NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE: USAFA Supercontinuum Laser Source

Notice ID: FA700026SLS2

NAICS: 334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

PSC: 6650 - Optical Instruments, Test Equipment, Components and Accessories

THIS IS A NOTICE OF INTENT TO AWARD A SOLE SOURCE

This notice of intent is published in accordance with the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) Subpart 5.2. This requirement is being conducted in accordance with the procedures in RFO FAR Part 12, Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services.

The 10th Contracting Squadron, United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), Colorado, intends to award a sole-source, firm-fixed-price purchase order to Optowares Inc., a small business, for the purchase and delivery of two (2) Supercontinuum Laser Sources.

The identified sole source is:

Optowares Inc.

15 Presidential Way

Woburn, Massachusetts 01801-1040, United States

CAGE Code: 7JE02

UEI: L8NSHTM6E7U3

The following outlines the unique technical capabilities that exclusively qualify this vendor to provide the required supercontinuum laser systems:

• Sustained High-Power Output: The system must maintain a continuous, total average coherent optical output power of at least 30 W per system across the entire operating spectrum to overcome atmospheric attenuation during stand-off remote sensing and diagnostics at range.
• Ultra-Broad Spectral Range: The equipment must deliver a single, coherent, software-defined output spanning the broad spectral band of (400-2400" nm" ) simultaneously. This spectral bandwidth is critical to allow multi-wavelength spectroscopy and trace chemical speciation.
• Stable Megahertz Repetition Rate: The laser must operate with a highly stable, fixed, or selectable repetition rate of (≥1" MHz" ) (specifically supporting a standard factory-aligned operating window of exactly (4" MHz" ) / (4000" kHz" )) to match the modulation frequency required for phase-sensitive phenomenology detection.
• Integrated Protection & Control: The system must feature integrated output optical isolation to shield the delicate internal seed laser from back-reflections during stand-off targets, alongside a standard USB computer control interface

The Contracting Officer has determined that the circumstances of this contract action deem Optowares Inc. as the only known responsible source capable of satisfying the agency’s commercial requirement.

Instructions to Interested Parties

This notice of intent is NOT a request for competitive proposals or quotations. A solicitation document will not be issued. However, any company that believes it can meet the unique salient characteristics may submit a capability statement for consideration via email before the deadline to the point of contact below.

Required Information:
Capability statements must include the company name, address, point of contact, UEI number, and technical data or specifications clearly demonstrating the ability to meet  ALL the following salient characteristics:

• Quantity: Two (2) separate, standalone supercontinuum laser systems.
• Total Average Output Power: (≥30" W" ) per system (standard commercial high-power platform).
• Wavelength Spectral Range: (400-2400" nm" ) (agile wavelength modulation band).
• Average Spectral Power Density: (>15" mW/nm" ) across the specified spectral range.
• Repetition Rate: (≥1" MHz" ) (must support a highly stable operating window between (1" MHz" ) and (4" MHz" ), or (4000" kHz" ) equivalent).
• Average Power Stability (Std. Dev.): (<0.5%" RMS" ) over continuous operation.
• Safety & Optical Protection: Integrated Output Isolation to protect the source fiber from back-reflections.
• System Integration: Standard Computer Control Interface (USB / software-defined control).
• Delivery: FOB Destination shipping and handling included to the USAF Academy, CO 80840.

Deadline for Responses: Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 4:00 PM (MDT)

Point of Contact: Nathalieb Zepeda, Nathalieb.Zepeda@us.af.mil

Any responses received after the deadline will be late and not considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.