Automated Polarization Compensator (APC)

This is a Notice of Proposed Contract Action under FAR Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services, 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 QUOTATION.  No contract will be awarded on the basis of offers received in response to this notice.  The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 334515 (Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals) with a small business size standard of 750 employees.  

The Government requires procurement of an Automated Polarization Compensator (APC), and intends to negotiate a sole-source contract for this requirement with Qunnect, Inc. 141 Flushing Ave, Bldg 77, Ste 1110, Brooklyn, NY 11205-1338.  The applicable Qunnect, Inc. part number and associated product description is as follows:

Item 1 – Qu-APC, comprised of the following:

Qu-APC Compensator:

Compensation & fast measurement station.

- Arbitrary polarization stabilization through time-multiplexing

- Max average fidelity of 98%

- Input-output loss of <2dB.

- Fast 1-10 kHz polarimeter

Qu-APC Injector:

Automated telecom injector for polarization reference.

- Internal SFP laser at O or C band

- Input ports for external laser

- Input/output ports + internal optical switch for time multiplexing

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

Previously, in 2024, RITQ purchased both an Automated Polarization Compensator (APC) and Entangled Photon Source from Qunnect, Inc. on a sole-source basis, which are currently in use in their quantum network testbeds.  As experiments have increased in scale and complexity, the need for an additional Automated Polarization Compensator (APC) to supplement the existing Qunnect, Inc. branded Automated Polarization Compensator (APC) has emerged.  In order to maximize uniformity and conformity within the testing infrastructure, use of a consistent brand of Automated Polarization Compensator (APC) is imperative.  Moreover, introduction of an alternate brand of Automated Polarization Compensator (APC) would result in a significant duplication of both effort and cost in terms of additional research and development.  Interchanges with Qunnect, Inc. have yielded that they are the sole-source provider of these items and do not actively maintain a network of resellers.  Accordingly, the Government has determined them to be the sole-source provider for this 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 15 March 2025.

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