A--Provide Multi-disciplinary academic and research support services.

The US Army Communications-Electronics Life Cycle Management Command, Acquisition Center, on behalf of the CERDEC Night Vision and Electronics Sensors Directorate (NVESD), plans to negotiate a sole source contract with Pennsylvania State University, of College Station, PA for a task related to electro-optics research and technology development support. Under this effort, the primary task is to provide multi-disciplinary academic and research support services from the Penn State University Electro-Optics Center (EOC), the Penn State affiliated Electro-Optics Alliance (EOA), Penn States Applied Research La b (ARL), and Penn States Materials Research Institute (MRI), in such areas as SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR electro-optical sensors technology, FPA materials research, EO device and sensor modeling and simulation, laser technology, and electro-optic nano-scale mat erials. The funding for this effort is congressionally directed. It has been determines that Penn State University, as an academic, federally funded institution, currently provides and must maintain essential engineering, research, and development support capabil ity to NVESD. The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is 10 U.S.C. 2304(c) (3); Industrial mobilization; engineering, developmental, or research capability; or expert services, as implemented by paragraph 6.302-3(a) (2) (ii) of th e Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). It has been determined through market research that Penn State Universitys is the only university that maintains a combination of research laboratories, centers, and technical alliances that are essential for main taining NVESDs leading edge in electro-optics research and development. Penn States ARL is a DoD University Affiliated Research Center, which supports research in electro-optics sensor and laser fabrication. The MRI provides essential materials researc h support for EO sensors and lasers. The EOC supports multi-disciplinary research in cooled and uncooled sensor testing, thermal analysis, laser diode array packaging, and essential EO testing. The EOA, which is led by Penn State, is a consortium of over 280 academic, industry and government partners that facilitates essential and timely multi-disciplinary partnerships within the EO community. The services provided by all of these institutions, which are co-located within Penn State, are considered essen tial to the NVESD efforts. However, all responsible sources that can provide supporting data to demonstrate they can successfully perform the required task may submit a quote that shall be considered by the agency. Responses should be no longer than five (5) pages. Responses are to be received via email within 45 calendar days of the date of this notice. The Government intends to make a single award, using a one-year Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with four one-year options. Ta sk Orders will be issued on a Firm Fixed Price (FFP), Cost-Plus, Fixed Fee (CPFF) or Time and Materials (T&M) basis. All requests for further information must be in writing via email, telephone request for additional information will not be honored. You may forward responses to the following email address: [email protected]. Acknowledgment of receipt will be issued.