N00173-26-SSN-TS07
Engineering Support for Design, Development, and Integration of RF and HF Systems
DEPT OF DEFENSE > DEPT OF THE NAVY > ONR > ONR NRL > NAVAL RESEARCH LABORATORY
Rejected
Quick analysis
NRL Sources Sought for RF/HF radar engineering R&D, integration, and test support (mobile OTH, HF surface wave, arctic OTH, homeland defense radar, high‑power HF transmitters, multifunction RF).
Scope includes analysis/modeling, signal processing HW/SW, RF measurements, mechanical analysis, CAD/antenna plans, platform integration, field/lab testing; classified work up to Secret; rapid deployment of two personnel within one day for US deployments; potential OCONUS installs with limited oversight.
No incumbent cited (new effort). Place of performance at NRL DC and multiple Mid‑Atlantic ranges/sites (Pax River, Wallops, Tilghman Island, Chesapeake Bay Detachment).
Trace has strong SE&I/T&E, E&I facility integration, platform integration experience, global FSR/OCONUS logistics, and Secret/TS facility clearance posture, but lacks explicitly documented RF/HF radar R&D past performance in the provided company profile. Teaming with radar SMEs will likely be required for credibility on specialized HF/OTH radar/transmitter tasks.
Scope summary
- Provide engineering R&D, design, development, and integration for RF/HF systems (mobile OTH, HF surface wave, arctic OTH, homeland defense radar, high‑power HF transmitters, multifunction RF).
- Support unclassified and classified tasks up to Secret; comply with on‑site access/badging requirements.
- Provide a Program Manager as single POC; manage subs per FAR 52.244‑2 and avoid OCI.
- Execute system analysis/modeling, signal‑processing HW/SW development, RF measurements (S‑parameters, P1dB, OIP3, noise figure), mechanical/thermal/wind/vibration analyses, CAD/antenna laydowns, multi‑platform integration, and field/lab testing.
- Rapidly deploy two personnel within one day of notification for US deployments with tools to maintain/repair EMWRF equipment.
- Support potential OCONUS installations with limited oversight; plan/execute travel per JTR with COR approvals.
- Deliver structured CDRLs (e.g., A002 technical, A003 meetings/reviews, A005/A006 patents/reporting); manage Government property and materials.
Dimension scores
Total
- 50/100
Technical Fit
- 11/20
SOW seeks RF/HF radar engineering and integration (OTH/HF transmitters, signal processing, RF measurements). Trace core strengths include SE&I/T&E, C5ISR integration, E&I Facility for CJADC2/edge integration, platform integrations (airborne/vehicle), OCONUS field services, and enterprise/tactical systems integration (company_profile). However, explicit RF/HF radar R&D and high‑power HF transmitter design are not listed Trace core lanes. Partial fit via SE&I/T&E and integration; gaps in specialized radar/HF transmitter R&D lower score (evidence: SOW scope; company_profile capabilities).
Past Performance
- 7/20
No provided evidence of NRL or Navy radar R&D past performance. Trace has relevant adjacent SE&I and C5ISR work (e.g., MDA SHIELD, ABMS, DISA/Army GSM‑O) that demonstrates systems integration, test, and mission comms but not direct HF/OTH radar design (company_profile). New effort with no incumbent cited (evidence_ledger).
Vehicles / Contract Access
- 6/10
Sources Sought stage with no vehicle restriction stated; appears accessible via full/open path (evidence_ledger). Trace holds Navy SeaPort‑NxG, but no linkage provided. Score reflects accessible competition without need for a specific vehicle at this stage.
Competitive Position
- 4/15
SOW calls for specialized RF/HF radar and high‑power transmitter expertise. Trace’s differentiators (NSA TI/CDS, Starshield reseller) are not requested; no incumbent advantage; and no stated requirement aligning to Trace’s unique credentials (evidence_ledger, company_profile). Likely a competitive field where radar-specialist firms have stronger credentials. Trace advantages exist in integration/FSR/OCONUS logistics but are not uniquely differentiating for radar R&D.
Risk
- 8/15
Moderate risk. Positives: classification up to Secret aligns with Trace FCL; OCONUS/rapid‑deploy requirements align with Trace FSR/OCONUS capabilities (company_profile; evidence_ledger). Risks: specialized radar R&D staffing, rapid 1‑day surge of two personnel with tooling, potential OCONUS installs with limited oversight, and new agency relationship (NRL). Partial SOW only; Personnel Qualifications not available in provided materials.
Strategic Value
- 5/10
Would open/expand Navy/NRL R&D footprint and deepen 541715/334511 lanes relevant to C5ISR sensors. Could seed future Navy radar/ISR integration work and leverage Trace E&I Facility and SE&I strengths. Not a stated Tier‑1 target agency in the profile, so moderate (company_profile; evidence_ledger).
Compliance
- 9/10
No set‑aside specified; NAICS 541715 is a primary Trace NAICS (company_profile, metadata). Place of performance in DC/MD/VA is supportable. Work up to Secret aligns with assumed TS/SCI FCL. PM, on‑site badging, travel approvals, CDRLs, and subcontract management are standard. Minor unknowns remain pending Personnel Qualifications attachment and full SOW review.
Concerns
- Specialized RF/HF radar R&D and high‑power HF transmitter expertise may exceed Trace’s documented core competencies; staffing credibility risk.
- Rapid one‑day surge requirement for two deployable technicians with tooling may strain bench if multiple concurrent needs arise.
