NOI_FA700026Q0085.pdf

Telescope and Dome IT System Software Support | Special Notice FA700026Q0085

DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE

US Air Force Academy (USAFA)

Notice of Intent to Sole Source - FA700026Q0085

Telescope and Dome IT System Software Support

Agency Department of the Air Force

Location US Air Force Academy (USAFA)

Notice Type Special Notice / Notice of Intent to Sole Source

NAICS Code 541511 – Custom Computer Programming Services

Product Service Code (PSC) DA01 – IT and Telecom - Business Application/Application Development Support Services (Labor)

Response Deadline 27 July 2026, 10:00 AM MDT

Description The US Air Force Academy (USAFA), Department of Physics and Meteorology, intends to award a sole source firm-fixed-price purchase order to Lunt Solar Systems, located at 2520 N Coyote Dr Ste 111, Tucson, Arizona 85745. Lunt Solar Systems is a small business and the sole authorized US distributor for the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Astro Systeme Austria (ASA).

Requirement The requirement is for 200 hours of remote IT support and custom software upgrades for the USAFA One-Meter Telescope. The services involve specialized remote engineering labor to integrate a new main telescope control computer and perform custom software upgrades to the telescope system. This specifically includes upgrading the dome control motor/motion logic, tracking, pointing, and camera compatibility to ensure efficient low-earth orbit satellite tracking.

Sole Source Justification The telescope hardware and control architecture utilize proprietary software and hardware interfaces unique to the OEM, Astro Systeme Austria (ASA). Third-party vendors lack the necessary access to the proprietary source code required to integrate the new control computer or reprogram the dome’s

Telescope and Dome IT System Software Support | Special Notice FA700026Q0085 rotational logic. Lunt Solar Systems is ASA’s sole distributor. Engaging the OEM’s sole distributor is essential to ensure full system interoperability and hardware-software synchronization.

Instructions to Interested Parties This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive proposals or a solicitation for offers. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. However, all responsible sources that believe they can provide the required services may submit a capability statement to Ron Wilson at ronald.wilson.26@us.af.mil or Wanda Farr at wanda.farr@us.af.mil which shall be considered by the agency if received by the response deadline of 27 July 2026 at 10:00 AM MDT.

Ombudsman

(a) An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the interested party to another official who can resolve the concern.

(b) Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions).

(c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, the interested party may contact the ombudsman, Mr. James Anderson, 8110 Industrial Drive, STE 103, USAFA, CO 80840, Telephone number 719-333-2074, FAX 719-333-9018, Email: james.anderson.72@us.af.mil. Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the Center/MAJCOM/DRU/SMC ombudsman level, may be brought by the interested party for further consideration to the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (571) 256-2395, facsimile number (571) 256- 2431.

(d) The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency.

(e) Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the contracting officer.

(End of clause)