Free Space Optics Communications - Request for Information (RFI)

THIS NOTICE IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL. This notice is for information and planning purposes only. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation for bids or proposals and it is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government. The information herein is subject to change and in no way binds the Government to solicit for or award a competitive contract. The Government is not obligated to and will not reimburse any costs associated with preparing or submitting a response to this notice and submittals will not be returned to the sender. The United States Navy (or The Naval Information Warfare Center (NIWC) Atlantic) is assessing the impact of transformative technologies that enable sailors to operate free space optics communications systems. This RFI requests information about any state of the art/novel products and technologies available in order to shape a government trade study of free space optics communications broadcast technologies. Background: The government is requesting information from U.S. Companies on tactical free-space optical communications (FSOC) technologies at a technology readiness level (TRL) of 4 or higher that include active pointing and tracking systems for maintaining links in dynamic environments. FSOC systems that are fixed, point to point, but can be adapted to include active pointing and tracking systems are of interest. FSOC solutions that can support multi-access from distributed end-users with automated network management are also of interest. Novel optical transmission architectures that support multi-in, multi-out FSOC or non-line-of-sight FSOC through relay or re-transmission are of interest. Responses will be evaluated based on the below criteria and selected for a technical exchange with NIWC Atlantic engineers. Information provided to the government will be incorporated into a commercial survey of FSOC solutions for NIWC Atlantic customers with potential for future demonstration opportunities with operators and independent government technical assessors. We are requesting information on tactical FSOC technologies that: 1. Are capable of multiple input and/or multiple output channels. 2. Can establish a non-line-of-sight link through relay or retransmission. 3. Include active pointing and tracking systems and automated network management. 4. Are TRL 4 and above. Specific information sought: 1. Company information, including name, address, and website; 2. Points of contact: phone number and email addresses for follow-up; 3. Novel technologies or product details including: o Name of project, product, or technology o Technology Readiness Level of the product or technology. o A brief description of the technology. Must include simple drawing(s) depicting operation of the technology with generic components. o Link budgets for 1 km, 5 km, and 10 km. Link budget output should include approximate data rate and bit error rate (BER) at each range. The environment should be standard atmosphere. Scattering effects are not required, but additional link budgets with these factors are appreciated. Assumptions used in estimations should be listed. o Potential briefs will be 30 minutes: 20 minutes for presentation and 10 minutes for questions. o All information delivered must be unclassified or appropriately marked controlled unclassified (CUI) information. The submitted information under this RFI will be evaluated for a brief with NIWC Atlantic engineers to further showcase the product or technology. All information submitted can be included in a government trade study document of this space for the purposes of government review only. Information is due by 12:00 PM EST on July 16, 2021 The technical point of contact is Dr. Samuel Mellon, (contact@example.gov). Please submit all documentation to contact@example.gov by the closing date of 16 July 2021 at 12:00PM EST. A NOTE REGARDING THIS RFI: This RFI is for information gathering and planning purposes only and should not be construed as a Request for Proposal (RFP) or solicitation of an offer. The Government DOES NOT intend to award a contract on the basis of this RFI or otherwise pay for the information solicited. E-mail your non-technical, contract-related questions to the Contracting Officer at contact@example.gov.