Phillips Laboratory/PKLB, Lasers & Imaging Division, 3550 Aberdeen Avenue, S.E., BLdg 415, Room 217 Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5776

A -- COOLED TRANSMISSIVE OPTICS TECHNOLOGY (PRDA 95-03) SOL PRDA 95-03 DUE 060895 POC Ms Wilma Harrington, Contract Specialist, AC505/846-5119, telefax AC505/846-1546. PROGRAM RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ANNOUNCEMENT #95-03 - COOLED TRANSMISSIVE OPTICS TECHNOLOGY. The Phillips Laboratory (PL) is seeking proposals (technical and cost) for the development and demonstration of processes to produce cooled transmissive optics for high energy laser applications. The objective is the research, development, and demonstration of fabrication and cooling methods for transmissive optical components. The high-energy laser wavelengths of interest are in the near infrared (1.32 micrometers, for example). Cooled transmissive optics are optical components (windows, beamsplitters, etc.) that are designed for use in high energy laser systems. One version contains small channels across the face of the component through which flows a coolant liquid. Typically, the channels are cut into the interior sides of the component halves and then the halves are bonded together. Carbon tetrachloride liquid is frequently used as the coolant. The research effort should concentrate on processes for component bonding methods and coolant substitutes. The key to the bonding method is to mechanically bond two pieces of fabricated fused silica together with no need of additional support. This bonding material must match to the index of refraction of the components and minimize or introduce no optical aberration, refraction, reflection, absorption or scattering as if there were no interface at all. The bonding material must be as strong as the fused silica subcomponents and impervious to carbon tetrachloride coolant or coolant substitutes. Coolant substitutes should be investigated to discover a stable, non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-radioactive liquid coolant to substitute for the carbon tetrachloride. The coolant must match the index of refraction of fused silica over operating temperatures of 15 - 30 oC. Offerors are not limited in technical approach and should consider creative and unique solutions to the cooling of transmissive optical components. The research effort duration should not exceed 18 months. This announcement is an expression of interest only. Total funding is not expected to exceed $340,000 for the program. The offeror's proposal should include a full discussion of the proposed technical approach and expected results as well as a suggested Statement of Work (SOW) covering all proposed tasks. The SOW should give technical consideration to 1) identification of bonding materials suitable for bonding fused silica without the introduction of optical aberrations at the interface, 2) identification of substitute optical component coolant(s) index matched to the optics, 3) a logical plan for development, demonstration, and evaluation of the process and production of sample cooled optical components, 4) a logical plan to evaluate the performance of substitute coolants, 5) periodic delivery of components to Phillips Laboratory for evaluation of aberrations, refraction, reflection, absorption, scattering, and bond strength, stability, and durability, 6) technical issues relating to scaling of the process from developmental samples to optical component production, and 7) any other technology issues which the offeror deems important to the development of improved cooled transmissive optics technology and specifically related to the proposed process. The original and three copies of the proposal are required. Please include a SF 1411 with any proposal over $100K. The Air Force reserves the right to select for award any, all, or none of the proposals received in response to this announcement. The proposals will be evaluated in accordance with the following criteria: 1) The overall scientific and/or technical merit of the proposal. 2) The soundness of approach including the definition and arrangement of tasks and the potential for advancing the state of the art of cooled transmissive optics technology. 3) The offeror's capabilities, related experience, facilities, techniques, and unique combinations of these which are integral factors for achieving the proposal objectives. 4) The qualifications, capabilities, and relevant experience of the proposed principal investigator, team leader, and other key personnel who are critical to successful accomplishment of the research effort. 5) The offeror's record of past and present performance on development efforts of similar nature. 