The FAA has a requirement for the acquisition of Weather System Processor (WSP) Uni-Directional Couplers. Microwave Engineering Corporation (MEC) is the original manufacturer part number S310-101 which is the only approved directional coupler to be used in the WSP and ASR-9 radar.

These directional couplers are part of the RF Channel that directs the weather signal from the Airport Surveillance Radar Model 9 (ASR-9) to the WSP. This is highly sensitive equipment that was designed to replicate an existing coupler used in the ASR-9 specifically for use in the WSP. The original manufacturer and only manufacturer on record is Microwave Engineering Corporation (MEC). The S310-101 model is the only approved version of the directional coupler fielded for WSP.

The FAA does not have the facilities or expertise to build this equipment internally nor does the FAA own any support documentation to accurately reproduce a form, fit, function alternative. Approving another part would take several years of on-site testing to verify no significant impact to performance as well as require input from FAA Second Level Engineering groups.

The responses to this market survey will be used for informational purposes only. This is not a screening information request or request for proposal of any kind. The FAA is not seeking or accepting proposals at this time. The responses will be used to develop the source list for this requirement. The FAA will not pay for any information received or costs incurred in preparing the response to the market survey. Therefore, any cost associated with the market survey submission is solely at the interested vendor’s expense.

The purpose of this market survey is to solicit statements of interest and capabilities from all businesses capable of providing the specified equipment.

This market survey is also being conducted in order to obtain the information necessary to determine whether adequate competition exists to set-aside the competition among small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses or 8(a) certified firms.

The NAICS CODE for this requirement will be 334220 Radio and Television Broadcasting and Wireless Communications Equipment Manufacturing, with a Small Business Size Standard of 1,250.

The FAA intends to review all response submittals to establish the acquisition strategy for this requirement.

To make this determination the FAA requires the following from interested vendors:

1. Capability Statement:

a. Clearly demonstrate that the interested vendor is qualified and capable of providing the required component

b. Identify type of manufacturing provided by your firm,

c. Identify size and type of products provided by previous contracts (elaborate and provide detailed information and past performance),

2. Provide a copy of ISO 9001:2015 certification.

3. Provide a point of contact number and name (either by phone, email or both) for questions.

4. *Proof of Entity Registration in the System for Award Management (https://SAM.gov)

5. A copy of the vendors SBA 8(a) Certification Letter, if applicable or Certification of SDVOSB eligibility, if applicable.

*Per the FAA Acquisition Management System (AMS), clause 3.3.1-33 System for Award Management (SAM), paragraph (b)(1) “By submission of an offer, the offeror acknowledges the requirement that a prospective awardee must be registered in the SAM database prior to award, during performance, and through final payment of any contract, basic agreement, basic ordering agreement, or blanket purchasing agreement resulting from this solicitation.”

Please respond by submitting complete capability statement by email to: connie.m.houpt@faa.gov.

All responses to this market survey must be received by April 3, 2024, 2:00 pm CT marked as “6973GH-24-MS-00014 WSP Uni-Directional Couplers Market Survey response”.

"This Notice is for informational purposes for Minority, Women-Owned and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises: The Department of Transportation (DOT), Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, has a program to assist small businesses, small businesses owned and controlled by a socially and economically disadvantaged individuals, and women- owned concerns to acquire short- term working capital assistance for transportation-related contracts. Loans are available under the DOT Short Term Lending Program (STLP) at prime interest rates to provide accounts receivable financing. The maximum line of credit is $750,000. For further information and applicable forms concerning the STLP, call the OSDBU at (800) 532-1169."

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