Mode-Locked Laser

The National Institute of Standards and Technology seeks quotations for a mode-locked laser system to support nonlinear integrated photonics research, with proposals due July 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time. This is an unrestricted competition RFQ issued under FAR Part 12.

Place of performance is Gaithersburg, Maryland. The laser must meet 17 specified technical parameters including center wavelength between 1550–1560 nm, 3 dB spectral bandwidth greater than 10 nm with hyperbolic secant squared spectral envelope and no competing modes, 400 MHz repetition rate (1 part in 10⁹), average output power exceeding 40 mW with power per comb tooth greater than 10 microWatts without amplification, free-running optical linewidth of 10 kHz or narrower, fast actuator with 20 kHz bandwidth and 1 kHz tuning range, slow actuator with 10 Hz bandwidth and 30 kHz tuning range, phase noise and relative intensity noise shot-noise limited at frequencies greater than 1 MHz, carrier envelope offset feedback control actuator, system timing jitter 20 fs, FC/APC optical fiber output, hermetic sealing with no user alignment required, and internal photodiode generating electrical clock signal via SMA or BNC output.

The solicitation covers one mode-locked laser unit (CLIN 0001), shipping (CLIN 0002), and transportation-related charges (CLIN 0003, not-to-exceed). Offerors proposing non-U.S. manufactured products must separately identify tariffs, country of origin, and tariff percentage as line item CLIN 0003. Award goes to the lowest-priced, technically acceptable offeror meeting all minimum requirements. Price quotations must remain valid for 90 days from the due date. The NAICS code is 334516 with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees. Pre-quote inquiries are due by July 13, 2026.