Precise and Robust Aspheric Lens Assembly

Precise and Robust Aspheric Lens Assembly The U.S. Army Contracting Command - New Jersey (ACC-NJ), in support of U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC), Small Arms Fire Control and Optics Technology Division, Picatinny Arsenal, NJ is currently seeking information pertaining to the capability of industry or academia to precisely, robustly and efficiently mount and align multiple aspheric lens elements in an optical sub-assembly. In preparation for a possible future procurement, ACC-NJ is issuing this notice to explore a breakout strategy for this requirement. The Small Arms Fire Control and Optics Technology Division is interested in exploring the market capabilities to support this effort and determine if a competitive environment exists. The Statement of Objectives identified for this requirement is as follows: Most low volume optical systems have only one aspheric element per group. Cell phone cameras typically have more as the high volume of units to be assembled permits tooling costs to be prorated. This same argument can be extended to a wide class of optics so as to include diffractive and graded index lenses (with variations in both the radial and longitudinal directions). This capability is historically labor intensive and has required specialized equipment and excessive time to accomplish. This task becomes particularly difficult if lens tilt, centration and spacing need to be simultaneously adjusted for multiple elements. This capability is of interest as it relates to Small Arms Fire Control Sighting Systems, where the rigors of the Military environment require robust mounting of the precision optics. Interested parties shall submit a capabilities statement or white paper, to include a Quad Chart. This white paper should not exceed 3 pages per item, with an executive summary (short paragraph) and a technical description of the method. A Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) of the per-unit cost associated with the procedure to perform the alignment function should also be provided. Standard corporate brochures are not desired. The capability statement should include the following: company name, address, telephone number, email address, technical point of contract, DUNS number, Cage Code and company size (please specify as either a Large Business, Foreign-Owned Business, Small Business, Small Disadvantaged Business, 8(a) concern, Woman-Owned Small Business, Historically Underutilized Business Zone concern, Veteran-Owned Small Business, or Service-Disabled Small Business). Information about the Joint Certification Program (JCP) is located at https://www.dlis.dla.mil/JCP/Default.aspx. This Sources Sought Notice is for planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or Request for Proposal (RFP) or as an obligation on the part of the Government. If a formal solicitation is generated at a later date, a Request for Proposal (RFP) will be issued. If a RFP is released, it will be synopsized on the Federal Business Opportunities (FedBizOpps) website. It is the responsibility of the potential offerors to monitor this website for additional information pertaining to this requirement. The Government is not obligated to notify respondents of the results of this survey. All information submitted will be held in a confidential status. Information provided will not be returned. TELEPHONE INQUIRIES/SUBMISSIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. The Government will accept questions via email ONLY. The Government is not seeking, and will not accept, unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the Government is not responsible and will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in responding to this notice. All submissions are requested to be made within thirty (30) calendar days from the date of this publication, via electronic mail to both Points of Contact (POCs) for this action: Gwendolynn Hopson, Contract Specialist, email: gwendolynn.d.hopson.civ@mail.mil; and David Gordon, Contracting Officer, email: david.s.gordon26.civ@mail.mil.