20C0016 Redacted Sole Source JA_Redacted.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

1. Contracting Activity.

a. Requiring Activity:

b. Contracting Activity: AFRL/RIKO, 26 Electronic Pkwy, Rome NY 13441

c. Purchase Request #: FA875120R0037

2. Nature and/or Description of Action.

a. Description of Requirement: Procurement of compact Super-conducting

Nanowire Single Photon Detection (SNSPD) system.

b. Sole source company:

Quantum Design, Inc.

10307 Pacific Center Court

San Diego, CA 92121

Katyayani Seal kseal@qdusa.com

3. Description of Supplies or Service.

Customer compact 8 channel SNSPD system: 4 detectors optimized for 1550nm photons with 85% efficiency and timing jitter under 25 picoseconds (ps), 2 detectors optimized for 650nm and 495nm respectively with efficiency 75% and timing jitter under 20ps. All contained in a compact closed cycle cryostat system with integrated software control, pumping station and compressor. The total power requirements are standard 120v wall plug. The form factor required is foe a light small light weight system, less than 1m^3. Purchase to include shipping and installation.

4. Statutory Authority. 10 USC 2304(c)(1) Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency requirement.

5. Justification or Authority for Action.

Current and planned experiments at the RITQ in house quantum laboratory and the Open Innovation Campus (OIC) require single photon coincidence measurements at multiple wavelengths with ultra low timing jitter. The currently SNSPD system at AFRL has ~70ps of jitter and 90% efficiency and takes up an entire lab bench of space. While this remains a useful resource for most single photon experiments, in house testing showed that its jitter is insufficient for the proposed work. Low jitter effectively increases the timing resolution of the detectors. This is an enabling capability that cannot be replicated in any other manner and is needed for our experiment.

The current theory end experimental results show a clear need for 25ps jitter or better, while not sacrificing significantly on detector efficiency. As these are multi-photon experiments efficiency > 85% @ 1550nm is required to keep high multi-photon coincidence rates. The high timing accuracy measurements of entangled states particularly energy–time entanglement will allow for a world first demonstration of the direct measurement of entanglement.

Space limitations and portability particularly at the OIC require a small system. The required system will need to be relocated according to the experiments planned in the future.

The multiple wavelengths allow for a wider array of experimental sources for the experiment and allows this system to be utilized by multiple qubit technology groups in the RITQ quantum branch.

If this system is not procured from Quantum Design, Inc., there will be a halt of future experiments of the lab and will cause the inability to meet yearly program milestones.

6. Efforts Made to Ensure Offers are Solicited from as many Sources as

Practicable.

A Notice of Proposed Contract Action was synopsized as a pre-solicitation notice on BetaSAM (www.Beta.SAM.gov) between 29 July 2020 and 13 August 2020,

7. The Contracting Officer determines that the anticipated cost to the

Government will be fair and reasonable in accordance with FAR 15.404-

1(b)(2)(ii) Comparison of the proposed prices to historical prices paid, whether by the Government or other than the Government, for the same or similar items.

8. Market Research/Other facts.

No other known system is capable of meeting the given timing specifications and form factor required for this purchase. An internet search was unable to identify any other products similar in specifications or function. Discussion with competing manufacturers was unable to identify a matching product. It has been determined that no other manufacturers or products exist that are capable of meeting the specifications of this requirement.

9. Any other facts supporting Other than Full and Open Competition.

None

10. List of Sources that have Expressed in Writing an Interest in the

Procurement.

Quantum Design, Inc.

11. Statement of Actions to Remove/Overcome Barriers to Competition.

The end-user will continue to monitor the market in order to identify opportunities in order to maximize competition in potential future requirements.

12. Contracting Officer’s Certification. The contracting officer’s signature below evidences that he/she has determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief.

13. Technical / Requirements Personnel Certification. As evidenced by their signature below, the technical and/or requirements personnel have certified that any supporting data contained herein, which is their responsibility, is both accurate and complete.

APPROVED DISAPPROVED