26Q0894_SSJA_Redacted.pdf

This is a Determination & Findings (D&F) document authorizing the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to solicit a Firm Fixed Price contract for a high-performance telecom laser system from a single source.

The Government intends to award the contract to Toptica Photonics, Inc. based on findings that no other commercial vendor can meet the essential requirements. The contract covers a continuously tunable laser system with all-digital control electronics and associated components. Item 1 specifies the laser requirements including wavelength tuning of 1290-1370 nm with no mode-hops through 1350 nm, output power greater than 13 mW from single mode fiber, optical isolation of at least 50 dB, scan speed of at least 10 nm/sec, absolute wavelength accuracy of 130 pm, relative accuracy of 10 pm, instantaneous linewidth narrower than 1 kHz, short term linewidth less than 10 kHz, piezo scan capability of at least 35 GHz, piezo step size of 5 kHz or less, and TEM00 mode output beam. The system requires AC/DC current modulation, low-noise current driver, temperature controller, piezo controller, FPGA electronics for digital functions, data recording, and graphical/command interfaces. Item 2 (Fiber Coupler Unit) includes a 2-meter FC/APC PM fiber, flexure-based alignment with X,Y,Z degrees of freedom, linearly polarized output of at least 99:1, and similar electronic controls as Item 1. Item 3 (Tapered Amplifier) requires a gain bandwidth of 1315-1357 nm or wider, minimum 200 mW output power, 20 dB or greater optical gain, and beam shaping optics. Items 4, 5, and 6 specify optical isolators, fiber coupler units for input and output with FC/APC connectors, flexure-based alignment, and various optical performance requirements. The authorization is justified under RFO 13.101(b) for noncommercial products where only one source is reasonably available, with supporting authority under RFO 12.102(a), RFO 11.204(a)(2)(ii), and GSAR 538.7104-3(a). Market research confirmed that other vendors' systems cannot achieve the required output power near 1350 nm or provide the required stability and linewidth, and Toptica Photonics does not maintain a reseller network.