optics and optical components to populate/upgrade a particle scattering experiment

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), operating under the Department of the Navy, has issued a Notice of Intent to Award a sole source purchase order to Thorlabs Inc. for optics and optical components. The procurement involves various optical equipment needed to populate and upgrade an established particle scattering experiment design that was specifically developed for Thorlabs components. This is not a competitive solicitation or request for proposals, and no solicitation package is available for distribution. The purchase will be conducted under Simplified Acquisition Procedures as outlined in Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 13.106-1(b), with the contract value not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold of $250,000. The Notice of Intent is referenced as N00173-25-Q-1301266806.

The primary purpose of this notice is to provide interested parties an opportunity to demonstrate their capability to compete for this requirement and show that competition would be advantageous to the government. Contractors have until September 17, 2025 at 0800 hours to submit responses that include clear and convincing evidence of their ability to fulfill the contract requirements. Any response must reference the specific Notice of Intent number and be submitted via email with the procurement number in the subject line. The government will use submitted information solely to determine whether to conduct a competitive procurement, with the final decision remaining at the government's discretion. No reimbursement will be provided to contractors for costs associated with preparing capability information, and interested parties must demonstrate they can provide equivalent optical components suitable for the particle scattering experiment design.