3.__FA9101-19-P-2007,_JA_-_Redacted.pdf

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY November 2018 Page 1 of 2

The 746th Test Squadron (746 TS) provides expert test and evaluation of Navigation Warfare Systems. The 746 TS requires unique high power components and systems that work in the Global Positioning System (GPS) frequencies such as amplifiers and antennas.

The 746 TS has requirements for high power omni-directional GPS antennas for the High Power Jammer (HPJ). The antenna requirements are as follows: 1500W at the input, 7/16 DIN Female connector, 50 Ohm impedance, right hand circularly polarized, 120 degrees antenna beam-width, low side and back lobes, and able to withstand harsh environment conditions such as rain, dust and long hours in direct sunlight.

About three years ago, various prototypes were ordered through a contract with the

Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI). GTRI did a direct buy of the omni antennas from two manufacturers, Cobham and 360 Antennas. Our requirements were used to make the antennas and each company came up with their own unique design. GTRI received the antennas and performed an extensive evaluation of the two prototypes which consisted of radiation pattern measurements, return loss measurements and high power transmission tests. The Cobham prototype was the only antenna that complied with all the specifications. In addition, once the 746

TS received the antennas, a week long high power duration test was performed.

0001 - Qty 5 each, L1 GPS Hemi-Omni Antennas (P/N: CHA6-1.6R/2307), 0002 - Qty 5 each, L2 GPS Hemi-Omni Antennas (P/N: CHA6-1.2R/2306), 0003 - Qty 1 each, Shipping and Handling, Hundreds of man hours has been invested in the Cobham prototype antennas, both in lab and field testing and it has surpassed all of our expectations. Going with a different manufacturer will result in the Government going through many hours of testing both in the lab and the field without the guarantee that another prototype would be acceptable.

The specific prototype antennas cost approximately . An extensive evaluation performed by GTRI also cost over . The total cost of the order including the other antennas were . The man hours invested in lab and field checkouts including the frequency clearance requests (analyst, instrumentation engineer, test engineer and test manager) amount to approximately . If the average cost of an engineer is approximately , the total cost for labor is approximately . The Cobham antenna has surpassed all expectations; going with another manufacturer would require for the squadron to duplicate the last two years of lab and field efforts without guaranteeing that a different antenna part number would meet all of the requirements.

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY November 2018 Page 2 of 2

The Government conducted extensive market research to determine vendor capabilities when high power antenna requirements were received. This led the Government to identifying 360 Degree Antennas and Cobham Antenna

Systems as the only two companies with antennas that would meet the Government's requirement. The Government then requested GTRI perform characterization testing in a specific environment. The testing concluded the Cobham antennas performed better given the specific test constraints designed to mimic Government field test parameters.

Low power omni-directional antennas for GPS applications are available from many sources as COTS components.

However, there is only one manufacturer, Cobham that currently has a viable high power omni-directional antenna design. The 746 TS continuously researches all types of high power GPS antennas for evaluation as well as communicates the high power need for antenna manufacturers at conferences like the Institute of Navigation. The feedback that the squadron received from GPS antenna manufacturers is that it is difficult to design a high power antenna at the GPS frequencies without significant engineering development funding.