Integrated Mixer/Amplifier/Multiplier Chain

This is a Notice of Proposed Contract Action under the FAR Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This notice is for information only; a solicitation will not be issued. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATION. No contract will be awarded on the basis of offers received in response to this notice. The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334515 with a small business size standard of 750 employees.
The Government requires a purchase of
• Qty. of One (1) -WR2.8MixAMC-I-M12 - Integrated Mixer/Amplifier/Multiplier Chain (260-400GHz). This product consists of a Schottky-diode-based THz signal source and mixer capable of up-converting a 21.6-33.3 GHz local oscillator signal to 260-400 GHz range.
• Qty. of One (1) -WR2.8MixAMC-I-N-M12 - Integrated Mixer/Amplifier/Multiplier Chain (260-400GHz). This product consists of a Schottky-diode-based THz signal source and mixer capable of down-converting a terahertz signal in 260-400 GHz range to IF (intermediate frequency).
• Qty. of Three (3) -WM-710(WR2.8)DH - Diagonal Horn Antenna
• Qty. of One (1) -10 GHz Custom Zero Bias Detector
• Qty. of One (1) -WM-710(WR2.8) SAX - Spectrum Analyzer Extension Module (260-400GHz). This product consists of a Schottky-diode-based THz signal source and mixer capable of down-converting a terahertz signal in 260-400 GHz range to appropriate intermediate frequency range of a spectrum analyzer.
• Qty. of One (1) - WR6.5SAX - Spectrum Analyzer Extension Module (110-170GHz). This product consists of a Schottky-diode-based THz signal source and mixer capable of down-converting a terahertz signal in 110-170 GHz range to appropriate intermediate frequency range of a spectrum analyzer.
• Qty. of One (1) - WR6.5CH - Conical Horn Antenna

The Government intends to negotiate a sole-source contract for the purchase of the items described above. The identified sole-source provider/producer of these items is as follows:

Virginia Diodes, Inc. (VID)
979 Second Street SE, Ste. 309
Charlottesville, VA 22902

The Government has determined that no other source can meet this requirement. It is essential to obtain these analytical instruments in order to develop and validate novel THz-band channel models, ultra-broadband modulation schemes and synchronization techniques for ultra-high-speed data transfers. The Government requires these mixer/amplifier/multiplier chains that up-converts a local oscillator signal to terahertz band and mixes it with the Intermediate Frequency (IF) signal and a mixer/amplifier/multiplier chain that down-converts terahertz signals to IF band. These VDI devices form a crucial component of the terahertz laboratory which will also run experiments with deliverables from the VAULT (Viability Assessment of Ultra-broadband Long-range THz communications) program such as Indium Phosphide (InP) High Electron Mobility Transistor (HEMT)-based amplifiers, graphene-based plasmonic THz signal sources, detectors and antennas and antenna arrays. Currently, VID is the only known commercial entity that designs and produces millimeter wave and Terahertz devices, components and systems and there are no other known commercial products available on the market that operate at terahertz frequencies. This company is behind the few existing testbeds in the world at millimeter wave and terahertz devices.

This is a notice of proposed contract action and not a request for competitive quotes; however, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement or quote, which shall be considered by the agency. All inquiries should be sent by email to jennifer.calandra-willson@us.af.mil.

Responses must be submitted by the date/time listed on the notice. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government in future procurements.

Responses received will be evaluated; however a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government anticipates an award date on or before 30 JUNE 2019.

A Sole Source Justification will be attached to the subsequent Notice of Award in accordance with applicable regulation.

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