59 -- HIGH POWER VACUUM SWITCHES

The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), proposes to negotiate on a sole source basis contract under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) with Dow Key Microwave Corporation for thirty (30) high power RF switches. These switches are being purchased for compatibility and interchangeability with the radar wind profiler (RWP) system for use at the U.S. Air Force’s Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) sites. The required specifications for the high power switch(s) include 350 watt average power handling capability, greater than 15 dB isolation, maximum of 0.1 dB insertion loss, 7/16 DIN type long neck female connector and a vacuum relay activated, rated for 5 million switching cycles. Dow Key Microwave has specifically designed these switches to handle a higher power than our system transmits, to be reliable with high isolation, low insertion loss, and to posses a long mean-time between failures. These switches have gone through extensive field testing and meet the requirement for maintainability, data quality, repeatability, and system and data interfaces. Past history with other switches has shown problems with power handling capability and mean-time between failures. The new RWP must be identical to the production prototype, therefore, the switches must be provided by Dow Key Microwave. This procurement is being conducted per FAR Part 13.1, Simplified Acquisition Procedures (under $100K). This notice is for information purposes only. No competitive solicitation is planned. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether or not use of competitive procedures to fulfill this requirement would be in the Government's best interest and must address qualifications pertinent to this requirement. Anticipated award date will be December 2, 2005.