- OCONUS installation with limited oversight raises logistics, schedule, and risk management complexity.
- New customer (NRL) and new mission niche increase capture and execution risk.
- Partial SOW review; Personnel Qualifications attachment not provided—unknown labor category and certification specifics.
- Potential for future acquisition strategy shift (e.g., set‑aside determination) not yet stated in SSN.
Teaming opportunities
- Prime or key subcontractor with demonstrated HF/OTH radar and high‑power HF transmitter design/integration past performance at NRL or comparable DoD labs.
- Senior RF/microwave engineers with OTH/HF propagation, antenna design, power amplifier/linearization, and spectrum management expertise.
- Test and measurement lab capability (e.g., calibrated VNA/PNA‑X, high‑power RF load/attenuation, anechoic/open‑range test) and environmental test experience.
- Antenna/mechanical structural analysts (thermal, wind, vibration) with maritime/Arctic deployment experience.
- Signal processing/DSP engineers for HF radar waveforms and beamforming; software-defined radio toolchains.
- NRL‑experienced PM and site access familiarity to accelerate onboarding and compliance.
Competitive position
- Leverage Trace SE&I/T&E and E&I Facility to accelerate integration, platform fit checks, and MIL‑STD testing for radar subsystems.
- Use global FSR/OCONUS logistics capability to de‑risk remote/Arctic/HF surface wave installations and rapid surge requirements.
- Apply platform integration experience (air, ground, maritime) from tactical SATCOM and C5ISR programs to radar payload and antenna integrations.
- Strong compliance posture: Secret work supportable; disciplined CDRL, travel, and property management processes.
- Prime contracting infrastructure with proven subcontract management to integrate niche radar SMEs under a cohesive delivery model.
Bid/No bid factors
- Specialized radar/HF transmitter design is not a stated Trace core; must close capability gap via teaming.
- Personnel Qualifications attachment missing in provided materials; potential mandatory credentials unknown.
- If later restricted to a vehicle not held (or set aside small business), access/compliance could become a blocker.
Documents
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SOW - Draft.pdf
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SOW - Draft.pdf
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Partially reviewed: Too large
Summary
Draft SOW for NRL Radar Division soliciting engineering R&D, design, development, and integration support for RF and HF systems across multiple task areas (mobile OTH radar, HF surface wave radar, arctic HF OTH radar, homeland defense radar, high-power HF transmitters, and multifunctional RF). Partial extraction was provided (sections 1 and 2 of 3 only; limitation: document too large), but included scope, general requirements, place-of-performance list, on-site and travel expectations, deliverable references (CDRLs), and the requirement to support classified work up to Secret.
- Scope: Engineering R&D, design, development, integration for RF/HF systems including mobile OTH, HF surface wave, arctic HF OTH, homeland defense radar, high-power HF transmitters, and multifunctional RF
- Place of performance: NRL Washington, D.C.; NRL Chesapeake Bay Detachment (Chesapeake, MD); Tilghman Island, MD; NAS Patuxent River, MD; NASA Wallops Flight Facility, VA; other government and contractor sites
- Classification: Contractor must support unclassified and classified tasks up to Secret
- On-site/Access: Contractor on-site performance rules apply (badges, identification) per DFARS; Government may provide facilities and property for contractor use
- Personnel/Management: Non-personal services; PM (single point of contact) required; personnel qualifications specified in separate attachment (Personnel Qualifications)
- Deployability: Contractor must provide two persons within one day of travel notification for U.S. deployments with tooling to maintain/repair EMWRF equipment
- Deliverables/CDRLs: Frequent references to CDRL A002 (technical deliverables), A003 (meeting/review deliverables), A005, and A006 (patents/reporting), indicating structured deliverables and reporting
- Subcontracting/OCI: Prime is accountable for subcontractor performance and must manage/subcontract per FAR 52.244-2, avoid OCIs
- Procurement/Property: Equipment and unexpended materials purchased under the contract become Government property at contract end
- Travel: Travel is cost-reimbursable and subject to DoD/JTR and COR pre-approval (travel plans must be submitted and approved)
- Technical tasks: System analysis, modeling, signal-processing hardware/software development, component/system measurements (S-parameters, P1dB, OIP3, noise figure), mechanical analysis (thermal, wind loading, vibration), CAD/antenna laydown plans, integration on land/maritime/air platforms, field/lab test support
- OCONUS limited oversight: Several installation tasks (surface wave, arctic) state installations may occur OCONUS with limited oversight, implying logistics/OCONUS experience advantage
- New effort: Document notes current contract N/A — this is a new effort (no incumbent cited in provided sections)
Technical details
Entry: sync
Review status: Up to date
Logical upstream opportunity: 10605
Notice lineage:
- 57d8d5ce9d1049adbe865c7272e9d481 (posted 2026-04-02) - current
Last synced: 2026-04-09T19:05:00.189448+00:00
Last analyzed: 2026-04-02T19:30:17.161350+00:00
Latest package fingerprint: 02a4c4da37af20bf3d6d9342783d8369f965d20b8452cebd5499fb937a6695aa
Latest package notice: 57d8d5ce9d1049adbe865c7272e9d481
Latest package documents: 1
Evidence limitations- SOW - Draft.pdf: partially reviewed (too large)
- 2026-04-02T19:28:32.152679+00:00: 57d8d5ce9d1049adbe865c7272e9d481 with 1 docs
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