6650 - Telescope Driver Systems

This is a SYNOPSIS for commercial items prepared in accordance with the information in FAR Subpart 12.6, using Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP) found at FAR Part 13, as supplemented with the additional information included in this notice.

The Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Fleet Logistics Center (FLC) Norfolk Contracting Department intends to solicit - on behalf of the United States Naval Observatory (USNO) - Astronomical Consultants and Equipment, Inc. (CAGE:54SQ9) on a sole source basis sole source basis using simplified acquisition procedures (SAP) in accordance with FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i). The proposed acquisition will result in a firm-fixed-price (FFP) purchase order with a delivery date on or before eight (8) weeks after award.

The quantity and part numbers associated with this purchase order is as follows:

19 inch Rack Mount ACE Telescope Driver

- 4U Rack mount chassis with Q57 master, four Analog, four Stepper channel, 8 encoder inputs with 4CH68 cables.

- Part Number: ACE-Q57-TDC1440-3-VH66-6

- Quantity: 3

Timing Interface Upgrade

- PCIE card, non-GPS, Version 2.0

- Part Number: ACE-BC635PCI

- Quantity: 3

ACE Motion Control Card

- PCI Motion Controller

- Part Number: ACE-TDC1440-3

- Quantity: 2

Shipping, Ground

- Quantity: 1

The sole source rationale is as follows:

The current set of telescope upgrades used by the USNO replaces the aging control systems and relevant subsystems with modern control hardware, not only assuring the maintainability of the telescopes for the foreseeable future but also meeting the increasingly enhanced mission requirements.

Due to the unique nature of the instrumentation, a custom solution was developed in-house that is based on a telescope drive control system offered by Astronomical Consultants, Inc. (ACE). To upgrade further instrumentation, additional telescope drive systems are required. The telescope drive systems that meet the minimum requirements of the customer can only be purchased through the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) company (Astronomical Consultants and Equipment, Inc.). No other known company to date can satisfy this government need.

The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) Code for the proposed acquisition is 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), which has a small business size standard of 1000 (number of employees).

The resultant solicitation will be issued on a sole source basis. It is anticipated that the resultant solicitation will be posted on 2 August 2023. Interested parties are solely responsible for monitoring of the following websites for the posting of the solicitation and any amendments thereto:

- System for Award Management (SAM) - https://www.sam.gov/

- Navy Electronic Commerce Online (NECO)

http://www.neco.navy.mil/

Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. The Government will neither award a contract action nor pay for information in response to this notice.

Please direct all questions, regarding this pre-solicitation synopsis, to Ms. Lauren Gable via email: lauren.m.gable.civ@us.navy.mil.