Multi-Channel Wireless Communications System

Added: Jul 21, 2015 1:54 pm This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial items prepared in accordance with the format in Subpart 12.6, as supplemented with additional information included in this notice. This announcement constitutes the only solicitation; proposals are being requested and a written solicitation will not be issued.

This solicitation, NB672020-15-02870 issued as a request for quotation (RFQ).

This solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular 2005-83.

The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 334515 with a small business size standard of 500 employees. This requirement is Brand Name for National Instruments (NI). This is unrestricted and all interested parties may submit a quotation and is being issued using the simplified acquisition procedures under the authority of FAR 13.5 test program for certain commercial items.

This combined synopsis/solicitation is for the following commercial item(s):

CLIN 0001: National Instruments Multi-Channel Wireless Communications System

Description of requirements for the items to be acquired:

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Division of Communications Technology Laboratory is in the process of expanding its research efforts related to spectrum sharing and software defined radios. This research spans a broad area covering topics associated with distributed spectrum sensing, signal propagation, interference between devices, and evaluating a device's ability to share spectrum. As NIST explores each of these topics, NIST will need a general set of scientific instrumentation that will allow NIST to conduct experiments related to spectrum sharing. One of the keys to efficient sharing of the spectrum is the ability to use multi-channel (MIMO or multi-stream) technologies. The hardware used for NIST's experiments should be general in nature, that is, reconfigurable to perform a variety of tasks. In some cases, NIST may have one transmitting channel and many receiving channels, or vice versa. In addition to having the ability to adjust the number of transmitting and receiving channels, it is also essential to conduct preliminary high-speed data processing as soon data are collected. To enable this, access to a field-programmable gate array (ideally co-located with the RF hardware) is essential. The ability to stream data to a storage system is also essential as it enables large amounts of data to be rapidly collected for future analysis.

In addition to the hardware, software shall be provided that enables measurement of common wireless communications protocols and standards (e.g., LTE, Wi-Fi, etc.). Such software should be installed on the embedded computer allowing the system to operate without the use of an external desktop PC.

