COmpact Semiconductor Mid- and long-wave Opto-electronic research (COSMO) Request for Information (RFI)

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION Air Force Research Laboratory Directed Energy Directorate COmpact Semiconductor Mid- and long-wave Opto-electronic research (COSMO) RFI-AFRL-RVKDL-2017-0003 ________________________________________ THIS IS A REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) ONLY as defined in FAR 15.201(e). This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes to further the Government's understanding of market capabilities. This RFI is not a request for proposals; therefore responses to this notice are not considered offers and cannot be accepted by the Government to form a binding contract. This RFI does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. This announcement shall NOT be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract, nor does it restrict the Government to a particular acquisition approach. Responses to this RFI will NOT be returned and no further feedback will be provided. Not responding to this RFI does not preclude participation in any future solicitation, if any is issued. If a solicitation is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website (https://www.fbo.gov). Submitted information shall be UNCLASSIFIED. NO reimbursement will be made by the Government for any costs associated with providing information in response to this RFI or any follow up information requests. COmpact Semiconductor Mid- and long-wave Opto-electronic research The purpose of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Directed Energy Directorate (AFRL/RD), Semiconductor Laser (SCL) Program is to fully explore and advance the state-of-the-art in compact high-brightness semiconductor laser devices emitting at the mid-wave infrared (MWIR) 3-5?m and long-wave infrared (LWIR) 8-12?m wavelengths capable of Infrared Countermeasure (IRCM) applications. The SCL Program seeks to develop compact semiconductor quantum cascade laser (QCL) and conventional quantum well diode laser (DL) technology with a focus on generating high brightness from broad-area devices. The SCL Program intends to develop the design, growth, test, and packaging of QCLs and DLs while pursuing novel concepts to achieve substantially higher brightness than currently available. This RFI is seeking information on industry's capability to advance semiconductor lasers suitable for current and future IRCM systems. Industry is requested to provide a high-level description of capabilities for developing and packaging MWIR and LWIR semiconductor laser devices. Capabilities should include: development and testing of individual and multi-device format QCL and DL component technology. Capabilities may also include: exercising beam combining strategy to achieve higher output power, and transition high brightness QCL and DL modules for test, evaluation, prototyping and incorporation into IRCM systems. The SCL Program envisions a majority of the effort will be performed at Kirtland Air Force Base which has specialized equipment including: molecular beam epitaxial system; focused ion beam/scanning electron microscope system; X-ray diffractometer; Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy system; reactive ion etching system; inductively coupled plasma reactive ion etching system; mask aligner; plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition system; and evaporative metal deposition system. Respondents should address their level of knowledge and familiarity with all of the equipment listed above and their ability to operate the equipment to perform research. The SCL Program envisions a minimal amount of off-site industry collaboration for the following processes related to developing QCL and DL technology: advanced concept analysis, QCL material design and development; laser prototype and final packaging; and laser system design and integration. This effort may require interaction with off-site collaborators for the listed research efforts. Response Guidance Interested parties capable of performing the work, as described above, are invited to submit a capability statement on company letterhead no later than 29 March 2017 at 12:00 noon Mountain Standard Time (MST). Provide sufficient written information to indicate capability and any other specific and pertinent information. Responses must also address items (a)-(d) below. Company Profile: (a) Company Name and Mailing Address (b) CAGE Code and DUNS Number (c) Point(s) of Contact to include telephone number and e-mail address (d) Business Size Status (i.e. 8(a), HUBZone, woman-owned, Service Disabled Veteran-Owned, Small Business, Large Business, Historically Black College/University). Also, indicate if entity is a minority-serving institution of higher education that meets the definition of "Covered Institution" (as defined in 10 USC 2362 Covered Educational Institution) which is (1) an institution of higher education eligible for assistance under title III or V of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1501 et seq); or (2) an accredited postsecondary minority institution). The applicable NAICs code is CY2012 541712/CY2017 541715 with an associated small business size standard of 1,000. Responses must be unclassified and any proprietary information provided must be portion marked accordingly. The Government shall not be liable for or suffer any consequential damages for any proprietary information not properly identified. RFI responses are limited to twenty (20) pages, singled-sided, single-spaced, Times New Roman 12-point font with one inch margins. A cover page and index are not included in the page count. Submittals should consist of one (1) hard copy and one (1) electronic version (CD-ROM) in a format readable and usable by Microsoft (MS) Word 2010 or in PDF format viewable with the standard Adobe Acrobat Reader. Submissions shall be delivered by MAIL ONLY and received NLT 29 March 2017 at 12:00 noon MST at the following address: AFRL Det 8/RVKDL Attn: Luisa A. Martinez-Medina Contract Specialist 3550 Aberdeen Avenue SE Kirtland AFB NM 87117-5776 Submissions sent via facsimile, hand delivered or other electronic means will NOT be accepted. Note: The operations, research, and test data produced under a resultant contract may contain Military Critical Technology List (MCTL) information whose export is restricted by the Export Control Act (Title 22, USC, Section 2751, et seq.) or the Export Administration Act of 1979, as amended (Title 50, USC, App. 40-1, et seq.). Therefore, ONLY offerors who are certified by the Defense Logistics Information Service (DLIS) may submit statements of capability. Contact US/Canada Joint Certification Office, DLIS, Federal Center, 74 Washington Ave, North, Battle Creek, Michigan, 49037-3084, (800) 352-3572, http://www.dlis.dla.mil/jcp/, for further information on certification and the approval process.