Analog Signal Generator

This is a Notice of Proposed Contract Action under FAR Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Items and FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures.  This notice is for information only; a solicitation will not be issued. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS. The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334515 with a size standard of 750 employees.  

AFRL/RITQ, in support of the Quantum Information Science (QIS) Program, requires two analog signal generators.

The Government intends to negotiate a sole-source contract with Keysight Technologies, Inc, 1900 Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO 80907-3423.

The Government has determined that other companies’ products and services do not meet, or cannot be modified to meet the Government’s needs.   

The Government requires a generator capable of operating up to 40 GHz with increased output power and decreased phase noise and the Keysight E8257D is the only known generator capable of meeting the required specifications.  The power and phase noise of the analog signal generators are key metrics for use with the existing terahertz test and measurement system which represent a significant Government investment.

The Government currently operates software which was developed to digitally control Keysight instruments within the existing infrastructure.  Instruments from other vendors would require timely re-work to be operated and delay the project up to one year.  All other instruments in the testbed are Keysight brand which ensures connectivity and communication between all of them. This is crucial for establishing long-term reliability and reducing risk when running the system in an automated mode.  Given this information, Keysight is the only manufacturer capable of fulfilling the Government's requirement without experiencing a duplication of costs not anticipated to be recovered through competition as well as unacceptable delays in fulfilling the Government's requirement.

This is a notice of proposed contract action and NOT a request for competitive proposals.  However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement or proposal, which shall be considered by the agency. All inquiries should be sent by email to Tabitha.Haggart@us.af.mil

Responses to this notice must be submitted by the date/time listed on the notice. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government in future procurements.

Responses received will be evaluated; however a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government anticipates an award date on or before 31 August 2023.

A Sole Source Justification will be attached to the subsequent Notice of Award in accordance with applicable regulation.