16r61_a10_Sole_Source_Justification_Redacted.pdf

COORDINATION AND APPROVAL DOCUMENT

CONTRACTING ACTIVITY: Air Force Research Laboratory/RIK, 26 Electronic Parkway, Rome NY 13441-4514

PURCHASE REQUEST/LOCAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER:

PROGRAM NAME (and Program Element, if applicable): Superconducting Nanowire Photon Detection System 32

Channel Upgrade

ESTIMATED CONTRACT COST (including options):

TYPE PROGRAM: Other Contracting

AUTHORITY: 10 USC 2304(c)(1)

TYPE J&A: Individual

COORDINATION

Program Manager: _________________________________________ _____________

Date Signed

Local Small Business Office: See DD Form 2579 for local Small Business Office approval.

APPROVED:

Date Signed

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

This contract upgrades a closed cycle, cryo-cooled, superconducting nanowire single-photon detection system from 8 to 32 channels. The product supports the AFRL/RI .

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

This action is a new firm fixed price contract to upgrade a Photon Spot cryocooled superconducting nanowire detection system from 8 to 32 channels. The current system to be upgraded is comprised of a Photon Spot Freeze4 4he sorption fridge operating at 0.8K with QTY8 tungsten-silicon (WSi) single-element nanowire detectors and associated electronics currently installed. The upgrade consists of adding an additional 24 identical (WSi) nanowire detectors and associated electronics (see below) as well as upgrading the cryostat with a breakout box for 32 channel (maximum) capability.

Procurement includes 1 year warranty against defects in parts and workmanship and on-site training and installation. This unit is being purchased to support AFRL/RI’s . The following items comprise the requirements, CLINS 0001 and 0002:

CLIN 0001 Equipment

Line # Product Number

Product Description Qty

32CH-UPG

- Upgrade existing PhotonSpot Freeze4 4hecryostat to 32 channel capability

- 32x RF channels inpur via breakout box (32 per KF40)

- 32x SMF28 fibers. FC/PC terminated at cryostat

- Fiber management system 1

NW1FC1.5

- Nanowire detector fiber-coupled to SMF28 detector (9 um core)

- System detection efficiency at 1550nm: 85% plus or minus 5%

- Recovery time < 100ns

- Dark Counts <1 kcps

- Jitter <100 ps FWHM

- Detector Biasing Electronics

- Room temperature Low Noise amplifiers

- Sharp positive or negative pulse output 24

IV. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

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

http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode10/usc_sec_10_00002304----000-.html

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

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

AUTHORITY)

The Photon Spot system was previously chosen because it offers the best available efficiency on the market (>85%), low jitter (<100ps), high maximum count rate (>1mcps), long runtime (>48 hours), and form factor (tabletop, closed cycle).

Detection efficiency in particular is critical for quantum optics research where only a few percent improvement exponentially improves measurement capability. The system was also chosen because it could be upgraded from the original 8 to 32 channels.

Photon Spot is the only company that can upgrade the current system because of its proprietary software code. Use of a different system would require purchase of a new cryostat, associated hardware, and electronics valued at approximately

. Therefore, the Government has determined that award to any other source would result in substantial duplication of cost that is not expected to be recovered through competition.

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

POTENTIAL SOURCES AS DEEMED PRACTICABLE

A Notice of Contract Action (NOCA) was synopsized as a Pre-solicitation Notice on the Federal Business Opportunities website (www.FBO.gov) from 12 July 2016 to 27 July 2016, no responses were received.

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 in accordance with FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(iii) Current price lists catalogs or advertisements and Other than certified cost and pricing data.

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 detector companies, and thorough internet searches to come to the conclusion that the detectors manufactured by Photon Spot are the only detectors that meet the Government’s requirements.

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

Photon Spot

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. As this Photon Spot system will no longer be upgradeable (it will have its maximum number of detectors), any future purchases will require a new full system where new products or manufacturers may be able to meet the specification.

http://www.fbo.gov/

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.