Array based terminal state of the art performance information (MIL-STD-188-164)

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

REQUIREMENT

ARRAY BASED TERMINAL STATE OF THE ART PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. NO SOLICITIATION IS AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME.

1.0   Overview/Purpose

The Department of Defense (DoD) is soliciting industry to provide state-of-the-art performance information for SATCOM earth terminals that use electronically steerable-beam-antennas to help inform requirement evolution within MIL-STD-188-164.

2.0   Scope of Effort

This RFI request is solely for gathering information and planning purposes.  This RFI does not commit the U.S. Government to contract for any services or supplies whatsoever.  All 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 solicitations or requests for proposal (RFPs).

3.0   Technical Characteristics

To inform future requirements development for MIL-STD-188-164, information regarding the state-of-the-art performance of earth terminals using electronically steerable-beam-antennas is sought from industry. It is requested that the type of electronic scanning used in the earth terminal’s antenna be discussed, for example, the use of two-dimensional phase scanning, time delay scanning, frequency scanning, electromechanical scanning, etc. Also, provide information about the antenna-modem interface, i.e. RF, IF, digital, etc. and how its design may be impacted by the extant MIL-STD. Performance information should be categorized by frequency band, terminal type (noting array based earth terminals come in a variety of forms) and use case (i.e. product capabilities, target integration platform, target mission context, etc.).

4.0   Requested Information

Please include the following terminal performance and product information:

1. Terminal size, weight, power and unit cost.  Terminal size, weight, power and unit cost:
   1. For terminals developed for large scale production.  Please estimate unit price at production assuming a total purchase quantity of 1000 systems, over 3-year period.
2. Technology Readiness Level (TRL)
3. Radio Frequency Performance:
   1. Max Linear Effective Isotropic Radiated Power (EIRP)
   2. Gain over Temperature (G/T): Please identify sky temperature (Tsky) assumed or used for G/T calculations. 
   3. Compliance with the extant MIL-STD-188-164C for: axial ratio, EIRP spectral density mask, transmit-to-receive isolation, transmit and receive linearity requirements.
   4. Compliance with antenna patterns per ITU Recommendation s.580-6

Additionally, it is requested that industry provide feedback on how the earth terminals will be impacted in terms of system size, weight, power, and cost if the axial ratio, receive sidelobe level, and the transmit-to-receive isolation requirements are relaxed for electronically steerable-beam-antennas.

Response Guidelines

Companies who wish to respond to this RFI should send responses via email no later than 45 days from the publication of this RFI.

Industry Day Discussions

Detailed information on the next MIL-STD-188-164 Industry Day to be provided at a later date.

Points Of Contact (POCs)

Henry Tran at DISA
Phone: 301-225-7496
NIPR: henry.h.tran.civ@mail.mil

Mr. Greg Robinson at Delta 8 SATCOM
Phone: 719-552-1156
NIPR: gregory.robinson.15.au@spaceforce.mil

Mr. Jeremy Kozee at Delta 8 SATCOM
Phone: 719-554-8835
NIPR: jeremy.kozee@spaceforce.mil

Disclaimer

This RFI is issued for information and planning purposes only.

THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THE RFI OR OTHERWISE PAY FOR INFORMATION RECEIVED IN RESPONSES TO THE RFI.

Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received that is marked Proprietary will be safeguarded in accordance with the applicable Government regulations. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly identified.  All government and contractor personnel reviewing RFI responses will have signed non-disclosure agreements and understand their responsibility for proper use and protection from unauthorized disclosure of proprietary information as described 41 USC 423.