HyperPIX_JOFOC_DFA Development FINAL.pdf

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Langley Research Center (LaRC)

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

(JOFOC)

For The Development of Diffractive Filter Array (DFA) for Hyperspectral Diffractive Imaging Spectrometer (DRISM) Application

1. Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) 6.303-2(b)(1) – Identification of the agency and the contracting activity, and specific identification of the document as a “Justification for other than full and open competition.”

This document is a justification for other than full and open competition prepared by

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Langley Research Center.

The procuring agency is the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the contracting activity is Office of Procurement, NASA Langley Research Center.

2. FAR 6.303-2(b)(2) – The nature and/or description of the action being approved:

This justification provides the rationale for contracting by other than full and open competition to award a sole-source contract to the University of Utah for developing Diffractive Filter Array (DFA) that will be used for upgrading the Stratospheric Aerosol and Gas Experiment (SAGE IV) instrument by replacing the functions of six optical bandpass filters to perform Hyperspectral Diffractive Imaging Spectrometer (DRISM). This work supports the NASA requirements for the project, titled “Hyperspectral Planetary Imaging Explorer (HyperPIX): A Diffractive Multi-Object Imaging Spectrograph for Planetary Observations in Visible and IR Wavelengths” for developing and demonstrating an imaging spectrograph, which was competitively awarded through the Planetary Exploration Science Technology Office (PESTO) Planetary Instrument Concepts for the Advancement of Solar System Observations (PICASSO) 2024 program.

3. FAR 6.303-2(b)(3) – A description of the supplies or services required, to meet the

Agency’s needs (including the estimated value):

The NASA LaRC Engineering Directorate, Remote Sensing Branch, proposal, titled “Hyperspectral Planetary Imaging Explorer (HyperPIX): A Diffractive Multi-Object Imaging Spectrograph for Planetary Observations in Visible and IR Wavelengths” was submitted to, and competitively selected by, the NASA Planetary Exploration Science Technology Office under the PICASSO 2024 solicitation. This proposal includes the DFA development and demonstration activities identified in this JOFOC. The University of Utah is part of this effort, providing engineering support and the following specific work tasks under this contact:

1. DFA Surface Model for Final Design: Conduct the DFA design for the DRISM application using surface modeling to identify the required microstructure in the form of a periodic unit cell structure.

2. DFA Fabrication: Use the optimized DFA design parameters, resulting from the updated device model, to fabricate the actual DFA, while ensuring the fabrication meets the specifications for the DRISM configuration in the SAGE IV setup.

3. DFA Surface Inspection and Characterization: Inspect and characterize the DFA surface after fabrication.

4. DRISM Calibration for Model Update: Install the fabricated DFA into the SAGE IV filter wheel to form the DRISM configuration. Test and calibrate the DRISM using collimated sources and a point source available at LaRC.

5. Image Reconstruction: Develop and perform image reconstruction algorithm to solve for the hyperspectral image to produce multiple spectral images using the provided interferogram images under different conditions.

These tasks will be concluded with final reports and delivery of three DFA filters. NASA LaRC intends to issue a firm-fixed price contract with a period of performance of 36 months with an estimated projected start date in August 2025, and an estimated dollar value of $579,836.

4. FAR 6.303-2(b)(4) – An identification of the statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition:

The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C.

3204(a)(1), as implemented by FAR 6.302-1, only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, based on the justification outlined below.

5. FAR 6.303-2(b)(5) – A demonstration that the proposed contractor’s unique qualifications or the nature of the acquisition requires use of the authority cited:

The rationale supporting the use of 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1) is described below.

University of Utah is the only responsible source for the following reasons:

Diffractive Filter Array (DFA) is a new non-commercial technology that replaces the functions of many optical components with a single optical component. DFA development is a complicated process that requires optical modeling and simulation in the design phase, precise fabrication techniques, proper implementation, and intense image processing algorithms. The University of Utah has established the required scientific and technical expertise for developing and implementing the DFA technology through the work of Professor Rajesh Menon at the University of Utah.

The DFA technology has been successfully demonstrated, as cited in (1) P. Wang and R.

