This action is for a deformable mirror and control electronics that will be a cornerstone of a new testbed designed to demonstrate new technologies for high contrast imaging and integral field spectroscopy.

NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC) has a requirement for a deformable mirror and control electronics that will be a cornerstone of a new testbed designed to demonstrate new technologies for high contrast imaging and integral field spectroscopy. The key is that this deformable mirror has a large format and small actuator pitch, crucial for controlling the wavefront using an optical system that occupies a relatively small space. The testbed requires a continuous surface deformable mirror with a pitch of less than 500 um and a stroke of more than 1 micron. NASA/GSFC requires a product that can scale in the number of actuators, with a manufacturing process consistent with high stability control. This uniquely identifies the Boston Micromachines Corporation (BMC) product line of deformable mirrors. This work will build upon more than a decade of Goddard research on integral field spectroscopy and high contrast imaging. This technical equipment investment is a critical component to enable new technology demonstrations in high contrast imagining and integral field spectroscopy. This work will enable new high contrast imaging demonstrations for the future NASA missions such as WFIRST, Exo-C, LUVOIR, and HabEx. The maturation of TRL for high contrast imagining technologies is critically important for the 2020 Decadal Survey and for maintaining an instrument program focused on the direct imaging of exoplanets. High contrast imaging is expected to be a major growth area for NASA Astrophysics over the next decade. The maturation of high contrast integral field spectroscopy is strategically aligned for the Exoplanet Exploration Program's Technology Roadmap and will be used to advance the TRL of coronagraphs, high contrast integral field spectroscopy, wavefront sensing, and integrated high contrast systems. This new testbed will build upon the recent demonstrations with the Prototype Imaging Spectrograph for Coronagraphic Exoplanet Studies (PISCES) instrument, which is now integrated with the High Contrast Imaging Testbed (HCIT) at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Goddard currently does not have a high contrast imaging testbed appropriate for integral field spectroscopy or wavefront control demonstrations using conventional internal coronagraphs. The initial testbed layout will pair this deformable mirror with a shaped-pupil coronagraph and an integral field spectrograph. The scope of work includes design, assemble and test of the deformable mirror at the vendor's facility. The design will be approved by the GSFC technical representative. The deformable mirror will be shipped to GSFC, where GSFC personnel will install it in the testbed. NASA/GSFC intends to issue a sole-source Request for Proposal (RFP) to Boston Micromachines Corporation. The company is in sole possession of the required product line of deformable mirrors to meet the Governments required specifications, which is required for the completion of this task. The estimated period of performance for this firm fixed price (FFP) contract will be for 16-20 weeks from date of award. BMC has singular expertise to meet NASA/GSFC's deformable mirror specifications. BMC is the only company that has a continuous facesheet with the required actuator spacing. BMC has demonstrated commercial scalability of the device and have engineering efforts in place to continue pushing to even higher actuator counts. Statutory authority for this procurement is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c)(1)--Only One Responsible Source. However, organizations who believe they can provide these services without any detrimental impact to the program schedules supported by this work should fully identify their interest and capabilities within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. Interested organizations may submit their capabilities and qualifications to perform the effort in writing to the identified point of contact not later than 4:30 p.m. local time on November 3, 2017. Such capabilities/qualifications will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open competition basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. All responsible sources may submit an offer which shall be considered by the agency. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice. The Government does not intend to acquire a commercial item using FAR Part 12. NASA Clause 1852.215-84, Ombudsman, is applicable. The Center Ombudsman for this acquisition can be found at http://prod.nais.nasa.gov/pub/pub_library/Omb.html.