The National Weather Service (NWS) is conducting market research for the replacement of the Radio Frequency (RF) Generator in the NEXRAD Weather Surveillance Radar WSR-88D. The RF Generator is the master signal and timing source within the Radar Data Acquisition subsystem and is functionally contained within the receiver.

The existing RF Generator has a high failure rate and is encountering obsolescence of critical components. The existing RF Generator is a P10S331 manufactured by RDL, Inc. The purpose of this Request For Information (RFI) is to gather information from radar receiver manufacturers relating to the availability of RF Generators in the commercial market place.

The following are the salient characteristics of the existing RF Generator and minimum requirements for the replacement generators:

•There are four RF outputs: RF, STALO, COHO, and RF Test.

•RF OUTPUT: Freq 2.7 to 3.0 GHz with 5 MHz increment selections within the frequency band; Warm up time: 5 minutes from cold start; Accuracy: .0005%; Stability: .0005% over temperature ranges O to +50 Deg C; Power output: 11.75 to 14.25dBM.

•LOCAL OSCILLATOR (STALO): Frequency: 2.6424 to 2.9424 GHz. STALO shall be 57.5491 MHz less than the RF Freq. Power output: 14.85 to 17dBM.

•COHO OUTPUT: Freq: 57.5491 Mhz. Power output: -5 to 0dBM.

•PHASE CONTROL: The RF output and COHO signal outputs shall be capable of being phase" controlled by means of a 7 bit digitally controlled phase shift device. Range: 0 to 360 degrees nominal in 2.8125 degree nominal increments; Accuracy: +/-2.5 degrees. The phase shall increase monotonically over the phase control range.

•COHERENCE: All frequency outputs shall be coherent.

•SPECTRAL PURITY: Harmonics: RF: 2nd harmonic <-50DBc, all others,-70dBc. STALO, COHO: 2nd<-60dBc, all others<-70dBc. Spurious Frequencies: -70dBc within 80 MHz of carrier, all outputs. Phase Noise: The single sideband FM noise ratio in a 1 Hz bandwidth of the RF and STALO outputs shall be less than -40 dBc at a frequency offset of 10 Hz from the carrier. It should be -80 dBc at a frequency offset of 100 Hz, 110 dBc at a 1 kHz offset, -135 dBc at a 10 kHz offset and -138 dBc at an offset of 100 kHz. The single sideband FM noise ratio in a 1 Hz bandwidth of the COHO output shall be less than -65 dBc at a frequency offset of 10 Hz from the carrier,-105 dBc at a frequency offset of 100 Hz, -135 dBc at a 1 kHz offset, -160 dBc at a 10 kHz offset and -165 dBc at 100 kHz.

GENERAL: The RF generator replacement should allow for accepting and supplying COHO signals in a digital format for synchronization with digital receiver assemblies. The NWS will not fund the development of a new design to support this requirement. Responses to this market survey should only include items that support all stated requirements in a current commercially available configuration, or a configuration that could be made fully compliant through minor modifications. Responses to this market survey must include the device manufacturer, a product description with performance parameters, a statement regarding current availability, a statement describing any required modifications, and the estimated cost of the product including any required modifications.

This RFI does not constitute an Invitation for Bids, Request for Proposals or Request for Quotes. Should the results of this market research indicate feasibility of RF Generator replacement with an existing commercial product, the NWS will consider retrofit options for its nationwide network of 175 RDAs as a potential follow-on product improvement project.

Respondents will not be reimbursed for any expenses incurred in providing a response.

Responses should be received no later than 15 days from the date of this announcement and sent to the attention of Sue Bratton, Contract Specialist (Affiliate) via email to sue.bratton @noaa.gov . No telephone calls will be accepted or returned.

Bid Protests Not Available