Amendment 01-Yttereium (Yb) Pump Laser

This is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of all qualified sources to perform a potential requirement.

This notice is issued to help determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement and to determine the method of acquisition. It is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for research and information purposes only.

Background: The Section on Critical Brain Dynamics, NIMH requires a pulsed laser for their 2-photon imaging needs.  The Plenz lab studies normal and pathological brain dynamics in awake behaving transgenic mice using laser technology.  In short, the imaging laser excites fluorescent molecules that are being expressed in nerve cells of a mouse.  This excitation allows for monitoring simultaneously the activity of thousands of neurons in the behaving animal.  Using animal models for mental disease, the Plenz lab derives statistical features of normal and pathological brain function in order to identify mechanisms of mental diseases.

The pulse laser system is required due to recent advances in laser technology and fluorescent molecule design. A modern laser for 2-photon imaging needs to cover a broad range of wavelengths to take advantage of modern fluorescence molecules/probes.  Specifically, the lab needs to be able to excite probes in the short wavelength range of ~800 nm as well as long wavelength range of up to 1300 nm.

One of the current lasers used in the Plenz lab was purchased approximately 10 years ago and only covers the short wavelength range.  The new laser in addition will cover the long wavelength range.  By being able to cover a broad wavelength range for imaging, the Plenz lab will be able to combine 2-photon imaging with the most efficient fluorescent probes available to date providing needed flexibility in experimental designs for their experiments and their optical stimulation techniques.

Purpose and Objectives: The purpose of this acquisition is to procure a Yttereium (Yb) Pump Laser

Purchase Description:  Brand name or equal

1) Coherent Laser Head: Monaco 1035-80-60: Series – Model Number: 132484

2) Coherent Opera-F: Yb pumped OPA (650-900 nm: 1200-2500nm) with the signal compressor and the idler compressor – Model Number: 1309788
 

Salient Characteristics:

1) Coherent Laser Head: Monaco 1035-80-60: Series - Model Number: 132484

1. Fundamental Center Wavelength (nm) 1035 +/- 5.
2. Output Power (W) 60
3. Energy (uJ) 80 (at 750kHz)
4. Repetition Rate:
   Single-shot to 1 MHz
   Higher rep. rates without AOM pulsepicking:1 to 50 MHz standard
5. Pulsewidth (fs) <350 (typical <280 )
6. Tuning Range      <350 fs to >10 ps
7. Spatial Mode      TEM00, M2  <1.2
8. Beam Divergence (mrad)    <1
9. Beam Diameter at Output (mm, 1/e2)    2.7 ±0.3
10. Beam Circularity (%)    > 85
11. Polarization Ratio        > 100:1
12. Polarization Direction     Vertical ±3°
13. Beam Pointing Stability (µrad/°C) <25
14. Pulse Energy Stability (%) (RMS)  <1.5
15. Power Stability (%) (RMS, 2sig) <1.5
16. Warm-up Time (minutes)
    Cold Start   <45
    Warm Start <15
17. Long-term Pointing Stability (µrad)  ±25 over 8 hours
18. Head Weight  50 kg (110 lbs.)
19. External Comms  RS-232, Ethernet, USB
20. Power Consumption (typical)  48VDC, <500W
     

 2) Coherent Opera-F: Yb pumped OPA (650-900 nm: 1200-2500nm) with the signal compressor and the idler compressor – Model Number: 1309788

1. Opera-F is an Optical Parametric amplifier (OPA) used to extend the turning range of the Coherent Monaco Yb amplifier system. Tt can extend the tuning capability of the Monaco from 650 - 900 nm (signal) and 1200 - 2500 nm (idler).
2. Opera-F system combines the short pulse generation delivered from a non-collinear OPA with the broad turning range and ease of use of a collinear OPA. Opera-F incorporates a white-light seeded non-collinear pre-amplifier followed by a collinear power amplifier the highest levels of performance.
3. Computer-controlled tuning
4. Standard tuning range 650 - 900 nm (signal) and 1200 - 2500 nm (idler).
5. >10% conversion efficiency from pump (signal + idler)
6. Optional compressors to deliver 25-75 fs pulses (signal) and 40-100 fs pulses (idler)
7. Compatible with Monaco amplifier
8. Standard warranty – 13 months from date of shipment or 12 months after installation, whichever comes first

Quantity: 1

Anticipated Delivery Period: Contractor shall deliver within 30-40 days after receipt of order (ARO).

Delivery Date:
The contractor shall deliver and install the equipment within 30-40 calendar days after receipt of order. The contractor shall provide certified and factory trained technicians to perform on-site setup and installation, the equipment shall be delivered and installed between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm, Eastern Standard Time to  the Porter Neuroscience Research Center, Building 35 on the NIH Bethesda campus located at 35 Convent Drive, Bethesda, MD 20814.

Warranty:
Contractor shall warrant that the equipment for a minimum of twelve (12) months from the date of acceptance covering parts and labor.

Period of Performance:
Service and maintenance support covered under the warranty for the Base Period from the date of acceptance, and Five (5) Option Periods for an extended warranty coverage for services and maintence support.
 

Capability statement /information sought: Contractors that believe that they possess the ability to provide the required equipment, should submit documentation on their ability to meet each of the project requirements to the Contract Specialist.

The Contractor should directly and specifically state in the, capabilities statement, which project requirements can be meet and/or supplied. The Contractor must also provide the following;
DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc., pursuant to the applicable NAICS code);

1. DUNS number, organization name, address, point of contact, and size and type of business (e.g., 8(a), HubZone, etc., pursuant to the applicable NAICS code);
2. Identify where equipment and parts are manufactured;
3. identify if the proposed equipment is available on GSA; and
4. Provide any other information that may be helpful in developing or finalizing the acquisition requirements.

The response is limited to two (2) page limit. The 2-page limit does not include the cover page or executive summary. The response must include the respondents' technical and administrative points of contact, including names, titles, addresses, telephone and fax numbers, and e-mail addresses.

All responses must be received by the closing date and time of this announcement and must reference the solicitation number. The response must be submitted electronically to Kris Jenkins, Contract Specialist, at kristina.jenkins@nih.gov . Facsimile responses are NOT accepted.

Disclaimer and Important Notes: This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization's qualifications to perform the work.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received, a presolicitation synopsis and solicitation may be published in Federal Business Opportunities. However, responses to this notice will not be considered adequate responses to a solicitation.

Confidentiality: No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary technical information in any resultant solicitation(s).