660nm SF CW Laser System - Combined Sources Sought/Notice of Intent to limit a brand name/model only

***THIS IS A COMBINED SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE***

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML), Materials Measure Science Division (MMSC), Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Group (MMRG) requires a new laser for the CHIPS Project: Accurate Cure Kinetics, Stress, Mechanical Properties and Warpage Measurements for Next-Generation Microelectronics Packaging under Device Relevant Conditions. A 660 nm, single frequency (SF) continuous-wave (CW) laser is needed as a light source for probing low-frequency Raman (LFR) spectroscopy and Brillouin light scattering (BLS) spectroscopy. In conjunction with the Group’s custom-built LFR-BLS microscope framework, this laser will help enable the mapping of mechanical properties of packaging materials, which is essential to understanding and mitigating warpage. The SF and CW nature of the laser are essential to the narrow bandwidth necessary for accurate BLS measurements. The emission line being at 660 nm is desirable for two reasons. Firstly, the relatively long laser wavelength minimizes fluorescence, which at short wavelengths can be significant enough intensity to interfere with LFR/BLS measurements. Secondly, while the wavelength is relatively long, the emission is still visible to the naked eye, thereby mitigating potential safety risks associated with infrared light.

Extensive market research performed has identified only one brand/model (Hubner Photonics 05-01 Cobalt Flamenco) that is capable of meeting all the requirements. Most of the other manufacturer’s commercially available equipment cannot provide sufficient output power; while others failed to meet the beam quality and noise requirements.

NIST is seeking information from sources that may be capable of providing a commercial item solution, for a 660 nm, single frequency (SF) continuous-wave (CW) laser that meets or exceeds the following requirements identified herein.

All items must be new.  Used or remanufactured equipment will not be considered for award. Experimental, prototype, or custom items will not be considered.  The use of “gray market” components are not authorized for sale in the U.S. by the Contractor is not acceptable.   All line items shall be shipped in the original manufacturer’s packaging and include all original documentation and software, when applicable.

A.        System Requirements:

Hardware:

• Must be CW and have a single, narrow emission wavelength with high purity and stability (Single Mode Laser)
  • Emission Wavelength:                                660.0 ± 1.0 nm
  • Spectral line width (FWHM):                      < 500 kHz
  • Wavelength stability (8hrs, ± 2°C): < 1 pm
  • Single Mode output:                                    TEM00 (M2 < 1.1)
  • Beam divergence:                                       < 1.5 mrad
  • Polarization ratio (linear):                           > 100:1
• Must have high power stability and low noise:
  • Pointing Stability:                           < 10 µrad/°C
  • Noise 20Hz-20MHz peak to peak output power noise: < 1%
  • Noise 20Hz-20MHz RMS:             < 0.1%
  • Long-term power stability (8hrs, ± 2°C):      < 2%
• Must have an output power:                                    ≥ 300mW 
• Must come with Software enabled control unit
• Must come with interlock / Key

Software:

• Must have native 64 bit application for Windows 10 and 11
• Must communicate either via RS232 or USB (preferred)
• Must automatically detect and connect to laser system
• Must allow for output power and emission state control
• Must allow for monitoring of the laser system
• Must have 3rd party compatibility for automation (either LabVIEW, MATLAB, Python, …)

If no other brand/model number is identified in response to this sources sought/notice of intent to justify only one particular brand/model meeting NIST’s requirements, NIST intends to proceed with a brand name only requirement.

HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS NOTICE

In responding to this notice, please DO NOT PROVIDE PROPRIETARY INFORRMATION. Please include only the following information, readable in either Microsoft Word 365, Microsoft Excel 365, or .pdf format, in the response:  Submit the response by email to the Primary Point of Contact and, if specified, to the Secondary Point of Contact specialist listed in this notice as soon as possible, and preferably before the closing date and time of this notice.

• Provide the complete name of your company, address, name of contact for follow-up questions, their email, their phone number and, if your company has an active registration in https://sam.gov, your company’s Unique Entity ID (UEI).
• Identify laboratory equipment that your company sells that is of the nature addressed in the BACKGROUND section of this notice.  Include brand name, make, model, and/or other distinguishing information.
• State if your company is the manufacturer of the identified equipment or is a retailer or wholesaler that normally sells the identified equipment.  If the latter, indicate whether the manufacturer authorized in writing for your company to sell the identified equipment on behalf of the manufacturer.
• Describe performance capabilities and relevant or beneficial physical and functional features for any equipment you identified to satisfy the NIST-identified minimum specifications described in this notice.

• Identify any aspects of the NIST market research notice, including instructions, and draft minimum specifications in the BACKGROUND section above that could be viewed as unduly restrictive or contain unnecessary barriers that adversely affect your ability to fully participate and indicate why.  In such a scenario, please offer suggestions for how the market research notice and draft minimum specifications could be made more inclusive and competitive.
• Discuss whether the equipment that your company sells and which you describe in your response to this notice may be customized to specifications and indicate any limits to customization.
• For the NAICS code listed in this notice:
• • Indicate whether your company is (a) a small business or (b) other than small business.  See the Table of Small Business Size Standards and the associated .pdf download file for small business size standards and additional information.
• • If you believe the NAICS code listed in this notice is not the best NAICS code for the type of product addressed in this notice, identify an alternative NAICS code that you believe would be more appropriate for the planned procurement. 

• Describe services that are available with the purchase of the aforementioned equipment from your company such as installation, training, and equipment maintenance.

• Describe standard terms and conditions of sale offered by your company for the aforementioned equipment such as: delivery time after your company accepts the order; FOB shipping terms: manufacturer warranty (including details regarding nature and duration); if available, description(s) of available extended warranty; equipment setup and test; operator and service instruction manual(s); cleanup after installation; and if applicable, other offered services.  Provide a copy of manufacturer standard terms and conditions that typically relate to the sale of the specified equipment, if available.
• State whether your company offers facility renovation services related to installation of the aforementioned equipment at its delivery destination, if required per the NIST-identified minimum specifications, and provide description of services.  Indicate if your company performs the facility renovation services or typically subcontracts the work to another company.  Indicate if your company would be interested inspecting the intended installation site during the market research phase.
• State published price, discount or rebate arrangements for aforementioned equipment and/or provide link to access company’s published prices for equipment and services. 

• State whether the aforementioned equipment is manufactured in the United States and, if not, state the name of the country where the equipment is manufactured.

• Identify any plans/possibilities for changes in manufacturing location of the aforementioned equipment and provide relevant details.
• If the aforementioned equipment and related services are available for purchase on any existing Federal Supply Schedule contract(s) or other contracts against which NIST may be able place orders, identify the contract number(s) and other relevant information.
• Identify any customers in the public or private sectors in which you provided the aforementioned or similar equipment.  Include customer(s) information: company name, phone number, point of contact, email address.

• Provide any other information that you believe would be valuable for NIST to know as part of its market research for this requirement.
• State if you require NIST to provide additional information to improve your understanding of the government’s requirement and/or would like to meet with NIST representatives to discuss the requirement and the capabilities of the identified equipment.

IMPORTANT NOTES

The information received in response to this notice will be reviewed and considered so that NIST may appropriately solicit for its requirements in the near future. 

This notice should not be construed as a commitment by NIST to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract.  

Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotations.

No award will be made as a result of this notice.  

NIST is not responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice.

NIST reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and appropriate.

Thank you for taking the time to submit a response to this request!