Fabrication, Coating, Testing, and Delivery of Spherical Lenses for the Binocular Optical Spectrograph

The Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory (SAO) requires the fabrication, coating, test, and delivery of ten (10) lenses with spherical surfaces for the Binospec spectrograph. The lens blanks will be supplied by SAO, and all are Ohara I-line glass. The lens materials include S-FSL5Y, PBM2Y, PBL6Y, and BAL35Y. Lens diameters range between 214 and 311 mm. SAO would like high performance antireflection coating quoted as an option. Six of the ten lenses have a single surface that requires an antireflection coating. The materials of the lenses to be coated are S-FSL5Y, PBM2Y, and PBL6Y. Proposals are to be prepared in accordance with the attached Instructions. A firm-fixed price contract for this procurement is contemplated. Offers will be evaluated on (1) Evidence of technical expertise and infrastructure to fabricate and test large optics to SAO's Technical Specification at a level deemed sufficient by SAO; (2) Offeror's prior experience and past performance with optics of comparable size and tolerance parameters; (3) total price to the Government; and (4) delivery schedule. The firm date for receipt of proposals is 15 August 2008 at 5:00 PM (EDT). The anticipated award date is on or about 1 September 2008. The anticipated delivery date for the ten lenses will be 6 months after receipt of award of the contract. Delivery is F.O.B. destination, Cambridge, Massachusetts. The North American Industry Classification (NAICS) code 333314 and size standard is 500 employees. All qualified responsible sources may submit an offer, which will be considered by the SAO. This procurement is being conducted using the methods described in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart 12.6, Streamlined Procedures for Evaluation and Solicitation for Commercial Items. Any questions or comments regarding this solicitation shall cite the solicitation number (RFP590-06-08) and be directed to the following SAO representative: Mr. Joseph Lendall, Contracting Officer Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory 60 Garden Street, M/S 22 Cambridge, MA 02138-1516 Telephone No.: (617) 495-7401 (Collect calls not accepted) Telefax No.: (617) 496-7957 E-mail: jlendall@cfa.harvard.edu Any explanation desired by an Offeror regarding the meaning or interpretation of the solicitation, specifications, drawings, etc. must be requested in writing and with sufficient time allowed for a reply to reach all Offerors before they submit their offers. Oral explanations or instructions given before the award of a contract will not be binding. Any information given to a prospective Offeror concerning a solicitation will be furnished to all prospective Offerors as an amendment of the solicitation, if such information is necessary to Offerors in submitting offers or if lack of such information would be prejudicial to uninformed Offerors. Questions SAO may have otherwise answered may not be answered if submitted too late to permit transmittal to all potential Offerors reasonably in advance of the due date. Attachments include: Instructions to Offerors Technical Specification Drawings Model Contract