Maple Leaf SD-100 Optical Probe Station

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center (NASA SSC) is soliciting quotations for a Maple Leaf SD-100 Optical Probe Station or equivalent for the Photonic Integrated Circuit Advanced Research and Development (PICARD) program at NASA Langley Research Center. The procurement is specifically for a sophisticated probe station that enables testing of bare photonic integrated circuit dies/chips, with requirements including a motorized fiber optic positioning system, computer-controlled chip positioner with thermal control, and comprehensive microscope and software capabilities. Vendors must submit quotes by June 6, 2025, at 9 a.m. CT, referencing tracking number 80NSSC25905586Q in their email subject line. The evaluation will follow a lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) methodology, with award going to the most responsible offeror meeting all technical specifications. Quotes must be submitted directly to Shanna Patterson via email, and vendors are required to be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM).

This solicitation is set aside exclusively for small businesses and falls under NAICS category 541511 (Custom Computer Programming Services). The probe station will be delivered to NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA, with a performance period of 8-12 weeks after order receipt. The system must include specific technical features such as 6-degree fiber optic positioning, 12x microscope magnification, 20MP camera sensors, and a Fotonica Software Suite with raster-scan algorithms and Python API. While no specific award value is mentioned, the procurement includes a 12-month hardware warranty and provisions for future electrical probing capabilities. The primary objectives include rapidly testing multiple photonic integrated circuits, characterizing component performance, measuring chip variance, and identifying known-good dies to improve packaging yield. Vendors will need to provide their CAGE/UEI code, FOB destination details, lead time for delivery, and point of contact information.