Optical Spectrum Analyzer

SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS Title: Optical Spectrum Analyzer The United States Air Force, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio is seeking an ultrahigh resolution Stimulated Brillouin Scattering (SBS) - Optical Spectrum Analyzer (OSA). Recent research has focused on the characterization and application of RF photonic interactions in engineered material structures such as optically sampled resonant antenna structures. However, the accurate characterization of these structures is hampered by the inability to measure their response accurately. Such accurate characterization is complicated by the fact that these devices transfer signal from electrical to optical domains, which traditionally use very different measurement techniques. Optical spectrum analyzers can provide information as to the efficacy of these designs, but classical grating-based (GB) OSAs do not provide sufficient resolution for the analysis of typically modulated RF signals. The new SBS-OSA's provide roughly two to three orders of magnitude better spectral resolution and would greatly accelerate and enhance the development of RF photonics. Ultrahigh resolution (UHR) OSAs are a new class of OSAs that use SBS, providing significant improvements in resolution when compared to grating-based (GB) OSAs. SBS is a non-linear optical effect that is induced when an external cavity tunable laser source (TLS) is pumped along with the optical signal to be measured through an optical fiber. The intensity of the SBS is measured as the wavelength of the TLS is swept across the wavelengths of interest providing a very narrow filtering effect. The resolution of the SBS-OSA is defined by the narrow spectral width of the TLS which can be less than 10 MHz (0.08 pm). On the other hand, state-of-the-art GB-OSAs provide only 2.5 GHz (0.02 nm) resolution. Firms responding to this sources sought synopsis should make sure that their product's capabilities meet the following specifications: 1) Operational wavelength range: 1520-1610 nm 2) Wavelength accuracy: - 5 pm 3) Spectral resolution (FWHM): <10 MHz 4) Dynamic range @ - 200MHz (1.6 pm at 1550 nm): 40 dBc 5) Power level measurement range: -70 to +10 dBm 6) Power level measurement accuracy: <0.5 dB 7) Acquisition time (2000 points over 3 nm range): <1 sec 8) Optical input: FC/PC or FC/APC 9) Simultaneous measurements of both primary polarization states 10) External tunable laser access 11) Automatic calibration 12) User interface software features This Sources Sought Synopsis is published for market research purposes to identify potential capable sources and to assist the Air Force in making a small business set-aside decision. The Air Force anticipates a competitive acquisition for a Firm Fixed Price purchase order contract. Firms responding to this notice should submit a small capabilities' package to include: 1) Provide information to demonstrate that your company can provide a product to meet the specifications of this Sources Sought Synopsis 2) Indicate whether your company is a large or small business. If a small business, please specify the type (e.g. SDVOSB, HUBZone, 8(a), SDB, WOSB, VOSB, general SB, etc.). **See note below. 3) Indicate whether your company is the manufacturer for this product. If not the manufacturer then please indicate the name of the manufacturer and whether they are a large or small business. 4) Indicate your company's status as being U.S.-owned or Foreign-owned/Foreign-controlled. ***Note: The general definition of a small business is one that is independently owned and operated, is not dominant in the field of operation in which it is proposing on Air Force contracts and with its affiliates; and the average annual receipts does not exceed 500 employees based on the NAICS Code to be used for this acquisition - 333314 - "Optical Instrument and Lens Manufacturing". The Air Force reserves the right to consider a set-aside based upon responses hereto for any subsequent acquisition. Any information submitted by respondents to this sources sought synopsis is voluntary. The Air Force does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this notice or to otherwise pay for the information solicited. Respondents should not construe this Sources Sought synopsis as a commitment by the Air Force for any purpose. The Government's evaluation of the capability statements received will factor into whether any forthcoming solicitation will be conducted as a full and open competition or as a set-aside for small businesses, or any particular small business designation (e.g. SDVOSB, HUBZone, 8(a), SDB, WOSB, VOSB, etc.). Responses may be submitted electronically to the following e-mail address: Mohamed.Hussein@wpafb.af.mil or mailed to ASC/PKOAB, Attn.: Mohamed Hussein, 1940 Allbrook Dr. Rm. 109, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH 45433 to be received no later than 4:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Wed. 25 July 2012. Any questions concerning this acquisition should be directed to Mohamed.Hussein@wpafb.af.mil.