Spectroscopy Notice of Intent

This is a special notice prepared in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) subpart 5.2 - Synopses of Proposed Contract Actions. The contracting office for this notice is the 10th Contracting Squadron, USAF Academy, CO 80840.

The US Air Force Academy (USAFA) intends to award a single source commercial contract using simplified procedures in accordance with FAR parts 12 & 13 to Toptica Photonics, Inc.. Toptica Photonics, Inc. is located at 1120 Pittsford Victor Road, Pittsford New York, 14534. The authority for this non-competitive award is 10 USC 2304(c)(1), only one responsible source. The NAICS code for this requirement is 334510. The size standard as defined by the U.S. Small Business Administration is 1250 employees.

The anticipated award date is NLT 30 Sep 2025.

SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS/REQUIREMENT SPECIFICATIONS SUMMARY:

• Three cw single frequency tunable diode lasers in a system, as follows: 
  • one laser will have wavelength range 755 - 790 nm, with power output at least 25 mW, and with power output 80 mW at 780 nm
  • one laser will have wavelength range 885 - 940 nm, with power output at least 100 mW
  • one laser will be a diode + tapered amplifier combination in a monolithic package, with wavelength range 845 - 870 nm, with power output at least 2.4 W

• The above lasers must have the following salient characteristics:
  • computerized controller with integrated frequency tuning and locking system
  • laser linewidth less than 100 kHz
  • laser resonator machined from a single block of Al
  • single mode continuous scan range of at least 20 GHz
  • optical isolator on output, for the first two lasers of the system (the 780 and 900 nm ones)
  • fiber optic FC/APC output coupler, including single mode polarization maintaining SMPM fiber for each laser

THIS IS NOT AN INVITATION FOR COMPETITIVE QUOTES. This acquisition is being pursued on a sole source basis under the authority of 10 USC 2304(c)(1), only one responsible source. All responsible sources may submit a quote which shall be considered. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition of this requirement would be advantageous to the Government. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotes; however, the Government will consider all responses received to this notice by the closing date and time of this notice. Any responses to this notice received after the closing date and time will be late and may not be taken into consideration.  All information submitted should support the offeror's capability to fulfill this requirement and shall be furnished at no cost or obligation to the Government.  Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement is solely within the discretion of the Government.  If no responses are received, the government will proceed with the sole source acquisition.

Points of Contact:

Mr. Ryan Dague, Contract Specialist, ryan.dague.@us.af.mil and Ms. Susan D. Ulma, Contracting Officer, susan.ulma@us.af.mil.

5352.201-9101 Ombudsman

(a) An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the interested party to another official who can resolve the concern.

(b) Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions).

(c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, the interested party may contact the ombudsmen,

James Anderson

8110 Industrial Drive, Ste 103

USAFA, CO 80840

Telephone number 719-333-3829

FAX 719-333-9018

Email: james.anderson.72@us.af.mil

Concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the Center/MAJCOM/FLDCOM/DRU ombudsman level, may be brought by the interested party for further consideration to the Department of the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (571) 256-2395, facsimile number (571) 256-2431.The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency.

(d) The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency.

(e) Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the contracting officer.

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