NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE REQUIREMENT DESCRIPTION: The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division (NAWCWD) intends to procure a commercial Radio Frequency (RF) record and playback solution. The acquisition consists of: One (1) Rohde & Schwarz (R&S) IQW Wideband I/Q Recorder One (1) R&S SMW200A Vector Signal Generator Associated software, licenses (including the FSW-B517 digital streaming interface upgrade), cables, and support. The required solution must be capable of playing back previously recorded RF signals from a Government-owned library stored in a proprietary R&S In-phase Quadrature (I/Q) format. The system must stream the high-speed I/Q data and convert it back to the analog RF data needed to stimulate the EA-18G aircraft's electronic warfare systems in a laboratory test environment. SOLE-SOURCE RATIONALE: The Government has determined that Rohde & Schwarz is the only source capable of satisfying this requirement. This determination is based on the following: 1. Proprietary Data Compatibility: The EA-18G program's critical test data library, which consists of terabytes of classified threat recordings, exists exclusively in a proprietary Rohde & Schwarz I/Q data format. The Government’s existing I/Q data library is maintained in proprietary R&S format. The required solution must use those files natively or otherwise demonstrate preservation of data integrity, metadata, timing, sample rate, bandwidth, phase coherence, and signal fidelity without introducing unacceptable schedule risk.
Market research did not identify an available non-R&S solution that met those conditions. 2. Unacceptable Schedule Risk and Cost: As determined by market research (Sources Sought N6893627Q5001), The alternate OEM solutions evaluated by the technical activity relied on file translation, conversion, or non-native interface approaches that would require validation of converted I/Q data and present unacceptable data-fidelity and schedule risk. WesTest proposed an R&S-supported integration approach intended to avoid or control conversion; however, WesTest subsequently withdrew because it could not assure the required OEM-backed proprietary support. The Government’s existing I/Q data library requires native use of proprietary R&S-format files. Market research did not identify an available source, other than Rohde & Schwarz, that could furnish the complete required configuration including the proprietary equipment, upgrades, licenses, and OEM-backed technical support without data conversion or unacceptable technical and schedule risk. Response Instructions Responses are are due no later than 15 days After posting Submit responses by e-mail to: Primary Point of Contact: Stephanie Amoni,
[email protected], 564-230-3333 Secondary Point of Contact: Joyce Toye,
[email protected], 858-978-4847 Use the following e-mail subject line: Response to Notice of Intent to Sole Source – N6893627Q5001– I/Q Test Equipment Capability Disclaimer: Information received will be used solely to determine whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The Government will not reimburse respondents for any costs associated with preparation or submission of a response. Interested firms must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database at https://sam.gov/.