Request for Information for pLEO Aperture

DISCLAIMER AND IMPORTANT NOTES This RFI is issued for informational and planning purposes only and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. As such, the Government will not reimburse any costs associated with responding to this notice. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work. Respondents should properly mark their responses with the appropriate restrictive markings. Information that is proprietary or competition sensitive may be protected from disclosure under the public records law only if properly labeled as such. The Government may not respond to any specific questions or comments submitted in response to this sources sought notice or information provided as a result of this sources sought. Any information submitted by respondents as a result of this sources sought notice is strictly voluntary. Respondents will not be notified of the results of this notice. The information obtained from submitted responses may be used in the development of an acquisition strategy and future solicitation. Response to this notice is not a request to be added to a bidders list or to receive a copy of a solicitation. If a solicitation is issued, it will be announced later via SAM.gov as applicable in FAR 5.201(b) and all interested parties must respond to that solicitation announcement separately from to the response to this RFI. Purpose: This is a Request for Information (RFI) as defined in FAR 15.201(e).Naval Air Systems Command hereby issues the following RFI on existing small form factor Proliferated Low Earth Orbit (pLEO) apertures and related ancillary equipment. The government desires the latest industry information on concepts, techniques and capabilities to include proposed performance characteristics associated with pLEO communications. Responding to this Notice: Questions or comments regarding this notice may be addressed to one or both of the Technical Point of Contacts (TPOCs) James Moderski at James.J.Moderski.ctr@navy.mil, Steven Upholzer at steven.h.upholzer.civ@us.navy.mil, or the Security Point of Contact Nicholas Drake by email at Nicholas.r.drake8.civ@us.navy.mil or telephone (301) 342-1944 or (301) 318-7708 . Access to the classified appendix shall be addressed through the Technical and Security Point(s) of Contact. Clearances will need to be properly vetted for access to the classified appendix. Inquiries on RFI Content: Naval Air Systems Command will accept questions from industry regarding content of this RFI. E-mail questions should be sent to the TPOC(s). SECURITY AND SUBMISSION INFORMATION The Government anticipates a comprehensive response to this RFI may contain CLASSIFIED information. To the extent practical, responses should be UNCLASSIFIED, complemented by CLASSIFIED appendices as required. Parties interested in responding to the RFI must have a cover letter with the following additional data: Cage Code Respondents business size status (Large or Small) Company name POC name and telephone number to contact for any necessary clarification, to receive additional information, and for information on any non-disclosure agreements. Companies are to adhere to the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) procedures for the transmittal of classified responses. Company responses should clearly indicate the system(s) / technology area(s) addressed and include a one-page cover letter, and a three page (maximum) executive summary, with no limit on the detailed content. Companies are not limited to a single response. Submissions are required no later than 30 days from RFI publication; any submissions after the 30 days may be considered upon notice to James Moderski and Steven Upholzer of intent of submission within the 30 day window. Unclassified data submissions shall be submitted either through email to James Moderski and Steve Upholzer or DoD SAFE [https://safe.apps.mil]. If submitters do not have a CAC to access the DoD SAFE site, they shall inform James Moderski and Steven Upholzer via email of their desire to submit via DoD SAFE and Jim Moderski or Steve Upholzer will send a Request for Drop-off via DoD SAFE to the submitter's email address. More information on DoD SAFE can be found at: https://public.cyber.mil/dcs/faqs/#toggle-id-2. James Moderski telephone is (301) 481-2711 and his email is James.J.Moderski.ctr@navy.mil. Steven Upholzer telephone is (812) 325-2293 or (812) 854-4946 and his email is steven.h.upholzer.civ@us.navy.mil. Classified appendices (up to TS/SAR) shall be in compliance with current DoD directives and procedures. Address inquiries regarding submission of classified information to Michael Barnard (301) 757-7371 or Andrew Duley (301) 757-7360. DO NOT SEND ANY CLASSIFIED INFORMATION VIA UNCLASSIFIED EMAIL. Responses shall be submitted in electronic format (Microsoft Word 2016 or later, searchable Adobe Acrobat Portable Document Format (PDF) 8.0 or later, compatible formats). Each submission shall be electronic (virus-scanned) and sent via email to the TPOC listed above. Please submit your email with the subject line, - RFI pLEO Aperture: [Company Name]. Telephonic and oral responses are not acceptable. All responses must be received on or before the date specified. All responses shall include Company Name, Company Address, Company CAGE Code (if applicable), Company Business Size, and Points-of-Contact (POC) including name, phone number, and email address. Proprietary information, if any, must be clearly marked. To aid Naval Air Systems Command in its review and evaluation, please segregate proprietary information to the maximum extent practicable. As stated above, this is NOT a request for Proposal. THIS SYNOPSIS IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS A COMMITMENT BY THE GOVERNMENT, NOR WILL THE GOVERNMENT PAY FOR ANY INFORMATION SOLICITED OR PROVIDED. The response should include the following (repeat for each item being assessed): (First item being described/assessed) Descriptor Information: Aperture in this document is defined as the conformal array, supporting electrical interface and, if required by design, liquid or forced air cooling. Paired radome for the proposed aperture is also of interest for technical performance characteristics. Performance Characteristics anticipated Submissions are constrained to conformal designs. Conformal is defined herein as a non-mechanically steered array with a radome installed that maximizes antenna performance characteristics within the volumes of interest. Volumes of interest are provided in Classified Appendix pLEO Constellations of interest provided in Classified Appendix If vendor cannot meet the form factor provided in the classified appendix, they are to provide the required dimensions to meet the specifications outlined herein. Offerors shall provide technical details listed below on their aperture offerings for each location proposed to: Dimensions Weight (broken out by aperture and radome) Cooling Type required Dissipation required in Watts Power requirements VDC or VAC supplied Power draw required Gain tuned for maximum performance (with and without radome) Field of View (FoV) Antenna Pattern (preferred measured with and without radome) I/O Time Space Position Information Data rate Additional Required interfaces for aperture not explicitly stated in this RFI Additional references: Design Construction Reference documentation MIL-E-5400 For active components: ANSI/ASQC Q9001 Materials, Processes and Standard Parts MDC 91B0432 and NOR 93-301 Electrical Sealing Materials MIL-A-46146 MIL-S-8516 Grade B MIL-S-23586 Grade B Material Restrictions MDC 91B0432 Corrosion Resistance MDC 91B0432 Chemical Resistance No functional degradations or material deteriation shall occur following exposure to fluids including hydraulic fluids, lubricating oils, coolants, turbine fuels and cleaning fluids. Other standards may be applicable that are not explicitly referenced in this RFI. Environmental Characteristics anticipated Temperature MIL-E-5400T for Class II Equipment Humidity MIL-E-5400 section 3.2.24.4 Sand and Dust MIL-E-5400 section 3.2.24.7 Fungus MIL-E-5400 section 3.2.24.8 Salt Fog ASTM B117 for 184 hours Additional pertinent environmental characteristics not explicitly stated in this RFI Programmatic Characteristics anticipated Production Lead Time First units arrive no greater than 10 months After Receipt of Order (ARO) Expect Economies of Scale on ordering