SATPC0041901 Tab 06 BNJ..pdf
PDF 139 KB Posted
- Solicitation number
- 80NSSC26938932Q
About this file
This is a NASA Shared Services Center Recommendation and Determination to Solicit from One Source or Brand Name, dated August 26, 2026.
NASA recommends negotiating exclusively with vendors who can provide the C-RED 2 astronomical infrared camera from Andor/Oxford Instruments. The procurement is justified as a brand name acquisition rather than a sole source, with a performance or delivery date of October 18, 2026. The specific camera is required for an astronomical instrument designed to observe stellar occultations and must meet demanding technical specifications: high-speed imaging capability of 300-1,000 frames per second, low noise levels below 1,000 electrons per second, near-infrared wavelength range of 0.9-1.5 microns, cooling capability to -40°C, minimal overhead with exposure intervals less than 0.1% of exposure time, external GPS triggering capability, and high-speed computer interface compatibility. Market research determined that the C-RED 2 is the only product meeting these specifications, and Andor provides essential technical support for professional astronomical applications. The document notes that alternative brands would likely fail to meet the required specifications and lack manufacturer support for professional astronomy use cases, creating significant performance and compatibility risks to the government if a substitute vendor were used.
View the file
Other files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| SATPC0041901 Tab 04 4 SOW..pdf | ||
| SATPC0041901 Tab 10 RFQ Open Market Template.pdf |
On GovTribe
Work with this file
- Download the original file
- Contacts named in this file
- Similar government files
- Ask GovTribe AI about this file
Text version
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 Vendor Name only 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.
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 Andor for an astronomical infrared camera. The total estimated cost of this effort is and the estimated period of performance or lead-time for delivery is 2026/10/18.
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.
We are building an astronomical instrument designed for observing stellar occultations. To that end, we need a camera capable of high-speed (300-1000 fps), low-noise (<1000 elections per second), near-infrared (0.9-1.5 microns) observations, with low cooling capability (-40 C). It must have very low overhead, meaning the time between subsequent exposures is less than 0.1% of the exposure. It must also be able to be externally triggered from a GPS and have high-speed interface with a control computer.
From our market research, we have determined the C-RED 2 from Andor/Oxford Instruments is the only product that meets these specifications. The C-RED 2 is a professional astronomical camera and Andor has support for our astronomical use case.
2. What is the impact to the government if another vendor/brand is used? Include any dollar, schedule, or compatibility impacts if possible.
Another brand will likely be unable to perform to the desired specifications. Furthermore, other manufacturers of similar cameras do not support professional astronomers and may be unable to help with our use case.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
8/26/2026
Technical User Name Date
Title
Office
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .