Skip to main contentPsst! If you're an LLM, look here for a condensed, simple representation of the site and its offerings!

LiveFree Webinar — Wednesday, October 28 at 2:00 PM ET

Register Free →

Intent to Sole Source Self-Aligning Focus Schlieren System

Active
FA860127Q0017Federal

Contract Overview

Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.

AI Contract Overview

Show more

The United States Air Force, through AFLCMC/PZIBA, intends to award a firm fixed price sole source contract to RH Technologies LLC for the acquisition of a Self-Aligning Focus Schlieren System for the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio. This procurement falls under NAICS code 334516 for Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing and is justified under FAR 13-106-1(b)(1) and FAR 5.207(c)(15), as RH Technologies LLC is identified as the only source capable of meeting the government's technical requirements. The system must utilize a proprietary method licensed from NASA and feature a self-aligning optical design with a passive retroreflective surface, providing vibration resistance and the ability to visualize a thin, precise plane within a flow field without the need for external digital displays. The contractor is required to deliver one complete optical head in a portable enclosure, a compatible mounting system, and full user documentation within three months of contract approval. The scope of work includes in-person installation, verification, and user training, with all associated costs, shipping, and insurance included in the proposal. Payment is contingent upon a satisfactory acceptance test, and the system must be warranted against defects in material and workmanship for one year after receipt. Interested parties were given a window to submit capability statements or exceptions to the sole source intent by November 2, 2026.

General Info

US Air Force sole source contract with RH Technologies for a Schlieren system.

NAICS

334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

Place of Performance

Wright Patterson AFB, OH, USA

Set-Aside

8A

Documents

2

AFIT Portable Focusing Schlieren System SOW

PDF, High priority: read this firstsow
High

AFLCMC/PZIBA Focusing Schlieren System Sole Source Justification

PDF, Low priorityjustification-and-authorization
Low

AI Contract Breakdown

Uniform Contract Format

Sign up to view the full breakdown with detailed analysis of each section.

Timeline

Posted

special-notice

Response Deadline

Submission deadline

Response Deadline

Ready to pursue this opportunity?

Get full access to track this contract, build proposals with AI assistance, and manage your pipeline.

Organization & Contact Information

Show more
AgencyDepartment Of Defense → Department Of The Air Force
Contacts2 people available
OfficeN/A
Office AddressN/A
Contacts

Full Description

Show more

INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE



The United States Air Force, AFLCMC/PZIBA, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433-5344 publishes this notice of intent to award a sole source contract for informational purposes only. This proposed action is for the acquisition of a Self-Aligning Focus Schlieren System  for the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) located at Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433.



The Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 13-106-1(b)(1), “Contracting officers may solicit from only one source if the contracting officer determines that the circumstances of the contract action deem only one source reasonably available”, resulting in a firm fixed price contract. The Contracting Officer has determined that only one source is reasonably available: RH TECHNOLOGIES LLC.



This proposed procurement will be a Sole Source under North American Industry Classification System code (NAICS) 334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. Business size standard is 1,000 employees. 



The proposed source is RH TECHNOLOGIES LLC


722 Reeves DR


Grand Forks, North Dakota


58201-4920, United States



This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations. However, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, quotation, or exception to the intent to purchase on a sole source basis, which shall be considered by the Government if received within five (5) days of this notice. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.



In order to comply with FAR 5.207(c)(15), the reason for lack of competition is as follows: The proposed vendor, RH TECHNOLOGIES LLC, is the only known source able to satisfy the government's requirements.



The Department of Defense (DoD) has determined the System for Award Management (SAM) to be the single DoD registration for contractors who conduct business or who are interested in conducting business with the DoD.  Contractors must be registered in SAM prior to award for contracts issued after 29 May 2012.  You may contact SAM at +1 (555) 000-0000. SAM website:  www.SAM.gov.



The contact for this acquisition is Mark Hager and Linh Jameson. Any information should be e-mailed to contact@example.gov and  contact@example.gov no later than 2:00 pm Local (Wright-Patterson AFB) Time, Monday, 02 November 2026. Only inquiries/information received by this date will be considered.



