RFI.docx

REPLACEMENT FOR RF POWER MONITOR

WSR-88D NEXRAD RADAR

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY

This RFI is issued solely for information and market research planning purposes; it does not constitute a solicitation or a promise to issue a solicitation or Request for Proposals (RFP). This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service. The Government does not intend either to award a contract based on this RFI or to pay for the information that is submitted. This RFI is intended solely for informational and planning purposes as a part of National Weather Service (NWS) market research. No solicitation, statement of work, specification, or requirements package exists at this time. Issuance of this notice does not constitute any obligation on the part of the Government to procure support services for, or install existing/modified software, and/or for any associated documentation development/deployment or to issue a solicitation. Responses to this notice cannot be accepted as offers. Vendors are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or pay administrative costs vendors may incur in responding to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be borne solely by the interested party. Respondents are advised that the NWS is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of information received, or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted under this RFI. Any information that the vendor considers proprietary should be clearly marked as such. Clearly marked responses to this RFI indicating that information therein is proprietary or represents confidential business information will be received and held in confidence for U.S. Government use only.

The information provided in this RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. All submissions become the property of the Federal Government, and will not be returned.

1. Purpose of this RFI.

The NWS, Radar Operations Center (ROC) WSR-88D NEXRAD Radar Program located in Norman, OK is conducting market research seeking information regarding a replacement for a RF Power Monitor, herein called the “Power Monitor”, National Stock Number (NSN) 5895-01-368-4590, Agency Stock Number Reference Identification R400-4A26. The Power Monitor is part of the WSR-88D NEXRAD Doppler Radar transmitter. The NWS is seeking to gather ideas, recommendations, and best practices from industry on how to advance and/or redesign the Power Monitor to meet future technology advancements and allow for fit, form, and function of the current Power Monitor.

2. Background.

The NWS ROC NEXRAD Program is responsible for the life cycle support of the WSR-88D NEXRAD radar and related systems. There are 159 operational radars located within the continental United States and selected sites overseas. Each radar consists of three parts; Radar Data Acquisition (RDA), Radar Product Generator (RPG), and various product display systems. The ROC utilizes the Power Monitor within the RDA to measure and track the power fluctuations of the transmitter.

The current Power Monitor used in the WSR-88D is the Narda 466B-1 and General Microwave N425-838. The Source Control Document is ROC Drawing 1213625-201 (attached to this RFI SS). This drawing establishes the WSR-88D requirements for the Power Monitor. The Power Monitor is located in the WSR-88D Receiver Cabinet, housed within the WSR-88D RDA Shelter.

3. Discussion.

The current Power Monitor unit reached end-of-life (EOL) in 2018. The NWS is looking to ensure that a Power Monitor is available in the future which will be compatible for use within the NWS ROC WSR-88D NEXRAD Doppler Radar.

4. Requirements.

Any future Power Monitor units will require the following minimum technical aspects for use within the NWS ROC WSR-88D (NEXRAD) Doppler radar:

· Frequency Range (GHz): 2.7 TO 3.0

· RF input impedance: 50 Ω

· Input VSWR: 1.5:1 maximum

· Average power input: 1 mW (0 dBm) to 10 mW (10 dBm)

· RF peak power input: 10 W for maximum of 10 µs

· Accuracy: ± 1% of full scale

· DC Output voltage range: 0 – 100 mV, proportional to received average input power

· Power Supply: +15 VDC ±3VDC AT 4 mA maximum

· Operating Temperature Range: +10 °C to +35 °C

· Non-Operating Temperature Range: -35 °C to +60 °C

· Operating Humidity Range: 15-100%

· Non-Operating Humidity Range: 15-100%

· The unit shall be capable of operating at an elevation of at least 3300 meters (MSL).

· Input connector: stainless steel type N male. Interface dimensions per MIL-C-39012.

· Output connector: jam nut receptacle per MS3474W14-18P or equivalent. See Figure 1 for pinout.

· Tuning and adjustments: tuning is acceptable, but not preferred. Any tuning must be done by the adjustment of an RDA provided voltage between -5 VDC and +5 VDC.

Figure 1. Output pin

5. Administration.

Interested parties are requested to provide an information package addressing their approach to meeting the requirements listed in sections 4 through 6.

All information submitted in support of this announcement is voluntary; the United States Government will not pay for information requested nor will it compensate respondents for any cost incurred in developing information provided to the United States Government. The response date for this RFI is January 7th, 2025. No phone calls or collect calls will be accepted. All responses to this RFI may be sent to Taylor Wisneski, email taylor.wisneski@noaa.gov.

Note: Ensure that all responses have “NEXRADRFPOWER00001” in the title of the email. Avoid providing proprietary information in your questions as our intent is to post all questions and answers to the Federal Business Opportunities website. Submission of questions will be deemed permission to post the questions with a response at https://www.SAM.gov.

Attachment/Links

- Current RF Power Monitor Source Control Document image1.png