for these directional systems. Thus, the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development, and Engineering Center (CERDEC) Space and Terrestrial Communications Directorate (S&TCD) seeks to develop a directional tactical millimeter wave (mmWave) communications system that can achieve AJ and LPI/LPD, while also efficiently using spectrum and achieving high bandwidth/throughput. The desired solutions will keep system cost, complexity and SWAP to a minimum. The envisioned capability will affordably support On-The-Move (OTM) mounted applications for air-to-air, ground-to-ground, and air-to-ground links in order to support the transport of large data streams, including but not limited to multiple video and sensor streams. Additional information is included in the For Official Use Only (FOUO) appendix.

Information Sought:

S&TCD is interested in receiving white papers on the above topic from companies that have experience in the design, development, and/or implementation of mmWave systems for application to the tactical battlespace. White papers should support the use cases and requirements described in the FOUO appendix, however, S&TCD may be willing to consider some deviation from the requirements if the respondent can demonstrate why such a deviation would offer a substantial benefit in cost or system performance. The system should include the entire front-end, including antenna array, tracking system, and the radio for OTM 360 degree communications. The mobility requirements, described in the FOUO appendix, combined with mmW narrow beams, may create a difficult challenge for tracking and switching. Technology solutions solving the beam tracking and switching problem alone may be considered. The identified technology solution should be at technology readiness level (TRL) 4 or higher, although TRL 3 technology that can rapidly reach TRL 4 will be considered. The end state of the identified solution should be a demonstration/proof of concept system at TRL 5 or 6 that can be tested in an outdoor field environment. White papers can introduce the incorporation of commercial standards/technologies, however, they should demonstrate the development of novel and innovative techniques. S&TCD’s expectation is that the focus of any effort conducted under this BAA topic will be to address the core goal of developing an AJ and LPI/LPD mmWave communications system for mounted OTM applications. It is essential that any identified solutions are based around designs that have a clear path to be later matured to meet other important system goals including, but not limited to, affordability, network scalability, risk management framework (i.e. information assurance) approval, and simple network management.

AWARD INFORMATION:

ANTICIPATED AWARD DATE: April 2019

FUNDING: Under this call, the Government intends to award up to two (2) contracts with a Period of Performance of 36 months/total 3 years. The contract(s) will be a 12-month base with two 12-month options. The option years are not guaranteed and are based on funding availability. The anticipated funding for this call is up to $3 Million for the total contract ceiling, however, the Government reserves the right to award smaller or larger contracts or assistance instruments.

NOTE: This funding profile is an estimate only and not a contractual obligation for funding. All funding is subject to change due to Government discretion and availability. Potential offerors should be aware that due to unanticipated budget fluctuations funding in any or all areas might change with little or no notice. The Government reserves the right to select all, part, or none of the WP’s received, subject to the availability of funds.

1. BAA TYPE: This is a call for WP’s only, and will be governed by the “two-step” process described in General Information of the BAA-18-R-STCD. Offerors that submit a proposal without first submitting a WP may not be eligible for award.

2. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS: This Call should not exceed ten (10) pages in length (single sided, single spaced, with 12-size font). The ten (10)-page limitation does not include the Rough-Order-of-Magnitude (ROM). Refer to baseline BAA-18-R-STCD Section III for instructions on WP preparation, submission, and evaluation.

3. QUESTIONS DUE DATE AND TIME: Technical questions are due no later than 06 November 2018, 3:00 pm EST via email to the Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) with a carbon copy (Cc) to the Contracting Officer (KO), Contract Specialist (KS), and Acquisition Management Team (AMT) Mailbox, as listed below. Questions and answers will be posted to FBO.

Government will publish questions and answers received by industry to FBO, via a revision to this Data Call, per ADDENDUM 001, Technical Questions and Clarifications, herein.

4. WHITE PAPER DUE DATE AND TIME: WP’s are due no later than 21 November 2018, 3:00 pm EST via email to the TPOC with a Cc to the KO, KS, and AMT Mailbox, as listed below.

If the submission will be classified, offerors should contact the TPOC and KO for instruction on how to submit the WP, via appropriate methods/channels. The KO shall be informed, in writing, that a classified WP has been submitted, its title and to whom it was submitted.

Contractual questions may be directed to the KO and/or KS at any time.