REQUEST FOR INFORMATION Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division Office of Naval Research, Enhanced Weapons Technology Enabling Capability for High Speed Component Products and Future Naval Capabilities Office 1.0 Description 1.1 The Naval Air Warfare Center, Weapons Division (NAWCWD) in support of the Office of Naval Research, Enhanced Weapons Technology Enabling Capability for High Speed Component Products is seeking information on methods to design and apply a Frequency Selective Surface (FSS) to a high speed weapon radome. The purpose of the FSS is to allow the transmission of an active radar design frequency by the radome, while simultaneously blocking transmission at all other frequencies. 1.2 THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP) or a promise to issue an RFP in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Navy is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this RFI; all costs associated with responding to this RFI will be solely at the interested party’s expense. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future RFP, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. It is the responsibility of the potential responders to monitor these sites for additional information pertaining to this requirement. 1.3 Responses to this notice will be used for market research by NAWCWD to determine industry capabilities and thus help verify the Government's requirements for future solicitations. Information from this research could be used to establish promising areas of technology development and investment under the NAWCWD Future Naval Capability (FNC) High Speed Components Program. 1.0 Background 2.1 The High Speed Components (HSC) Future Naval Capability (FNC) Program was conceived in 2007 to advance the state of the art for high speed missile flight, while providing near term benefits to existing programs of record. The HSC program has focused on the competitive development of a robust and inexpensive radome. 2.2 An improvement over current radome electrical and structural performance characteristics is desired for new high-speed missile systems. This High Speed Components Program addresses the need for a radome having low susceptibility to thermal gradients, improved performance at higher temperatures and aerodynamic loads, increased handling toughness for high tempo shipboard operations, and acceptable electrical properties for accommodating dual mode tracking systems. 2.3 This RFI specifically addresses the ability to incorporate a FSS into the radome design with development efforts focusing on improving manufacturing and production techniques. The final product will have superior performance characteristics and be produced at a cost savings compared to current radomes requiring this capability. 2.0 Requested Information 3.1 Responses to the RFI will describe a concept(s) that is currently being or would be pursued; the FSS design approach, and methodologies for applying FSS to a ceramic matrix radome with a base diameter slightly larger than 8 inches, a fineness ratio of 1.5 to 1.8, operating temperatures ranging from 900oF (several minutes) to 1770oF (several seconds), and a Von Karman ogive forward nose shape. Any risks associated with the technology and its application, particularly in the area of fabrication process development and compatibility with inherent radome electrical and structural properties need to be addressed. Responder teams will include a description of management, cost, schedule, and technology development strategies envisioned for this effort. The responder team will include their background and experience and how they relate to the successful integration of the FSS feature into a radome development. 3.2 Frequency Selective Surface technologies of interest should meet the following criteria: • A sub-component Technology Readiness Level (TRL) at start of 3 to 4 with the requirement to reach TRL 6 at completion • Take less than 2.5 years for FSS technology to mature to TRL 6 • Be suitable for adaptation to active radar seeker systems in the W-frequency band, with the possibility of adaptation to Ka, Ku, X or other Navy relevant bands. 4.0 Responses 4.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI with a white paper. 4.1.2 The purpose of the white paper is to gather information related to technical concepts and the approach that the responder team is or will be pursuing to integrate and develop the proposed technology into a radome concept for high speed weapons. It is anticipated that the papers received will reflect the best available technology assessments from those companies, universities and other research entities that are particularly knowledgeable in the fields of military radar, air warfare, and weapons. Consolidated technology assessments from groups of performers are not anticipated. 4.1.3 NAWCWD is seeking from responders a white paper focusing on one or more aspects of the FSS technologies outlined above and as described in sections 3.1 & 3.2. Of particular interest would be (1) those specific areas in which industry leaders are expending their own R&D funds in the expectation of technological advancement, and (2) recent breakthroughs or significant improvements in Frequency Selective Surfaces of which the Navy may not already be cognizant. The white paper should offer insights into the current and near-term future industry achievements in the areas identified in section 3.1. This is an opportunity for companies to focus on their own product or process successes, as well as highlight overall advancements in the field and those reasonably anticipated to be reached within the next 2.5 years. 4.1.4 The due date for receipt of White Papers is JANUARY 28, 2011 no later than 1500 Pacific Standard Time (PST). 4.2 Proprietary Information: Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. The responder is requested to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with the NAWCWD support contractor listed below for the purpose of permitting them to review and evaluate white papers submitted in response to this RFI. A sample NDA may be obtained from the NAWCWD contracting officer:
[email protected]. The support contractor Point of Contact who will review the response of those desiring and/or needing a NDA follows. Company: Jacobs Technology (760)-446-1549
[email protected] 4.3 White Paper Suggested Format: The White Papers submitted under this RFI are expected to be unclassified. The Paper submissions will be protected from unauthorized disclosure in accordance with FAR 15.207, applicable law, and DoD/DoN regulations. Paper Size: 8.5 x 11 inch paper, and 11X17 inch paper for schedule and/or design concept foldouts Margins: 1 inch Spacing: Single or double-spaced Microsoft Word: Office 2007 Font: Arial, no less than 10 point Number of Pages: The Government requests that the white paper be no more than 10 pages. Double sided printing is encouraged. The Cover Page, Table of Contents, and the following Copies: One (1) original via email, and one (1) electronic copy on a CD-ROM, (in Microsoft Office or PDF format). 4.4 White Paper Content, Section 1: Administrative information, and shall include the following: 4.4.1 Cover Page: The words “White Paper� shall appear on the cover page in addition to the following information: (not included in page count) RFI Number: N68936-11-R-0011 High Speed Components Technology Identity of Prime Responder team and complete list of partners, if applicable Technical contact (name, address, phone/fax, electronic mail address) Administrative/business contact (name, address, phone/fax, electronic mail address) Table of Contents: (not included in page count) 4.4.2 Either 1) copies of executed non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) with the contractor supporting NAWCWD in technical evaluations, or 2) a statement that the responder will not allow the Government to release its proprietary data to the Government support contractor. In the absence of either of the foregoing, the Government will assume that the responder does NOT agree to the release of its submission to Government support contractors. The number of pages in Section 1 of the white paper does not need to be included in the 10-page limitation, i.e., the 10-page limitation applies only to Section 2 of the white paper. 4.5 White Paper Content, Section 2: Answers to the issues addressed in Section 3.0 of this RFI and shall be limited to 10 pages. 4.5.1 Technical content: Executive summary Detailed description of the technical solution that is proposed 5.0 Industry Discussions NAWCWD representatives may have discussions with responder’s to further clarify information requested in section 3, or a potential capability that is noted in a white paper, especially any design and development fabrication risks. 6.0 Questions Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to the Principal Investigator. Questions shall NOT contain proprietary or classified information. The Government does not guarantee that questions received after JANUARY 20, 2010, 1600 PST will be answered. Robert Van Dyken Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division NAVAIR 476100D 1900 N. Knox Rd., Stop 6622 China Lake, CA 93555-6106 Phone: (760) 939-8065 Email:
[email protected] 7.0 Summary THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY to identify sources that can provide HIGH SPEED RADOME FSS DESIGN AND FABRICATION EXPERTISE. The information provided in the RFI is subject to change and is not binding on the Government. The Navy has not made a commitment to procure any of the items discussed, and release of this RFI should not be construed as such a commitment or as authorization to incur cost for which reimbursement would be required or sought. All submissions become Government property and will not be returned.