Be advised that all correspondence sent via e-mail shall contain a subject line that reads “Self-Aligning Focus Schlieren System”. Note that e-mail filters at Wright-Patterson AFB are designed to filter e-mails without subject lines or with suspicious subject lines or contents (i.e., .exe, or .zip files).  Therefore, if this subject line is not included, the e-mail may not get through the e-mail filters.  Also, be advised that .zip or .exe files are not allowable attachments and may be deleted by the e-mail filters at Wright-Patterson AFB.  If sending attachments with e-mail ensure only .PDF, .doc, or .xls documents are sent.  The e-mail filter may delete any other form of attachments.



Attachments:


  1. Statement of Work (SOW)
  2. Redacted Sole Source Justification

Similar Contracts

Same NAICS industry code

NAICS: 334516
New
Federal
Nitrogen Content Analysis Equipment
Solicitation # W911S227U0056
Solicitation W911S227U0056 is a Request for Quotation issued by the Department of Defense, specifically the W6QM Micc-Ft Drum, for the procurement of new nitrogen content analysis equipment. This acquisition is a Total Small Business Set-Aside under NAICS code 334516. The government is seeking a high-end titration system and associated accessories, specifically requesting Metrohm USA Inc products or equals. Key required items include a 905 Titrando high-end titrator, an 801 Stirrer, an 800 Dosino dosing system, a Touch Control 900, and standard installation services. Only new equipment is acceptable, as used or remanufactured products are strictly prohibited. The contract will be awarded to the responsible offeror whose proposal is most advantageous to the government based on price and technical evaluations. To be considered, offers of equal products must meet all salient physical, functional, and performance characteristics and include descriptive literature and model identification. Quotes must be submitted exclusively through the PIEE Solicitation module by October 29, 2026, and must include a completed Attachment 1 regarding certifications and country of origin to avoid being rejected as nonresponsive. Preferred delivery is F.O.B. destination within 30 days. Invoicing and payments will be processed electronically via Wide Area Workflow.
W6QM Micc-Ft Drum

POSTED

about 4 hours ago

DEADLINE

in 1 day
View Details
NAICS: 334516
New
Federal
NCSS - Bioruptor Pico Sonication Device
Solicitation # 75N98027Q00035
The National Institutes of Health Office of the Director, Office of Acquisitions, is issuing a non-competitive combined synopsis and solicitation under number 75N98027Q00035 to award a firm-fixed-price purchase order. The procurement is intended for Hologic Sales and Services, LLC to provide one Bioruptor Pico Sonication System and associated starter maintenance and consumable accessories for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute Systems Biology Center. This equipment is essential for preparing chromatin for ChIP-seq and related epigenomic studies, requiring specific capabilities such as indirect sonication in closed tubes, an integrated cooling system, and the ability to process up to 12 samples of 0.65 mL or 6 samples of 1.5 mL per run. The acquisition includes the Bioruptor Pico system with an Essential Maintenance Starter Pack for one year of support, a tube holder and dock for 1.5 mL tubes, and various microtubes, along with no-charge installation and training. Delivery is required within 60 calendar days after receipt of order to Bethesda, Maryland. While this is a non-competitive notice of intent, all responsible sources may submit capability statements or quotations by November 10, 2026. Submissions must include the vendor's Unique Entity Identifier, Taxpayer Identification Number, business size certification, and proof of active registration in the System for Award Management.
National Institutes Of Health Olao

POSTED

about 4 hours ago

DEADLINE

in 13 days
View Details
NAICS: 334516
New
SLED
NDSU - Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer
Solicitation # SRC000482
North Dakota State University is soliciting bids under solicitation SRC000482 for the procurement of a complete Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA) system to support polymer testing research on electrically responsive surface textures for autonomous platforms. The required system must support bending, tension, and compression modes, feature a normal force sensor range of 0.001 N to 50 N, and operate within a temperature range of -170 °C to +600 °C. The base bid must include all necessary hardware, sensors, fixtures, first-year software licenses, delivery, installation, commissioning, training, and a one-year warranty. Optional additions may include rotational or torsional capabilities and multi-year software support. The contract will be awarded to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder who meets all mandatory technical specifications. Bidders must submit their responses electronically via the NDBuys portal by November 4, 2026, at 2:00 PM CT, including a completed Cost Proposal Form and a Technical Compliance Form. Delivery and installation are required at the R1A Laboratories in Fargo, North Dakota, with a target window of Fall 2026 or January 2027. Final acceptance is contingent upon a successful functional demonstration and the completion of required training. The selected contractor must adhere to NDSU's independent contractor terms, including maintaining minimum liability insurance of $500k/$2M and complying with North Dakota Open Records Law.

