SATPC0039217 Tab 06 RDSS..pdf

Page 1 V2.0 3-15-2017

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

NASA SHARED SERVICES CENTER

RECOMMENDATION AND DETERMINATION TO SOLICIT FROM ONE SOURCE

OR BRAND NAME

PICK ONE

Sole Source:

☒I recommend that NASA, NASA Shared Services Center negotiate with Maple Leaf Photonics only for Long-travel Fiber Positioner. The total estimated cost of this effort is and the estimated period of performance is 8-12 Weeks ARO.

OR

Brand Name Justification:

☐I recommend that NASA, NASA Shared Services Center negotiate with only with vendors who can provide the subject band name from Manufacture Name for Enter Supply or Service to be procured.

The total estimated cost of this effort is Enter Dollar amount and the estimated period of performance or lead-time for delivery is Date.

This recommendation is for the acquisition of supplies or services determined to be reasonably available from only one source/only one manufacture. Competition is impractical for the following reasons (please answer the questions below):

1. What are the reasons for soliciting only the suggested source/suggested brand name? Please provide the unique characteristics of the items or services along with the supporting rationale and the market research performed to substantiate your reason for the suggested source/brand name.

This item will be used for fiber-optic probing of photonic integrated circuit (PIC) chips. PICs require a fiber-optic interface to efficiently couple light on- and off-chip, forming the optical input/output connections. In the PIC Advanced Research and Development (PICARD) Lab at Langley Research Center, our team tests bare and packaged PICs to assess performance and integrated PICs into NASA instruments. The fiber positioner will be integrated into our existing Maple Leaf Photonics probe station to allow for 2-sided fiber optic probing of PICs (the current probe station can only support 1-sided probing). We require a second Maple Leaf Photonic fiber probe positioner to enable testing of state-of-the-art PIC functionalities that utilize more channels than can be addressed with a single positioner (single chip edge). The Maple Leaf Probe station and associated positioners were specifically chosen for PIC testing based on their automated fiber alignment capability, automated test capability based on importing chip design files, high resolution fiber positioning (2 nm) and simultaneous long travel (12+

mm) supporting accurate alignment and testing of the full chip. This is the only compatible probe positioner with both the hardware and software of our existing Maple Leaf Photonic probe station.

Motorized fiber-optic probes are not standardized, and therefore probe positioners from other manufacturers cannot be interchanged on the existing probe station. Additionally, Maple Leaf does not make alternative fiber positioners, so this is the only fiber positioner compatible with our probe station.

2. What is the impact to the government if another vendor/brand is used? Include any dollar, schedule, or compatibility impacts if possible.

No other probe positioner is compatible with our existing Maple Leaf probe station, and this is the only probe positioner made by Maple Leaf. Purchase of an alternate probe positioner would require purchase of a matching/compatible probe station, at minimum $100k purchase and typical 2-3 month lead time.

This additional cost and lead time would prevent project completion within budget and on time. This is the only compatible probe positioner with both the hardware and software of our existing Maple Leaf Photonic probe station. Motorized fiber-optic probes are not standardized, and therefore probe positioners from other manufacturers cannot be interchanged on the existing probe station. Additionally, Page 2 V2.0 3-15-2017

Maple Leaf does not make alternative fiber positioners, so this is the only fiber positioner compatible with our probe station.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

07/11/2025

Technical User Name Date