NGTT_REQUEST FOR INFORMATION_20250616 TL.docx

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Next Generation Tactical Terminal (NGTT) Notice ID: RFI-NGT-061625-JJY

DESCRIPTION.

Project Manager Tactical Network in support of Next Generation Tactical Terminal (NGTT) is conducting market research to identify if there are any potential sources capable of providing a production-ready, Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 6 Ka-band multi-beam lens array antenna terminal to satisfy the government minimum requirements.

To be considered TRL 6 the Ka- band multi-beam lens array antenna terminal technology must be a system/subsystem model or prototype that has been tested and demonstrated in a high-fidelity laboratory environment or simulated operation environment, and meet the following specifications:

· EIRP

· Beam 1: >40 dB/k at all scan angles

· Beam 2: >40 dB/k at all scan angles

· G/T: > 6.4 dB/k at all scan angles

This RFI supports the Next Generation Tactical Terminal (NGTT) program and is focused on assessing current industry capabilities. The Army is particularly interested in solutions supporting Low Earth Orbit (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), and Geostationary Earth Orbit (GEO) satellite constellations.

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request For Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Army is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Respondents are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. Please note, the information received from this RFI is used to help the Government refine the requirement and help identify areas of ambiguity so that, if released, the RFP is well defined. Any feedback/questions as a result of this RFI, will not be responded to directly and will be addressed in the final RFP if the Government deems necessary.

BACKGROUND.

Recent market research indicates that lens array architectures currently offer a significant advantage over phased array and metamaterial array approaches for meeting performance and the size, weight, power, and cost (SWAP-C) requirements of a ground tactical Ka-band multi-beam terminal supporting operation over LEO/MEO/GEO constellations. While phased array technologies are evolving, they are projected to require additional SWAP to support relevant connections at full scan requirements.

REQUESTED INFORMATION

STANDARD QUESTIONS.

1. Does your company have past corporate experience providing RDT&E services for the development of SATCOM terminal? Please describe how, whether you were successful or not and what program each effort was supporting, as well as the following information:

a. Contract Number (and task order number if applicable) and the Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code, Data Universal Number System (DUNS) Number and North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code.

b. Contract Type (Fixed-Price (FP), Cost Reimbursement (CR), Time & Material (T&M), etc.) and if providing a task order as an example of corporate performance, then specify the base Contract Type (definite quantity, indefinite quantity, or requirements).

c. Contract Performance Schedule and Actual Dates of Contract Performance.

d. The Offeror shall briefly describe the specific work that was performed by itself or proposed significant subcontractors or joint venture or teaming agreement, noting whether the work was completed as the prime or subcontractor, in addition to providing the CAGE code for each contract or task order. A CAGE code is a five-character alpha-numeric, unique identifier assigned by the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). CAGE codes are assigned to businesses, organizations, etc. that wish to pursue contracts or grants from the United States federal government.

EFFORT SPECIFIC QUESTIONS

1. Ka-Band Multi-Beam Lens Array Capabilities (Critical)

a. TRL Attainment: Do you currently have a Ka-band simultaneous multi-beam lens array antenna terminal at TRL 6 or greater? (Yes/No). Please provide supporting documentation demonstrating TRL 6 attainment, such as test reports, independent verification and validation (IV&V) results, or program documentation.

b. If Yes (to 1.a):

i. Provide detailed specifications of your TRL 6 Ka-band multi-beam lens array terminal, including:

0. Frequency Range:

0. Number of independent Simultaneous Full Duplex Beams supporting connectivity over LEO/MEO/GEO:

0. Beam repointing time (assume 130 deg scan):

0. Beamwidth (including at 55 and 65 deg scan):

0. EIRP) (including at 55 and 65 degree scan):

0. G/T (including at 55 and 65 degree scan, Tsky = 55k, Tamb = 23 deg C):

0. Inst Bandwidth: (including at 55 and 65 degree scan):

0. Size (dimensions):

0. Weight:

0. DC Power Consumption (max at 100% Tx duty cycle):

0. Interface Requirements:

0. Unit Production Price (estimated) (assume a purchase quantity of 1000 units over 2 years):

ii. What is your current production capacity?

iii. What is the lead time for delivery of a production unit?

c. If No (to 1.a):

i. What is your current TRL for Ka-band multi-beam lens array technology?

ii. Provide a detailed development plan, with specific milestones and timelines, to achieve TRL 6. Include estimated costs.

iii. What are the key technical challenges you anticipate in reaching TRL 6?

2. Phased Array/Metamaterial Array Capabilities (For Information Only)

a. Do you have a Ka-band multi-beam phased array or metamaterial array antenna terminal under development? (Yes/No)

b. If Yes (to 2.a), what is the current TRL? Provide answers to the above specification details in section 1.b.i, a development plan, and timeline to TRL 6.

RESPONSES.

Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI. Responses shall provide the following minimum administrative information: Name, mailing address, phone number, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI)/CAGE Code, and e-mail of designated point of contact.

Responses are due no later than 1600 hour Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 24 JUN 2025. Responses shall be limited to ten (10) pages. Responses shall be in Times New Roman or Arial font, with no less than 11-point font size. Left & right margins will be 1 inch, with the header & footer being .5 inches.

Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information (included in the page limit). Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned.

Respondents may provide supplemental information such as product brochures, specification sheets, photographs, illustration, and technical descriptions that describe your company’s current products that most closely match these capabilities described above. Contractors are encouraged not to include marketing informational materials that do not relate to the products recommended for consideration, as they will be discarded. However, responses may include universal resource locater (URL) links to technical documentation materials (i.e., technical data sheet).

QUESTIONS.

Questions regarding this RFI shall be submitted in Attachment – Questions Template by e-mail to the Contracting Officer. Thomas E. Lynn Jr. at thomas.e.lynn23.civ@army.mil, and the Contract Specialists, John J. Ye at jianhua.j.ye.civ@army.mil. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Accordingly, questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. The Government does not guarantee that questions received will be answered. Timeline to submit questions is due no later than 1600 hour Eastern Standard Time (EST) on 19 JUN 2025.

RFI – NGTT