Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) Capability Statements and Documentation for Antenna System(s) for Electronic Warfare Test Systems

Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) Capability Statements and Documentation for

Antenna System(s) for Electronic Warfare Test Systems

SSS ID: PZZDEWG240009

I. DISCLAIMER

THIS NOTICE IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ONLY. 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 GOVENRMENT.  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 REPONSES TO THIS ANNOUNCEMNT.  ANY INFORMATION SUBMITTD BY RESPONDENTS TO THIS TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION IS STRICKLY VOLUNTARY.

II. BACKGROUND

The Benefield Anechoic Facility (BAF) provides a testing environment without signal restrictions at free space radio frequency (RF) to install systems.  During a test in the BAF, the entire signal processing chain of a system under test (SUT) can be exercised.  The BAF Threat Simulator System is responsible for providing a realistic, controllable threat environment for the SUT to enable effective developmental, operation, and military utility testing.  The BAF Threat Simulator System, while capable of creating dense, realistic scenarios, requires upgraded antennas or antenna systems to meet the evolving needs of the test community.

III. PURPOSE

This is a Sources Sought Synopsis (SSS) in support of market research being conducted by the United States Air Force to identify potential sources to provide an antenna system capable of meeting the performance parameters included in this synopsis, while staying within reasonable cost and schedule constrains.  Responses to the SSS will help inform the Government’s next contracting steps.  This SSS focuses solely on the RF aperture required; final integration with the BAF Threat Simulator will be address elsewhere.

IV. BAF Threat Simulator CONOPS 

The BAF Threat Simulator System will be utilized for installed systems testing, on the ground, inside a chamber, and at a range of approximately 80-100 ft. This use case requires a wider antenna beam than other common EW applications.  To present diverse angles of arrival, the system is expected to be comprised of multiple (on the order of 6-12) mobile carts, each complete with the antenna system(s) necessary to radiate at frequencies of 2 GHz – 18 GHz.

 The antenna system(s) will be positioned at a height of up to 35 feet on collapsible masts. Some form of mechanical antenna steering (in azimuth and elevation) is expected. Although no hard requirements have been developed, antenna size and weight will need to be considered.  

Our customers desire a wide variety of test scenarios.  The system must be able to change polarizations and beamwidths.  A large dynamic range with regards to effective radiated power is also required. 

Setup and test efficiency is also key in this effort.  Every aspect of the development needs to take setup time into account.  This is true for pre-test setup, as well as intra-test adjustments.    

The antenna system(s) will operate in a diverse environment, alongside other simulators, and radiators. During any given test a SUT is presented with a complex RF environment that includes threat radars, radar targets, communications, and navigation signals. The antenna system(s) will need to have a predictable pattern and low reflectivity to maintain an effective presentation of signals to the SUT.

V. PERFORMANCE REQUIRMENTS

In Scope of Work:

This request is specific to the RF aperture required for the BAF Threat Simulator System, an antenna or antenna(s) able to radiate at frequencies of 2 GHz – 18 GHz.

At a minimum, any solution must account for the following:

1. Frequency: Ability to transmit 2-18 GHz from single location (not necessarily a single aperture)
2. RF input channels: Multiple independent and simultaneous
3. Beamwidth: Variable (to accommodate testing with both fighter and bomber sized SUTs)
4. Radar Cross Section: Low RF Reflectivity (to minimize bi-static reflections)
5. Polarization: linear required, circular desired
6. EIRP:  >60 dBm across frequency range (with large dynamic range to simulate ingress/egress)
7. Attention to test efficiency and effectiveness throughout 

Out of Scope of Work:

The required capability will augment existing and planned components of the BAF Threat Simulator. Digital and low power RF generation systems have already been specified. The final system will need to be integrated into a mobile cart complete with digital generation, RF generation, and antenna mast. Final system integration will be addressed elsewhere. 

VI. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS

This antenna system development and procurement needs to balance cost, schedule, performance, and their associated risks. Although no cost and schedule have been formally approved, this effort is particularly sensitive to their associated risks.

Unique and/or innovative concepts will be considered, especially those that reduce complexity and risk. A custom AESA approach will likely fall outside of the constraints of this effort. Any ability to leverage existing, modular architectures and/or the scaling of previous products to meet requirements should be included.    

Responses should also discuss how organic expertise and manufacturing capability could reduce cost and schedule risk.  Plans to sub-contract significant portions of the effort will be viewed as inherently risky unless robust mitigations are described.

VII. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS and FORMATTING REQUIREMENTS

The Air Force is requesting information on the design, development, and production capabilities of interested potential bidders for the antenna system.  Respondents should provide information regarding current and past work in relevant technologies.  Respondents should provide information regarding their work in electronic warfare test systems, microwave antennas, broadband microwave amplification systems, and any other technologies that they deem relevant or otherwise of interest to the Air Force for the sake of this effort. The respondents should explain the scope of the respondent’s participation in research, development, and production projects, both as sole participants and as team participants.  The outcomes and successfulness of the projects should be explained.

A. Due Date: Responses are requested by 16 February 2024 at 09:00am PST.

B. Response Content and Format: To effectively process responses, answer content limited to eight (8) pages.  Response formats may be pdf, Excel, and/or Word and structured as follows:

     1. COVER SHEET to include the following company information not to exceed 1 page.

Company Name, CAGE Number (if applicable), Address, Point of Contact E-Mail Address, Phone, Company Web Page URL. State whether your company is a small business such as 8(a), small, disadvantaged business, woman-owned business, HUBZone small business, Veteran-owned business, or service-disabled veteran owned business. Also include a statement as to whether your company is domestically or foreign owned (if foreign, please indicate the country of ownership).

​​​​​​     ​2. CAPABILITY DERIVED FROM THE SSS 

As given in the SSS (up to ~ 8 pages of response content).   Respondents are not required to answer all questions, although a succinct, plain language response to each page will be greatly appreciated.

SSS responses should be submitted electronically to all email addresses listed below, via the appropriate communication channels (email preferred or a DoD SAFE link can be provided):

Primaries:      Marc Venzon marc_anthony.venzon@us.af.mil

Alternates:    Maria Estevane maria.estevane.1@us.af.mil

Electronic submissions are highly preferred. In the event electronic submission is not possible, please contact the primary point of contact above for address information. Companies are encouraged to keep all elements of the response unclassified. In the case where a respondent has a need to submit a classified appendix, such material shall not be transmitted across open-source media like public phone, fax, internet, or e-mail. If a respondent has any reason to believe their concept / capabilities may reference ideas or operations that require special protection, please contact the primary point of contact.