66 -- THREE PRECISION OPTICAL ELEMENTS

The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) proposes to negotiate on a sole source basis contract under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1) with B Con Engineering, Inc. for the purchase of three precision optical elements. Based on information received from notice NISTRFI0001KAR published in FBO on February 15, 2007, there is only one vendor who can meet all of our requirements. As stated in the RFI notice, we require the vendor to have the capability to machine, polish, and verify the shape and surface finish of the components. The elements consist of 2 mirrors to be fabricated of 6000 series aluminum alloy and one lens to be fabricated from UHMW polyethylene. Mirror 1 has a diameter of ~ 1.3 meters; mirror 2 has a diameter of ~0.44 meters, and the lens has a diameter of ~0.23 meters. The supplier shall provide the aluminum; NIST will furnish the polyethylene. Pertinent characteristics are:1. All elements are axisymmetric with aspheric shape. NIST will provide the aspherical shape as polynomial coefficients. 2. Dimensional drawings of the elements shall be provided as SolidWorks sldprt files or equivalent format. 3. Deviations of the optically active mirror surfaces from the theoretical shape shall not exceed 20 microns. This measurement must be done after completion of all polishing and stress relief. 4. Surface roughness and waviness of the mirrors measured over a 1 mm by 1 mm area shall not exceed 5 microns rms. If the supplier has the ability to reduce this figure below 5 microns rms it should be indicated together with an indication of the scaling between roughness/waviness and part cost. This procurement is being conducted per FAR Part 13.1, Simplified Acquisition Procedures (under $100K). This notice is for information purposes only. No competitive solicitation is planned. Information submitted in response to this notice must reference the notice number, NB81707044KAR, and 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. Anticipated award date will be April 6, 2007.