RFI - UMTE X Band Transmitter

The U.S. Department of Defense, through the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, is conducting market research via a Request for Information (RFI) to identify industry capabilities for consolidating and replacing obsolete, single-function X-band transmitter systems currently used on legacy ground-based threat emitter platforms designated TK-1, TK-2, and TK-4. The objective is to develop a single, modernized transmitter that eliminates obsolescence while maintaining or improving performance across critical parameters including a frequency range of 6.5 GHz to 15.5 GHz, antenna gain between 36.2 dBi and 43.7 dBi, a 250 W (53.98 dBm) power amplifier output, and an effective radiated power target exceeding 88 dBm. The system must support pulse widths from 0.3 to 100 microseconds and a minimum pulse repetition interval of 2.0 microseconds, while being compatible with an existing 20 kW nominal power source. The proposed architecture must be based on solid-state technologies such as GaN or TWT, and must integrate fully with existing pedestal/servo systems, RECU, baseband equipment, cryptographic devices, and legacy antenna infrastructure, potentially requiring a new wide-band antenna and waveguide. Size, weight, power, and cooling (SWaP-C) metrics must be provided with emphasis on reduction and compatibility with current footprints, adhering to a Modular Open Systems Approach. RFI responses must be submitted electronically by July 18, 2026, no later than 1700 MST to Heather Ball at heather.ball@us.af.mil, and are limited to 10 pages in PDF format with Times New Roman 12-point font and one-inch margins. All submissions must be unclassified, and proprietary information must be clearly marked. Respondents are required to provide complete business information including company name, address, point of contact, phone, email, CAGE code, web page, Central Contractor Registration status, and ownership status as U.S. or foreign-owned. Registration in the System for Award Management (SAM) is mandatory for eligibility in future contract awards. A Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) cost estimate must be included, and while no formal contract type is yet determined, the eventual procurement is anticipated to combine Firm Fixed Price and Cost-Plus Fixed Fee elements. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs incurred in preparing RFI submissions