Request for Information (RFI) for Active Electronically Steered Array (AESA) Technology to Support PATRIOT Radar

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI): The Program Executive Office, Missile and Space, Lower Tier Project Office, Ground Support Equipment (LTPO-GSE) office is currently conducting market research. This notice is a RFI only. This is not an invitation for bid (IFB), request for quotation (RFQ), or request for proposal (RFP). This notice is published in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Parts 10.002 and 15.201 in support of market research. No award is intended as a result of this synopsis as the Government has no intention to pay for information received. This RFI is issued for the purpose of acquiring information on Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) Antenna Technology to Upgrade or Replace the PATRIOT Radar. The Government will not reimburse contractors or responders to this notice for any costs incurred in responding, or any subsequent exchange of information. All responses shall be no longer than 5 pages, (font size 12) and transmitted electronically to Contract Specialist, Michael Mannarino, at e-mail Michael.a.mannarino10.civ@mail.mil no later than 5:00 p.m. EST on 28 March 2016. No telephone or facsimile requests will be accepted. Responses will not be returned nor will be considered by the Government as offers. This RFI is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as an IFB, RFQ, or RFP. Additionally, there is no obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products described in this RFI. Your response to this RFI will be treated only as information for the Government to consider. You will not be entitled to payment for direct or indirect costs that you incur in responding to this RFI. This request 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 effort. The information provided may be used by the Army in developing its acquisition strategy. Interested parties are responsible for adequately marking proprietary, restricted or competition sensitive information contained in their response. LTPO-GSE requests information on AESA Antenna radar technology already developed or in development that could be utilized to upgrade or replace the PATRIOT radars fielded by the US Army and International Partners. LTPO-GSE will assess industry responses for AESA Antenna upgrades to the existing PATRIOT radar and/or responses to replace the existing PATRIOT radar with an AESA Antenna based radar. The maturity of the AESA Antenna technology must be at a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6 or higher and manufacturing processes must be at a Manufacturing Readiness Level (MRL) of 6 or higher, or have the ability to reach a TRL/MRL of 6 or higher within eighteen (18) months after award of a technology maturation and risk reduction type contract. The objective of this RFI is to assess current, gallium nitride (GaN) based AESA Antenna capabilities within the US defense electronics industrial base, particularly as they relate to existing and future PATRIOT radar specifications and capabilities. The key objective for a potential PATRIOT radar replacement or upgrade to AESA Antenna technology is to reduce overall radar Operation & Support (O&S) cost out to FY40 while maintaining and/or improving radar performance against emerging threats. Goals of the PATRIOT 30 year strategy are to reduce the PATRIOT radar O&S cost and to extend the service life of PATRIOT legacy missiles to 40 years. Responses to this RFI will be in the form of yes or no to the specific questions, listed below, with a brief justification or rationale not to exceed 200 words per question. All responses are to be unclassified. 1. Has the respondent received a TRL 6 or higher rating for GaN-based AESA and Transmit and Receive (T/R) technology in one or more of the following frequency bands L, S, C, or X? 2. Has the respondent received an MRL 6 or higher rating for GaN-based AESA and T/R technology in one or more of the following frequency bands L, S, C, or X? 3. Does the respondent have an active facility security clearance that allows generating, processing, storing, sending and receiving of CLASSIFIED information/data and the ability to development/test hardware and software at the Secret or higher level? Please provide your companies active Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) code. 4. Does the respondent have in place the infrastructure and ability to support a large scale development and production for AESA technology? 5. Does the respondent have demonstrated experience in exporting AESA technology that was originally developed for US Department of Defense Military applications? 6. Does the respondent have experience or capability in design, development and demonstration of receiver, exciter and waveform generator technology at a TRL6 or higher in one or more of the following frequency bands L, S, C, or X? 7. Does the respondent have experience and the capability/infrastructure to perform calibration/alignment of AESA antennas in one or more of the following frequency bands L, S, C, or X?