SOURCES SOUGHT: Spatial Light Modulator
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting market research to identify vendors capable of supplying one Spatial Light Modulator System, with responses due by July 16, 2026. This Sources Sought announcement is not a request for quotation and does not commit the government to award a contract; it determines acquisition method and identifies potential set-aside eligibility prior to formal solicitation release.
NIST will consider all small business set-aside categories (SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB, VOSB) and will solicit this requirement as a small business set-aside if at least two qualified small businesses are identified that meet the specifications. All responsible sources of any size are invited to respond. The NAICS code is 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) with a small business size standard of 1000 employees; PSC is 6650 (Optical Instruments, Test Equipment, Components and Accessories).
The system comprises one reflective Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) spatial light modulator providing phase-only modulation across 1000–1550 nm wavelengths and one multi-demodulator unit. The modulator must deliver continuous programmable phase modulation greater than 2π radians, minimum 1272×1024 pixel resolution, maximum 12.5 μm pixel pitch, minimum 15.9 mm×12.8 mm effective modulation area, 96% optical fill factor, 80% optical efficiency at 1550 nm, 40 line pairs/mm spatial frequency capability, and rise time maximum 30 ms with 140 ms fall time. The multi-demodulator extends total demodulators and internal oscillators to 8 each.
Delivery is to NIST-Boulder, 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80305. Vendors must possess active UEI registration on SAM.gov and an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) at time of award. On-site inspection and acceptance are estimated at seven business days maximum. Base manufacturer warranty of 12 months is acceptable.
NB672000-26-02300 Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology
7/5/26, 10:16 PM Spatial Light Modulator
The National Institute of Standards and Technology seeks quotations for one Spatial Light Modulator and one Multi-Demodulator, with quotations due August 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM MDT and questions due August 13, 2026. This is an unrestricted, simplified acquisition under FAR Part 12 for commercial products issued as a Request for Quotation, not a full solicitation document.
Place of performance is NIST-Boulder, 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80305. The Spatial Light Modulator must be a reflective Liquid Crystal on Silicon unit optimized for phase-only modulation of coherent optical beams across the 1000 nm to 1550 nm wavelength range. The device must deliver continuous programmable phase modulation exceeding 2π radians with minimum active resolution of 1272×1024 pixels, maximum pixel pitch of 12.5 μm, minimum effective modulation area of 15.9 mm×12.8 mm, minimum optical fill factor of 96%, minimum optical efficiency of 80% at 1550 nm, support for spatial frequencies up to at least 40 line pairs/mm, rise time not exceeding 30 milliseconds, and fall time not exceeding 140 milliseconds. All quoters must maintain active SAM.gov registration with a valid Unique Entity Identification Number and Export Control Classification Number at time of award. Electronic manuals are required. On-site inspection and acceptance are expected within 7 business days; base manufacturer warranty of 12 months is acceptable. No installation, training, calibration, maintenance, or travel services are required.
Quotations must be firm-fixed-price and include all shipping and delivery costs. Award will be made to the responsible quoter submitting the lowest priced, technically acceptable quotation. NAICS code is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees. Amendment 01, issued August 17, extended the RFQ close date from August 17 to August 18 and revised specifications, removing the Multi-Demodulator as a separate line item.
NB672000-26-02300 Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology
8/4/26, 8:47 PM