Picosecond Laser
The National Institute of Standards and Technology, a component of the Department of Commerce, seeks quotations for one picosecond laser system, with proposals due August 7, 2026 and technical questions due July 31, 2026. The procurement is a Total Small Business set-aside under NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), with a small business size standard of 1,250 employees.
Place of performance is the NIST-Gaithersburg facility in Maryland. The laser must generate entangled photon pairs for quantum network applications and meet stringent technical specifications: wavelength of 775 ± 0.25 nm, pulse width less than 50 picoseconds, spectral width less than 15 picometers, pulse-to-pulse jitter less than 10% RMS, clock-to-laser pulse jitter less than 3 picoseconds, single-mode fiber-coupled output exceeding 200 mW at the fiber output, 80 MHz repetition rate, integrated laser controllers with external clock synchronization capability, and design for reliable 24/7 continuous operation. The vendor must possess an Export Control Classification Number and maintain an active Unique Entity Identification Number on SAM.gov at the time of award. Installation shall be turnkey with one-year base manufacturer warranty covering parts, labor, and return costs. Power availability is limited to 120V, 10A maximum, single-phase, 60 Hz standard NEMA L5-20P connection.
Quotations must be submitted in three volumes—Technical Quotation, Price Quotation, and Terms and Conditions—via email to Contracting Officer Lia Arthofer at lia.arthofer@nist.gov as firm-fixed-price bids. Award goes to the responsible quoter offering the lowest priced, technically acceptable quotation. The Government reserves the right to award without discussions based on initial quotes. No prototypes, demonstration models, used, or refurbished instruments will be considered.
NB6760202601971 Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology
7/27/26, 6:27 PM Picosecond Laser
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking information from industry on the availability and capability of providers to supply a picosecond laser by July 16, 2026. This is a sources-sought notice for market research purposes and does not constitute a solicitation or commitment to award. NIST anticipates one unit delivery, installation, and training within 12 weeks after order receipt.
The laser must operate at 775 ± 0.25 nanometers with pulse width less than 50 picoseconds, spectral width under 15 picometers, and pulse-to-pulse jitter below 10 percent RMS. Critical performance requirements include clock-to-laser pulse jitter of less than 3 picoseconds, single-mode fiber coupling with optical power exceeding 200 milliwatts at fiber output, 80 megahertz repetition rate, and integrated laser controllers with external clock synchronization capability. The system must support reliable 24/7 continuous operation in a compact, modular form factor suitable for scaling network applications. The laser will be synchronized with quantum network clocks to generate entangled photon pairs and enable entanglement swapping between network nodes, serving as the pump for nonlinear crystal SPDC applications.
Place of performance is NIST-Gaithersburg, Maryland (Mail Stop 676.02, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899). Vendors must possess an active Unique Entity Identification Number (UEI) on SAM.gov and an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) at award. The system requires turnkey installation with acceptance testing exceeding seven business days, and a one-year base manufacturer warranty covering labor, parts, and return costs. Power requirements are 120 volts, single phase, 60 hertz, with maximum current of 10 amperes.
Responses should be submitted to lia.arthofer@nist.gov without proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information.
NB6760202601971 Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology
7/6/26, 5:48 PM