The Contractor shall provide one (1) (NI) multi-channel wireless communications system that meets the following minimum technical requirements. The Contractor shall deliver the system and warranty it, as described below.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:
1. The multi-channel system shall have four RF channels. A channel is defined as a RF transceiver - a device that is capable of either transmitting or receiving a RF signal.
1.1. At a minimum, each RF channel shall be able to operate from 100 MHz to 6 GHz.
1.2. Each channel shall have a minimum instantaneous transmitting or receiving bandwidth of at least 20 MHz across the full frequency range of operation, and at least 200 MHz of instantaneous bandwidth between 200 MHz and 6 GHz.
1.3. When configured as a receiver, the average noise floor of each RF channel shall not exceed -140 dBm (for a signal at any frequency, with the input port terminated and a -10 dBm reference level).
1.4. When configured as a transmitter, each RF channel shall be capable of outputting at least +10 dBm (CW) for signals less than 4 GHz and +7 dBm (CW) for signals greater than or equal to 4 GHz.
1.5. The input/output port of each RF channel shall have either a SMA, 3.5 mm or Type-N connector. All RF channels must have the same type of output connector. Regardless of the output connector type, it shall have a nominal impedance of 50 ohms.
2. Each of the four RF channels shall have a user-programmable FPGA.
3. To facilitate rapid processing of digital signals, there shall be one user-programmable FPGA external to the RF hardware, but installed in the same chassis as the RF channels.
3.1.1. This external FPGA shall have at least 2 GB of onboard RAM and be capable of streaming at least 3 GB/s of data back to the embedded host controller.
3.1.2. The external FPGA shall be capable of receiving streaming data from any of the RF channels located in the same chassis. That is, data may go directly from the RF acquisition hardware to the external FPGA without passing through the embedded computer first. This feature is sometimes referred to as "peer-to-peer streaming."
4. To synchronize this multi-channel system with other laboratory equipment, the system shall be equipped an accurate clock suitable for trigger/synchronizing other instrumentation. This clock shall utilize an oven controlled oscillator with an accuracy of at least 50 parts per billion. This clock must be able to operate successfully without the use of an external reference (e.g., GPS signal, broadcast radio reference).
4.1. This clock shall also be capable of synchronizing additional chassis systems.
4.2. This clock hardware shall have at least two outputs: a 10 MHz output, and an output where the frequency can be adjusted. At a minimum, the frequency shall be adjustable from 1 MHz to 500 MHz. The accuracy of the adjustable frequency output need not meet the same 50 ppb requirements.
5. To facilitate expansion of the system to include additional chassis, this system shall be equipped with a high-speed interface capable of connecting up to 8 compatible chassis. This hardware would allow all additional chassis to be controlled by a single "master" chassis/controller.
6. To control the chassis, RF hardware, FPGA, trigger hardware, and daisy chain interface, an embedded computer shall be included and installed in the chassis. The computer shall meet the following requirements:
6.1. Utilize a 64-bit CPU with at least eight cores and a clock frequency of at least 2.0 GHz.
6.2. Utilize at least 16 GB of RAM, but be expandable to at least 24 GB.
6.3. Contain a hard drive of at least 200 GB in size.
7. The embedded computer shall contain software (and appropriate licensing) to generate and receive/analyze the following signals on any of the four RF channels: LTE FDD, LTE TDD, Bluetooth, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, WCDMA/HSPA+, and GPS.
7.1. The provided software shall also contain a soft-panel interface for basic spectrum analysis and signal generation.
7.2. There shall be no limitation on the number of signals that can be generated or analyzed. That is, the software license provided shall allow for an indefinite number of signals to be generated or analyzed over the lifetime of the system.
8. The chassis used to hold and control this multi-channel system shall meet the following general requirements:
8.1. The chassis shall be mountable in a conventional 19" equipment rack.
8.2. The chassis shall not require more than 15 amps at 120 VAC at 60 Hz.
8.3. The chassis shall have a total backplane throughput capacity of at least 24 GB/s (each direction).
9. To allow RF data to be streamed at high speeds, the chassis shall be equipped such that it can be connected directly to a RAID array/system. This RAID system shall meet the following requirements:
9.1. The RAID system shall be capable of sustained read/write speeds of up to 3.6 GB/s.
9.2. The following RAID modes shall be supported: 0, 1, 10, 5, and 6.
9.3. The RAID system shall have a storage capacity of at least 5 TB, and shall utilize solid state drives to accomplish this. Note that the RAID storage need not physically reside in the same chassis as the multi-channel system. It may reside in a separate chassis/enclosure.
9.3.1. If the RAID system resides in a separate enclosure, it shall be mountable in a conventional 19" equipment rack.
9.4. By itself, the RAID system shall require no more than 20 amps at 120 VAC (60 Hz).
10. The chassis shall ship assembled and have completed a basic power-up test prior to arrival at NIST.
11. The Contractor shall use only new equipment. The use of refurbished or used equipment is not permissible.
12. The Contractor shall include any necessary cables for connecting the system to conventional U.S. power outlets.
13. The Contractor shall include the cost of shipping the completed system to the NIST site in Boulder, CO.

Warranty:
The Contractor shall provide, at a minimum, a three year warranty for the system. The warranty shall cover all parts, labor, routine calibration services, and return shipping expenses (from the manufacturer to NIST). The warranty shall commence upon delivery of the system.

The calibration services shall include measurement performance verification (with uncertainty estimates), and necessary adjustments to the hardware. The calibration shall be performed by a laboratory that is accredited to ISO 17025 and is compliant with ANSI Z540.

The requested delivery is 50 days ARO. FOB Destination for delivery is NIST, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305. Delivery point of contact will be provided upon award.

The provision at FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors-Commercial, applies to this acquisition. Offerors shall meet the technical specifications and deliverable schedule. Price shall include cost of shipping.

