Notice of Intent to Sole Source GMAPD Camera

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC), Geospatial Research Laboratory (GRL) has a requirement for a ranging Geiger-Mode Avalanche Photodiode (GMAPD) ranging camera for integration into a high-altitude airborne lidar sensor for the Extreme Long Standoff 3D program (ELS3D) to be procured on a sole source basis from BAE Systems (CAGE Code: 13993). 

GRL must procure this camera so the team can integrate this camera into an infrared lidar sensor that will be flown in a payload at the high altitude of 60,000 ft, within the extreme environment of the lower stratosphere layer of the atmosphere. The camera’s ranging capability measures the time-of-flight of individual laser pulses, enabling the sensor to create 3D images. This camera’s performance must meet certain specifications provided in the below table.

Table 1. System Requirements

Specifications

Performance Requirement

Required item

Geiger-mode Avalanche Photodiode Camera

Quantity

1

Format

32 by 128 pixels or greater

Pixel Pitch

50 mm or smaller

Operating Wavelength

1064 nm

Data interface

CoaXPress

Cooling interface

Liquid cooled

Operable pixels

50% or better

Photon Detection Efficiency

Single photon sensitivity and average PDE better than 10% among operable pixels

Range Resolution

1000 ps or better

This requirement is for a highly specialized ranging camera that is manufactured and sold in very small quantities by only two commercial manufacturers. Geiger-mode avalanche photodiode cameras are the only currently existing technology that is capable of time-of-flight ranged measurements of individual photons. Additionally, the required camera has multiple unique characteristics. The first unique characteristic is that the pixel pitch must be 50 μm or finer, which is only offered by one vendor, BAE Systems. The 50 μm pixel pitch is necessary for the sensor to achieve the image resolution requirement. The second unique characteristic is that the camera must use a liquid-cooling interface, which is also only offered by BAE Systems. The liquid-cooling interface is required in order for the camera to be compatible with the payload environment and thermal management system of the stratospheric balloon.

There are only two commercial manufacturers of infrared GMAPD cameras, BAE Systems and 3D-SensIR.  3D-SensIR does not offer a camera with 50 μm pixel pitch or with a liquid cooling interface, only with 100 μm pixel pitch and passive cooling.  BAE Systems is the only vendor that offers a GMAPD camera model that meets the Government’s requirements.

The Government intends to procure from only one source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i).  This notice of intent is for information purposes only. 

This notice is not a request for competitive quotes or proposals.  A solicitation will not be issued.  However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency.  The information submitted must be provided in sufficient detail to demonstrate the vendor’s ability to fulfill this requirement. The contractor must also provide a description of their past experience in fulfilling requirements which are the same or similar to this requirement and references for each.

Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Verbal communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.  Responses to this requirement may be submitted to Jessica Wilson at jessica.l.wilson2@usace.army.mil.  The solicitation number shall be included in the subject line of the e-mail submission.  Responses must be received no later than 3:00 PM CST, Wednesday, July 31, 2024.