19r14_a10_JA_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:

Program Name (and Program Element, if applicable): Quantum Networking Estimated Contract Cost (including options):

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

7 Feb 19 Program Manager: _ ____________ _____________

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

APPROVED:

Date Signed

Contracting Officer

I. CONTRACTING ACTIVITY

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

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

AFRL/RITE requires a picosecond pulsed Titanium: Sapphire laser system which has a final doubled wavelength output at 369nm, with a fundamental source output of 739nm. The system will support the AFRL/RI in-house quantum information science research.

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

AFRL/RITE requires the purchase a picosecond pulsed laser source at 369nm, with low output noise for ongoing, in-house quantum information research. The required system is comprised of the following components and the associated specifications:

Mira HP-P: (P/N: 1110587) a high-power Titanium: Sapphire ultrafast picosecond laser with lens mode-locking technology built on a temperature compensated, easy-to access baseplate providing quick and convenient picosecond/CW reconfiguration.

- Key specifications:

- Output power > 2.8 W

- Pulsewidth < 2 ps

- Tuning range 700-980 nm

- Repetition Rate 76 MHz

- Noise < 0.1% (Measured RMS in a 10 Hz to 20 MHz bandwidth)

- includes closed-loop chiller and Optima controller unit

Verdi G18 OPSLaser-Diode System: (P/N 1225494) an Optically Pumped Semiconductor Laser (OPSL) with an output power of >18W @ 532nm, single transverse mode, TEM 00. OPSL technology eliminates thermal lensing issues and allows the power to be adjusted without affecting beam parameters, including beam diameter, beam divergence, and M2. The short upper state lifetime also eliminates green noise. Includes heat exchanger and water tubes.

- Key Specifications:

- RMS Noise: < 0.02 % rms (10Hz – 100MHz)

- Max power consumption: 1.25kW (90 – 250 VAC)

- Single transverse mode, lowest noise specification

- No thermal lensing or “green noise” issues

- No need for strict control of diode temperature via temp. servo

- PermAlign, no realignment necessary

- Manufactured and sealed in cleanroom

- Efficient pumping with only one diode module

- Includes a riser to bring the Verdi G laser’s output beam at the correct beam height to pump a Mira or MBR laser.

- includes a solid state chiller, which can be integrated in the Mira’s or MBR’s cooling circuit.

SHG for Mira Pico: Second Harmonic Generating (SHG) unit used to double the wavelength output of the MIRA from 739nm to 369.5nm.

Syncrolock Ap Laser-Laser/Slow/Fast Ext Trig/Internal Clock Config:W/Two Miras; This system allows for the synchronization of multiple lasers, and is compatible with the MIRA laser system.

Pulse Picker 9200: provides precise control of the pulse repetition rate over the widest range available.

The 9200 head is a rugged mechanical assembly providing simple, single-pass diffraction of the pulse train with a high efficiency, SiO2 Bragg cell. A dedicated, CPU-controlled electronics module adjusts all parameters of the RF pulses and displays all diagnostics on a four level LCD display.

- Key Features:

- Single pass Bragg cell for easy alignment

- Dedicated controller for RF power, pulsewidth, delay and phase.

- Single optics set 700-1000nm range

- Compatible with the MIRA system

The estimated value of this procurement is

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 satisfy 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)

The Government has made a determination that no other source can meet this requirement.

Coherent, Inc. is the only known manufacturer of a picosecond Titanium: Sapphire (Ti:Saph) laser with noise levels less than 0.1% measured RMS in a 10 Hz to 20 MHz bandwidth. This system with the frequency doubler (SHG) is one of the fundamental laser systems required to perform a trapped ion entanglement experiment. The wavelength range of the MIRA allows for a 739nm output to be doubled to 369.5nm, using the compatible SHG module. These wavelengths are required to interact with the species of ion that are being used in the entanglement experiment. The low noise level and output power of this system allows for the alignment of the system in both location and time to multiple ions located in different vacuum chambers.

Additional components and associated equipment are also required to support quantum information science research and maintain continuity in experimentation. These required components come together to make the MIRA picosecond laser system with the desired output wavelengths, optical power, noise level, and repetition rate. It is essential that these systems also come from Coherent to ensure compatibility and interoperability with the MIRA Ti:Saph picosecond laser system. The Verdi G18 pump laser provides the source of light whose output is adjusted with the MIRA to the desired output wavelength, and changes it from a continuous wave (CW) system to a pico-second pulsed laser. The SHG module allows for changes in the fundamental wavelength from 739nm to 369.5nm which is required for ongoing experiments. The synchronizing system enables multiple systems to be in time with each other.

The pulse picker 9200 is compatible with the MIRA system, and is set to work with the output wavelength that is needed for experimentation.

This picosecond system with the low noise level, wavelength range, and output power are unique to Coherent. Accordingly, Coherent is the only firm capable of providing a laser system with the required functionality and performance characteristics described above. Alternative systems offered by other sources are unable to meet the performance characteristics required for ongoing research. If this system is not procured from Coherent, there will be significant technical capability degradation to the future experiments of the lab, potentially causing the inability to meet yearly program milestones and resulting in the U.S. Air Force experiencing unacceptable delays in fulfilling its requirements.

To the Government’s knowledge, the only system with the correct pulse widths, sufficiently low noise values, and which operates at the desired wavelengths, is Coherent’s optically doubled Titanium:

Sapphire tunable ultra-short pulsed laser system with integrated SHG unit. No other source is able to provide a system capable of meeting the Government’s needs.

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 the Federal Business Opportunities website (www.FBO.gov) between 04 January 2019 and 18 January 2019. A response was received from , Sales Director, ., stating that offered equipment capable of synchronizing the laser. This information was forwarded to the end-user for review. , AFRL/RITE, determined the equipment was only a single component of the complete laser system and therefore not capable of meeting the full requirement. Information for this company will be retained by the end-user for possible use in future requirements.

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 (such as invoice(s)) from supplier.

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

A STATEMENT OF THE REASONS MARKET RESEARCH WAS NOT CONDUCTED

Market Research on picosecond Titanium:Sapphire Pulsed lasers and the associated performance characteristics was conducted by the end user. This research identified a system offered by that was similar in characteristic to the Coherent system. However, further review of the system determined the noise level of the laser to be higher and measured over a smaller bandwidth causing it to be unacceptable for the needs of the Government. 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

Coherent, Inc., 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 end-user will continue to monitor the market in order to identify opportunities to maximize competition in potential future requirements.

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.