Request For Information on Space-Qualified Ka-Band CDL

The Operationally Responsive Space Office (ORSO), Kirtland AFB New Mexico is interested in receiving information relating to the technical feasibility, costs, delivery schedules and current state-of-the-art of a Space-qualified Ka-Band Common Data Link (CDL) development effort. Feedback is very important relative to identification of assumptions, compliance concerns/questions and development/production risks. The ORS Office has the mission responsibility for development, test and evaluation, and acquisition of an array of communications and data dissemination systems and subsystems. This CDL enabler capability for the ORS office primarily would support ISR imagery downlink or other missions requiring encrypted downlink of significant amounts of sensor data. The CDL downlink-only capability operating at 2 Mbps and 274 Mbps using the BR-2.0 and BR-274-D waveforms must comply with Std-CDL Specification 7681990 Rev. F and be compatible with the Std-CDL Specification Rev G. It is anticipated that this system will be tested at proto-qual levels and therefore an engineering model and two flight models will be ordered and delivered. In addition, ability of the transmitter to operate with the Bandwidth Efficient - CDL (BE-CDL) family of waveforms up to a 600Mbps data rate should be presented. The CDL transmitter will be compatible with the modified Tactical Wideband Interoperable Surface Terminal (TWISTER) ground terminal and GEN 3 ground component electronics or other current Service systems such as the Multi-Band Integrated Satellite Terminal (MIST) operating in Ka-Band. Additional details are found in the Draft Capabilities Description that can be provided upon request. This document is export controlled and will only be provided to companies that have a Militarily Critical Technical Data Agreement in place with DLIS. As part of your response to this RFI, provide a Rough Order of Magnitude estimate as it relates to the delivery schedule. Responses can be submitted in either a Word document narrative limited to 25 single spaced pages or as a Powerpoint of PDF briefing of no more than 50 slides. Sources responding to this Request for Information (RFI) should identify any information which will enable the Government to determine industries' interest in supporting the Space-qualified Ka-Band CDL requirements. RFI responses will contribute to the Market Research Report as part of the acquisition strategy development process. Currently, the acquisition strategy has not been determined. Sources responding are invited to provide input into the acquisition strategy, including development of the source selection evaluation criteria. Additionally, recommendations concerning contract type, contract clauses, other aspects of the acquisition strategy; and anything else that would help in defining an efficient and effective acquisition program, to include any ongoing contracts/agreements with DoD or Non/DoD Agencies that your Company already have in place that may be used to fulfill this requirement, are requested. The ORS Office is always looking to team with other agencies. Once an acquisition strategy has been selected and approved, a draft RFP will be posted on FedBizOpps prior to the release of the formal RFP. A Draft Capabilities Description will be provided upon request to approved companies and provide information concerning the general scope of the program as well as technical requirements based on guiding documentation. A final SOW will be developed as part of the acquisition strategy for the Space-qualified Ka-Band CDL Program. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS RFI OR TO OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a RFP or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. Responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. No entitlement for payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this RFI or the Government's use of such information. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or part, any contractor's input resulting from this RFI. This RFI does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated or received for this contemplated effort. The information you provide may be utilized by the ORS Office in developing its market research report and acquisition strategy. Industry is encouraged to respond with information not constrained by proprietary data rights. However, if proprietary data is included in your reply, please mark it appropriately. Interested firms are requested to submit information outlining their acquisition recommendations/strategies as requested above no later than 27 June 2011. Small Business sources responding should state their business size status based on the following NAICS codes 541712/334220 and whether they are interested as a prime or subcontractor. Replies to this RFI should be sent to Mr. Frank Strub, Director of Contracts, ORS, 3548 Aberdeen Ave SE, Bldg 382, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117, Phone (505) 853-2838, email frank.strub2@kirtland.af.mil. Additional technical information may be obtained from Mr. Kris Woolley, ORS Office, 3548 Aberdeen Ave SE, Bldg 404, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117, Phone (505) 853-4150, email kriston.woolley@kirtland.af.mil.