Airborne Direction Finding Systems

Background
The United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has identified a critical need to enhance the situational awareness and force protection of its operators. This request for information (RFI) is aimed at identifying sources capable of providing an airborne Direction Finding (DF) system to support the Joint Threat Warning System (JTWS). The RFI is for market research and planning purposes only, and does not constitute a solicitation for proposals. The Government intends to leverage the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) or a Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) to conduct the JTWS Air DF project effort.

Work Details
The RFI seeks innovative solutions from industry to transition from current limitations to a highly capable, agile architecture for airborne DF systems. The desired system should be significantly lighter, consume less power, cover a frequency range from HF to SHF, and provide higher accuracy than existing systems. Vendors are requested to detail how their proposed systems will integrate into the platform, including:

1. Antenna Performance & Frequency: Describe antenna type and effective frequency range with performance graphs.
2. SWaP-C Characteristics: Provide dimensions, total weight, peak and average power consumption values.
3. Environmental: Ensure ruggedization compliant with MIL-STD.
4. Interfaces: Must interface with software defined radios, including Ethernet and RF ports.
5. Technology & Manufacturing Readiness Level (TRL/MRL): Current TRL and MRL with supporting evidence.
6. System Integration: Identify standards relevant to Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA).
7. Supply Chain & Origin: Indicate if solution is COTS or GOTS and describe supply chain risk management.
8. Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Cost: Provide non-binding ROM cost for quantities of 10, 50, and 100 units.
9. Production & Delivery: Describe production capability and lead times for initial and full-rate production.

Place of Performance
Hanahan SC 29410 UNITED STATES

Bidder Requirements
Bidders must demonstrate capabilities in providing airborne DF systems that meet specified performance characteristics, including compliance with environmental standards such as MIL-STD, integration capabilities with existing infrastructure, and readiness levels of proposed technologies.