SSJ-Verdi G5_signed.pdf

Single Source Justification (Simplified Acquisition)

Section A: General Contract Information

Contracting Activity: AFLCMC/PZIBB Purchase Request/ Identification Number:

FE230032613528

Project/Program Name: Verdi G5 Optically Pumped Semiconductor Laser-Diode systems

Estimated Contract Cost (including Options):

$48,944.00

Section B: Description of the Supplies/Services Required

The Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) has a requirement for two (2) Verdi G5 Optically Pumped Semiconductor Laser- Diode systems. The most critical specification of this laser is the noise as specified in % RMS. The noise level is paramount for this laser to work within the whole system to achieve the greatest laser signal at the end of the laser amplifier chain. The laser must have a noise performance lower than 0.02% rms from 10Hz to 100Hz, divergence, waist diameter and M^2 specifications shall be met at all powers from 5% to 100% full rated power. The pump diodes should be Aluminum- free Active Area (AAA) type CW laser diodes for best reliability and lifetime. The laser operating parameters must be adjustable via power front panel controls and graphical user interface (GUI) and the laser shall be compatible with Ti-sapphire mode locked oscillators. The Verdi G5 Optically Pumped Semiconductor Laser-Diode system must be fully integrated with the existing AFIT laser systems.

The current laser system has seven (7) lasers in chain with higher RMS levels and the Verdi G5 Optically Pumped Semiconductor Laser-Diode system will provide a clean RMS signal in order to not further degrade the laser system.

Currently the AFIT/ENP research activities are performed in collaboration with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) or outside institutes because the Optically Pumped Semiconductor Laser-Diode systems are not freely available for AFIT/ENP.

Although the AFIT/ENP Laser and Optics program is equipped with world class equipment, they lack the optically pumped semiconductor technology for low noise and this creates a significant void in pursuing in-house ultrafast research capabilities.

This requirement will enhance the research program pursued by the ENP faculty programs by providing key sensing capability and supplementing current work that is not achievable with long-duration laser systems.

Section C: Justification for Soliciting from a Single Source

Coherent NA Inc. is the only vendor that meets all the requirement specifications to include 1)the noise specification is <0.02% rms, 2) the diodes have an aluminum-free active area, 3) Coherent NA Inc. manufactures their own laser diodes, 4) the warm up time is <10 minutes and 5) the Verdi G5 Optically Pumped Semiconductor Laser-Diode system will integrate fully with the existing seven (7) AFIT lasers in chain.

A request for information email was sent to Coherent NA Inc. on 30 October 2023, seeking any Government approved distributors or resellers and a response was received stating "Coherent does not have any resellers, distributors, or any other companies in North America who are authorized to sell or service the Verdi G OPSL lasers" (FI 143).

Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition

Market research identified that the Optically Pumped Semiconductor Laser system is available within the commercial marketplace by multiple vendors but the Verdi G5 Optically Pumped Semiconductor Laser-Diode system manufactured by Coherent NA Inc. is the only vendor identified that can provide the noise specification is <0.02% rms, the diodes that have an aluminum-free active area, manufactures their own laser diodes, the warm up time is <10 minutes and will integrate fully with the existing seven (7) AFIT lasers in chain.

Coherent NA Inc. is the only vendor that can provide the noise specification is <0.02% rms, the diodes have an aluminum-free active area, they manufacture their own laser diodes, the warm up time is <10 minutes and the Verdi G5 Optically Pumped Semiconductor Laser- Diode system will integrate fully with the existing seven (7) AFIT lasers in chain.

Del Mar Photonics offers a similar laser (LH5). The noise specification more than 10 times larger (0.25%rms compared to 0.02%rms) and the warm up time is longer (15 minutes compared to <10 minutes) than the Coherent Verdi G5 OPSL. Del Mar Photonics does not manufacture their own laser diodes, and their diodes do not have an aluminum-free active area. This laser will have a shorter lifetime than the Coherent laser.

Spectra Physics offers a similar laser (Millennia 5W). The noise specification is twice as large (0.04%rms compared to 0.02%rms) and the warm up time is significantly longer (30 minutes compared to <10 minutes) than the Coherent G5 OPSL. Spectra Physics does not manufacture their own laser diodes, and their diodes do not have an aluminum-free active area. This laser will have a shorter lifetime than the Coherent laser.

Lighthouse Photonics offers a similar laser (Sprout D-5W). The noise specification more than 10 times larger (0.25%rms compared to 0.02%rms) and the warm up time is longer (30 minutes compared to <10 minutes) than the Coherent Verdi G5 OPSL. Lighthouse Photonics does not manufacture their own laser diodes, and their diodes do not have an aluminum-free active area. This laser will have a shorter lifetime than the Coherent laser.

Section E: Steps to Preclude Future Single Source Awards

The current AFIT laser system includes seven (7) lasers in chain with four (4) of the lasers being Coherent NA Inc. brand. The future laser upgrade considerations for AFIT will be sole sourced to Coherent NA Inc. to provide optimization with the existing equipment and allow for full laser chain integration as well as streamline preventative maintenance and service requests that will ultimately limit the downtime of research within AFIT. However, AFIT will pursue competition for future laser systems if Coherent establishes a distributor network.

Section F: Contracting Officer's Determination

I have determined, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), that the circumstances of this contract action deem only a single source is reasonably available.

Date

01-Nov-2023

Typed Name and Rank/Grade of Contracting Officer Zach Huffman

AFLCMC/PZIBB

Signature of Contracting Officer

Page of Section A: General Contract Information Section B: Description of the Supplies/Services Required Section C: Justification for Soliciting from a Single Source Section D: Efforts to Obtain Competition Section E: Steps to Preclude Future Single Source Awards Section F: Contracting Officer's Determination I have determined, in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), that the circumstances of this contract action deem only a single source is reasonably available.

9.0.0.2.20120627.2.874785

FE230032613528

AFLCMC/PZIBB

Signature: