Digital Laser Servo Controllers

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking to procure 25 digital laser servo controllers for its Ion Storage group's quantum information processing and quantum sensing research. These specialized controllers must be compatible with NIST-designed digital servo controllers and possess specific technical capabilities, including an integrated lock-in function, automatic lock acquisition, computer interface for remote parameter adjustment, and greater than 500 kHz bandwidth. The solicitation (NB688000-25-00695) will be evaluated using the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) method, which means vendors must demonstrate technical capability to meet all contract specifications while offering the most competitive pricing. Quotations must be submitted electronically by March 26, 2025, and must include firm fixed pricing, technical documentation, country of manufacture information, and payment terms of Net 30. Vendors are required to have an active System for Award Management (SAM) registration and complete all necessary representations and certifications.

The contract is exclusively set aside for small businesses with a size standard of 1,000 employees, targeting companies in the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (NAICS 334516) sector. The place of performance is located in Boulder, Colorado (80305), with a specified delivery timeline of 12 weeks after receipt of order (ARO) and a 14-day government acceptance period. Delivery will be FOB Destination to the NIST campus, and vendors must submit an itemized packing list detailing the specific contents. The controllers will support multiple research projects funded by both external agencies and internal NIST resources, with a primary objective of controlling trapped ions through precise laser frequency and intensity stabilization for advanced quantum research applications. No additional training, installation, or special utility considerations are included in the procurement, emphasizing the technical specificity of the required equipment.