Cryogenic Amplifiers

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 cryogenic amplifiers, and intends to negotiate a sole-source award for this requirement with Quantum Microwave Components, LLC, 93 Kilby St. Hingham, MA 02043-2069, as they represent themselves as the exclusive North American distributor of the required Low Noise Factory branded cryogenic amplifiers.  The applicable low Noise Factory part numbers and associated product descriptions are as follows:

Item 1, qty. 4 each

Part number: LNF-LNC0.3_14B

RF bandwidth: 0.3-14 GHz

Noise Temperature: 4.2K typical

Noise Figure: 0.062dB typical

Gain: 36 dB

DC-power: Vd=1.0V, Id=22mA

One gate and one drain supply only

RF-connectors: female SMA

DC-connector: 9-pin female Nano-D

Item 2, qty. 4 each

Part number: LNF-LNR1_15B_SV

Low Noise Factory

Room Temperature LNA

RF bandwidth: 1-15 GHz

Noise Figure: 0.70 dB typical

Gain: 37 dB

DC-power: 5V @ 45mA

RF-connectors: female SMA

Item 3, qty. 1 each

Part Number: LNF-PBA

Low Noise Factory

Low Noise Linear Power Block

Powers up to Qty 8 LNF-PS3b's

LNF-PS3b's are not included

AC Input 115 VAC or 230VAC

Item 4, qty. 1 each

Part number: LNF PS4_4x5p

Low Noise Factory

LNF-PS4 is a compact 4-channel power supply designed for LNF’s Low Noise

Amplifiers. The drain voltage is regulated and adjustable within a wide range, and the

gate voltage is automatically and continuously adjusted to give a set drain current. Vd,

Vg and Id are displayed on the LCD monitor screen for easy bias control. Vd and Id are

set by trim potentiometers on the front panel. The LNF-PS4 is redesigned from ground

up and features new low noise electronic components for much improved performance

compared to previous models. There’s also a drain voltage sense function for situations

where bias wire resistance is significant. The display can be switched off for ultra-low

noise operation. The power supply is powered by LNF’s Power Block, LNF-PBA-HP.

4-channel power supply with 4x5-pin connectors.

Item 5, qty. 4 each

Part number: LNF-ISISISC4_12A

Low Noise Factory

Triple Junction 4-12 GHz Cryogenic Isolator

Triple Junction Isolator

1st Junction: Isolator

2nd Junction: Isolator

3rd Junction: Isolator

Insertion Loss: 0.5 dB

Isolation: 50 dB

Port Match: 17 dB

RF Connector In/Out: SMA Female

Item 6, qty. 2 each

Part number: LNF-CICICIC4_12A

Low Noise Factory

Triple Junction Cryogenic Circulator

Frequency: 4 to 12 GHz

Insertion loss: 0.50 dB typical

Isolation: 50 dB typical

Port match: 17 dB typical

RF-connectors: SMA Female

Item 7, qty. 6 each

Part number: LNF-SHIELD4_8_TJ

Low Noise Factory

Triple Junction MuMetal Shield and screws

works with 4-8 and 4-12 GHz

This is an optional and removable 2nd shield

The Government has determined that other companies' products do not meet or cannot be modified to meet the Government's needs.  The Government previously purchased and will soon be accepting delivery of a Maybell Quantum Industries branded dilution refrigerator.  The wiring configuration provided by Maybell Quantum Industries for the purchased dilution refrigerator is solely compatible with Low Noise Factory branded cryogenic amplifiers.  Use of alternate branded cryogenic amplifiers would result in poorer noise performance and would also require multiple weeks of man-hours to modify the dilution refrigerator to accept the different amplifiers.  In making necessary modifications to the dilution refrigerator for it to be able to accept a different amplifier significant risk of damage to it would be incurred to the point where it could become useless for the intended application.  Considering this as well as the fact that Quantum Microwave Components, LLC represents itself as the exclusive North American distributor of Low Noise Factory branded products, a sole-source award to Quantum Microwave Components, LLC is contemplated, as aforementioned.

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 30 May 2025.

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