Fluorescent Phosphate Optical Glass Units

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), part of the Department of Commerce, has published a Special Notice announcing its intent to proceed with a sole source procurement for Fluorescent Phosphate Optical Glass Units. The notice, designated as solicitation number NB644020-25-01705, was posted on July 13, 2025, and falls under the classification code 66 for Instruments and Laboratory Equipment. NIST intends to negotiate directly with Starna Cells, a small business located in Atascadero, California, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1). The procurement is categorized under NAICS code 327212 for Other Pressed and Blown Glass and Glassware Manufacturing. This represents a presolicitation notice indicating NIST's planned acquisition approach for specialized optical equipment.

The primary objective of this procurement is to acquire specialized optical glass units necessary for preparing NIST Standard Reference Material SRM 2943a - Relative Intensity Standard for Fluorescence Spectroscopy. The glass units require unique manufacturing processes involving high-purity, copper-containing phosphate glass with specific optical properties that market research has determined only Starna Cells can provide. Interested parties capable of fulfilling these specialized requirements are invited to submit responses by July 28, 2025, for government consideration, though no competitive solicitation package will be issued. The procurement will be structured as a Firm-Fixed Price purchase order with a small business size standard of 1,250 employees. NIST's decision to pursue sole source acquisition is supported by their 40-year history of working with Starna Cells for glass production, cutting, shaping, and polishing services, demonstrating the vendor's established capability and unique expertise in this specialized field.