6) The reasonableness and realism of the proposed costs and fee, if any, and 7) the availability of funds. No further evaluation criteria will be used in source selection. The technical and cost information will be evaluated simultaneously. The proposal should consist of two volumes. Volume 1 should contain the technical/management proposal and Volume 2 should contain the cost proposal. Volume 1 should include a title page, technical and administrative points of contact, a one page summary of the offeror's selected technical approach, a one page summary of the schedule and milestones for the proposed process development, a Statement of Work which does not exceed 5 pages detailing the effort's scope and specific contractor requirements, a one page summary of the deliverables associated with the proposed research, and a technical rationale paper which includes 1) technical arguments which substantiate the above, 2) a discussion of the unique aspects, 3) comparison with other approaches, 4) the risks and technical uncertainties, and 5) the overall approach to the management of the effort including brief discussions of total organization, teaming with other contractors, subcontractor relationships, technology transition plans, planning, scheduling and management control practices, and qualifications and commitment time to the project by each key person. Volume 1 is limited to 35 pages. Volume 2 should include a one page cost summary and a SF 1411 for the effort and include supporting pages of labor hours by labor category and task, estimate of cost by fiscal year and task, material cost by vendor quotes and purchase history, travel, computer and other direct and indirect costs. Details of any proposed cost sharing should be included in the cost proposal. The offeror shall justify the realism of the proposed costs. Offerors are required to furnish the procedures and rationale used in compiling proposed costs. An offeror's proposal is presumed to represent the best effort to respond to the solicitation. Any inconsistency, whether real or apparent, between promised performance and cost shall be explained in the proposal. The burden of proof as to cost credibility rests with the offeror and shall be included in the proposal. The Small Business size standard is 1000 employees (SIC 8731). Upon receipt of a proposal the Air Force will perform an initial review of its scientific merit and potential contribution to the project mission and also determine if funds are available for the effort. Proposals not considered to have sufficient scientific merit or relevance to Air Force needs or those in areas for which funds are not available may be declined without further review. Each proposal will be evaluated based on merit and relevance of the specific research proposed as it relates to the overall project rather than against other proposals for research in the same general area. Responses should reference the above announcement number and should be unclassified. Proposals are desired by 08 Jun 95. Any proposal received after the specified date may be evaluated dependent upon availability of funds. Responders shall consider instructions contained in the FAR 3.104-4 on proprietary information. The cost of preparing the proposal is not an allowable direct charge to any resultant contract or any other Government contract but it is an allowable expense to the normal bid and proposal indirect cost as provided in FAR 31.205-18. The Air Force shall send notices of nonselection to offerors whose proposals are not being considered for funding. Offerors are cautioned that only the Contracting Officer may commit the Government to an award. All respondents submitting a proposal must provide a mailing address and indicate whether they contemplate using foreign nationals on this effort. The research and test data produced under a resultant contract may contain Military Critical Technology List (MCTL) information whose export is restricted by the Export Control Act (Title 22, U.S., Sec 2751, et seq.) or the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended (Title 50, U.S.C., App. 2401, et seq.). Only those companies who are on the Qualified Contractors Access List (QCAL) may receive such information. Request certification and registration from the Defense Logistics Service Center (DLSC), Federal Center, 74 North Washington, Battle Creek, MI 49016-3412 (1-800-352-3572) as soon as possible. An Ombudsman has been appointed to hear concerns from offerors or potential offerors during the proposal development phase of this acquisition. The purpose of the Ombudsman is not to diminish the authority of the Program Director or Contracting Officer, but to communicate contractor concerns, issues, disagreements, and recommendations to the appropriate government personnel. Before contacting the Ombudsman, potential offerors should first communicate with the Contracting Officer. In those instances where offerors cannot obtain resolution from the Contracting Officer, they are invited to contact the PL Ombudsman, Bruce Grunsten in the Directorate of Contracting at (505) 846-8273, or at 3651 Lowry Street SE, Kirtland AFB, NM 87117-5777. When requested, the Ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The Ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals or in the source selection process. For contracting issues please contact Wilma Harrington at (505) 846-5119. For technical issues, please contact Zoran Milanovic at (505) 846-0912. (0122)

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