Sole_Source_JA_7_17_Redacted.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

Contracting Activity: Department of the Air Force, Air Force Materiel Command, AFRL – Rome Research Site

AFRL/RIKO

26 Electronic Parkway Rome, NY, 13441-4514.

Purchase Request/Local Identification Number: FA8751-19-Q-0403 Program Name (and Program Element, if applicable): Waveform Generator Estimated Contract Cost (including options):

Type Program: Other Contracting Authority: 10 USC 2304(c)(1) Type Determination: Individual

Program Manager:

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

APPROVED:

I. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

AFRL/RIKO, 26 Electronic Pkwy, Rome NY 13441

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

AFRL/RITE requires waveform generators and supporting hardware for superconducting qubit experimentation.

This justification is for a new Firm Fixed Price (FFP) supply purchase.

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

Two (2x) of each of the following five (5) instruments will be purchased. Rack mount kits for provided for all instruments - both 2x single-mount and 1x dual-mount for HDAWG. These instruments are designed for the specific application of control and measurement of leading qubit technologies.

A. High Density Arbitrary Waveform Generator (HDAWG8), QTY 2 B. High Density Arbitrary Waveform Generator Memory Extension (HDAWG8-ME), QTY 2 C. High Density Arbitrary Waveform Generator Pulse Counter (HDAWG8-CNT), QTY 2 D. High Density Arbitrary Waveform Generator Multi Frequency (HDAWG8-MF), QTY 2 E. Ultra High Frequency Quantum Analyzer (UHFQA), QTY 2

A. HDAWG8 Arbitrary Waveform Generator The Zurich Instruments HDAWG multi-channel Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG) has the highest channel density available in its class and is designed for advanced signal generation up to 750 MHz bandwidth.

Key Features

• 2.4 GSa/s, 16 bit, 750 MHz signal bandwidth

• 5 Vpp maximum amplitude

• Scalable up to 64 output channels

• Highest channel density available

• Less than 50 ns trigger to output delay

• Digital modulation at multiple frequencies

• LabOne® AWG Sequencer and Compiler

B. HDAWG8-ME Memory Extension The HDAWG-ME Memory Extension option increases the available waveform memory of the HDAWG Arbitrary Waveform Generator from 64 MSa per channel to 500 MSa per channel.

This improves its capabilities for handling large libraries of waveforms for high-throughput device testing as well as for generation of wide-band chirp or noise signals.

C. HDAWG8-CNT Pulse Counter The HDAWG-CNT Pulse Counter allows the analysis of up to 8 pulse trains in parallel, enabling event-based measurements, e.g. photon detection using photo-multiplier tubes, at a maximum count rate of 300 MHz. There are four distinct modes of operation and each channel offers an adjustable discriminator with a range of ±10 V.

Key Features

• 4 or 8 counter modules

• 300 MHz maximum count rate

• 4 modes: free-running, gated, gated free-running, and time-tagging

• 4 or 8 signal inputs1 with adjustable discriminator level

• Background subtraction using 2 counter modules

• LabOne toolset to analyze counter measurements

D. HDAWG8-MF Multi-frequency The HDAWG-MF option extends the number of oscillators, enhancing the amplitude modulation capabilities of the HDAWG multi-channel AWG. With the multi-frequency option, you benefit from faster waveform upload and higher flexibility in tuning the carrier frequencies. This is particularly useful for applications that require many superimposed carrier frequencies.

Key Features

• 4 digital oscillators per AWG channel pair, instead of 1

• Output adder for advanced modulation: digital I/Q, phase, amplitude, frequency

• Individual frequencies up to 750 MHz

• Independent envelopes for separate carriers on one channel: phase cycling, frequency-domain multiplexing

E. UHFQA Quantum Analyzer The Zurich Instruments UHFQA Quantum Analyzer is a unique tool for parallel readout of up to 10 superconducting or spin qubits with highest speed and fidelity. The UHFQA covers a frequency span of up to ±600 MHz, with nanosecond timing resolution. It features 2 signal inputs and outputs for IQ base-band operation. Thanks to its low-latency signal processing chain of matched filters, real-time matrix operations, and state discrimination, the UHFQA supports roadmaps for ambitious quantum computing projects with 100 qubits and more.

Key Features

• 1.8 GSa/s, ±600 MHz measurement range by single-sideband modulation

• Parallel readout of up to 10 qubits

• Configurable matched filters, signal conditioning, crosstalk suppression, threshold operations

• 12 bit dual-channel input, 14 bit dual-channel AWG

• LabOne® control software (Windows and Linux) and APIs for LabVIEW®, Python, C, MATLAB®, .NET

Estimated value of this procurement after Shipping:

IV. STATUTORY AUTHORITY PERMITTING OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 USC 2304(c)(1), only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will stratify agency requirements.

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

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

AUTHORITY)

These instruments are unique among competing RF/microwave instrumentation vendors and manufacturers. The capabilities provided by the Zurich Instruments (ZI) apparatus make ZI the only known source that can satisfy the experimental requirements of manipulating Superconducting qubits in the desired way. For example, the Waveform Generator has the highest channel density in its class at 8 channels, whereas competitors only reach 4 channels. With the aforementioned supporting hardware, we will be able to analyze multiple streams of data simultaneously and do so across wide-band chirp/noise signals. The UHF Quantum Analyzer unit is also specifically designed for readout of up to 10 superconducting qubits. If members of our laboratory had to write code to make compatible the hardware from different vendors, if such hardware existed, we would lose hundreds of valuable person-hours (high speed estimate ~ two employees coding projects, working forty hours per week, over five apparatus, at four weeks per apparatus yields on the order of 1,600 hours). This would be a 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 Proposed Contract Action was synopsized as a Pre-solicitation Notice on Federal Business Opportunities website (www.FBO.gov) between 2 July 2019 and 17 July 2019, 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 anticipates the cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable based on a complete analysis of the contractor’s prices in accordance with FAR 15.404-1(b)(2)(vii) Other than certified cost or pricing data was analyzed.

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

STATEMENT OF THE REASONS MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED

Market Research on HDAWG and their supporting hardware was conducted by the end user. Research confirmed the government’s determination that no other known manufacturers or products exist that can fulfill this requirement.

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

None.

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

Zurich Instruments, AG.

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 laboratory lead will continue to research the performance and technical capabilities of similar products against each of their future requirements to avoid omitting other qualified sources. The market will be monitored for future availability of additional providers.

XII. 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.