NOTICE OF INTENT-QCL Module
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- NB686010-25-00768
- Agency
- National Institute of Standards and Technology Department of Commerce
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- PSC
- 6640 Laboratory Equipment And Supplies
- Place of performance
- Boulder, Colorado 80305, United States
- Points of contact
-
- Angela Hitt angela.hitt@nist.gov (303) 497-7305
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Acquisition Management Division has issued a Special Notice announcing its intent to negotiate a sole source procurement with Longwave Photonics, LLC for a Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) Module. The notice, posted on March 14, 2025, with a response deadline of March 21, 2025, pertains to a specialized laser module with specific technical requirements including a ~4.8 THz output frequency and at least ~2 mW of continuous wave power. The procurement falls under the NAICS code 334516 for Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a size standard of 1,000 employees. NIST plans to award a firm-fixed-price purchase order directly to Longwave Photonics for this scientific research equipment.
The primary objective of this Special Notice is to acquire a highly specialized laser module that is compatible with existing NIST research equipment, specifically a laser driver previously purchased from Longwave Photonics. Interested contractors must demonstrate their capability to meet the precise technical specifications by submitting a written response to angela.hitt@nist.gov by the specified deadline. NIST emphasizes that using incompatible third-party modules could result in technical complications such as overheating and potential equipment damage. The justification for a sole source procurement stems from the unique compatibility requirements of the laser module with NIST's existing research infrastructure. If no competitive alternatives are identified, NIST anticipates issuing the award by April 27, 2025. Contractors wishing to challenge the sole source designation must provide clear and unambiguous evidence of their ability to meet the technical requirements. The acquisition is critical to supporting a recently funded research project that would be impeded without this specific laser module.
Notice text
2 versions
Update #2 · Latest ·
The purpose of this Amendment is to change the NOI Closing Date from March 27, 2025 to March 21, 2025. All other terms and conditions remain unchanged.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Acquisition Management Division intends to negotiate with Longwave Photonics, LLC, located in Mountain View, CA, on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b), soliciting from a single source, for a Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) Module.
Specific Requirements are as follows:
- THz QCL Module
- ~4.8 THz output frequency
- Distributed feedback
- At least ~2 mW of CW power
NAICS Code is 334516 –Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a Size Standard of 1,000 employees. NIST anticipates negotiating and awarding a firm-fixed-price purchase order to Longwave Photonics, LCC for this requirement.
Interested parties that can demonstrate they could satisfy the requirement listed above for NIST must clearly and unambiguously identify their capability to do so in writing on or before the response date for this notice. This notice of intent is not a solicitation. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether competitive procedures could be used for this acquisition. If competitive procedures are not used it is estimated that an award will be issued by 4/27/2025. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to angela.hitt@nist.gov. All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted to angela.hitt@nist.gov no later than the date and time provided herein this posting.
JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AN OPEN COMPETITION:
The laser module is made soley by LongWave Photonics and it is intended to operate with a module "laser driver" (or mainframe) manufactured by LongWave Photonics (model LWP-EASY-QCL-HP, S/N 50017), which NIST already purchased. This new module is necessary for new research being undertaken by a recently funded project. LongWave's EasyQCL-200 laser system is specifically designed to be compatible with LongWave's OCL module mounting patterns and electrical connectors. Using incompatible third-party laser modules may cause overheating and overvoltage issues, which can lead to severe damage and void the warranty. Failure to process this request would prevent NIST from continuing its fundamental research.
Update #1 ·
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Acquisition Management Division intends to negotiate with Longwave Photonics, LLC, located in Mountain View, CA, on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b), soliciting from a single source, for a Quantum Cascade Laser (QCL) Module.
Specific Requirements are as follows:
- THz QCL Module
- ~4.8 THz output frequency
- Distributed feedback
- At least ~2 mW of CW power
NAICS Code is 334516 –Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a Size Standard of 1,000 employees. NIST anticipates negotiating and awarding a firm-fixed-price purchase order to Longwave Photonics, LCC for this requirement.
Interested parties that can demonstrate they could satisfy the requirement listed above for NIST must clearly and unambiguously identify their capability to do so in writing on or before the response date for this notice. This notice of intent is not a solicitation. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether competitive procedures could be used for this acquisition. If competitive procedures are not used it is estimated that an award will be issued by 4/27/2025. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to angela.hitt@nist.gov. All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted to angela.hitt@nist.gov no later than the date and time provided herein this posting.
JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AN OPEN COMPETITION:
The laser module is made soley by LongWave Photonics and it is intended to operate with a module "laser driver" (or mainframe) manufactured by LongWave Photonics (model LWP-EASY-QCL-HP, S/N 50017), which NIST already purchased. This new module is necessary for new research being undertaken by a recently funded project. LongWave's EasyQCL-200 laser system is specifically designed to be compatible with LongWave's OCL module mounting patterns and electrical connectors. Using incompatible third-party laser modules may cause overheating and overvoltage issues, which can lead to severe damage and void the warranty. Failure to process this request would prevent NIST from continuing its fundamental research.
Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| NOTICE OF INTENT-QCL Module | Special Notice | |
| QCL Module | Pre-Solicitation |
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