Questions and Answers - FA485526Q0003.pdf
PDF 244 KB Posted
- Attached to
- Laser Eye Protective Glasses
- Solicitation number
- FA485526Q0003
About this file
This is a Questions and Answers document for federal contract opportunity FA485526Q0003 for Laser Eye Protective Glasses (LEPs). The Government requires two styles of LEPs: 120 wrap-around units for non-prescription users and 55 over-the-glasses (OTG) units for prescription-lens users. Each pair must meet all mitigatable wavelength and optical density (OD) requirements in a single lens—multi-pair kits, dual-filter solutions, or one pair per band are not acceptable. The solicitation does not specify visual light transmission (VLT) requirements; eye protection is the priority, and personnel may use their own LEPs if the Government-procured glasses are unsuitable for specific operational tasks.
The required wavelength/OD protection bands are: 266 nm (UV) with OD ≥7; 520–532 nm (green) with OD ≥7; 630–670 nm (red) with OD ≥2–3; 799–860 nm (IR) with OD ≥4–5; 905 nm (altimeters) with OD ≥2–3; 1064 nm (Nd:YAG) with OD ≥4–5; 5000–11000 nm (CO₂/far IR) with OD ≥2–3; and 950–10600 nm (QCL) with OD ≥2–3. SWIR (1530–1575 nm) and LiDAR (1500–1603 nm) are listed for completeness only and are not required for technical acceptability, though commercially available solutions meeting these bands would be advantageous. The Government has identified Newport N YAD 34, Laservision L02 series, and Kentech models (with one laser restriction approved by the Requiring Maintenance Organization) as acceptable modern equivalents. The previous acceptable solution was the Honeywell/Sperian Model 31 80137 LEPs, which are no longer manufactured. No incumbent contractor exists for this new requirement.
View the file
Other files
On GovTribe
Work with this file
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
Questions for FA485526Q0003 – Laser Eye Protective Glasses
Question1: Because your requirements span such a massive spectrum—from deep UV (266nm) up to far Infrared (11,000nm)—no single lens can meet all these ODs without being too dark to see through.
The only viable option is a two-glass solution:
• Pair 1 (DFIU filter): Covers the UV and Visible bands (266nm, 520–532nm, 630– 670nm).
• Pair 2 (C2KG5 filter): Covers the broad Infrared bands (799nm–11,000nm).
Since this approach requires two separate pairs per operator, would you like me to quote 120 units of each filter in the Wrap-Around style and 55 units of each in the Over-the-Glasses style?
Answer: The Government requires one pair of LEPs per unit that meets all mitigatable wavelength/OD requirements in a single lens. We are not purchasing multi pair kits, dual filter solutions, or “one pair per band.” The spectrum is broad because these are the wavelengths authorized for use by the USAF and DoD.
SWIR and LiDAR: No commercial LEP can block these wavelengths and all the other wavelengths (That I am aware of). They are listed for completeness only and are not required for technical acceptability, but if there is a pair out there that does that they then that is even better.
• SWIR: 1530–1575 nm
• LiDAR: 1500–1603 nm
Question 2: Is there any incumbent/recompete or this is a brand-new project? If yes, could you please provide us with their award number or even if the customer bought similar services in the past.
Answer: This is a new requirement. There is no incumbent and no previous award for this combined specification. The previous acceptable solution was the Honeywell/Sperian LEPs, which are no longer manufactured.
Question 3: Could you please assist with this? I don't see any filter in our product offering that covers all of the wavelengths you've requested. If you do find a company that's able to provide these, though, I suggest that you ask them for the VLT, meaning visual light transmission. You're blocking out a significant amount of visible light, as well as the UV and Near IR. The end result, is that you find a source for these, that the LVT will be around 5% or less. In other words, nearly impossible to see through.
Answer: The priority is eye protection, not tactical performance. I am not specifying any VLT requirement. If VLT is too low for certain operational tasks, personnel may use their own LEPs as long as they ensure those LEPs meet the required protection levels. That is an operator consideration, not a procurement requirement.
Commercial LEPs do exist that meet the mitigatable bands. Examples include the Newport N YAD 34 and Laservision L02 series. Kentech models are also acceptable with one laser restriction, which RMO has approved.
Regarding feasibility: I am not an LEP manufacturer, but I have already identified commercially available models that meet the mitigatable bands (e.g., Newport N YAD 34 and Laservision L02 series). Kentech models are also acceptable with one laser restriction, which RMO has approved.
technical acceptability, but if there is a pair out there that does that they then that is even better.
Question 4: Upon review of the specifications for both the Wrap-Around (Line Item 0001) and Over-the-Glasses (Line Item 0002) styles , technical experts have noted that the broad spectrum required - ranging from UV (266 nm) through Visible, IR, and up to CO2/QCL (11000 nm) - is exceptionally wide for a single lens solution. Could you therefore please advise:
1. Single vs. Multiple Solutions: Does the Government require all listed wavelength protections to be integrated into a single pair of glasses, or will the Government consider a "kit" or multiple pairs that collectively meet these specifications?
