16r19_a15_attachment_1_JA_Redacted.pdf

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN

FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

I. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

Requiring Activity: AFRL/RITA, Contracting Activity: AFRL/RIKO, 26 Electronic Pkwy, Rome NY 13441

Purchase Request #:

II. NATURE AND/OR DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTION BEING PROCESSED

The order is for four 8164B mainframes with 81606A (81000NI) and 81634B (81000FI) installed in each. The product supports the AFRL/RI in-house quantum information science research.

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE SUPPLIES/SERVICES REQUIRED TO MEET THE AGENCY’S NEEDS

This action is a new firm fixed price order is to acquire 4 narrow linewidth, low noise tunable continuous wave laser systems for 1450-1650 nm. The systems are each comprised of the following components, (I) lightwave measurement system mainframe (8164B), (II) tunable laser source from 1450-1650nm (81606A-216), (III) FC-APC connector interface (81000NI), (IV) optical power sensor module (81634B), and (V) FC-PC connector interface. Procurement includes 1 year warranty against defects in parts and workmanship on the connector interfaces and 5 years on the mainframe, laser and power sensor. This unit is being purchased to support AFRL/RI’s in-house quantum research. The following items comprise the requirements:

CLIN 0001 Equipment

Line # Product Number Product Description Qty

8164B Lightwave Measurement System, Mainframe R-51B-001-5Z Warranty Assurance Plan - Return to Keysight - 5 years 2

81606A

Tunable Laser Source, High Power and Low SSE, Top Line Country of Manufacture: Germany 81606A-216 Wavelengths 1450nm - 1650nm R-51B-001-5Z Warranty Assurance Plan - Return to Keysight - 5 years 2

81000NI

Connector interface, connector type FC – APC narrow key way Return to Keysight Warranty - 1 year 2

81634B

Optical Power Sensor Module R-51B-001-5Z Warranty Assurance Plan - Return to Keysight - 5 years 2

81000FI

Connector interface FC-PC/SPC Return to Keysight Warranty - 1 year 2

IV. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

10 USC 2304(c)(1) the property needed by the agency is available from only one manufacturer and no other manufacturer’s product will suffice.

V. DEMONSTRATION THAT THE CONTRACTOR’S UNIQUE QUALIFICATIONS OR NATURE OF THE

ACQUISITION REQUIRES THE USE OF THE AUTHORITY CITED ABOVE (APPLICABILITY OF

AUTHORITY)

Keysight is the only source that offers the highest stability and lowest noise tunable laser systems on the market. The 81606A is the most stable tunable 1450-1650nm laser on the market in terms of amplitude, polarization, scanning repeatability, and tuning resolution. Our application requires extremely high system stability, low laser noise, and http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode10/usc_sec_10_00002304----000-.html extremely fine tuning resolution that is repeatable as these experiments require hours of operation time, requiring narrow linewidth for optical cavity excitation, and low laser noise as the generation is on the order on single photon pair production. Typical tunable lasers suffer from high laser noise, coarse tuning, and tenability hysteresis which are not acceptable for these applications. The laser model from Keysight can meet all of these requirements.

The system offered by Keysight is the best commercially available tunable laser system with the correct wavelength range, tuning accuracy, tuning resolution and stability over the multiple hours of operation required and the built in ability to return to a specific arbitrary wavelength in it range with high precision. The Laser systems are intended to test and characterize novel ultra-high resolution spectrometers.

These spectrometers were developed in house and fabricated under contract by university collaborators and represents a significant investment in money, material and labor hours . Any laser system with less stability, accuracy and resolution than the spectrometer itself will not be able to characterize the device. The better the laser system is the better the characterization of the spectrometer will be.

VI. DESCRIPTION OF EFFORTS MADE TO ENSURE THAT OFFERS ARE SOLICITED FROM AS MANY

POTENTIAL SOURCES AS DEEMED PRACTICABLE

A combined synopsis solicitation will be posted to FBO.

VII. DETERMINATION BY THE CONTRACTING OFFICER THAT THE ANTICIPATED COST TO THE

GOVERNMENT WILL BE FAIR AND REASONABLE

The Contracting Officer determines that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable through means of re-seller price competition.

VIII. DESCRIPTION OF THE MARKET RESEARCH CONDUCTED AND THE RESULTS, OR A

STATEMENT OF THE REASONS MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED

Contacted collaborators to find similar products that are being used, contacted numerous laser companies, and thorough internet searches to come to the conclusion that the lasers manufactured by Keysight are the only lasers that meet the Government’s requirements. These lasers met the required specifications required by the Government’s simulations.

Keysight was found to be the only company that could meet the required needs.

IX. ANY OTHER FACTS SUPPORTING THE USE OF OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

There are no other facts supporting this justification.

X. LIST OF SOURCES, IF ANY, THAT EXPRESSED INTEREST IN THE ACQUISITION

XI. A STATEMENT OF THE ACTIONS, IF ANY, THE AGENCY MAY TAKE TO REMOVE OR OVERCOME

ANY BARRIERS TO COMPETITION BEFORE MAKING SUBSEQUENT ACQUISITIONS FOR THE

SUPPLIES OR SERVICES REQUIRED

The market will be monitored to see if another product or manufacturer is able to meet the Government’s needs as technology advances.

XII. CONTRACTING OFFICER’S CERTIFICATION

The contracting officer’s signature on the Coordination and Approval Document evidences that he/she has determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief

XIII. TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS PERSONNEL’S CERTIFICATION

As evidenced by their signatures on the Coordination and Approval Document, the technical and/or requirements personnel have certified that any supporting data contained herein, which is their responsibility, is both accurate and complete.