Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, 60 Garden Street, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138-1516

99 -- CALCIUM FLUORIDE LENS BLANKS SOL RFP551-10-98 DUE 111998 POC Peter W. Sozanski, Contracting Officer, Tel. 617/495-7376, FAX 617/496-7992, email: psozanski@cfa.harvard.edu The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) intends to purchase on a Sole-Source basis twelve (12) each Calcium Fluoride Generated Lens Blanks from Optovac located in North Brookfield, Massachusetts to be used on SAO's Binospec Spectrograph. These blanks have diameters ranging between 223 mm and 376 mm and thicknesses between 72 mm and 102 mm. (These dimensions refer to the plano blank that would enclose the desired biconvex lenses.) The generated radii of curvature range between 150 mm and 8000 mm. The key performance requirements for these blanks are high purity and controlled annealing that result in high internal transmission (less than 0.5% loss through 50 cm path length at any wavelength between 390 nm and 1000 nm), low stress birefringence (5 nm/cm), refractive index homogeneity (better than 5 x 10-6), mechanical strength (able to withstand tensile and compressive loads of 2000 psi without damage), and freedom from excessive internal stress (10 nm/cm of stress induced birefringence). Since the light in the Binospec Spectrograph passes through up to 50 cm of Calcium Fluoride, the performance of this instrument is highly dependent on the quality of the Calcium Fluoride, and Optovac is the only known vendor that has demonstrated it can supply the required Calcium Fluoride Generated Lens Blanks. The desired delivery date is within 12 months ARO. A determination by SAO not to compete this proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of SAO. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. This acquisition is being conducted under guidelines set forth in FAR, Part 15, Contracting by Negotiation. No written solicitation will be issued for this requirement. Expected award date is 19 November 1998. Posted 10/30/98 (I-SN266976). (0303)

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