Calcium PI Laser System

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking to procure a Calcium PI Laser System for its Physical Measurements Lab's Time and Frequency Division/Ion Storage Group in Boulder, Colorado. The solicitation requires two specific lasers: a 375 nm and a 422 nm laser designed for photoionizing neutral calcium 40 atoms, with detailed technical specifications including CW laser output over 30 mW, single mode operation, and precise wavelength and frequency stability requirements. The procurement will use a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) evaluation method, which means vendors must meet all technical specifications while presenting the most competitive pricing. Quotes must be submitted electronically by April 28, 2025, and must include a firm fixed price, evidence of technical capability, and country of origin information. Vendors are required to provide substantive documentation demonstrating their ability to meet the comprehensive technical requirements outlined in the solicitation.

The contract is exclusively set aside for small businesses within the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing NAICS category (334516). The procurement calls for one complete Calcium PI Laser System with a delivery timeline of twelve weeks after receipt of order, to be delivered to NIST's Boulder, Colorado location. Payment terms are established as Net 30, and the government will conduct acceptance testing within seven business days of delivery. While no specific award value is disclosed, the solicitation emphasizes turnkey installation and requires electronic manuals and software to be provided with the system. The contract includes specific technical requirements such as remote control capabilities, laser diode inclusion, and precise temperature and pressure compensation for the laser system's driving electronics.