Atomic Clocks for Ensemble Time Scales
The National Institute of Standards and Technology seeks ten atomic clock systems to support ensemble time scales—five units for Gaithersburg and five for Boulder—with quotations due September 5. This procurement is issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) with solicitation number NB688000-26-02391.
Place of performance is Boulder, Colorado (325 Broadway) and Gaithersburg, Maryland (100 Bureau Drive). Each ensemble will consist of at least five independent atomic clocks whose outputs are intercompared and averaged to reduce bias, noise, and single-clock dependency. The performance goal for each ensemble is time dispersion in holdover of less than 1.2 nanoseconds per day as random walk. The NAICS code is 334519, Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing; PSC code is 6640, Laboratory Equipment and Supplies.
Delivery is F.O.B. destination to both NIST locations, with the contractor bearing all shipping costs and responsibility for loss or damage prior to delivery. Offerors must submit completed past performance questionnaires from prior clients evaluating work across quality, schedule and timeliness, customer satisfaction, management and personnel, cost and financial management, and safety and security. End products must be U.S.-made or designated country products per FAR Part 25, Trade Agreements Act. Invoices must be submitted electronically to INVOICE@NIST.GOV and through the U.S. Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform.
NB688000-26-02391 Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology
8/21/26, 2:21 PM High-Performance Optical Atomic Clocks
The National Institute of Standards and Technology seeks two high-performance optical atomic clocks for integration into its UTC(NIST) timescale generation facility in Boulder, Colorado, with quotations due August 21, 2026. This is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) with no set-aside.
Place of performance is Boulder, Colorado (325 Broadway). The NAICS code is 334519, Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing; PSC is 6640, Laboratory Equipment and Supplies.
Each system must demonstrate frequency discipline documented by at least two published research studies and output nominal frequencies at 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 100 MHz, or 1 GHz via SMA-female connectors with signal amplitudes of at least +5 dBm. Systems must provide stabilized continuous-wave laser output coupled in single-mode polarization-maintaining fiber with FC/APC connectors, wavelengths between 1000–1625 nm, and optical power exceeding 0.1 mW. Allan deviation at 1-second intervals must be below 1E-13 and below 8E-15 after 100,000 seconds of averaging. Power consumption must not exceed 150 watts for stability-critical components and 500 watts total without additional cooling beyond still air. Physical dimensions must fit within standard 19-inch rack enclosures (450.85 mm width, 760 mm depth, 267 mm height). Systems must include integrated control and monitoring via serial or Ethernet interfaces, frequency accuracy to 1E-11 fractional inaccuracy upon delivery or digital adjustability to 1E-16 step size, and femtosecond-laser frequency comb output. Environmental sensitivity must limit frequency changes to less than 1E-14 per degree Celsius and 1E-15 per percent relative humidity change. A separately priced option includes redundant DC power input (18–30V). Delivery, installation, and training must complete within 12 weeks of award. Government acceptance testing is planned for 14 business days. A 5-year warranty and on-site training covering operations, maintenance, and troubleshooting are required. Invoicing must be submitted electronically to INVOICE@NIST.GOV or via the Treasury Department's Invoice Processing Platform.
NB688000-26-02388 Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology
8/7/26, 3:41 PM High-Performance Optical Atomic Clocks
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting market research to identify vendors capable of supplying two high-performance optical atomic clock systems, with responses due by June 23, 2026; this is a Sources Sought announcement, not a solicitation, and results will inform whether the acquisition qualifies for small business set-aside treatment. Work is performed in Boulder, Colorado. The optical atomic clock systems must meet rigorous technical specifications including frequency discipline documented by at least two published research studies; radio frequency outputs at 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 100 MHz, or 1 GHz (minimum +5 dBm); optical output coupled in single-mode polarization-maintaining fiber at 1000–1625 nm with greater than 0.1 mW power; Allan deviation below 1E-13 at one-second intervals and below 8E-15 after 100,000 seconds; power dissipation less than 150 W for stability-critical components and 500 W total; compatibility with standard 19-inch rack enclosures (maximum 450.85 mm width, 760 mm depth, 267 mm height); integrated control and monitoring via USB, RS-232, or Ethernet; frequency accuracy of 1E-11 upon delivery or digital adjustability to 1E-16 step size; environmental sensitivity not exceeding 1E-14 per degree Celsius or 1E-15 per one percent relative humidity; and output of a stabilized femtosecond-laser frequency comb. Delivery must occur within 12 weeks with vendor technician on-site for installation, training, and startup. A five-year warranty is required. NIST explicitly requests identification of U.S. manufacturing location. Solicitation number is OU68-FY26-493-NEW; NAICS 334516; PSC 6640.
OU68-FY26-493-NEW Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology
6/9/26, 8:25 PM