NASA Goddard Space Flight Center has a requirement for the development of an optical amplifier for the Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA) mission. NASA/GSFC has been conducting science and technology studies for the LISA instrument, from concept through prototype stages. A study of issues, detailed plans and cost estimate for the development of space-qualification of the laser transmitters for the future LISA instrument are required. A major part of this effort will be identification and reduction of risks associated with the fabrication and space qualification of the laser transmitters. A key identified risk of the proposed system is the tapered fiber bundle (TFB) that combines the light from discrete laser pump diodes.
This procurement involves risk reduction activities for the tapered fiber bundle (TFB) to be used in the Lucent power amplifier design. The following work shall be conducted over a one (1) year period of performance:
1) The vendor shall conduct studies to optically characterize the TFB (insertion loss and PER) over temperature (5 to 75 C) on assembled packages.
2) The vendor shall perform thermal screening under high power in vacuum.
3) The vendor shall provide optical characterization over temperature on fully packaged and screened components.
4) The vendor shall perform periodic optical characterization during temperature cycling to identify performance degradation.
Key questions to address in the study are the following:
1) What are the product variabilities of the TFBs?
2) What is the stability of the TFB optical performance?
The overall goal is to reduce risk in the components by identifying performance issues early in the program.
The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. See Note 26.
NASA/GSFC intends to issue a Request for Proposal No. NNG08256267R on a sole-source basis to LGS Innovations, LLC. The authority for Other than Full and Open Competition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1), Only One Responsible Source.
LGS Innovations, LLC has a unique capability for the development and testing of one of the most critical areas of the LISA laser development, the reliability of the laser amplifier pump diodes and associated components. LGS, Innovations, LLC is the only known source that has produced a space-qualified ytterbium fiber optical amplifier with the necessary electrical efficiency and polarization extinction ratio required for the LISA mission. LGS Innovations, LLC is uniquely qualified to perform this specific component technology risk-reduction for the short-term technology development schedule required for the input to the Astrophysics Mission Decadal Survey.
Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on July 1, 2008. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government.
Comments may be forwarded to Suzanne.K.Sierra-Bodmer@nasa.gov via electronic transmission or by facsimile transmission (fax number: 301-286-1720). Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.
All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency.
An Ombudsman has been appointed. See NASA Specific Note "B".
Any referenced notes may be viewed at the following URLs linked below.
