Custom lowpass and highpass filters for cryogenic operation

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has issued a Special Notice seeking custom lowpass and highpass filters for cryogenic operation at the Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). The notice, identified by solicitation number 80NSSC879940Q, is specifically targeting specialized optical filters for the Observational Cosmology Lab's cryogenic detector testbed. NASA is looking to procure nine total filters with precise technical specifications, including three lowpass and three highpass filters with edges near 3 and 6 THz, one lowpass filter with an edge near 1.1 THz, one highpass filter with an edge near 0.8 THz, and one lowpass blocking filter with a 10 THz cutoff. The filters must be 50mm in diameter with custom mounting holes and capable of operating at temperatures below 1K. The opportunity falls under the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing NAICS category (334516).

The primary objective of this Special Notice is to validate detector designs and verify performance of ultrasensitive, low-temperature superconducting detectors used in astrophysics and cosmology research. Contractors interested in responding must submit their capabilities in writing by December 18, 2024, with all email correspondence referencing the Notice ID 80NSSC879940Q. While initially appearing to be a potential sole-source procurement with Celtic Terahertz Technology Limited, NASA is open to competitive submissions from qualified vendors. The procurement will utilize FAR Parts 12 and 13 for commercial item acquisition, and responses should not include pricing information. Eligible contractors must demonstrate the ability to manufacture filters meeting the stringent technical requirements, including achieving over 90% transmission in the passband and rejecting more than 99% of integrated out-of-band power. The filters are required to be delivered no later than January 1, 2025, and will be installed at GSFC's cryogenic detector testbed facility in Greenbelt, Maryland.