Request for Interested Manufacturers with capabilities for Digitally Tuned Oscillators and Dual Phase Locked Oscillators

SUBJECT:

Market research is being conducted to identify potential sources that may possess the expertise, capabilities, and experience to meet the requirements for acquisition of the digitally tuned and dual phase locked oscillators used on the AN/ALQ-161A.

ITEM DESCRIPTION:

The two types of oscillators required for this acquisition effort are part of the AN/ALQ-161A Electronic Countermeasures System onboard the B1-B Aircraft, used by the Air Force Global Strike Command (AFGSC). The AN/ALQ-161A is used to control receivers and jamming transmitters that provide Electronic Countermeasures (ECM) against enemy fire control radar systems and their associated missiles.

Digitally Tuned Oscillators:

The digitally tuned oscillators consist of a select number of sub-band voltage controlled oscillators that cover a specific frequency range. The sub-band RF output are selectively switched to a common RF output port. Sufficient sub-band overlap is required to ensure full band coverage for the frequency range of the digital oscillator. Digital tuning is set using several bits to determine the correct sub-band. The required NSNs are listed below:

NSN: 5955-01-610-5542, P/N: 010-02059-0001

NSN: 5955-01-613-1745, P/N: 010-02059-0002

Dual Phase Locked Oscillators:

The dual phase locked oscillators are used to syncronyze an output oscillator signal with a known reference signal. The phase-locked loop is a closed-looped feedback circuit that is both frequency and phase sensitive. The loop consists of both analog and digital compoents that are interconnected in a negative feedback configuration. The phase locked loop consists of a phase detector/ phase comparator, voltage-controlled oscillator, and a low-pass fileter. The phase difference of the oscialltors signal and reference signal is used to assess the route of the output signal. When the phase difference is zero, the system is considered “locked”. The required NSNs are listed below:

NSN: 5955-01-613-7953, P/N: 380-02001-0011

NSN: 5995-01-614-4532, P/N: 380-02001-0017

IMPEDIMENT TO COMPETITION:

The manufacturing source for these items is Mercury Systems Inc (CAGE 3X893), previously Syntonic Microwave Inc. The Government does not own the data needed to contract the purchase of this part from additional sources. It has been determined to be uneconomical to buy the data from Mercury Systems Inc. The government owns the specification requirements for the devices. The government does not own any data, drawings, schematics, or any other releasable technical data for the internal composition of the devices listed to manufactur these assets. All manufacturing sources must be able to meet performance requirements and possess the required technical data and capabilities needed to manufacter these items and ensure compatibility of the device to the ALQ-161. For these reasons, Mercuy Systems is deemed the only current valid source to manufacture the assets listed.

INTEREST:

All interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement no later than 26 April 2024 by emailing Andrew Peacock at andrew.peacock@us.af.mil, Michael Howard at michael.howard.57@us.af.mil, Marcus Ashley at marcus.ashley@us.af.mil, and April Walls at april.walls@us.af.mil. The Government intends to procure these items using Full and Open Competition as prescribed by FAR 2.1.

DISCLAIMER:

This sources sought synopsis is for informational purposes only. This is not a request for proposal. It does not constitute a solicitation, and shall not be construed as a commitment by the Government. Responses in any form are not offers, and the Government is under no obligation to award a contract as a result of this announcement.  No funds are available to pay for preparation of responses to this announcement.   Any information submitted by respondents to this technical description is strictly voluntary.