JAZZ SEMICONDUCTOR GRATINGS OF REGULAR ARRAYS AND TRIM EXPOSURE (GRATE) SOURCE NOTICE

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), Microsystems Technology Office (MTO), intends to award a Sole-Source contract to Jazz Semiconductor, Inc. for the Gratings of Regular Arrays and Trim Exposure (GRATE) Program. The concept of the GRATE Program is to develop revolutionary circuit design methodologies combined with novel lithographic processes to enable cost effective low volume microfabrication for Department of Defense (DoD) RF/mixed-signal applications. One of the key goals of the GRATE Program is to extend the capability of trailing edge lithography tools to more advanced technology nodes using novel design and lithographic processes. The GRATE concept is based on designing all critical circuit features using only highly regular geometries and coupling this novel design approach with lithographic processing based on the customization of highly regular grating patterns. Another key goal of the Program is the demonstration of state of the art SiGe BiCMOS RF devices & circuits using trailing edge lithography tools. Jazz Semiconductor, Inc. has a well established 180 nm process technology and toolset for both RF BiCMOS and digital SRAM. The RF performance (speed) of its BiCMOS devices is currently limited by their current lithography toolset. Jazz has a successful foundry service with many commercial and DoD customers. Jazz is therefore the ideal candidate for demonstrating both the extension of trailing edge lithography as well as achieving leading-edge RF BiCMOS devices using the - GRATE methodology. The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority of FAR 6.302-1 - Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. As a successful mixed-signal foundry at the 180nm node, Jazz possesses unique knowledge, capabilities and intellectual property required to carry out the required research effort at low risk and minimum cost. Success of this Program will enable Jazz to provide cost effective low volume microfabrication capabilities at more advanced technology nodes for DoD & Defense RF/mixed-signal applications as well as providing the DoD with additional options for the supply of on-shore foundry services. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation is currently available. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. Responses/proposals received within forty-five (45) days after date of publication of this notice will be considered by the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open basis is solely within the discretion of the Government. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to meet the requirements by submitting a white paper and past performance data by no later than 25 May 2009 (2:00PM Eastern) to The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Attn: Mr. Michael Blackstone, Contracts Management Office (CMO), 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 or via email to michael.blackstone@darpa.mil. Questions shall be submitted to the above email address. Please refer to Numbered Note 22. It is noted that DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) maintains an annual Office-wide Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) seeking revolutionary research in electronics, photonics, MEMS, algorithms, and combined Microsystems technology to deliver new capabilities to sense, communicate, energize, actuate, and process data and information for the war fighter. Please see Broad Agency Announcement DARPA-BAA-09-25.