Shadow Chaser: infrared camera for stellar occultations

NASA Shared Services Center seeks a C-RED 2 high-speed infrared camera from Andor/Oxford Instruments for stellar occultation observation, with quotes due September 1, 2026, and questions due August 31. This is a total small business set-aside and a brand name requirement; only authorized resellers may bid.

Place of performance is Hampton, Virginia 23681 (NASA Langley Research Center). The camera must deliver high-speed imaging at 300–1,000 frames per second, noise below 1,000 electrons per second, near-infrared wavelength range of 0.9–1.5 microns, cooling to minus 40 degrees Celsius, exposure overhead less than 0.1% of exposure time, external GPS triggering capability, and high-speed computer interface compatibility. Market research determined that the C-RED 2 is the only commercially available product meeting these specifications. Delivery is required by October 18, 2026, with a 12-week leadtime. The NAICS code is 334519 (Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing); PSC is 6695 (Combination And Miscellaneous Instruments).

Vendors must provide proof of pricing authorization from the manufacturer and confirm resale authorization for all listed items. Quotes must include shipping (FOB Destination), CAGE/UEI code, leadtime, and two points of contact. Offerors must be registered at SAM.gov and reference tracking number 80NSSC26938932Q in email subject lines. Quotes remain valid for 30 days. Award goes to the responsible offeror with the lowest price technically acceptable offer; technical unacceptability results from failure to satisfy all solicitation requirements. The government does not accept credit card payment. Questions must be submitted in writing; telephone inquiries will not be accepted. Submit quotes to Shanna L. Patterson at Shanna.l.Patterson@nasa.gov.