Advanced Multichannel Multispectral Photodetection System

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) seeks quotations for a complete advanced multichannel multispectral photodetection system with proposals due July 24, 2026. This is an unrestricted acquisition with no set-aside.

Place of performance is Gaithersburg, Maryland. The system must integrate directly into NIST's Serial Flow Cytometer to perform sensitive, dynamic, and hyperspectral fluorescence measurements of rapidly flowing micro and nanoparticles including cells, gene therapy nanoparticles, and fluorescence calibration particles. Technical requirements mandate a minimum of 16 nonoverlapping spectral channels with 20 nanometer bin width distributed across 450–750 nanometers; peak photon detection efficiency of 10% or greater; net bandwidth of 500 kHz per channel; readout noise not exceeding 10 millivolts peak-to-peak; and dynamic range of 10,000 or greater. The system must accept four fiber optic inputs (SMA905 connectors with 0.1 numerical aperture and 105 micrometer core diameter) and provide tunable amplification gain resolving fluorescence intensities between 10² MESF and 10⁵ MESF. Detector format options include photomultiplier tube, avalanche photodiode, silicon photomultiplier, or hybrid. All equipment must be new commercial off-the-shelf products in original manufacturer packaging; custom or prototype solutions are not acceptable.

Delivery is required within 12 weeks after award, with installation completed within one month of delivery at NIST Building 225. The contractor must provide an operations and maintenance manual, system design schematics, and training for up to two users within 10 business days after installation. A minimum 12-month limited warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship is required. Payment is Net 30 days upon receipt and acceptance. The NAICS code is 334516, Electronic Component Manufacturing, with a small business threshold of 1,000 employees. Award will be made to the lowest-priced, technically acceptable offeror. Quotations must include firm-fixed pricing in three volumes: technical quotation, price quotation with separate line-item pricing for system, installation/training, shipping, and other transportation charges, and terms and conditions acceptance.