Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Threat-Level Simulator (TLS) for Ships

This is a REQUEST FOR INFORMATION NOTICE; there is no solicitation available at this time. No response will be provided to requests for solicitation. THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION NOTICE IS PUBLISHED FOR MARKET RESEARCH PURPOSES ONLY. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is seeking capabilities statements related to the following: DTRA is considering having an Electromagnetic Pulse (EMP) Threat-Level Simulator (TLS) fabricated and is seeking companies with the capability to build such a piece of equipment. DTRA is willing to consider non-US companies for this fabrication. The last such EMP simulator was built for the US Navy in the 1990s and was known as EMPRESS II (see Figure 9, Baum: From EMP to HPE, http://ece.unm.edu/summa/notes/SDAN/0032.pdf). DTRA seeks a performer with capabilities to assist in the design, fabrication and field demonstration of the specified TLS. The TLS will be used to illuminate an aircraft carrier with a vertical EMP pulse. DTRA requests information on corporate past experience with similar projects and a rough-order-if-magnitude (ROM) cost estimate in US dollars. The TLS consists of the following key components from a ROM perspective: 1) pulser, radiating antenna and support equipment for the pulser and antenna (e.g., pulser diagnostics, free-field diagnostics for the EMP in the working volume, etc.) Please state critical assumptions used in preparing the ROM. Specific requirements are as follows: - The TLS will illuminate an aircraft carrier where the electric field is incident on the broadside and is vertical to the water line. - The TLS waveform norms which must be met are as follows: 1) peak electric field, 2) 10-90 rise time and 3) root action integral. These norms will be the same as those for the pulse given in MIL-STD-464C Figure A-3 (http://www.assistdocs.com/search/search_basic.cfm). - The working volume of the TLS is defined to be a nuclear aircraft carrier with the EMP pulse incident broad side. Specifically, the working volume for the TLS is estimated to consist of a height = 250 ft. (waterline to top of mast), depth 252 ft. and a length (broadside) = 1,100 ft. - Over the working volume of the TLS, all three norms (e.g., peak electric field is N1) will not vary by more than a factor of 2 (e.g., (N1Max - N1Min) < 2N1 for the electric field). Another way to state this requirement is that each norm will have a maximum 2:1 variation over the working volume. - The TLS will be mounted on a barge capable of being used in the open seas. Specific environmental requirements are TBD, but it is expected to survive the same conditions an aircraft carrier might experience on the open seas. - Instrumentation for measuring the TLS performance is required. - Instrumentation for the response for approximately 100 test points on the aircraft carrier is required. For the aircraft carrier response, this corresponds to 100 simultaneous digitizing channels with a 10 kHz -1 GHz bandwidth. Sources having the capability to meet these requirements are invited to respond to this notice. Responses should be limited to a four (4) page white paper in 12 point Courier New font, not including cover page, cover letter and table of contents. Any proprietary concepts of information should be clearly identified as such. Submitted data and information will not be returned. Any information submitted in response to this Request for Information Notice is strictly voluntary. This notice is for information planning purposes and the Government will not pay or otherwise reimburse respondents for information submitted. Electronic responses are required and shall be submitted to: michael.rooney@dtra.mil and Debra.mudd@dtra.mil. All emails should include in the subject line the Reference Number and the submitting organization's name. All documentation shall become the property of the Government. Unless otherwise stated herein, no additional information is available. Requests for same will be disregarded. There is no commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation, to make award or awards, or to be responsible for any monies expended by any interested parties in support of any effort in response to this Sources Sought Notice. Information provided herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit or award a contract.