99--Jade High Performance LWIR Thermal Imaging and Measurement System and Accessories

The U. S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, intends to make a firm-fixed price, sole source award to Electrophysics Fairfield, VA. GovWorks/DOI intends to issue a Purchase Order in accordance with FAR Part 13.5, Test Program for Certain Commercial Items and 6.302-1 only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements. This non-competitive action is being issued by GovWorks under the authority of the U. S. Department of Interior Franchise Fund on behalf of the Redstone Technical Test Center. The Redstone Technical Test Center has a requirement for the acquisition of one Jade High Performance LWIR Thermal Imaging and Measurement System and accessories. The estimated total value of this project is $165,000. The Field Signature Group (FSG) of RTTC utilizes radiometric cameras in support of missile systems for building 3D models, Delta-T measurements, and airborne data collections. The camera must be field portable and self- contained except for the PCI based image acquisition card located in a PC; i.e. a separate camera head and electronics box is not acceptable due to the use of this camera in a mobile environment. The camera must also be a closed cycle self contained focal plane array (FPA) system. It cannot be externally cooled through the use of liquid nitrogen. The FPA must be at least 320 x 256 HgCdTe (MCT) based detector with a minimum response of 8-9.3 A system with. a quantum well infrared photodetector (QWIP) does not meet the need for short integration times necessary to prevent target motion from blurring the image while maintaining required thermal sensitivity. The low quantum efficiency (QE) of QWIP, typically 10-20%, of other systems is not acceptable. This low QE leads directly to longer integration time. The MCT detector has a QE of 60-70% at its operating temperature. Operating at a higher temperature will typically decrease the strain on the cooler and therefore lengthen the life of the camera system. RTTC has determined that the equipment required by is available from only one responsible source and no other type of equipment will satisfy agency requirements. Thorough market surveys indicate that this LWIR system is the only system that will meet environmental considerations and the data collection requirements to support the required test conduct. Award to a vendor other than Electrophysics would result in the acquisition of substandard equipment that will not meet mission requirements. This is NOT a request for competitive quotes. The intent of this Special Notice is for informational purposes only. However, all information received by 4:30 p.m. EST April 30, 2004, will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this action based on this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. POC: Mathew Ridolfi, MMS, Procurement Operations Branch, 381 Elden Street, MS 2510, Herndon, VA 20170. Questions must be emailed to Mathew Ridolfi at contact@example.gov. TELEPHONIC QUESTIONS OR REQUESTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED OR ACKNOWLEDGED.