Digital IF Converter (IFC) Request for Information (RFI)

Digital IF Converter (IFC) Request for Information (RFI) Solicitation Number: PANROC-23-P-0000 001331 Notice Type: Request for Information (RFI) Synopsis: Product Manager, Wideband Enterprise Satellite Systems (PdM WESS), Fort Belvoir, VA, seeks information from potential vendors for the contemplated purchase of Digital IF Converter (IFC) equipment, to integrate with emerging Digital IF networks in DoD SATCOM Gateways, and to enable the transition of ground segment architectures to Digital IF. Prior nomenclature for the - IFC sought included - Digital IF Conversion Subsystem (DCS), - L-Band edge device, and - L-Band digitizer. Large and small businesses capable of delivering such IFC equipment are requested to respond to this RFI. Such businesses may include those: experienced in providing DoD SATCOM modems experienced in providing high-speed high-fidelity digital-to-analog (D/A) and analog-to-digital (A/D) conversion and digital signal processing (DSP) capabilities experienced in developing DIFI Standard (IEEE-ISTO 4900-2021) or VITA 49.2 compliant Digital IF interfaces Small business is defined by North American Industry Association Classification System (NAICS) "Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing" 334220, (750 employees or less). PdM WESS is seeking to: modernize existing DOD SATCOM Gateways address growth in DoD SATCOM user demand support migration to Digital IF ground segment architectures addressing growth and resilience implement Digital IF ground segment architectures requiring the following functions: Digital IF Modems Digital IF Combiner/Dividers IFCs, the subject of this RFI Digital IF signal chain management As such, the Government seeks information on the availability of equipment, subsystems, and/or software capable of addressing the following need: IFC equipment. IEEE-ISTO 4900-2021 (DIFI Standard) interoperability adequate A/D and D/A performance management and control software for same clear path to necessary cybersecurity provisions Information Requested: Interested vendors are asked to provide the following specific information: Name, address, and Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code of your company. Point of Contact (Name address, phone number, and e-mail). IFC Equipment: Availability, present or future, of Digital IF Converter solutions capable of the following functions: Digital IF Converter, A/D Function: Provides a minimum of four A/D functions, each of which provides an L-Band analog input, configurable from 4 to 16 bits of sample depth per complex sampling component (I & Q, In-phase and Quadrature). Digital IF Converter, D/A Function: Provides a minimum of four D/A functions, each of which provides an L-Band analog output, configurable from 4 to 16 bits of sample depth per I & Q. Bandwidth and Tuning: Minimum of 500 MHz instantaneous bandwidth with 1000 MHz preferred, tunable over a range of 950 to 2150 MHz. Gain and attenuation: Provides automatic gain control (AGC) to maintain input signal at full range of the A/D. Provides amplitude scaling to maintain output signal at full range of the D/A. Also provides configurable fixed gain/attenuation at the A/D inputs and the D/A outputs. Back-to-Back Operation: The IFC must be able to operate back-to-back as a replacement for an analog RF-over-fiber link. In back-to-back operation, for any AGC action applied at the ADC input, the inverse must automatically be applied at the D/A output to maintain signal transparency. Frequency and time references: As a minimum, accept 10 MHz and Precision Time Protocol (PTP) frequency and time references. Preferred: accept 5 or 10 MHz (selectable) frequency references, 1 pps and PTP timing references. PTP timing references to be provided over Ethernet management port. Digital IF Interfaces: Adequate Ethernet interfaces as follows: In support of bandwidths as integrated, anticipating a Digital IF stream rate to RF bandwidth ratio of about 40 to 1 in nominal cases where 16 bit sample depth is employed throughout. Providing redundant ports in support of spine-leaf architectures, with a minimum of dual 100GbE ports. Digital IF Protocol: Any issues with comprehensive IEEE-ISTO 4900-2021 compliance. Explicit context packet field guidance will be provided by the Government to ensure plug-and-play interoperability and support for DOD CONOPS such as signal chain alignment. IFC Performance WRT A/D and D/A Functions: Identify any issues with meeting the following performance expectations. Levels and dynamic range, subject to adequate sample depth in bits. 0 dBm maximum total average power. It is acceptable to assume Gaussian amplitude distributions when considering maximum peak power. -147 dBm/Hz maximum added AWGN What spurious and intermod performance should be reasonably expected? A/D and D/A power and frequency accuracy. What accuracies can be reasonably expected? Level of Error Vector Magnitude (EVM) degradation with respect to modulated signal components. Given symbol rates ranging from 0.5 to 200 Msym/s, what EVM degradation should be reasonably expected on A/D and D/A? What degradation of modulation waveform components should be expected as a consequence of changes to other modulation waveform components, such as introduction, removal, or power scale adjustment of other carriers to the same A/D or D/A process? Substitution of zero-level signals for samples lost due to lost Digital IF packets What other performance aspects should be considered? Management and Control Software: Comprehensive management by a single unified Equipment Management Software (EQMS) element. The EQMS being a single point of control for all IFC equipment at a given SATCOM site, to be hosted on secure host baseline (SHB) servers. The Government is interested in the following EQMS capabilities: In an initial offering: Westbound human operator interface (e.g. web server or client SW) for comprehensive resource management (STIGs and updates) and direct operator management (status and configuration of individual resources, site-wide situational awareness). In an initial offering or in subsequent generation: Provisions for EQMS hardware platform redundancy Auto-detection and network assimilation of IF Converter equipment or resources Northbound machine management interface suitable for comprehensive signal chain management Failure auto-detection and remedy WRT IFC functions as implemented Failure auto-detection and remedy WRT EQMS host platforms or resources Comprehensive event logging. Cybersecurity: A way forward that supports accreditation for operation over open networks. Disclaimers: This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed in any manner to create an obligation on the part the of Government to enter into any agreement, nor to implement any of the actions contemplated herein, nor to serve as the basis for any claim whatsoever for reimbursement for any costs associated with the preparation of responses submitted to the RFI. Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the Contracting Officer. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Answering this request: Please furnish the above requested information by 12 December 2022. Please submit the requested information in PDF or Microsoft Word format to Amy L. Clever, Contract Specialist at amy.l.clever.civ@army.mil or Michelle M. Pleasant, Contracting Officer at michelle.m.pleasant.civ@army.mil. All other questions should be directed to Amy L. Clever at Army Contracting Command - Rock Island. Contracting Office Address: 3055 Rodman Avenue Rock Island, Illinois 61299-8000 United States Primary Point of Contact: Amy L. Clever Contract Specialist Amy.l.clever.civ@army.mil Phone: (309) 782-0720 Secondary Point of Contact: Michelle M. Pleasant Contract Officer michelle.m.pleasant.civ@army.mil Phone: (309) 782-3016