1.27 ASN Justification Approval Dual Laser System Final Redacted_Redacted1.pdf

Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 and 3.104

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVSUP FLEET LOGISTICS CENTER NORFOLK

1968 GILBERT STREET SUITE 600

NORFOLK VA 23511-3392 IN REPLY REFER TO: 220.2

J&A Number: 24-057

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND

OPEN COMPETITION

1. Identification of Agency and Contracting Activity.

The requiring activity is the United States Naval Observatory (hereinafter, “USNO”), located in Washington. DC; the contracting activity is NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Norfolk, Contracting Dept., Norfolk, Fleet Directorate.

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

This a sole source action to be awarded as a new firm, fixed-price (FFP) type contract to Toptica Photonics Inc. This procurement action supports the provision of a dual-laser system that maintains an ensemble of high-performing atomic clocks that are used to generate precise time.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The USNO is the authoritative source of time for the Department of Defense. The proposed acquisition is to acquire a dual-laser system that could be integrated with an external reference to provide high-spectral quality detection laser light for multiple calcium beam systems. Within the Precise Time Department, the Clock Development Division is investigating atomic clock technology using optical spectroscopy on an atomic beam of calcium. Atomic ground state detection for calcium spectroscopy utilizes a transition at 423 nanometers (nm); excited state detection utilizes a 431 nm transition. High-performance lasers operating at these wavelengths are vital to obtaining spectroscopy signals with optimal signal-to-noise ratio. This custom optical assembly acquisition will provide the clock increased stability.

The required delivery date for this requirement is NLT 15 December 2024. The following table illustrates the required delivery date and the Government estimate:

Description Dual Laser System

The IGE, developed by the USNO, is based on rough order of magnitude estimate (ROM) obtained during market research from vendor as well as historical pricing or similar products purchased on previous requirements.

The resultant contract will be funded with FY24 Other Procurement, Navy (OPN) appropriations.

4. Statutory Authority Permitting Sole Source:

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C. §3204(a)(1), the supplies or services needed by the agency are available from only one responsible source and no other type of supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, as implemented by FAR 6.302-1.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

The USNO’s physicists are developing specialized optical atomic clocks. The specific technology in this procurement, frequency-doubled high-power laser systems, is not widely available. The USNO surveyed other similar providers but Toptica Photonics Inc. has been the only manufacturer of frequency-doubled lasers that uses diode source lasers and can generate output powers of 1 Watt or more. Other diode laser companies do not sell frequency-doubled, high power systems using diode source lasers.

The support to be provided under the authority requested by this Justification & Approval (J&A) is critical and necessary in order for the USNO to meet mission requirements. Failure to approve the sole source would interrupt the program to build calcium clocks for USNO's precise time mission indefinitely, as no other known solution exists for this laser requirement.

6. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit Offers from as Many Offerors as Practicable, including a Description of Market Research, if applicable, and a List of Interested Sources, if any.

Market Research was performed through a formal request for information/sources sought notice posted to SAM.gov.

Additionally, market research (MR) was conducted through discussions with the requiring activity and potential sources. The requiring activity conducted initial MR by identifying potential vendors that sell laser systems that could be used in their research and development. The MR concluded that only one vendor, Toptica Photonics Inc., was able to manufacture frequency-doubled lasers that use diode source and can generate output powers of 1 Watt or more. It was also noted that other diode laser companies do not sell frequency-doubled, high power systems. Other vendors that were considered were MOGLabs, NKT Photonics, and Photodigm. None of these vendors offer a system that can meet the requirements.

Market research conducted by the contracting office, initially started out with a search of the NAICS Code 334516, and identified 2,511 small businesses. A detailed review of these companies revealed that the majority of them do not supply dual-laser systems. In order to further query the marketplace, the Government issued a Request for Information(RFI)/Sources Sought Notice (SSN) on SAM.gov. This RFI was posted on 09 January 2024 and closed on 19 January 2024. A copy of the draft specifications list was posted with the RFI to enable interested offerors to have an overview of the requirement’s objectives. Offerors were asked to submit their company’s capability statements and other support information in meeting the detailed requirements of the specifications list. Toptica Photonics Inc. submitted one (1) capability statement in response to this posting, no other responses were received.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

The Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated price to the Government of the supplies/services covered by this J&A will be fair and reasonable. A determination of fair and reasonableness of price will be based on the Contracting Officer’s price analysis of the contractor’s proposal and/or a comparison of previous pricing history and published price lists of the same or similar items in accordance with FAR 15.404-1.

8. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition.

For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5 above, Fleet Logistic Center Norfolk (FLCN) has no plans at this time to compete future contacts for the types of supplies/services covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, FLCN will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

In accordance with PGI 206.302-1(d), an RFI/SSN was posted to the Government-wide Point of Entry (GPE) on 09 January 2024. See paragraph 6 for details regarding the RFI/SSN.

To date, no other sources have expressed an interest in the requirement, apart from Toptica Photonics Inc.

9. Contracting Point of Contact

The point of contact at Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk is Keisha Gordon-Blair, Code 220.2, at or by e-mail at keisha.o.gordon-blair.civ@us.navy.mil.

J&A Number: 24-057

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this Justification and its supporting acquisition planning documents, except as noted herein, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Technical Cognizance:

Signature Name (Printed) Phone No. Date

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW

I have determined this Justification is legally sufficient.

Signature Name (Printed) Phone No. Date

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. To the extent that the Justification value is >$250K and <$750K, the Contracting Officer’s signature below also represents approval of the

Signature Name (Printed) Phone No. Date

Justification.