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N6893625C0009

Definitive Contract

Overview

Government Description
SBIR 2 N231-010
Place of Performance
Melbourne, FL 32901 United States
Pricing
Cost Plus Fixed Fee
Set Aside
Small Business Set Aside - Total (SBA)
Extent Competed
Full And Open Competition After Exclusion Of Sources
Est. Average FTE
4
Related Opportunity
None
Critical Frequency Design was awarded Definitive Contract N6893625C0009 (N68936-25-C-0009) for Sbir 2 N231-010 worth up to $1,299,695 by Naval Air Warfare Centers in October 2024. The contract has a duration of 2 years and was awarded through SBIR Topic Active Low-Voltage Thin-Film Lithium Niobate Electro-Optic Modulator with a Small Business Total set aside with NAICS 541715 and PSC AC12 via direct negotiation acquisition procedures with 2 bids received. As of today, the Definitive Contract has a total reported backlog of $299,795.

SBIR Details

Research Type
Small Business Innovation Research Program (SBIR) Phase II
Title
Phase II Active Low-Voltage Thin-Film Lithium Niobate Electro-Optic Modulator
Abstract
Microwave photonics (MWP) offers many advantages for analog signal processing: operation across large frequency ranges with wide bandwidths, low-loss signal transport via optical fiber with excellent immunity to electromagnetic interference, low return loss and high isolation with switches and circulators, among many others. But the conversion of an electrical signal to an optical signal has historically been so poor, it has kept MWP from being implemented. An electro-optic modulator must have strong conversion efficiency, low insertion loss, a flat frequency response, and a high optical power threshold to enable the many possible applications of MWP systems.In response to this need, Critical Frequency Design (CFD) proposes the development of an electro-optic modulator with low half-wave voltage (Vpi) using thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN), coupled with a high-power optical amplifier integrated in a small, durable package. By leveraging the latest breakthroughs in chip-scale optical amplifiers and TFLN processing, combined with innovative packaging methods, CFD will produce an active modulator with sufficiently high performance to enable a balanced intensity modulation direct detection (IMDD) link with 3 dB noise figure (NF) and 116 dB*Hz2/3 spur-free dynamic range (SFDR).Two main parameters contribute significantly to the RF performance of an IMDD link: modulator half-wave voltage (Vpi) and optical power into the modulator. NF improves with lower Vpi and higher optical power, while SFDR depends more strongly on optical power but can be reduced when Vpi is low enough that the overall link gain is large and input thermal noise becomes the dominant noise term. To achieve the desired RF metrics of 3 dB NF and 116 dB*Hz2/3 SFDR, a modulator with 0.5 V Vpi and 30 dBm optical input power is needed. This project will produce a small form factor active modulator capable of maintaining such high performance in harsh environments, which will in turn enable a wide range of applications for RF and microwave systems.
Research Objective
The goal of phase II is to continue the R&D efforts initiated in Phase I. Funding is based on the results achieved in Phase I and the scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the project proposed in Phase II.
Topic Code
N231-010
Agency Tracking Number
N231-010-1325
Solicitation Number
23.1
Contact
Stephen R Mathis

Status
(Open)

Last Modified 10/22/24
Period of Performance
10/22/24
Start Date
4/17/26
Current End Date
10/17/26
Potential End Date
31.0% Complete

Obligations and Backlog
$999.9K
Total Obligated
$999.9K
Current Award
$1.3M
Potential Award
77% Funded
$0.0
Funded Backlog
$299.8K
Total Backlog

Award Hierarchy

Definitive Contract

N6893625C0009

Subcontracts

0

Activity Timeline

Interactive chart of timeline of amendments to N6893625C0009

People

Suggested agency contacts for N6893625C0009

Competition

Number of Bidders
2
Solicitation Procedures
Negotiated Proposal/Quote
Evaluated Preference
None
Commercial Item Acquisition
Commercial Item Procedures Not Used
Simplified Procedures for Commercial Items
No

Other Categorizations

Subcontracting Plan
Plan Not Required
Cost Accounting Standards
Exempt
Business Size Determination
Small Business
Defense Program
None
DoD Claimant Code
None
IT Commercial Item Category
Not Applicable
Awardee UEI
E2DHYME6B1T6
Awardee CAGE
6TXY9
Agency Detail
Awarding Office
N68936 NAVAL AIR WARFARE CENTER
Funding Office
N68936
Created By
anila.paul@navy.mil
Last Modified By
tara.randolph@navy.mil
Approved By
tara.randolph@navy.mil

Legislative

Legislative Mandates
None Applicable
Performance District
FL-08
Senators
Marco Rubio
Rick Scott
Representative
Bill Posey
Modified: 10/22/24