Fast Tracking Dual Comb Spectrometer

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is soliciting quotations for a Fast Tracking Dual-Comb Spectrometer through RFQ NB675020-25-01979, a simplified acquisition procedure under FAR 13. The procurement seeks one specialized optical laser system featuring two mutually coherent, controllable laser frequency comb sources and a common coherent continuous wave laser, designed for precision ranging and timing technologies with potential future space applications. The system must be a compact 4U rack-mount configuration consuming less than 100W power, with two fully self-referenced fiber frequency combs capable of fast phase-coherent tuning and the ability to shift optical and carrier-envelope-offset lock frequencies by +/- 15 MHz in 10 microseconds. NIST will evaluate quotations using a lowest price technically acceptable approach, considering both technical capability and price. Interested vendors must submit electronic quotations to clifford.nicholson@nist.gov by August 25, 2025, including technical capabilities demonstration, firm fixed pricing, Net 30 payment terms, and expected delivery timeline.

This procurement is conducted on an unrestricted basis with no set-aside designations, falling under NAICS code 334516 for Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing with a size standard of 1000 employees. No incumbent contractors or potential award values are specified in the solicitation documents. The procurement requires delivery of one spectrometer unit to NIST's facility at 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80305, with acceptance not expected to exceed 7 days after delivery. The system is intended for the Communications Technology Laboratory's Fiber Sources and Applications Group and must maintain phase lock over temperature and humidity changes while producing 15 mW output in a 10 nm bandwidth centered at 1560 nm. Contractors must maintain active System for Award Management (SAM) registration and submit electronic invoices to INVOICE@NIST.GOV. The solicitation emphasizes the need for low size-weight-and-power (SWAP) characteristics and a potential pathway to space qualification for tracking very fast moving targets.