Sole Source Justification_Redacted.pdf

Source Selection Information – See FAR 2.101 and 3.104

SOLE SOURCE JUSTIFICATION

FIBER LASER SYSTEM FROM LUMIBIRD

1. Identification of Agency and Contracting Activity.

The requiring activity is the United States Naval Observatory (hereinafter, "USNO"), 3450 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20392; the contracting agency is NAVSUP Norfolk, Pentagon Directorate.

2. Description of the Action Being Approved.

The Naval Supply System Command (hereinafter, “NAVSUP”), Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk (hereinafter, “FLCN”) is procuring fiber laser systems for the United States Naval Observatory. The laser system must be compatible and a direct replacement for the existing fountains in terms of available space, power dissipation, and electronic connections. It is anticipated that a single Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (hereinafter, “IDIQ”) contract action will be awarded with a five (5)-year ordering period set to begin on 23 August 2024 and run through 22 August 2029

3. Description of Supplies/Services.

The first generation of USNO-built clocks is an ensemble of Rubidium (Rb) fountains. These clocks have been used for operations for more than a decade and are a vital part of the USNO’s clock ensemble. In recent years the laser systems on the fountains have been upgraded from semiconductor lasers to telecom-based systems. This new technology has proven superior in laser-source quality, output power, and stability over time. All fountains now use this new laser technology and

USNO seeks to procure additional units as spares, as the lasers do occasionally need maintenance and/or replacement. The laser system must be compatible and a direct replacement for the existing fountains in terms of available space, power dissipation, and electronic connections.

Need:

USNO has an ensemble of rubidium fountains that were built in-house and have been an important part of timing operations for more than a decade. One of the crucial subsystems is the 780 nm laser, and USNO requires spare lasers for immediate use in case of a failure. These new lasers must be identical to the ones already in use in form and function. They must also be drop-in replacement for the systems already in use. The laser system must be compatible and a direct replacement for the existing fountains in terms of available space, power dissipation, and electronic connections.

The USNO seeks to procure fiber laser systems with the following specifications:

1. Center wavelength: 780.24 nanometers (nm).

2. Continuous wave (CW) laser linewidth: <250 kiloHertz (kHz).

3. CW power output up to 1 Watt (W), adjustable.

4. Continuously tunable (mode-hop free) over at least 8 GigaHertz (GHz) (covers the Rb D2 transition manifold).

5. Wavelength-lock capability via external frequency-tuning input.

6. Output coupled into a single-mode polarization-maintaining fiber with FC/APC coupler, yielding a linearly-polarized output.

7. Separate monitor output, capable of providing >3 milliWatts (mW).

8. Fit into a 3U space in a standard equipment rack.

9. Wall-plug power consumption < 250 W.

10. System shall not employ 780 nm semiconductor components to generate the output.

11. System shall operate continuously for years, without requiring any end-user alignment or adjustments.

The fiber laser systems already in use were previously purchased on a sole source basis to Quantel USA, who has since become Lumibird, under contract N0018918PZ371.This is a sole source action for the provision of a fiber-laser system with the technical specifications listed in the Statement of Work (hereinafter, "SOW”). This is a recurring requirement, anticipated to be awarded on a sole source basis to Lumibird, Inc., a small business. These lasers are direct replacements for existing lasers and must be identical in form and function. Replacement model must be a drop-in replacement for the systems already in use. It is anticipated that a single IDIQ contract action will be awarded with a five (5)-year ordering period.

commercially available products into a retrofitted design would not be cost effective as a single lock circuit suitable for the requirements of their system would cost ~$10k per locking circuit for a total of $40k.

5. Rationale Justifying Use of Cited Statutory Authority.

USNO has an ensemble of rubidium fountains that were built in-house and have been an important part of timing operations for more than a decade. One of the crucial subsystems is the 780 nm laser, and USNO requires spare lasers for immediate use in case of a failure. These new lasers must be identical to the ones already in use in form and function. They must also be drop-in replacement for the systems already in use. Lumibird, Inc. is the only company that can meet the technical and drop-in-replacement of parts need to keep the system operational without any lapse of production. The expertise and access to trade secrets as well as original reports from the optical reference system build previously purchased on contract

N0018918PZ37 is invaluable when retrofitting such a piece of electronics. Contract N0018918PZ371 was solicited on a sole source basis to Quantel USA. Quantel-Keopsys group has since become Lumibird.

The laser systems must be compatible with and direct replacements of the existing fiber lasers already in use in the USNO’s fountain clocks in order to maintain uniformity of operation of these clocks. As noted, other options include semiconductor lasers but this system shall not employ 780 nm semiconductor components to generate the output because known issues with

780 nm semiconductor lasers prohibit long-term use without user intervention. Free-space (i.e. not fiber-coupled) laser systems introduce losses that limit the clock performance.

As a result of market research, the contracting officer determines that it is in the best interest of the Government to procure commercial items as required by USNO in accordance with 6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements along with policies and procedures of FAR Part 12 – Acquisition of Commercial

Items, FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures, and FAR Subpart 16.5 – Indefinite-Delivery Contracts.

6. Description of Efforts Made to Solicit Offers from as Many Offerors as Practicable, including a Description of

Market Research, if applicable, and a List of Interested Sources, if any.

USNO contacted three (3) vendors who sell telecom, fiber-based laser systems that output 780 nm light. Only one vendor

(Lumibird, Inc.) sells a model that is a drop-in replacement for the systems already in use. The systems already in use were previously purchased on a sole source basis to Quantel USA, who has since become Lumibird, under contract

N0018918PZ371. The expertise and access to trade secrets as well as original reports from the optical reference system build is invaluable when retrofitting such as piece of electronics.

A Request for Information (RFI) was posted to SAM.gov on 26 June 2024 at 5:45pm EST with a response date of 2 July

2024 by 10:00 am EST. The RFI requested interested vendors provide capability statements, the vendors’ capacity to perform the type of work, and documentation of technical expertise in sufficient detail for the Government to determine that the company possesses the necessary functional area expertise and experience to compete for this acquisition, as specified in the

SOW. No responses were received from vendors stating they are capable of providing the required materials.

7. Determination of Fair and Reasonable Cost.

A determination of fair and reasonableness of price will be based on the Contracting Officer’s price analysis of the contractor’s proposal and/or a comparison of previous pricing history and published price lists of the same or similar items in accordance with FAR 15.404-1.The Contracting Officer will utilize the previous purchase order N0018918PZ371 when conducting price analysis. The Contracting Officer has determined that the anticipated cost to the Government of the supplies/services covered by this Justification will be fair and reasonable.

In FY18, the comparable price of this system was per laser, a increase since FY18 – equivalent to approximately escalation per year between FY18 and FY24.

Document Number: F24 162

CERTIFICATIONS AND APPROVAL

TECHNICAL/REQUIREMENTS CERTIFICATION

I certify that the facts and representations under my cognizance which are included in this Justification and its supporting acquisition planning documents, except as noted herein, are complete and accurate to the best of my knowledge and belief.

Technical Cognizance:

Signature Name (Printed) Date Phone No.

Requirements Cognizance:

LEGAL SUFFICIENCY REVIEW

I have determined this Justification is legally sufficient.

CONTRACTING OFFICER CERTIFICATION

I certify that this Justification is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief. To the extent that the

Justification value is >$250K and <$700K, the Contracting Officer’s signature below also represents approval of the document.