Menon, “Ultra-high-sensitivity color imaging via a transparent diffractive-filter array and computational optics,” Optica 2, 933-939, 2015, (2) P. Wang and R. Menon, “Computational multispectral video imaging,” Journal of the Optical Society of America A 25, 189-199, 2018, and (3) R. Menon and N. Brimhall, “Perspectives on imaging with diffractive flat optics,” ACS Photonics 10, 1046–1052, 2023.

Although the previous DFA demonstrations were based on placing the DFA close to the Focal Plane Array (FPA) detector for capturing hyperspectral images, the current requirement is to advance the DFA technology by placing the device away from the detector, in the collimated portion of the receiver optics to capture the same hyperspectral images.

This requirement serves as a validation tool by comparing the optical performance of the DFA against standard optical bandpass filters, which is a major milestone for the HyperPIX project. Therefore, the University of Utah has the required unique and specialized work skills and assets to advance the DFA technology through this work to meet the project requirements. No other company or institute has demonstrated the capability to provide the full required services using this new technology. Other radiation dispersive techniques, relying on grating or prisms, are bulky and inefficient, which does not meet the size restrictions and performance requirements for the HyperPIX demonstration.

6. FAR 6.303-2(b)(6) – A description of the efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable, including whether a notice was or will be publicized as required by Subpart 5.2 and, if not, which exception under 5.202 applies:

LaRC competed, and was selected, for this work as part of the Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) NASA Research Announcement via the PESTO PICASSO 2024 program. The competition for the overall effort was obtained via selection by peer-review and executive panels. LaRC identified the University of Utah as a team member to support the effort it its proposal. No other competition or solicitation of sources is needed.

However, a notice to the Government Point of Entry (GPE) website (beta.sam.gov) will be published in accordance with FAR Subpart 5.2. This posting will inform potential sources of NASA’s intent to award this sole-source contract to the University of Utah.

7. FAR 6.303-2(b)(7) – A determination by the contracting officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable:

The Contracting Officer’s signature on this document indicates that the Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the government will be fair and reasonable. The Contractor shall be required to submit a proposal to be evaluated and negotiated by the Government. Prior to execution of the contractual instrument, a proposal analysis will be performed. The proposal analysis will ensure that the final agreed-to price for the contract action is fair and reasonable. The contractor will provide sufficient breakdown by cost element, which will be reviewed and analyzed in accordance with FAR 15.4.

8. FAR 6.303-2(b)(8) – Description of the market research conducted, and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted:

Market research conducted by the requiring activity confirms that University of Utah is the only institute in the USA capable of providing the DFA devices with required specifications and performance. The HyperPIX work was selected for award by the NASA PESTO PICASSO 2024 program, with the University of Utah proposed to develop and support the demonstration of this technology. Other institutes developing similar hyperspectral imaging are from other countries and/or rely on different technologies, such as gratings or prisms.

Therefore, the Contracting Officer does not anticipate any competition for HyperPIX requirements because no other firm in the USA can meet the performance improvements and the form, fit and function requirements for this acquisition.

As stated in paragraph 6 above, a notice will be posted to the GPE and any responses received will be evaluated to determine their ability to meet the Government’s requirements.

9. FAR 6.303-2(b)(9) – Any other facts supporting the use of other than full and open competition:

The proposed HyperPIX work requires DFA development and implementation, which is a new non-commercial technology not fully demonstrated by any entity in the USA, other than University of Utah. Other radiation dispersive techniques, relying on grating or prisms, are bulky and inefficient, which does not meet the size restrictions and performance requirements for the HyperPIX demonstration. Efforts to develop this capability with a competing company would significantly increase cost and delay the schedule for the development and delivery of the DFA with the required performance requirements.

10. FAR 6.303-2(b)(10) – A listing of the sources, if any, that expressed an interest in writing in the acquisition:

No other firms have expressed an interest in this acquisition.

11. FAR 6.303-2(b)(11) – A statement of actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before any subsequent acquisition for the supplies or services required:

The Agency will continue to examine the market in the future for alternative solutions or new sources before executing any subsequent acquisitions for the same requirements.

Development of Diffractive Filter Array (DFA) for Hyperspectral Diffractive Imaging Spectrometer (DRISM) Application for HyperPIX Demonstration

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AND OPEN COMPETITION

SIGNATURE PAGE

I certify that the facts presented in this justification are accurate and complete.

Dr. Tamer F. Refaat Technical Representative

I hereby certify that the above justification is complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Stacy M. Hollis Contracting Officer