Sole Source JA_20Q45_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 low noise and lower temperature amplifiers and supporting hardware for superconducting qubit experimentation.

b. Sole source company: Quantum Microwave Components, LLC 93 Kilby St Hingham, MA 02043-2069 US

3. Description of Supplies or Service. The Government requires low noise and low temperature amplifiers and supporting hardware for superconducting qubit experimentation. Various quantities of the following items are required:

•LNF-LNR4_8C_SV Amplifier - this is a 4-8 GHz Low Noise Amplifier. The InGaAs/InAlAs/InP High Electron Mobility Transistors (InP HEMTs) ensures lowest noise and power dissipation. Specifications: RF bandwidth: 4-8 GHz, Noise Figure: 0.45 dB typical, Noise Temperature: 32 K typical, Gain: 42 dB, DC-power: Vd=1.25 @ 45 mA, One gate and one drain supply only, RF-connectors: female SMA, With +5V Regulator, DC: 2.7 to 6V @100 mA Max, Operating Temp -100 to +85 C, DC Contacts are Solder Pins

•LNF-LNR1_15A_SV Amplifier – this is an RF Low Noise Amplifier, operating in the range of 1 to 15 GHz, with noise figure of 0.7 dB and 37 dB gain. Specifications: RF bandwidth: 1-15 GHz, Noise Figure: 0.70 dB typical, Gain: 37 dB, DC-power: Vd=2.20V @ 45mA, One gate and one drain supply only, RF-connectors: female SMA, With +5V Regulator, DC: 2.7 to 6V @100 mA Max, Operating Temp -100 to +85 C, DC Contacts are Solder Pins

•LNF-NANO9M Connector - this is a 9-pin female connector compatible with other apparatus from LNF.

•LNF-ISISC4_12A Ferrite Component - this is an ultra-low insertion loss cryogenic double junction isolator/circulator operating in the 4-12 GHz frequency range. Specifications: Dual Junction Isolator Frequency: 4 to 12 GHz, Insertion loss: 0.4 dB typical, Isolation: 30 dB typical, Port match: 16 dB typical, RF-connectors: SMA Female

•LNF-CICIC4_12A Ferrite Component - this is an ultra-low insertion loss cryogenic double junction isolator/circulator operating in the 4-12 GHz frequency range. Specifications: Dual

Junction Circulator, Frequency: 4 to 12 GHz, Insertion loss: 0.40 dB typical, Isolation: 30 dB typical, Port match: 16 dB typical, RF-connectors: SMA Female

•LNF-LNC4_8C Amplifier - 4-8 GHz Cryogenic Low Noise Amplifier, with 0.02 dB noise figure and 42 dB gain. Specifications: RF bandwidth: 4-8 GHz, Noise Temperature: 1.5K typical, Gain: 42 dB, DC-power: Vd=0.70V, Id=15 mA, One gate and one drain supply only, RF-connectors: female SMA, DC-connector: 9-pin female Nano-D

•LNF-LNC0.2_3A – 0.2 – 3 GHz cryogenic low noise amplifier, with 0.02 dB noise figure, and gain of 34 dB. Specifications: RF bandwidth: 0.2-3 GHz, Noise Temperature: 1.5 K typical Noise Figure: 0.02 dB typical, Gain: 34 dB, DC-power: Vd=1.3 V, Id=50 mA, One gate and one drain supply only, RF-connectors: female SMA, DC-connector: 9-pin female Nano-D

•LNF-PS3b Power Supply - a new compact FET constant current power supply designed for cryogenic low-noise amplifiers. Specifications: Vdsense function to measure the actual Vds across the LNA; includes a power switch, display power switch; the drain voltage is regulated and adjustable within a wide range; the gate voltage is automatically and continuously adjusted to give a set drain current; Vd and ld are clearly displayed on the LCD monitor screen; Vd and ld are set by trim potentiometers on the front panel.

•LNF-SHIELD4_8_DJ Dual Junction Shield - this is an extra dual junction shield with screws.

•LNF-PBA Power Supply: Low Noise Linear Power Block - Powers up to a quantity of 8 LNF- PS_3's; AC Input 115 VAC or 230 VAC

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 required Quantum Microwave amplifiers are the only known amplifiers compatible with a Government owned Cryogenic Dilution Refrigerator and are the lowest noise commercially available amplifiers that can provide as high of a quality microwave amplifier performance in range of 1 to 10 GHz; particularly in regard to cryogenic noise temperature (spec’d at 1.5 K) as well as the above identified specifications. The use of any other amplifiers would require rewiring of the Government owned Cryogenic Dilution Refrigerator, resulting in of man hours and associated cost, and would also require additional cost to purchase requisite cables and electronic parts to attempt to have the items compatible.

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 21 May – 05 June 2020. No responses to this notice were received to give an indication that a company other than Quantum Microwave 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 15.404-

1(b)(2)(ii) Comparison of the proposed prices to historical prices paid, whether by the Government or other than the Government, for the same or similar items, and FAR 15.404- 1(b)(2)(vii) Other than certified cost or pricing data will be analyzed.

8. Market Research/Other facts. The program manager is not aware of any competing commercial brands that can provide as high a quality microwave amplifier performance in the range of 1 to 10 GHz; particularly in regard to cryogenic noise temperature (spec’d at 1.5 K).

A Notice of Intent to enter into a sole source with Quantum Microwave Components LLC was posted to beta.SAM.gov from 21 May – 05 June 2020, zero 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.

Quantum Microwave Components LLC

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