14--Sources Sought for Long Wavelength Infrared Lenses

This is a sources sought announcement only and is not an intent to procure. A solicitation is not available at this time. Requests for a solicitation will not receive a response. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division is conducting market research to determine long wavelength infrared (LWIR) optical element availability for possible use in future infrared systems. Inexpensive, long-wavelength Infrared optical elements are required. Optical elements of interest are: a) windows, b) wedges, c) lenses. Sources are sought for any and/or all of these optical elements. The lenses are less than 2 inches in diameter. Windows and wedges are approximately 1.5 inch diameter. An optical design has been performed. Optical element materials include Germanium and Zinc-Sulfide. Lenses with 2 spherical surfaces and lenses with one aspheric and one spherical surface are of interest. Windows have two flat surfaces. Wedges have two flat surfaces and a 1 degree wedge an! gle between the two surfaces. Approximately ten samples of each optical element are being considered. Key LWIR Lens parameters of interest include (1) useful transmission band (wavelength): 8 - 13 micrometers, (2) transmission within this band , (3) transmission outside the band, (4) Surface quality, (5) AR coating characteristics (6) Rough Order of Magnitude cost/schedule. For evaluation purposes, each potential source is requested to provide a brief description of work previously or currently being performed, which specifically demonstrates the contractor's ability to successfully satisfy the requirement description herein. Firms are also invited to submit any literature, brochures, or references necessary to support claims of being able to meet or exceed the requirement. In addition, responses must include the following: name and address of firm; commercial activity/government entity (CAGE) code; size of business relative to the North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code; and, point of contact name, title, phone, and email. The technical point of contact for this sources sought is Jerry Dodd, (760)939-4559. Interested sources should submit replies by email to Jerry.Dodd@navy.mil and adam.kitay@navy.mil, or hard copy Attn: Jerry Dodd, Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, 1900 North Knox Road Stop 6612, China Lake, C! A 93555-6106 no later than 4:00 p.m. PST on 21 April 2005. Acknowledgement of receipt will not be made. THE GOVERNMENT DOES NOT INTEND TO AWARD A CONTRACT ON THE BASIS OF THIS SOURCES SOUGHT OR TO OTHERWISE PAY FOR THE INFORMATION SOLICITED. This request for information is for planning purposes only and shall not be considered as an Invitation for Bid (IFB), Request for Quotation (RFQ), or request for proposal (RFP) or as an obligation on the part of the Government to acquire any products or services. Your response to this sources sought will be treated as information only. No entitlement to payment of direct or indirect costs or charges by the Government will arise as a result of contractor submission of responses to this sources sought or the Government use of such information. The Government reserves the right to reject, in whole or part, any contractor input resulting from this sources sought. This sources sought does not constitute a solicitation for proposals or! the authority to enter into negotiations to award a contract. No funds have been authorized, appropriated, or received for this effort. The information provided may be used by the Navy in developing its acquisition strategy and in its Statement of Work/Statement of Objectives and Performance Specifications. The information resulting from this sources sought may be included in one or more RFPs, which may be released to industry. Place of Performance = N/A Set Aside = N/A NAICS Code = 336414