Navy Prototype Optical Interferometer - Improved Capabilites Effort

The Naval Research Laboratory intends to negotiate on other than full and open competitive basis with the Lowell Observatory for upgrades to the Navy Prototype Optical Interferometer (NPOI) located on Lowell's dark site at Anderson Mesa southeast of Flagstaff, Arizona. This upgrade will consist of all steps and components necessary for designing and building three (3) installed NPOI imaging array stations, including mechanical designs for the environmental enclosures, thirty-six (36) installed NPOI Long Delay Line stations, including the electronics controllers and their design, and six (6) installed NPOI periscopes. The Lowell Observatory is the owner of proprietary knowledge, techniques, and processes specific to the NPOI. Lowell has acquired, over the past 20 years, unique expertise, experience, and equipment related to specific designs, fabrication, and integration of upgrade components. These subsystems are similar to the ones currently being purchased. Lowell has successfully implemented critical optical mountings, utilizing proprietary techniques, which met acceptable deformation specifications in the wavefront of less than 7 nm (as measured peak to valley across the useable aperture). Lowell's unique optical alignment jigs, fixtures, and processes, as demonstrated in prior upgrades, are required to effectively and efficiently meet our optical alignment and positioning tolerances of 75 milli arc-seconds and 0.1 mm, respectively, throughout each of our 283 m long, 9-element optical trains. The peculiar and delicate nature of the electrical power and signal distribution at the NPOI site is intimately known to, and maintained by, Lowell. This upgrade will integrate with this power and signal distribution system, and therefore Lowell is uniquely qualified for this effort. All the above components are unique to the NPOI and their construction will utilize proprietary technologies that do not exist in the commercial marketplace. The statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1) - Only one responsible source. All responsible sources may submit a capability statement, proposal, or quotation, which shall be considered by the agency. The government does not intend to use FAR Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Items. Other business opportunities for NRL are available at the following website: Http://heron.nrl.navy.mil/contracts/rfplist.htm.