A -- Notice of intent to award sole source procurement for the development of Silicon Carbide (SiC) RF Power Transistors

Development and commercialization of Silicon Carbide (SiC) Static Induction Transistor (SIT) technology supporting the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning/Command and Control Aircraft AN/APS-145 Radar Upgrade and other key DoD Radar and Communication Systems. The estimated dollar value of the basic contract is $1,600,000.00, and is based on a 1 year program. Next generation DOD system requirements call for high power amplifiers that can provide higher RF power output in a smaller footprint. These new requirements are beyond the capability of present technology, but are well aligned with next generation SiC semiconductor technology. Current operational requirements include high power over the operating frequency range 960-1215 MHz and broader bandwidths. Vertical device structures used by the Static Induction Transistor (SIT) allow for the design of chips which can achieve the high peak powers needed to support the system requirements over the bandwidths needed. The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) are interested in the establishment of a merchant production capability for Silicon Carbide (SiC) Static Induction Transistors (SITs). The objective at program's end is for SiC SITs to become commercially available in order to support E-2D Advanced Hawkeye production and other potential DoD systems. The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302. Key technical requirements of this program shall include the following characteristics: (a) Establishment and qualification of a viable materials supply chain that includes a minimum of two SiC substrate and SiC epitaxial sources to support SiC SIT production; (b) Capability to design, fabricate and test SiC SITs; (c) Device fabrication line capable of processing 100mm SiC substrates; (d) ISO certified quality system; (e) Expertise in all aspects of SiC device design, modeling and simulation, device fabrication, DC/RF testing, assembly and packaging; (f) Capability to conduct full DC/RF temperature dependent reliability testing; (g) Demonstration, qualification and production of SiC SITs capable of operating at 100V producing high pulsed power operation greater than 1000 watts at UHF frequencies and tailored for insertion into E-2D Advanced Hawkeye AN/APS-145 Radar; (h) Demonstration of production capability to support long term production requirements for E-2D Advanced Hawkeye AN/APS-145 Radar SiC SIT Power Transistors through 2016. (i) SiC SITs shall be fully qualified with Northrop-Grumman Electronic Systems to support AN/APS-145 production builds beginning in mid 2008. Interested parties must identify their interest and capability in writing, and document the specific qualifications and capabilities as noted above that are essential to meet the technical requirements. In addition, interested parties must also document the following qualifications: (j) Experience - Provide an outline of previous projects, specific work previously performed, or any in-house research and development effort or similar type of work that is currently being performed. (k) Personnel - Provide the name, professional qualifications and specific experience of scientist, engineering, and other technical personnel who could be assigned as a principal investigator and/or project officer. (l) Facilities - Provide availability and description of special facilities required to performed in the technical areas under consideration. (m) Other Qualifications - Provide other specific and pertinent information as pertains to this particular area of procurement, which would enhance the government's consideration and evaluation of the information submitted. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received from this announcement will serve as the primary purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Statements of Capabilities are due electronically to the Air Force no later than 6 February 2007, and shall be forwarded to the following address: contact@example.gov. Address contractual questions to Gary Victor, Contract Negotiator, via +1 (555) 000-0000; direct technical questions to John Blevins, Program Manager, via +1 (555) 000-0000. Responses received after this due date or without the required information will be considered non-responsive to the synopsis and will not be considered.