NOTICE OF INTENT TO NEGOTIATE SOLE SOURCE CONTRACT FOR GRISMS The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. ("AURA") intends to enter into negotiations with a certain vendor for the provision of five grisms for use in a scientific instrument for the Gemini Observatory. AURA believes that this certain vendor is the only source for grisms that will meet AURA's requirements, which are described below. Requirements applicable to all five grisms: 1) Direct ruled on KRS5 prisms 2) Prism is 46x46 mm, 15 0.1 degree wedge, direct ruled surface centered on central 38x38 mm of hypotenuse surface; 3) AR coated on non-ruled surface for <2% reflection across working bandpass; and 4) Blaze angle = 15 0.3 deg. 5) Depth of groove tolerance 0.1 m The groove densities for the 5 grisms are 72.8, 104.1, 166.7, 223.9, and 312.6 gr/mm, with working bandpasses defined by the M, L, K, H, and J astronomical bands respectively. This notice is not a request for competitive quotations. AURA will consider any responses to this notice only for the purpose of evaluating whether or not there are other potential sources of these grisms. The decision whether or not to conduct a competitive procurement will be made at the sole discretion of the Gemini Contracts Manager. Vendors with a demonstrated ability to produce grisms meeting all of AURA's requirements should send AURA materials demonstrating that capability and listing contact information for prior purchasers of grisms with substantially similar specifications by no later than 21 January, 1999. Responses should be submitted by fax (520-318-8590) or email (aflach@gemini.edu), and addressed as follows: "Andrew Flach, Gemini Contracts Manager, Notice No. N990043." The Gemini Observatory is an international collaboration to build and operate two 8 meter telescopes, one to be located on Mauna Kea in Hawaii, the other to be located on Cerro Pachon in Chile. The Gemini Observatory partners include the USA, United Kingdom, Canada, Argentina, Australia, Brazil and Chile. The Gemini Observatory is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA) under contract to the National Science Foundation. WEB: General information about the Gemini Observatory, http://www.gemini.edu. E-MAIL: Click here to contact the Gemini Contracts Manager, aflach@gemini.edu. Posted 01/13/99 (W-SN287846).

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