2.02c Sole Source Justification_Redacted.pdf

Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 and 3.104

Document Number:

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

1. Identification of Agency and Contracting Activity.

The requiring activity is The United States Naval Observatory (USNO), 3450 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington DC; the contracting activity is NAVSUP Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Norfolk, Contracting Dept., Fleet Directorate.

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

This is a sole source action to be awarded on a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) basis as a new purchase order to AOSense, Inc., a small business. For the provision of Atomic Beam Ovens and Diode Lasers to meet DoD requirements.

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The USNO seeks to procure one (1) 431 nanometer (nm) external cavity diode laser (ECDL), and five

(5) Atomic Beam Ovens dispersed as follows: three (3) strontium (Sr) ovens and two (2) calcium (Ca) ovens.

The USNO Clock Development Division is researching new clock technology for future integration with a focus on optical spectroscopy. One of the detection methods for this system is to implement laser induced fluorescence using a 431nanometer transition that couples only to atoms in the excited clock state.

A Laser at 431 nm is required as this is a uncommon wavelength, and is not as commonly developed as other technology or more common wavelengths. For research and development (R&D) purposes, USNO seeks to procure a laser that is compact, stable and robust. It is USNO’s belief that an external cavity diode laser (ECDL) system using an interference filter for wavelength selection is the best technology for this purpose. The required specifications for the current system are listed in the SOW, and include center wavelength, linewidth, output power, and turn-key operation.

In addition to the calcium beam clock, a second R&D project to build a strontium lattice clock is ongoing. The atom source is a critical component in both optical clock programs, and atom source construction for alkaline-earth species is a particular challenge. AOSense, Inc. designed and built a cold strontium source and a cold calcium source (products Beam-RevC-Sr and Beam-RevC-Ca respectively).

The center of each of these sources is comprised of an oven loaded with bulk strontium or calcium metal. As is true for all atom sources, the initial mass of loaded metal results in a finite lifetime of the alkaline-earth atom source. At the end-of-life of the oven, the atom source must be re-loaded with its corresponding alkaline-earth element. To that end, it is recommended to replace the existing oven with a new oven, pre-loaded with strontium or calcium (for the respective product). In an effort to minimize downtime, USNO seeks to purchase replacement and redundant ovens for the strontium and calcium projects. Three ovens are required to meet the needs of the strontium lattice clock program, and two ovens are required to meet the need of the calcium beam clock program. The required specifications for the new ovens are listed in the SOW. The requested procurement is estimated to cost , with a required delivery date of 3-4 months from ARO.

Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 and 3.104

Document Number:

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this Justification and its supporting acquisition planning documents, except as noted herein, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Signature Name (Printed) Date Phone No.

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW

I have determined this Justification is legally sufficient.

Signature Name (Printed) Date Phone No.

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. To the extent that the Justification value is >$250K and <$750K, the Contracting Officer’s signature below also represents approval of the document.

Signature Name (Printed) Date Phone No.