Laser Upgrade

The National Institutes of Health National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism intends to procure a manufacturer-performed upgrade for its MaiTai Ti:Sapphire ultrafast laser system, with capability statements due August 3, 2026. This is a sole-source procurement under FAR 6.302-1 (Only One Responsible Source), with Newport Corporation identified as the sole responsible source.

The laser, manufactured by Spectra-Physics (a Newport Corporation brand), has been in continuous operation for over ten years and requires a major upgrade of degraded critical components. Newport Corporation is identified as the sole responsible source due to the system's proprietary hardware, firmware, optical alignments, and calibration procedures that require manufacturer-specific technical knowledge and factory-authorized procedures. The upgrade extends the system's operational life at significantly lower cost than purchasing replacement equipment while maintaining uninterrupted research capability for the Laboratory of Behavioral and Quantitative Biology.

The Government is accepting capability statements from interested small business concerns, including 8(a) Program participants, HUBZone small businesses, service-disabled veteran-owned small businesses, veteran-owned small businesses, women-owned small businesses, and small disadvantaged businesses, to demonstrate their ability to satisfy the requirement. Capability statements must be submitted via email to danielt@mail.nih.gov no later than 9:00 a.m. EDT on August 3, 2026. The Government anticipates making an award approximately five days after the closing date unless it determines another source can satisfy the requirement. Submission of a capability statement does not obligate the Government to compete the requirement or award a contract.

NAICS 334516; PSC J066.