2. Priority Wavelengths: If a single lens cannot physically meet the OD requirements for the entire range (e.g., 266 nm to 11000 nm), is there a specific priority band, or is a waiver of certain OD levels possible?
3. Previous Source: Is there a specific manufacturer or part number associated with a previous "technically acceptable" solution that met these exact combined specifications?
1. Single vs. Multiple Solutions
The Government requires a single pair of LEPs per unit that meets all mitigatable wavelength/OD requirements. Multi pair “kits” are not acceptable.
2. Priority Wavelengths / Waivers
No waivers are authorized. All mitigatable wavelength/OD requirements must be met in a single pair.
SWIR and LiDAR: No commercial LEP can block these wavelengths and all the other wavelengths (That I am aware of). They are listed for completeness only and are not required for technical acceptability, but if there is a pair out there that does that they then that is even better.
(This is not a waiver)
• SWIR: 1530–1575 nm
• LiDAR: 1500–1603 nm
3. Previous Source
The previous acceptable solution was the Honeywell / Sperian Model 31 80137 LEPs (no longer manufactured). The closest modern equivalents I identified are the Newport N YAD 34 and Laservision L02 series.
SWIR and LiDAR: No commercial LEP can block these wavelengths and all the other wavelengths (That I am aware of). They are listed for completeness only and are not required for technical acceptability, but if there is a pair out there that does that they then that is even better.
VLT (as previously explained to Capt Boyd): My priority is eye protection, not tactical performance. I am not specifying any VLT requirement. If VLT is too low for certain operational tasks, personnel may use their own LEPs as long as they ensure those LEPs meet the required protection levels.
Question 5: Could you please confirm if frame #55 and either #36 or #52 in the picture below correspond to the wrap-around and over-the-glasses styles you need? If not, a picture of the desired framed would be appreciated.
https://support.msesupplies.com/hc/requests/55 https://support.msesupplies.com/hc/requests/36 https://support.msesupplies.com/hc/requests/52
Answer: The Government requires two styles only:
• Wrap-around for non-prescription users (120 EA)
• OTG (over-the-glasses) for prescription-lens users (55 EA)
Appearance or catalog frame numbers do not matter as long as the style matches the above and the lens meets the full wavelength/OD requirements.
technical acceptability, but if there is a pair out there that does that they then that is even better.
Question 6: In looking at your order request again, for the 120 ea and the 55 ea, Are you asking per pair for each ea. band? or it's 10 different bands you want a pair covering the rang within ea band?
Answer: Each pair must meet all required wavelength/OD bands. The 120 EA and 55 EA quantities are not per band. They are the total number of complete, fully compliant units.
SWIR and LiDAR: These wavelengths cannot be mitigated by any commercial LEP and are not required for technical acceptability.
technical acceptability, but if there is a pair out there that does that they then that is even better.
Question 7: For the 120 ea and the 55 ea, Are you asking per pair for each ea. band? or it's 10 different bands you want a pair covering the rang within ea band?
Answer: Same as Question 6. We are not buying one pair per band. Each pair must meet the entire mitigatable requirement.
SWIR and LiDAR: These wavelengths cannot be mitigated by any commercial LEP and are not required for technical acceptability.
technical acceptability, but if there is a pair out there that does that they then that is even better.
Question 8: We see the two different types of description of glasses with quantities provided.
Can you confirm the quantity 120 is for each wavelength band or all the wavelengths equal 120?
If all wavelength band equal quantity 120, can a breakout be provided of how many for each wavelength band to total each of the quantities (120 & 55)?
Answer: The quantity 120 EA is the total number of wrap-around units. The quantity 55 EA is the total number of OTG units. These quantities are not divided by wavelength band. Each pair must meet the full mitigatable requirement.
SWIR and LiDAR: These wavelengths cannot be mitigated by any commercial LEP and are not required for technical acceptability.
Full Wavelength/OD Requirement (for vendor clarity)
Each pair of LEPs must meet the following mitigatable bands:
• 266 nm (UV) — OD ≥ 7
• 520–532 nm (green) — OD ≥ 7
• 630–670 nm (red) — OD ≥ 2–3
• 799–860 nm (IR) — OD ≥ 4–5
• 905 nm (altimeters) — OD ≥ 2–3
• 1064 nm (Nd:YAG) — OD ≥ 4–5
• 5000–11000 nm (CO₂ / far IR) — OD ≥ 2–3
• 950–10600 nm (QCL) — OD ≥ 2–3
Non-mitigatable wavelengths (listed for completeness only):
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .