SOLICITATION NOTICE
66 -- Fabricate Reference Cavity Spacers
- Notice Date
- 5/20/2005
- Notice Type
- Solicitation Notice
- NAICS
- 333314
— Optical Instrument and Lens Manufacturing
- Contracting Office
- Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Mountain Administrative Support Center, 325 Broadway - MC3, Boulder, CO, 80305-3328
- ZIP Code
- 80305-3328
- Solicitation Number
- NB847-500108DT
- Response Due
- 6/6/2005
- Archive Date
- 6/6/2005
- Description
- The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Ion Storage Group has a requirement to cut, grind and polish Government supplied ultra-low expansion (ULE) cavity spacers. The Ion Storage Group at NIST is conducting research toward the development of the next-generation, time and frequency standards. Part of that research effort is directed toward assessing the feasibility of frequency and time standards that are based on narrow optical transitions in single, laser-cooled ions. Critically important to these studies are ultra-stable lasers whose linewidths are substantially smaller than 1 Hz for averaging times from 1 to 10 s. So far, these linewidths have been obtained only by locking the frequency of the clock laser to a well-isolated cavity. However, in addition to careful isolation of the cavity against environmental perturbations, it is also essential that the cavity be properly cut and polished in order that it has the dimensional stability to support the short- to medium-term laser-stability required. In order that the frequency of the cavity-stabilized laser not fluctuate by more than 1 Hz (or even less), the cavity length must not change by more than 1 part in 10 to the 15th power of its length. NIST has tried various vendors throughout the years and so far, none has been able to duplicate cavities with the same dimensional stabilities that are routinely achieved by Research Electro-Optics, Inc. (REO). In fact, REO is the main source of reference cavities that are used for optical clock research throughout the international community at large, including NRC (Canada), NPL (England) and PTB (Germany). Also REO has a long history of manufacturing ULE reference cavities of all sizes and finesse levels and has developed a unique capability to prepare the spacer ends for the optical contacting of the mirrors to the cavity. This process is proprietary to REO and involves not only polishing and annealing, but other processes as well that preserve the dimensional stability and the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) of the spacer. NIST Proposes to negotiate on a sole source basis with Research Electro-Optics, Inc., 5505 Airport Blvd. Boulder, CO 80301 a contract under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1). This procurement is being conducted per FAR Part 13.1, Simplified Acquisition Procedures (Under $100,000). Questions should be submitted in writing to the contracting officer either by fax or email. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether or not use of competitive procedures to fulfill this requirement would be in the Government's best interest and must address qualifications pertinent to this requirement. Terms and Conditions and agency level protest procedures can be found on web site http://www.acqnet.gov/far/current/html/Subpart_33_1.html#1046527/. Hard copy in full text is available from office address and phone number listed in notice. FAR Clauses in full text are at http://www.acqnet.gov/far/ . Anticipated award date will be June 7, 2005.
- Place of Performance
- Address: 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO
- Zip Code: 80305
- Country: USA
- Zip Code: 80305
- Record
- SN00812680-W 20050522/050520213329 (fbodaily.com)
- Source
-
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