This is a Notice of Proposed Contract Action under FAR Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This notice is for information only; a solicitation will not be issued. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATION. The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334516 with a size standard of 1000 employees.

The Government requires the purchase of Acousto-Optic Modulators with the following specifications:

• Three (3) Fiber Pigtailed Acousto-Optic Modulators; Model No.: TEM-200-25-20-370-2FP Wavelength of operation: 370nm, Carrier Frequency: 200 MHz, Rise Time: 20 ns, Digital modulation Bandwidth: 25 MHz, VSWR: 2:1, Optical Polarization: Linear, Case Type: 2 Port Fiber Optically Pigtailed, Type of Fiber: 3.5 um core with 125 um cladding SM PM, Fiber connector Type: FC, Polishing of fiber ends: APC, Fiber length: 1m, Total Insertion Loss (first order): 5-7 dB, Modulator footprint(LxWxH,-fiber connections):110mm x 45mm x 15mm.

• Five (5) Fiber Pigtailed Acousto-Optic Modulators; Model No.: TEM-210-25-20-370-2FP; Wavelength of operation: 370nm, Carrier Frequency: 210 MHz, Rise Time: 20 ns, Digital modulation Bandwidth: 25 MHz, VSWR: 2:1, Optical Polarization: Linear, Case Type: 2 Port Fiber Optically Pigtailed, Type of Fiber: 3.5 um core with 125 um cladding SM PM, Fiber connector Type: FC, Polishing of fiber ends: APC, Fiber length: 1m, Total Insertion Loss (first order): 5-7 dB, Modulator footprint(LxWxH,-fiber connections):110mm x 45mm x 15mm.

The Government intends to negotiate a sole-source contract with Brimrose Corporation of America, 19 Loveton Circle, Sparks Glencoe, MD, 21152-9201.

The Government has determined that other companies' products do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet the Government's needs.

Brimrose Corporation of America is the only known manufacturer of compact fiber coupled acousto-optic modulators (AOM) which work at 370nm with a modulation frequency at 200 MHz. No other manufacturer offers an acousto-optic modulator that operates at this wavelength/frequency combination. The required modulators are to be used within an optical setup for a trapped ion experiment. The required setup provides laser cooling to the ion which increases the lifetime of the ion in the ion trap. The longer ion lifetimes are required to perform the experiments that are part of the project goals. The wavelength and modulation frequency requirements are specific to the species of ion that is being used in this research.

Brimrose Corporation is the sole manufacturer of the required modulators. No other vendor offers a product which meets the wavelength and frequency combination required to meet the Government's needs.

This is a notice of proposed contract action and NOT a request for competitive proposals. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement or proposal, which shall be considered by the agency. All inquiries should be sent by email to [email protected]. Responses to this notice must be submitted by the date/time listed on the notice. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government in future procurements.

Responses received will be evaluated; however a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government anticipates an award date on or before 30 September 2018.

A Sole Source Justification will be attached to the subsequent Notice of Award in accordance with applicable regulation.

Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL - Rome Research Site, AFRL/Information Directorate
26 Electronic Parkway
Rome, New York 13441
United States

Bid Protests Not Available