Inactive

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION/RFI/Sources Sought 273FCC22SN001 THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT/RFI IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. ... REQUEST FOR INFORMATION/RFI/Sources Sought 273FCC22SN001 THIS REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)/SOURCES SOUGHT/RFI IS ISSUED SOLELY FOR INFORMATION AND PLANNING PURPOSES ONLY. THIS IS NOT A SOLICITATION. THE SUBMISSION OF PRICING, CAPABILITIES FOR PLANNING PURPOSES, AND OTHER MARKET INFORMATION IS HIGHLY ENCOURAGED AND ALLOWED UNDER THIS RFI IN ACCORDANCE WITH (IAW) FAR 15.201(e). DISCLAIMER This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. IAW FAR 15.201(e), responses to this notice are not offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. SOURCES SOUGHT. The purpose of this notice is to gain knowledge of potential qualified sources, their capabilities and their business size classification. Responses to this Notice will be used by the Government to make appropriate acquisition decisions. After review of the responses to THIS NOTICE, a solicitation announcement may/may not be published. This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Solicitation or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. Further, it does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. The FCC is not seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Please be 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 solicitation. If a solicitation is released, advertised on the System for Award Management (www.sam.gov). It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this site for additional information pertaining to this requirement. 1.0 Description 1.1 The Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Office of Engineering and Technology (OET), Laboratory Division (LAB) is seeking information on industry capability to provide a set of THz/sub-THz power sources to perform atmospheric propagation tests for advanced, next generation communication systems (5G/6G). A THz source system here considered provides the ability to explore a variety of power and frequency scenarios for modulated signals transmitted through noisy channels, and with unpredictable throughput performances. The ability to reach milliwatt-level power in the upper range of the THz spectrum is also critical for establishing minimum conditions under which a specific channel can be effectively used without being impacted by interference. More recently, THz waves have been considered as the telecommunications next frontier, opening up the perspective for the fifth/sixth-generation (5G/6G) communication devices. In this context, the FCC has expanded its definition of “Radiofrequency”, and thus its scope, to include frequencies up to 3 THz (3000 GHz). The FCC also introduced the Spectrum Horizons Experimental Radio Licenses (FCC 19-19, published at 84 FR 25685, June 4, 2019, updating a section of CFR 47 Part 5), for equipment designed to operate on any frequency between 95 GHz and 3 THz. The OET LAB is supporting the FCC mission by developing procedures for equipment authorization, and the proposed new equipment will extend the present operational capabilities in the THz range (also referred to as sub-millimeter range, in reference to the wavelength, that at 1 THz is 0.3 mm), to include a wider range of testing options, both in terms of power and choice of frequencies. In many operational scenarios considered for the THz communication technologies, information is being transmitted in low signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) channels, or in presence large fluctuations of the channel typical propagation characteristics. In these conditions, proper evaluation of communication performances may require exploration of different frequency propagation windows, accounting for variable atmospheric attenuation characteristics. 1.2 FCC is conducting market research through this notice to capture information from the vendor community on the marketplace of potential solutions. Thie FCC is seeking input as follows: a. Industry’s general comments on the FCC’s business needs and possible solutions including proposals of alternate methods of meeting business needs; b. Industry’s capability to perform the work (including perceived risks and level of customization required); c. Industry’s estimate of the approximate cost to acquire and implement the proposed solution; d. Industry’s ability to demonstrate a proposed solution; and, e. Industry’s ability to propose innovative strategies for meeting FCC’s needs, including multi-vendor collaborative solutions, solutions that leverage open source tools, and enhancements that will bring value. The desired outcomes of this notice are as follows: a. Learn more about what needs can and cannot be met with existing market offerings; b. Determine the approximate cost of acquiring, implementing, and maintaining the solution(s); c. Learn about the technology and staff resources that may be required to implement and support the solution; and, d. Determine any future budget planning needs. 2.0 Statement of Objectives The contractor shall provide a set of THz/sub-THz power sources to perform atmospheric propagation tests for advanced, the fifth/sixth-generation (5G/6G) communication systems. The required THz wave source system shall be characterized by the following set of qualifying requirements: A set of sources providing several frequencies in the range extending from 100 GHz to 3 THz, covered via any combination of tunable sources, or via selected fixed sources Output power from 100 mW at 300 GHz to 1 mW at 3 THz (or with better performances, i.e., 3.3 GHz, 3.8 GHz) with tunable power level option Continuous Wave (CW) or Quasi CW (QCW) operations with trigger control Electronic control for switching between different fixed frequencies Adjustable frequency sources provided with 10% (or larger) tunability Beam collimation at 1 THz (FWHM) 40° FWHM (Full Width Half Maximum), or better External modulation input capability, at least up to 2 kHz Software interface for real-time instrument control and data visualization and post-processing Turn-key system configuration (including any mechanical accessories, such vacuum system, if required) In addition, the contractor shall provide: information on original calibration process and on recurring calibration needs provide at least one (1) year warranty with renewal options 1-2 on-site trainings for the lab engineers (2-5) technical support service to the lab engineers 3.0 Responses 3.1 Interested parties are requested to respond to this RFI. 3.2 Written responses in a PDF compatible format are due to the Contracting Officer by 24 June 2022 at 4:30 PM EST. Responses shall be submitted via e-mail only to Susan.Nicholson@fcc.gov. The Subject Line Should be Clearly Identified: RESPONSE TO RFI 273FCC22SN001 COMPANY NAME Proprietary information, if any, should be minimized and MUST BE CLEARLY MARKED. To aid the Government, please segregate proprietary information. Please be advised that all submissions become Government property and will not be returned. 3.3. Section 1 of the response shall provide administrative information, and shall include the following as a minimum: 3.3.1. Organization Name, mailing address, physical address (if different from mailing address), phone number, fax number, and e-mail of designated point of contact. 3.3.2. Tailored capability statements addressing the particulars of this effort, with appropriate documentation supporting claims of organizational and staff capability. If significant subcontracting or teaming is anticipated in order to deliver technical capability, organizations should address the administrative and management structure of such arrangements. 3.3.3. Business type (large business, small business, small disadvantaged business, 8(a)-certified small disadvantaged business, HUBZone small business, woman-owned small business, very small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business) based upon North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 541990, All Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services. Please refer to Federal Acquisition Regulation FAR 19 for additional detailed information on Small Business Size Standards. If the Vendor Determines another NAICS is appropriate, please include in your response. The number of pages in Section 1 of the response shall not be included in the 3-page limitation, the 3-page limitation applies only to Section 2 of the response. Responses should not include elaborate presentations with graphics at this time. 3.4 The response should also include any questions, or any information that is not clear, or could otherwise be improved upon in order to perform the requirements of any potential solicitation/or contract to address industry standards. Submit responses as identified above to the Contracting Officer NOT LATER THAN 24 June 2022 at 4:30 PM EST. via e-mail only to Susan.Nicholson@fcc.gov. The Subject Line Should be Clearly Identified: RESPONSE TO RFI 273FCC22SN001 and COMPANY NAME