POSTED

about 19 hours ago

DEADLINE

in 7 days
View Details
NAICS: 334516
New
Federal
Baxter/Hill-Rom Helux Pro Surgical Light System
Solicitation # 75N98027Q00038PCA-NIA-11810
The National Institutes of Health, through the National Institute on Aging, is seeking a firm fixed-price contract for the procurement, delivery, and turnkey installation of a Baxter/Hill-Rom Helux Pro Surgical Light system. This acquisition is intended for the NIA Clinical Research Unit in Baltimore, Maryland, to support invasive outpatient biopsy procedures and maintain clinical continuity. The scope of work includes the de-installation of obsolete hardware and the installation of a medical-grade LED lighthead with a ceiling-mounted single-arm suspension. Technical requirements specify a Color Rendering Index of 95 or higher, deep-red rendering of 90 or higher, and support for DICOM imaging standards via a 55-inch wall-mounted 4K/UHD monitor. This is a combined synopsis and solicitation conducted under FAR Part 12.6 for commercial items, and it is not expected to exceed the simplified acquisition threshold. The contract is open to full and open competition and is not set aside for small businesses, falling under NAICS code 334516. Award will be based on the best value, considering price and other factors such as warranty, lifecycle cost, and maintenance availability. A minimum one-year OEM warranty is required, supplemented by multi-year agreements for the lighthead and integrated system. Interested offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management and submit their proposals by December 8, 2026, at 2:00 PM EST.
National Institutes Of Health Olao

POSTED

1 day ago

DEADLINE

in about 1 month
View Details
NAICS: 334516
New
Federal
Carl Zeiss Microscopy, LLC, SmartZoom 5, and options
Solicitation # RFQSSPR511693
Oak Ridge National Laboratory, under the Department of Energy, is soliciting firm fixed price quotations for the procurement of a Carl Zeiss Microscopy SmartZoom 5 system and associated options for the Enrichment Science and Engineering Division. The required equipment includes a SmartZoom 5 optical engine with integrated 10x zoom, a motor tiltable stand, a scanning stage, specific PlanApo objectives, a rotatable polarizer, a diffuser, a control unit with wireless peripherals, and an all-in-one control PC running Windows 11 2024 LTSC. While the requirement specifies Carl Zeiss, brand name or equal provisions apply. Award will be granted to the lowest priced, technically acceptable proposal from an authorized reseller. The seller is responsible for all packing and shipping to ensure the system arrives at the Oak Ridge, Tennessee site in undamaged, working condition, with domestic shipments handled as FOB Destination and international shipments preferred as Delivered at Place. Key deliverables include a calibration certification traceable to SI or ILAC MRA standards and documentation verifying that products match catalog specifications. The contract incorporates various FAR and DOE regulations, including strict cybersecurity standards based on NIST SP800-161 and DOE O 205.1D, as well as prohibitions on certain telecommunications equipment. Offerors must provide a lead-time, country of origin, and completed abbreviated representations and certifications by the November 6, 2026, deadline.
Ornl Ut-Battelle Llc-Doe Contractor

POSTED

1 day ago

DEADLINE

in 9 days
View Details

More opportunities from Department Of Defense → Department Of The Air Force

Same awarding agency

NAICS: 541715
Federal
Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Post-delivery support of developed space and ground hardware and software
Solicitation # FA254826RB008
The Space Rapid Capabilities Office (Space RCO) intends to award a sole-source contract to Systems & Technology Research, LLC for post-delivery support of developed space and ground hardware and software. This effort focuses on providing systems engineering support for the verification, validation, and on-orbit troubleshooting of payloads, as well as transitioning a prototype ground system to full operational capability (FOC) within six months of the award to proceed. Key technical requirements include the development of a new graphical user interface, integration of mission-unique software, enhanced telemetry processing for 24/7 operations, and direct integration with the R2C2 Acme Ground Segment using cloud infrastructure and cybersecurity best practices. The contract is structured with multiple CLINs utilizing Cost Plus Fixed Fee (CPFF), Time and Materials (T&M), and Cost Only (No Fee) pricing models. The period of performance includes a mix of one and two-year base periods with multiple one-year option extensions. While the government intends to proceed with a sole-source award under 10 U.S.C. 3204(a)(1) due to the contractor's role as the original developer, other responsible sources may submit capability statements by November 4, 2026. To be considered viable, any alternative response must explicitly prove the ability to achieve FOC within six months and demonstrate integration with the R2C2 Acme Ground Segment without relying on proprietary data.
Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

