66 -- Lenses for the Tillinghast Reflector Echelle Spectrograph (TRES)

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO), requires fabrication of seven (7) lenses, approximately six (6) inches in diameter for the construction of the Tillinghast Reflector Echelle Spectrograph (TRES). All optical surfaces will be spherical. All but one substrate will be Ohara I-line glasses. The remaining substrate (lens 4) will be calcium fluoride (CaF). SAO will supply the Ohara substrates, including a spare blank of each type. The contractor will return any unused Ohara blanks to SAO with the lenses. The contractor selected to fabricate these lenses will supply the CaF substrate. This substrate should have an index homogeneity less than or equal to 1-2 ppm, and stress birefringence less than or equal to 15 nm/cm. The lens radii shall be figured to approximately +/- 0.1% of radius. The tolerance for departures of higher order than spherical shall be 1/8 wave measure in 6328 angstrom light. Surface roughness shall be 20 angstroms RMS or better. Cosmetics shall be MIL 60/40 scratch-dig or better. Offerors will be required to describe their metrology strategy and to supply all metrology in electronic and paper format. SAO reserves Lens 6 as a pick-up lens. The contractor shall supply the as-built dimensions of the other lenses to SAO. SAO will perform a final optimization of the design using the radii and curvature of Lens 6 to refine the performance of TRES.This announcement is issued in accordance with the simplified acquisition procedures authorized in FAR part 13. A firm-fixed price contract is contemplated for this effort. Offers will be evaluated on the basis technical expertise and infrastructure to fabricate and test the lenses to SAO specifications, past performance fabricating optics, price and delivery schedule. The anticipated release date of the RFP is on or about 27 June 2005 and the due date for receipt of quotes is 27 July 2005. The anticipated award date is on or about 27 August 2005. Only written, fax, or email requests for a solicitation received directly from the requestor are acceptable. No telephone requests for the solicitation will be accepted. The proposed procurement is a Small Business set aside. NAICS code: 333314. Business Size Standard: 500 employees. Any questions regarding this notice shall be submitted in writing to the attention of Ms. Dotts (e-mail preferred).