Synopsis-RFI (Sole Source using 6.302-1).doc

Synopsis – J&A for Other than Full and Open Competition & Request for Information (RFI)

1. Class Code: A

2. NAICS Code: 334516

3. Subject: NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE – Tunable Kilohertz Ultrafast Laser System

4. Solicitation Number: W911QX-22-Q-0146

5. Set-Aside Code: NA

6. Response Date: 15 Days After Date of Posting

7. Place of Performance: US Army Contracting Command – Aberdeen Proving Ground Adelphi Contracting Division

2800 Powder Mill Road

Adelphi, Maryland

20783-1138

8. Description:

The United States Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, Only One Responsible Source, based on the need for compatibility with existing research equipment and systems. The Government intends to solicit and negotiate with Coherent, Inc., 5100 Patrick Henry Dr., Santa Clara, CA 95054-1112 (CAGE Code: 1DR13), for one (1) tunable kilohertz ultrafast laser system.

This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, this notice does function as a Request for Information (RFI) for offerors who believe they can meet the Government’s requirement (see Section 9 below). Any responsible source that believes it is capable of meeting the requirement may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency, only if received by the closing date and time of this notice. A determination not to compete the proposed requirement based upon the responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

9. Requirement:

The Government requires one (1) tunable ultrafast laser system that includes: one (1) kilohertz (kHz) repetition rate regenerative amplifier that emits near 800 nanometers (nm) with a minimum pulse energy of nine (9) millijoules (mJ) and a maximum pulse width of 100 femtoseconds (fs); one (1) optical parametric amplifier (OPA) that emits tunable pulses in the near infrared between 1160 nm and 2600 nm; one difference frequency generator (DFG) within the OPA assembly that emits tunable pulses in the infrared between two (2) micrometers (µm) and 20 µm; and an appropriate cooling system. The operability of the combined system must be demonstrated to emit at least 25 microjoules (µJ) of energy per pulse upon installation of the system.

The regenerative amplifier shall meet the following requirements:

1. Contain required Titanium:Sapphire oscillator and green pump lasers to meet performance characteristics below within an enclosed system

a. This amplifier must have option for tunable closed box oscillator while retaining short pulse amplifier performance.

b. All amplifier cavity optics to be mounted directly to the temperature stabilized baseplate for optimum stability (no mounting posts/clamps located off a sub-plate).

c. All pump laser routing and telescope optics mounted to temperature stabilized regenerative amplifier subassembly.

d. The Pockels cells are individually shielded using Faraday cages to minimize electromagnetic interference (EMI).

e. Independent Pockels cells are used for injection and ejection of the pulse from regenerative amplifier cavity results in separate switch-in and switch-out surfaces for ease of alignment and provides maximum timing flexibility while driving the Pockels cells at the minimum voltages (1/4 wave).

2. Output at least nine (9) mJ of energy per pulse near 800 nm.

3. Each pulse will have a maximum pulse width of 100 fs, with a targeted pulse width between 80 fs and 90 fs.

4. The repetition rate of emitting pulses will be one (1) kHz.

5. Regenerative amplifier to use a water-cooled uncoated Brewster angle Ti:Sapphire rod for best reliability.

6. The entire amplifier system has been subjected to testing in an industrial HASS (Highly Accelerated Stress Screening) chamber, for best reliability and robustness.

7. Output an M2 (beam quality factor) of less than 1.25.

8. The amplifier must be able to show long term pulse length stability without recourse to active compensation systems which could conflict with data collection and are therefore not acceptable, and demonstrate optical noise of less than 0.5 percent (%) rms (root-mean-squared).

9. Output a TEM00 (Transverse Electro-Magnetic, 00) spatial mode with less than ten (10) percent (%) ellipticity.

10. Utilize a sealed and temperature stabilized stretcher/compressor assembly for enhanced stability without the need for a feedback loop.

11. The 800-nm output will be used to pump the OPA with eight (8) mJ. The remaining one (1) mJ will be output as a free-space source.

The OPA shall meet the following requirements:

1. Capable of being pumped with full nine (9) mJ of pulse energy at 800-nm amplifier. The installation shall utilize eight (8) mJ of the 800-nm amplifier.

2. Output at least two (2) mJ of energy in the combined signal and idler pulses, with an energy conversion efficiency of greater than 30%.

3. The maximum pulse width (in time) of the signal beam is specified in the range of 0.7 to 1.0 times the input pump pulse width.

4. Output signal and idler beams can be independently steered out of OPA for free space use in addition to pumping DFG stage with.

The DFG shall meet the following requirements:

1. Tunable output pulses between two (2) µm and 20 µm.

a. The output at ten (10) µm will be demonstrated upon installation at a minimum pulse energy of 25 µJ.

b. The nominal pulse width in time is not expected to exceed twice the input pulse width.

The cooling system shall meet the following requirements:

1. A closed-loop water chiller that is provided with the laser system.

2. Utilize thermoelectric cooling (TEC).

Responses to this notice are due on or before 15 days after posting (not including the date of posting) by email to benjamin.l.krein.civ@army.mil Point of Contact for this notice is benjamin.l.krein.civ@army.mil Secondary Point of Contact for this notice is Ashley E. Eaker, Ashley.e.eaker2.civ@army.mil

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