FA700-17-T-0084 Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Horn Antennas

FEDBIZOPS NOTICE OF INTENT FOR SOLE SOURCE:

The 10CONS/PKB, Operational Contracting Office, USAF Academy, US Air Force Academy intends to award on a sole source basis to vendor MVG, Inc. for 2 pairs of horn antennas, specifically the DH18000 and DH3000 model units, from MVG, Inc. 

 The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) number is 334220 and the business size standard is 1,250.  This procurement is for the acquisition of a sole source commercial item using simplified procedures in accordance with FAR Parts 12 & 13.

 a. Only one responsible source and no other item will satisfy the USAFA requirement.

b. Two pairs of diagonal horn antennas (one pair per frequency range); with extremely low sidelobe levels are required for RCS measurements in the DFEC anechoic chamber.  Since the transmitting and receiving antennas will be placed directly next to each other, in order to perform monostatic RCS measurements, there must be at least 120dB of isolation between them to prevent the transmitting signal from coupling directly into the receiving antenna and therefore dominating over the desired weaker signal that is reflecting from the target under test.  The required units must have a minimum side lope suppression of 60db individually.  One pair must operate in the 3-6.5 GHz range and the other in the 18-30 GHZ range.  Two of each type (i.e., two pairs) of antennas are required for radar cross section (RCS) measurement in each of the frequency bands.  For each pair of antennas, one antenna will perform as the transmitting antenna, and one will perform as the receiving antenna.  In addition, the antennas should work with the existing antennas already in operation in the lab that operate in the 16-18 GHZ range to maintain comparable performance in the extended frequency ranges.

c. Although other sources were considered, no other antenna supplier provided horn antennas with the low level of side lobes required.  Additionally, it is advantageous to maintain similar performance with the existing Orbit/FR antennas.  Orbit/FR supplies diagonal horn antennas for these two required frequency ranges that have side lobe levels of less than 60dB each, resulting in over 120dB of required isolation between two adjacent antennas.  The DH3000 operates in the 3-6.5GHz range, and the DH18000 operates in the 18-40GHz frequency ranges.

d. Considerable market research was performed to identify a suitable product from another source.  However, they all fall short of the sidelobe suppression that is required for monostatic.  There are other manufacturers of microwave antennas.  However, they are for special commercial purposes, such as terrestrial communications, GPS, satellite communications, etc.  They are not for microwave laboratory purposes, and especially not for RCS calibration measurements.  Based on this market analysis the Orbit/FR DH3000 and DH18000 antennas are the only suitable options based on the unique requirements of performance.

e. A sources sought was issued on 27 June 2017, no responses were obtained from other vendors who could meet the requirements

This notice of intent is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation for bids or proposals.  DO NOT submit a bid/quote at this time.

Any offerors believing they can provide the required pairs of horn antennas that meets the requirements described above may provide evidence for consideration.  Evidence must support the offeror's claim they can provide this product.  All qualified sources may submit a response, which if timely received, will be considered by this agency.  Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether a competitive procurement can be conducted.  A determination not to compete this proposed procurement based on response to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.  Responses must be received NLT 4:00 pm Mountain Standard Time (MST) on 25 July 2017.  Responses received after this will be considered late IAW FAR 52.212-1(f) and will not be accepted.      

The Government intends to award a firm fixed price purchase order processed in accordance with FAR 12 and 13. 

The Government does not intend to pay for any information provided under this announcement.  Contractors must have a current registration with the System for Award Management (SAM) at http://sam.gov

Questions should be addressed to the Primary POC Suzanne Snyder, Contracting Officer, Suzanne.Snyder@us.af.mil.

5352.201-9101 Ombudsman (Jun 2016)

(a) An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the interested party to another official who can resolve the concern.

(b) Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions).

(c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, the interested party may contact the ombudsman, [Insert names, addresses, telephone numbers, facsimile numbers, and e-mail addresses of Center/MAJCOM/DRU/AFRCO/SMC ombudsman/ombudsmen]. Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the Center/MAJCOM/DRU/SMC ombudsman level, may be brought by the interested party for further consideration to the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (571) 256-2395, facsimile number (571) 256-2431.

(d) The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency.

(e) Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the Contracting Officer.

 James Anderson

8110 Industrial Drive, Ste 103

USAFA, CO 80840

Telephone number 719-333-2074

FAX 719-333-9018

email:  james.anderson@us.af.mil

(End of clause)