The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Microsystems Technology Office (MTO), intends to award a Sole Source contract to The University of Central Florida for continuation (Phase 2) of Architecture for Diode High Energy Laser Systems (ADHELS) Program. The ADHELS concept is to develop a laser-beam-combining approach for a high energy laser (HEL) system that is scalable to 150 kW and exhibits ultra-low size, weight and power. The University of Central Florida conducted a "Phase 1" ADHELS research effort under Grant No. HR0011-06-1-0010. The University of Central Florida's Phase 1 effort was competitively selected in response to DARPA BAA 05-09, "Architecture for Diode High Energy Laser Systems (ADHELS)". Under this Phase 1 contract, The University of Central Florida began developing volume Bragg gratings (VBGs), made of photo-thermo-refractive (PTR) glass, for high power density, high spectral density, laser beam combining applications. The proposed ADHELS Phase 2 Program effort is a logical follow-on to the prior effort conducted by The University of Central Florida. Phase 2 will continue the development of PTR-based, high-power volume Bragg gratings for optically compact, high power density, high spectral density beam combining. The proposed contract action is for supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority of FAR 6.302-1 "Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements." As the developer of the current ADHELS concept, The University of Central Florida team possesses unique knowledge, capabilities and intellectual property required to carry out the required research effort. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and no solicitation is currently available. However, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. Responses/proposals received within forty-five (45) days after date of publication of this notice will be considered by the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a full and open basis is solely within the discretion of the Government. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to meet the requirements by submitting a white paper and past performance data by no later than 30 January 2009 to The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, Attn: Mr. Michael Blackstone, Contracts Management Office (CMO), 3701 North Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA 22203-1714 or via email to
[email protected]. Questions shall be submitted to the above email address. Please refer to Numbered Note 22. It is noted that DARPA's Microsystems Technology Office (MTO) maintains an annual Office-wide Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) seeking revolutionary research in electronics, photonics, MEMS, algorithms, and combined Microsystems technology to deliver new capabilities to sense, communicate, energize, actuate, and process data and information for the war fighter. The "Photonics" mission thrust area under this BAA specifically seeks proposals for diode-laser-based approaches for high energy laser (HEL) systems such as The University of Central Florida's ADHELS program. Parties wishing to respond to this notice are invited, as an alternative, to submit a white paper against DARPA BAA 08-18.