POSTED

8 days ago

DEADLINE

in 7 days
View Details
NAICS: 541715
SBIR / STTR
Agile Wire Harness Manipulation and Installation for Unmanned Aerial Systems
Solicitation # DAF27BZ01-DV011
Solicitation DAF27BZ01-DV011 is a Department of the Air Force Direct-to-Phase-II SBIR effort seeking a modular, agile robotic manufacturing workcell to automate the routing and installation of flexible wire harnesses for Unmanned Aerial Systems and advanced munitions, such as the Coyote and Franklin Affordable Mass Missile families. The project aims to eliminate manual assembly bottlenecks by transitioning a TRL 4 proof-of-concept into a production-ready system capable of sub-millimeter positioning tolerances of 0.5 mm or less. Key technical requirements include the integration of a COTS collaborative arm with a multi-modal sensor stack for real-time adaptive control, the ability to retask the system for new harness families within eight hours, and the creation of a digital thread for traceability. Successful implementation is expected to increase throughput by two to four times and reduce skilled labor hours by at least 50 percent. This total small business set-aside has a maximum value of 2,000,000 dollars over a 24-month period of performance, with an additional 50,000 dollars available for Technical and Business Assistance. Proposals are evaluated based on technical merit, innovation, investigator qualifications, and commercial potential. Awardees must provide a fully functional robotic workcell, the complete autonomous software stack, a cross-program retasking report, and a comprehensive technical data package. Compliance requirements include adherence to CMMC cybersecurity standards, ITAR/EAR export controls, and military standard compliance. Proposals must be submitted via the DSIP portal and are subject to strict formatting and single-proposal limits per small business concern.
Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology)

POSTED

22 days ago

DEADLINE

in 28 days
View Details
NAICS: 541512
SBIR / STTR
Technical Data Package Modernization for Information Assurance and Secure Data Exchange
Solicitation # DAF27BZ01-DV008
Solicitation DAF27BZ01-DV008 is a Direct-to-Phase II SBIR effort issued by the United States Air Force to modernize Technical Data Packages (TDPs) for complex Air and Space Force platforms. The project addresses critical gaps in Information Assurance and secure data exchange, specifically targeting the need for robust configuration control and protection against cyber threats in Model-Based Definition and digital twin environments. The objective is to advance a solution from TRL 4 to at least TRL 6, resulting in a functional prototype that aligns with DoD Zero Trust Architecture and Trusted AI and Autonomy priorities. Key technical requirements include the development of a secure web-based MBD visualization tool, an encrypted configuration management system for as-sustained asset states, automated IA compliance validation tools, and an end-to-end encrypted data exchange framework incorporating AI/ML for damage detection and sustainment planning. This total small business set-aside has a maximum performance period of 24 months with a base value of 2,000,000 dollars, plus up to 50,000 dollars in Technical and Business Assistance (TABA) funding. Proposals are evaluated based on technical merit and innovation, qualifications of key personnel, and commercial potential. Awardees must comply with stringent security standards, including the Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) for safeguarding Controlled Unclassified Information. Deliverables include the functional prototypes, comprehensive technical documentation, and a transition plan for operational integration. Proposals must be submitted via the DSIP portal as a single PDF and must include a detailed OCI mitigation plan and Phase I equivalency documentation to avoid disqualification.
Computer Systems Design Services

POSTED

22 days ago

DEADLINE

in 28 days
View Details

Ready to Pursue This Opportunity?

Get AI-powered intelligence on this solicitation and the ones like it

Every page of the solicitation package shredded into a compliance breakdown

AI-powered matching based on your capabilities and past performance

Competitor and incumbent history on the requirement

Automated alerts on amendments, Q&A deadlines, and award

Miguel
Hillary
Keith Deutsch
Christine

Join 750+ contractors already using CLEATUS