Airborne Direction Finding Systems

This request for information is issued by NIWC Atlantic under the Department of Defense to conduct market research on airborne Direction Finding systems capable of rapidly and accurately geolocating threat emitters in contested radio frequency environments for USSOCOM. The intent is not to award a contract based on responses, and all submissions are non-binding, non-proprietary, and become Government property without compensation. Respondents are asked to provide detailed technical information including antenna type and performance data across HF to SHF frequencies, with graphs for gain, VSWR, and DF accuracy, as well as full Size, Weight, Power, and Cooling characteristics for all components. Systems must be ruggedized and tested to applicable MIL-STDs, include an Ethernet port and an RF port for IF data, and interface with software defined radios. A Modular Open Systems Approach is encouraged, and respondents must disclose whether their solution is COTS, GOTS, or modified, along with their supply chain risk management strategy. Technology and Manufacturing Readiness Levels must be stated with supporting evidence. A non-binding rough order of magnitude cost is required for 10, 50, and 100 units covering hardware, software, training, and a one-year warranty. Production capability and lead times for initial and full-rate manufacturing must also be described, including the ability to scale to those volumes. Responses are due by noon EDT on July 17, 2026, and must be submitted via email to the designated point of contact. The effort is classified as UNCLASSIFIED and all submitted information will be treated as public. The Government plans to use either Other Transaction Authority under 10 U.S.C. §4022 or a Commercial Solutions Opening under 10 U.S.C. 3458 for future acquisition, but no award is anticipated from this RFI. The NAICS code is 335999 and no set-aside is being used.