Sole Source JA_20Q34_Redacted.pdf

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

1. Contracting Activity.

a. Requiring Activity:

b. Contracting Activity: AFRL/RIKO, 26 Electronic Pkwy, Rome NY 13441

c. Purchase Request #:

2. Nature and/or Description of Action.

a. Description of Requirement: The Government requires a Quantum Analyzer and Waveform Generator with supporting hardware for superconducting a qubit experimentation.

b. Sole source company: Zurich Instruments Technoparkstrasse 1

8005 Zurich, Switzerland

3. Description of Supplies or Service. The Government requires each of the following five (5) instruments. Rack mount kits for provided for all instruments - both single-mount and dual-mount for HDAWG. These instruments are designed for the specific application of control and measurement of leading qubit technologies.

a. HDAWG8 Arbitrary Waveform Generator (Unit Cost USD ): The Zurich Instruments HDAWG multi-channel Arbitrary Waveform Generator (AWG) has the highest channel density available in its class and is designed for advanced signal generation up to 750 MHz bandwidth.

Key Features:

2.4 GSa/s, 16 bit, 750 MHz signal bandwidth

5 Vpp maximum amplitude Scalable up to 64 output channels Highest channel density available Less than 50 ns trigger to output delay Digital modulation at multiple frequencies LabOne® AWG Sequencer and Compiler

b. HDAWG8-ME Memory Extension (Unit Cost USD ): The HDAWG-ME Memory Extension option increases the available waveform memory of the HDAWG Arbitrary Waveform Generator from 64 MSa per channel to 500 MSa per channel. This improves its capabilities for handling large libraries of waveforms for high-throughput device testing as well as for generation of wide-band chirp or noise signals.

c. HDAWG8-CNT Pulse Counter (Unit Cost USD ): The HDAWG-CNT Pulse Counter allows the analysis of up to 8 pulse trains in parallel, enabling event-based measurements, e.g.

photon detection using photo-multiplier tubes, at a maximum count rate of 300 MHz. There are four distinct modes of operation and each channel offers an adjustable discriminator with a range of ±10 V.

Key Features:

4 or 8 counter modules 300 MHz maximum count rate 4 modes: free-running, gated, gated free-running, and time-tagging 4 or 8 signal inputs with adjustable discriminator level Background subtraction using 2 counter modules LabOne toolset to analyze counter measurements

d. HDAWG8-MF Multi-frequency (Unit Cost USD ): The HDAWG-MF option extends the number of oscillators, enhancing the amplitude modulation capabilities of the HDAWG multi-channel AWG. With the multi-frequency option, you benefit from faster waveform upload and higher flexibility in tuning the carrier frequencies. This is particularly useful for applications that require many superimposed carrier frequencies.

Key Features:

4 digital oscillators per AWG channel pair, instead of 1 Output adder for advanced modulation: digital I/Q, phase, amplitude, frequency Individual frequencies up to 750 MHz Independent envelopes for separate carriers on one channel: phase cycling, frequency-domain multiplexing

e. UHFQA Quantum Analyzer (Unit Cost USD ): The Zurich Instruments UHFQA Quantum Analyzer is a unique tool for parallel readout of up to 10 superconducting or spin qubits with highest speed and fidelity. The UHFQA covers a frequency span of up to ±600 MHz, with nanosecond timing resolution. It features 2 signal inputs and outputs for IQ base-band operation. Thanks to its low-latency signal processing chain of matched filters, real-time matrix operations, and state discrimination, the UHFQA supports roadmaps for ambitious quantum computing projects with 100 qubits and more.

Key Features:

1.8 GSa/s, ±600 MHz measurement range by single-sideband modulation Parallel readout of up to 10 qubits Configurable matched filters, signal conditioning, crosstalk suppression, threshold operations 12 bit dual-channel input, 14 bit dual-channel AWG LabOne® control software (Windows and Linux) and APIs for LabVIEW®, Python, C, MATLAB®, .NET

The estimated value of this procurement is .

4. Statutory Authority. 10 USC 2304(c)(1) Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy the agency requirement.

5. Justification or Authority for Action. The Government is purchasing a second apparatus in order to stock a new laboratory called the Open Innovation Environment where we can hire foreign nationals etc. These instruments are unique among RF/microwave instrumentation as the capabilities provided by the Zurich Instruments (ZI) apparatus make ZI the only known source that can satisfy the experimental requirements for specific application of control and measurement of leading qubit technologies. The Waveform Generator has the highest channel density in its class (8 channels). The aforementioned supporting hardware allows the Government to analyze multiple streams of data simultaneously and do so across wide-band chirp/noise signals. The UHF Quantum Analyzer unit is also specifically designed for readout of up to 10 superconducting qubits.

6. Efforts Made to Ensure Offers are Solicited from as many Sources as Practicable. A Pre-solicitation Notice outlining the Government’s intent to make a sole-source award was posted to beta.SAM.gov 20 February - 06 March 2020. A late response was received from in which they provided a datasheet for only a portion of the requirement (waveform generator).

This datasheet was provided to the end user for evaluation, in which it was determined that it would not satisfy this current and specific requirement:

The required HDAWG product is designed to operate seamlessly with the ZI UHFQA, both of which the Government requires for measurements and the AWG may result in compatibility issues with the software used to run the instrumentation. This would lead to hours of debugging and programming. Additionally, the ZI UHFQA and HDAWG have been designed specifically for measuring and controlling multiple superconducting quantum bits in an integrated platform, with low latency and high efficiency

Additionally a datasheet was only provided for the waveform generator, not the quantum analyzer which is also part of the requirement

No other responses to this notice were received to give an indication that a company other than Zurich Instruments could fulfill the requirement.

7. The Contracting Officer determined that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable. Costs will be determined fair and reasonable in accordance with FAR 13.106- 3(a)(2)(ii) Comparison of proposed price with prices found fair and reasonable on previous purchases of the same or similar items in the same industry, and FAR 13.106-3(a)(2)(iii) Current price lists, catalogs, or advertisements.

8. Market Research/Other facts. Market Research on HDAWG and their supporting hardware was conducted by the end user. Research confirmed the Government’s determination that no other known manufacturers or products exist that can fulfill this requirement. A Notice of Intent to enter into a sole source with Zurich Instruments was posted to beta.SAM.gov from 20 February - 06 March 2020, while one late response was received, it was found technically unacceptable by the end user (see paragraph 6 above). No other responses were received.

9. Any other facts supporting Other than Full and Open Competition. There are no other facts supporting this justification.

10. List of Sources that have Expressed in Writing an Interest in the Procurement.

Zurich Instruments

11. Statement of Actions to Remove/Overcome Barriers to Competition. The laboratory lead will continue to research the performance and technical capabilities of similar products against each of their future requirements to avoid omitting other qualified sources. The market will be monitored for future availability of additional providers.

12. Contracting Officer’s Certification. The contracting officer’s signature below evidences that he/she has determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of his/her knowledge and belief.

13. Technical / Requirements Personnel Certification. As evidenced by the signature below, the technical and/or requirements personnel have certified that any supporting data contained herein, which is their responsibility, is both accurate and complete.

Program Manager

APPROVED DISAPPROVED

Contracting Officer