NIST Tunable Laser for 1300 O Band

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting market research to procure a highly specialized tunable laser for optical frequency comb research in the 1300 O band. The agency seeks U.S. manufacturers capable of providing a semiconductor device with specific technical requirements, including a wavelength tuning range of 1290-1350 nm, minimum output power of 24 mW, and optical isolation over 50 dB. Interested manufacturers must submit a four-page electronic capability statement to matthew.delgado@nist.gov by June 10, 2025, detailing their company information, manufacturing location, product specifications, and lead times. The sources sought notice is classified under NAICS code 334413 with a small business size standard of 1,250 employees, and NIST is open to responses from all responsible sources, including both large and small businesses. This market research will help determine the availability of domestic manufacturers and inform the subsequent procurement strategy.

The current solicitation does not have a specific set-aside designation, and no incumbent contractors are mentioned in the documentation. The procurement involves a single laser unit with precise technical specifications, including mode-hop-free tuning, fiber-coupled output, and support for external frequency and intensity modulation. The contract includes a 12-month/3000-hour warranty, with delivery and installation to be completed within 12 weeks after order receipt. The laser will support research on microresonator frequency combs for photonic in-memory computing acceleration within NIST's Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML/688/60). While no specific award value is provided, the detailed technical requirements suggest a high-precision, specialized piece of scientific equipment that would likely represent a significant procurement investment. The government will conduct acceptance testing over 7 business days and requires electronic manuals and software to be provided with the equipment.