Cryogenic Variable-Temperature Noise Source (VTNS)

This is a Notice of Proposed Contract Action under the FAR Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services and FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. 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 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees.

The Government requires the procurement of a Cryogenic Variable-Temperature Noise Source, and intends to negotiate a sole-source award for this requirement with Bluefors, Inc., 253 36th Street – Site C302 Brooklyn, NY 11232.  Salient characteristics of the required Cryogenic Variable-Temperature Noise Source are as follows:  

Lowest achievable noise temperature 

• 0.1 Kelvin or below

Highest achievable noise temperature

• 1 Kelvin or above

Intrinsic noise in terms of number of photons          

• At or near single photon limit, 1.5 photons or less at a 5 GHz frequency

Cryostat compatibility                        

• Must be usable within a Bluefors LD dilution refrigerator. Can be affixed to the cold plate via a ISO-KF25 or KF40 port.

Microwave connections                      

• Can be connected to SMA semi-rigid coaxial lines

Operation frequency range                 -

• Can operate in the microwave regime, spanning frequencies at least from 3 GHz to 12 GHz

Characteristic impedance                   

• 50 Ohms

Back-action heating within cryostat   

• Must not cause significant back-action heating on the mixing chamber sample stage within the refrigerator

Temperature monitoring and feedback       

• Built into noise source, so that separate or manual monitoring and feedback is not required. Using a pre-calibrated Ruthenium Oxide (RuOx) thermometer.

Modes of operation                             

• Can be operated by transmitting a microwave probe tone or as a single-ended, direct noise source

The Government has determined that other companies’ products and services do not meet or cannot be modified to meet the Government’s needs.  The required Cryogenic Variable-Temperature Noise Source (VTNS) is intended to be integrated into an existing dilution refrigerator currently operating in an RITQ laboratory, which is Bluefors branded.  Purchasing the required Cryogenic Variable-Temperature Noise Source from the same company that manufactured the existing dilution refrigerator ensures compatibility with the existing system, both in terms of size and shape as well as connectivity, controlling, and measuring.  The Bluefors branded Cryogenic Variable-Temperature Noise Source can seamlessly and quickly be connected to existing electrical lines inside of the cryostat without having to build, purchase, or modify any electrical wiring, thereby avoiding any potential duplication of cost.  For these reasons, the Government has determined Bluefors to be the sole-source provider of the required Cryogenic Variable-Temperature Noise Source.

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 tiffany.slopka@us.af.mil. Responses 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 April 2024.

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