USMA, West Point, Department of Physics Optic System
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- MICC-WP-2026-14
- Agency
-
Department of the Army
Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Place of performance
- West Point, New York 10996, United States
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of the Army issued a Special Notice on February 3, 2026, announcing the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point's requirement to procure specialized physics laboratory equipment from PASCO Scientific. The notice indicates the government's intent to award a sole source contract to PASCO for optical system hardware necessary to support the Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering (PANE) curriculum. The procurement encompasses 60 units of OS-8515D Basic Optics Systems, 15 four-packs of OS-8472A Optics Carriages, and 60 units of OS-8533A Polarization Analyzers. This is a sources sought notice inviting responses from all interested vendors to determine whether competitive procurement is feasible, with responses due by February 18, 2026.
The primary objective of this Special Notice is to maintain technical continuity within USMA's physics laboratory environment, as the existing curriculum is built upon PASCO's proprietary Capstone and SPARKvue software architectures alongside their proprietary sensors and mounting interfaces. All vendors, including small businesses in socioeconomic categories such as 8(a), SDB, HUBZone, SDVOSB, and WOSB, are eligible to respond with capability information, pricing, delivery schedules, and relevant experience. Respondents must demonstrate how their solutions meet stringent mechanical and digital integration standards, particularly the Polarization Analyzer's proprietary mounting bracket that interfaces with existing PASCO Rotary Motion Sensors and the "snap-on" alignment features required for optical axis consistency. The procurement will be structured as a Firm-Fixed-Price contract under FAR 13.106-1(b) authority, and this notice does not constitute a request for quotes or proposals; the government will not accept unsolicited proposals or reimburse response costs.
Notice text
The Government has a requirement for the procurement of PASCO Scientific optics hardware, specifically the OS-8515D Basic Optics System, OS-8533A Polarization Analyzers, and OS-8472A Optics Carriages. These items are required to support the existing physics curriculum at the United States Military Academy (USMA), West Point, which is built upon the PASCO Capstone and SPARKvue software architectures.
The primary mission need is to maintain technical continuity within the laboratory environment. The USMA currently utilizes proprietary PASCO software licenses and high-sensitivity light/rotary sensors that are natively compatible only with the PASCO optics ecosystem. The OS-8533A Polarization Analyzer, in particular, is engineered with a proprietary mounting bracket designed to interface specifically with the university's existing PASCO Rotary Motion Sensors.
Item and QTY
OS-8515D Basic Optics System 60 each
Includes: OS-8508 Basic Optics 1.2m Track 1 OS-8900A Bsc Optics Sys Compnts
OS-8472A Optics Carriage (4Pk) For Dynamics Track 15 each
OS-8533A Bsc Optics Polarization Analyzer 60 each
Performance Requirements: The required optics hardware must meet stringent mechanical and digital integration standards to satisfy the mission of the Department of Physics and Nuclear Engineering (PANE). Specifically, the Polarization Analyzer (OS-8533A) must feature a proprietary mounting bracket that allows for direct, secure physical coupling with the existing PASCO Rotary Motion Sensors currently in the Department's inventory. This interface is critical for the simultaneous measurement of angular position and light intensity, requiring high-resolution data synchronization to meet the rigorous academic standards of the PANE curriculum. Furthermore, the Optics System (OS-8515D) and associated carriages must utilize a "snap-on" alignment feature to ensure the optical axis remains consistent across all experiments, which is essential for maintaining accuracy during the high-volume throughput of Cadet laboratory sections.
Beyond mechanical specifications, the hardware must function seamlessly within the Department’s established digital infrastructure. All components must be natively recognized by PASCO Capstone and SPARKvue software via "Plug-and-Play" drivers to minimize laboratory setup time and maximize Cadet instructional hours. While various commercial optics solutions are available globally, they lack the specific mounting interfaces and software required to communicate with the Department's existing sensor suite. Because these are standard Commercial-off-the-Shelf (COTS) items, no military-unique modifications are required; however, the technical necessity for integration with PANE’s proprietary software and hardware ecosystem precludes the use of alternative brands that would require manual hardware adaptation or the development of third-party software patches.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Sources Sought-Intent to Award Sole Source.docx | DOCX document |
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