N0018918PZ371_JA,_N0018918RZ056.docx

J&A Number: 18-031

DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVSUP FLEET LOGISTICS CENTER NORFOLK

CONTRACTING DEPT – PHILADELPHIA DIVISION

700 ROBBINS AVENUE – BUILDING 2B

PHILADELPHIA, PA 19111

JUSTIFICATION AND APPROVAL

FOR USE OF SOLE SOURCE

1.0 IDENTIFICATION OF AGENCY AND CONTRACTING ACTIVITY. The requiring agency is the United States Naval Observatory in Washington, DC (USNO); the contracting activity is the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk (FLCNORVA), Contracting Department, Philadelphia Office.

2.0 Description of the Action Being Approved. Award of a sole-source, firm-fixed price (FFP) contract for Fiber-Coupled Laser System to be incorporated in the USNO Rubidium Fountain Clocks.

3.0 Description of Supplies/Services. The items to be procured are fiber-coupled lasers with output at 782nm. The items must meet the following specifications, which represent the minimum need of the Government for this acquisition:

· Center wavelength: 780.24nm

· CW laser Linewidth: <250 kHz

· CW power output up to 1 W, adjustable

· Continuously tunable (mode-hop free) over at least 8 GHz (covers the Rb D2 transition manifold)

· Wavelength-lock capability via external servo input Output coupled into a single-mode polarization-maintaining fiber with FC/APC coupler, yielding a linearly-polarized output

· Separate monitor output, capable of providing >3 mW

· Fit into a 3U space in a standard equipment rack

· Wall-plug power consumption < 250W

· System shall not employ 780 nm semiconductor components to generate the output

The placement of a FFP-type contract is anticipated. A total of seven (7) laser systems are to be procured over the term of the contract. The base quantity will require a single laser system, estimated at [redacted], with two additional ordering periods, that will include a quantity of three (3) each, with an estimated dollar value of [redacted] respectively. The primary delivery location for work under this contract will be at the USNO site in Washington, DC. Funding for this acquisition has been provided by the United States Naval Observatory (USNO), with an estimated delivery date of 12 weeks after award is made.

4.0. Statutory Authority Permitting SOLE SOURCE.41 USC 1901(e)(2) - a sole source acquisition under the authority of the test program for certain commercial items, as implemented by FAR 13.501(a). The laser systems must be compatible with the existing fiber lasers (EYLSA High performance CW fiber laser, Model Number PFBX0003) already in use in two of USNO’s fountain clocks in order to maintain uniformity of operation of these clocks. Known issues with 780 nm semiconductor lasers prohibit long-term use without user intervention. Free-space (i.e. not fiber-coupled) laser systems introduce losses that limit the clock performance.

Quantel-USA, Inc., from Bozeman, MT, is the only manufacturer who produces lasers that meet the government's minimum needs. The intended contractor, Quantel-USA, Inc., is identified in the System for Award Management (SAM) as a small business; the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code applicable to this procurement is 333314, “Optical Instrument and Lens Manufacturing”.

5.0. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority. Under Joint Chiefs of Staff instruction CJCSI 6130.01D, the U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) is directed to supply UTC(USNO), the “Master Clock (MC)”, to the DOD at a level that meets or exceeds mission requirements and helps to ensure continued US military superiority through advanced technology. DoD Directive 4650.5 charges the Secretary of the Navy to “direct the U.S. Naval Observatory to derive and maintain the standard for uniformity of Precise Time and Time Interval services for the DoD Components”.

6.0. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit Offers from as Many Offerors as Practicable. Extensive market research was conducted by the requiring activity and the contracting office. Searching GSAAdvantage.gov and market research through internet searches and trade shows, USNO found only one manufacturer of the EYLSA High Performances CW Fiber laser (PFBX0003) fiber-coupled laser system that meets the listed requirements.

While the intent is to solicit this as a sole source acquisition, a notice of the acquisition will be posted to the Government-wide point of entry (GPE). The notice will include a description of the requirement, the intent to sole source, and copies of the solicitation and this J&A.

Furthermore, a sources sought was posted on 28 March 2018. No responses or interest were received from any other vendors.

7.0. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost. The Contracting Officer has determined the anticipated cost to the Government of the supplies covered by this J&A will be fair and reasonable.

8.0. Actions to Remove Barriers to Future Competition. For the reasons set forth in Paragraph 5, the Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk (FLCNORVA), Contracting Department, Philadelphia Office has no plans at this time to compete future contacts for the types of supplies covered by this document. If another potential source emerges, NAVSUP will assess whether competition for future requirements is feasible.

9.0. CONTRACTING POINT OF CONTACT

NAVSUP FLC Norfolk, Philadelphia Office Mr. Jordan Doar, Code 270.1 Comm (215)697-9681 Email: yarden.doar@navy.mil

[signatures redacted] Source Selection Information – FAR 2.101 and 3.104 image1.png