Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Satellite Communication (SATCOM) capability for U.S. Army Manpack radios (AN/PRC-158 and AN/PRC-162) - Request for Information/Market Research

Description

MUOS ANTENNA RFI DESCRIPTION: MARKET RESEARCH/REQUEST FOR INFORMATION. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENT EXISTS. Project Manager Tactical Radio is conducting a market survey to determine the availability of commercial or Non-Developmental Item (NDI) antennas that provide connectivity between the Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) Satellite Communication (SATCOM) capability and the US Army Manpack radios (AN/PRC-158 and AN/PRC-162).

This market research/announcement is a Request for Information (RFI) only. If US Army decides to purchase this equipment, there will be a Request for Proposal (RFP) published. It is the government's intention to request antennas be submitted with the RFP for testing purposes.

A. BACKGROUND: The MUOS capability is the next generation of tactical Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) Over-the-Horizon voice and limited data SATCOM capability. The MUOS capability has higher capacity compared to legacy systems, higher data rates, improved link availability, and worldwide Global Information Grid (GIG) connectivity. The utilization of the MUOS capability will provide for an increased number of user terminals as well as improving worldwide GIG connectivity. The US Army Manpack radios consists of dismounted soldier, vehicular and Tactical Operations Center configurations, although this RFI is specific to dismounted soldier only. Current antennas in use by the Army are cumbersome to use and prone to breakage.

B. USE CASE: US Army is seeking information for an At-the-Pause Antenna that can be used in temporary locations with the AN/PRC-158 or AN/PRC-162 in the dismounted soldier configuration when time is available to set up an antenna. Antennas should be easy to set up and tear down and be survivable in a harsh environment.

C. DETAILED REQUIREMENTS:

At-the-Pause Antenna:

Transmit and receive the MUOS waveform simultaneously (300-320 MHz transmit, 360-380 MHz receive)
- Transmit and receive Dedicated SATCOM 5KHZ and 25KHZ Channels, Demand Assigned Multiple Access (DAMA) SATCOM 5KHZ and 25KHZ Channels and Integrated Waveform (IW) Channels
- System Power Compatibility 20 Watts
- Radiation Pattern Directional
- Operating Temperature -40 deg to 150 deg F
- RF Connection to radio: N type
- Mounting freestanding antenna with ground mount
- Flexible mounting options desired, e.g. magnetic, attach to structure, weighed down in place, etc.
- Storage carrying case for operational use, if required
- Easily put together and put away for stowage
- Easily pointed to the known angle to the satellite and secured in place
- Resistant to strong wind without being pushed over
- Lightweight, to be carried in a backpack
- Survivable, not easily damaged
- Right Hand Circular Polarized
- Maximum gain should be at least 7 dBic

The following details should be provided:

Antenna name/part number

Antenna overall size assembled (Height x Length x Width)

Antenna overall size disassembled (Height x Length x Width)

Setup time for the antenna

Disassembly/pack up time for the antenna

Antenna and carrying case weight

Recommend RF cable length from the antenna to the Radio

Any special tools needed for assembly/disassembly

Carrying case details including: hard/soft, size, and weight

Antenna frequency range

Provide the radiation pattern & gain.

Polarization

Elevation above the plane (Field of View)

Voltage Standing Wave Ratio (VSWR)

Impedance

Color

Antenna storage provisions

Please state if any Government testing has been conducted on the antenna(s), and if the test data is available to be disseminated to the Government.

D. Availability: Please provide information on whether the antennas are under development or currently available. If the antennas are under development, provide the date of availability. Please provide information and details, if known, about evaluation by any US Government organization.

For future testing purposes, please provide details for each antenna on the availability of 1, 5 or 10 production systems for evaluation if the government proceeds with an RFP.

Additionally, US Army would like to know the planned monthly production capability.

E. Pricing: Please provide an estimated price for each antenna. Each kit would contain one of the antennas specified above, as well as manuals, cables, accessories and cases (as appropriate).

F. Additional Information: Please state if each antenna will be able to be used on a full duplex radio system. Include your cage code and your business size in your response. Provide comments on the availability of antennas for testing during a proposal evaluation. Provide a list of contracts your company has with all Government Agencies (i.e. Army, Airforce, Department of Defense, GSA, etc.). Include the contract number and a Point of Contact for the contract at the Government Agency. Do not send antennas with your response to this RFI.

G. Response Guidelines: Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI. The response should not exceed a 10 MB e-mail limit for all items associated with the RFI response. www.Sam.Gov will be the sole repository for all information related to this RFI.

Companies who wish to respond to this RFI should send responses via email no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Time on 07 June 2023, to Shawntil.m.eure.civ@army.mil, and Geoffrey.r.erhart.civ@army.mil.

H. Questions: Questions regarding this announcement shall be submitted in writing by e-mail to Shawntil.m.eure.civ@army.mil, and Geoffrey.r.erhart.civ@army.mil. Verbal questions will NOT be accepted. Questions shall be submitted no later than 5:00 PM Eastern Time on 24 May 2023.

DISCLAIMER: This RFI and is not an RFP and is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals nor will any award be made as a result of this RFI.

All information contained in the RFI is preliminary as well as subject to modification and is in no way binding on the Government. The Government does not intend to pay for information received in response to this RFI. Responders to this invitation are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. This RFI will be the basis for collecting information on capabilities available. This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes. Proprietary information and trade secrets, if any, must be clearly marked on all materials. All information received in this RFI that is marked Proprietary will be handled accordingly. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned nor will receipt be confirmed. In accordance with FAR 15.201(e), responses to this RFI are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract.

*Prospective contractors are hereby notified that the Government may utilize Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA) support contractor services in the review of any information provided.. Non-Disclosure Agreements for SETA contractors have been established.