B -- ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTENT TO AWARD CONTRACTS FOR STUDIES REGARDING DEVELOPMENT OF LARGE FORMAT NEAR-INFRARED ARRAYS

Notice Date

January 5, 2001

Contracting Office

Gemini 8-M Telescopes Project, Aura, 950 N. Cherry Ave, PO Box 26732, Tucson, Arizona 85719

ZIP Code

85719

Solicitation Number

N201616

Point of Contact

Andrew Flach, Gemini Contracts Manager, 520-318-8537

E-Mail Address

Contact Gemini Contracts Manager (aflach@gemini.edu)

Description

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy, Inc. (AURA), acting as the operator of the Gemini Observatory, is in the early stages of developing an infrared imager for use with its planned southern adaptive optics system. Details of this AO system can be found on the Web at http://www.gemini.edu/sciops/instruments/adaptiveOptics/AOIndex.html. As part of the initial design effort of that system, AURA is investigating large format (4096x4096) near-infrared array focal plane technologies which are likely to become available over the next 2-3 years. As part of this investigation, AURA plans to award contracts for detector technology studies to two groups that are working on developing 4096x4096 detectors operating at wavelengths from 0.9 -- 2.4 m. These studies will be used to guide and constrain various high level design choices that factor into the planned imager. The groups that AURA plans to award contracts to are the University of Hawaii's Institute for Astronomy, working with Rockwell Science Center and the National Optical Astronomy Observatory working with Raytheon .If your firm is currently developing large format near-infrared arrays with the characteristics described above, please send a letter describing your program to Andrew Flach, Gemini Contracts Manager, by fax (520-318-8590) or email (aflach@gemini.edu), by no later than 20 January, 2000. This letter of interest should reference Announcement No. N201616 and give the name, address, phone number, and fax number of a contact person at your firm.

Record

Loren Data Corp. 20010109/BSOL006.HTM (W-005 SN50A2A4)