Near-field Radar Cross Section (RCS) Measurement System, (LRSO)

Request for Information (RFI)

NOTICE ID: FA210324RLRSO1

Long Range Standoff (LRSO) Near-field Radar Cross Section (RCS) Measurement System

1. This Request for Information (RFI) is submitted to all vendors under the condition that it will not be released to third parties and is understood that a funded requirement MAY NOT EXIST at this time. The requirements owner may be assessing market capabilities or defining requirements. Possible requirements derived from this solicitation for technical information may or may not result in an actual requirement, and may not be solicited, therefore approval of any future solicitation is subject to further scope determination and does not imply a guarantee of work or contract award.

2. Purpose: The focus of this effort is for the LRSO program’s possible need to acquire near-field RCS measurement systems. The systems must be a fieldable RCS measurement systems that have a diagnostic radar with the capability to identify defects, verify repairs, and assess RCS confidence of the LRSO system for  maintenance, repair, and production acceptance.

3. System Requirements: The system must be able to be used both outside in the environment as well as inside buildings.

4. Software Requirements: The resident system software must be delivered in executable format and may be installed on an unlimited number of computer systems in support of measurements.

5. System Capability Requirements:

The system must have the following capabilities:

• • Operate from 2 – 18 GHz.
  • A near-field radar frequency imaging capability.
  • Produce high resolution 2D (required) and 3D (desired) RCS measurements.
  • Collect laser cross section measurement data.
  • Be able to measure a system under test (SUT) with the following dimensions: 25 feet long by 20 feet wide by 3 feet high.
  • Self-registration technology that records the systems precise position relative to the SUT which improves processing performance and eliminates mechanical errors such as structure or positioner motion.  The antenna array must be able to be placed within 0.1" to obtain repeatable measurements and better than .05 degrees in AZ and EL for consistently repeatable measurements.
  • Require no ancillary equipment to align and register the target.
  • Control a rotator that will spin the SUT 360 degrees azimuthally.
  • Include a safety system to protect personnel and the SUT from injury.
  • Be off-the-shelf and delivered no later than 12-months after contract award.
  • Operate in a simplified operational collection mode for technicians or in an advanced engineering mode which provides the user more flexibility and diagnostic capabilities.
  • Collect RCS elevation data without moving the radar antenna array / system.
  • Self-contained and requires no assembly at test site.
  • Preconfigured with hard drives and letters of volatility to meet security requirements.
  • Include robust near-field transformation software.

6. The performance period of this effort is 1 year. The offeror shall provide information on approach to support this effort at a Top Secret level.

7. Please submit response in the form of a white paper that is no more than 25 single-sided pages with text no less than 12-point font and a minimum of one-inch margins in Microsoft® Word, Adobe® PDF or compatible format.  The white papers should be formatted as follows: Section A: Title, Name of Company, Cage Code, Company Background, Brief History highlighting past relevant experience (3-5 years) on similar systems; Section B: Company’s Approach/Solution; Section C: System Description focusing on key attributes per systems capability requirements and technical maturity. In addition to the white paper (max 25 pg), respondents may provide up to five graphical charts that further explain their concepts along with a single-sided operational view that provides a high-level graphical and textual description of the concept. All respondents should provide their CAGE code, indicate if they are a US company, large business, small business, small, disadvantaged business or women-owned small business as described by NAICS code 541715/PSC Code AC23. Those desiring to do business with the Air Force must be registered in the System for Award Management at (http://www.sam.gov). Responses must be received by 12PM CST 26 JUL 2024.

8. If respondents wish to restrict distribution of its white paper, it must be marked appropriately. All unclassified and classified responses should be marked accordingly and reviewed to ensure consideration of operational sensitivities prior to submission. Classified responses shall be coordinated prior to response close with the below POCs.

9. Government responses to questions that are broadly applicable will be added to the RFI posting. Please email all questions, requests for additional information, and correspondence for this RFI to Jolene Williams (850) 882-0652 jolene.williams.2@us.af.mil and Christopher Serbe, christopher.serbe@us.af.mil, (850) 882-6163.