Semiconductor-Tuned High Temperature Superconductor Filters for Ultrasensitive RF Receivers (SURF)

NOTICE OF CONTRACT ACTION FOR NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD SOLE SOURCE PROCUREMENT FOR Semiconductor-Tuned High Temperature Superconductor Filters for Ultrasensitive RF Receivers (SURF) Program. This is an announcement that the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) intends to award a Sole Source contract to Teledyne Scientific & Imaging (TSI) LLC, Thousand Oaks, CA for a new effort under the (Phase 2) Semiconductor-Tuned High-Temperature Superconducting Filters for Ultra Sensitive RF Receivers (SURF) Program. The concept of SURF program is to develop the technologies needed for the next generation of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) filters, enabling them to be tuned at microsecond speeds, and with other parameters (high quality factor "Q', low insertion loss, high out-of-band rejection, etc.). Under the DARPA SURF phase 1 initiative, TSI demonstrated first generation switches and delivered parts to STI for insertion into their prototype HTS filters. These challenging circuits required the creation of new and unique modeling techniques and tools to allow the design and simulation of ABCS circuits. Recently, TSI has also been developing high-performance, broadband amplifiers for phased-array antennas signal intelligence applications. Experience gained from these efforts will directly impact the work proposed here for the development of the SURF phase 2 switches. In the Phase II effort Teledyne Scientific will act as a prime contractor and plans to develop next generation Antimonide Based Compound Semiconductor (ABCS) devices to build switches and amplifiers in support of Superconductor Technologies Inc. (STI) SURF Phase 2 effort focused on the development of the technology necessary for a new type of High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) planar thin film tuned filters. These filters will be very small, integrated, reconfigurable cryogenic planar HTS filters that are cost effective for military applications. The filters are intended to initially work over sub-bands in the approximate frequency range of 0.5 GHz to 2 GHz, but these limits are not hard and future applications may be outside of this range. Vendors who are capable of providing the services stated above shall fully identify their interest and submit, in writing, information documenting their qualifications and capabilities to meet the requirements stated above within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. Responses must be submitted to Dawn M Ross, Contracting Officer, via email at dawn.ross@wpafb.af.mil. Responses received after 15 days or without the required information will be considered non-responsive to the synopsis, and will not be considered. Other business opportunities for the Air Force Research Laboratory are available at www.fedbizopps.gov. The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received within forty-five days (thirty days if award is issued under an existing basic ordering agreement) after date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Direct questions to the Contracting point of contact identified in the announcement.