FAR 52.212-2, Evaluation -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition. The Government will award a fixed price contract based on the following factors: Technical capability, deliverable schedule, and price. Technical capability will be evaluated by how well the proposed product meets or exceeds the Government's requirement including delivery schedule as stated throughout this solicitation. Technical capability is approximately equal to price. The Government reserves the right to make an award to other than the lowest-priced offeror if the superior technical submission or the submission indicating a reduced performance risk, warrants paying a premium.

A FIRM FIXED PRICE PURCHASE ORDER WILL BE ISSUED TO THE RESPONSIBLE AUTHORIZED QUOTER WHOSE TECHNICALLY ACCEPTABLE QUOTATION IS DEEMED TO REPRESENT THE BEST VALUE TO THE GOVERNMENT.

The quoter must have completed the provision at FAR 52.212-3, Offeror Representations and Certifications -- Commercial Items. Reps and certs must be uploaded to the System for Award Management at www.sam.gov.

FAR 52.212-4, Contract Terms and Conditions -- Commercial Items, applies to this acquisition.

FAR 52.212-5, Contract Terms and Conditions Required To Implement Statutes Or Executive Orders -- Commercial Items applies to this acquisition. Commercial Items including subparagraphs:

52.203-6, Restriction on Subcontractor Sales to the Government with Alternate 1
52.204-10, Reporting Executive compensation and First-Tier Subcontract Awards
52.209-6, Protecting the Government' Interest When Subcontracting with Contractors Debarred, Suspended, or Proposed for Debarment
52.219-6, Notice of Total Small Business Aside
52.219-8, Utilizing of Small Business Concerns
52.219-13, Notice of Set-Aside of Orders
52.219-14, Limitations on Subcontracting
52.219-28, Post Award Small Business Program Re-representation
52.222-3, Convict Labor;
52.222-19, Child Labor - Cooperation With Authorities And Remedies;
52.222-21, Prohibition of Segregated Facilities;
52.222-26, Equal Opportunity;
52.222-35, Equal Opportunity for Veterans
52.222-36, Affirmative Action for Workers with Disabilities;
52.222-37, Employment Reports for Veterans
52.222-40, Notification of Employee Rights Under the National Labor Relations Act
52.223-18, Contractor Policy to Ban Text Messaging While Driving;
52.225-5, Trade Agreements
52.225-13, Restrictions on Certain Foreign Purchases;
52.232-33, Payment by Electronic Funds Transfer
52.247-34, FOB Destination

1352.201-70, Contracting Officer's Authority
1352.201-72, Contracting Officer's Representative (COR)
1352.209-74, Organizational Conflict of Interest

1352.246-70, Place of Acceptance (APR 2010)
(a) The Contracting Officer or the duly authorized representative will accept supplies and services to be provided under this contract.
(b) The place of acceptance will be: NIST, 325 Broadway - Shipping and Receiving, Boulder, CO 80305

FAR 52.232-40, Providing Accelerated Payments to Small Business Subcontractors.
The following provisions and clauses are also applicable to this acquisition: NIST LOCAL-04, CAR 1352.209-73, CAR 1352.209-74, CAR 1352.213-70, CAR 1352.215-70, CAR 1352.233-70, CAR 1352.233-71.
The full text of FAR provisions or clauses may be accessed electronically at http://acquisition.gov/comp/far/index.html and http://www.osec.doc.gov/oam/acquistion_management/policy/default.htm

The Contractor shall submit a Quote, to be received no later than 5 p.m. Mountain Time, Tuesday, August 4, 2015, and must include the following: Company name, address phone numbers, DUNS number, itemized quote including all minimum specifications. Quotes shall be delivered via email to angela.hitt@nist.gov.

Please direct any questions regarding this solicitation to Angela Hitt at angela.hitt@nist.gov no later than 11:00 a.m. Mountain Time, Wednesday, July 29, 2015.