Notice of Intent to Sole Source for Microwave Digital Lock-in Amplifier

Notice of Intent to Noncompetitively acquire a microwave digital lock-in amplifier.

This notice is not a request for a quotation. A solicitation document will not be issued, and quotations will not be requested.

This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516– Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing a small business size standard of 1,000 employees.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Photonics and Optomechanics Group within the Physical Measurement Laboratory in Gaithersburg, Maryland has a requirement for a digital lock-in amplifier for the measurement of photonic test structures that are being developed for characterization of integrated photonic fabrication processes and materials, among several other application. To measure the structure-, fabrication process- and material-dependent information contained in the high frequency responses of these test structures to optical and electrical stimuli, the system must be able to operate at frequencies of at least 1.8 GHz, and be capable of measuring the amplitude and phase of signals at multiple such frequencies and their harmonics simultaneously.

The Contractor shall provide a digital lock-in amplifier that meets all technical specifications and performance specifications identified below:

1. Number of independent lock-in channels: 2
2. Frequency range: DC to 1.8 GHz or greater
3. Lock-in input maximum analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) rate: ≥ 4 GSa/s
4. Lock-in input ADC resolution: ≥ 14-bit
5. Lock-in input voltage range: ≤ 10 mV to ≥ 1 V
6. Lock-in input voltage noise: ≤ 6 nV/rt-Hz
7. Dynamic reserve: ≥ 100 dB
8. Output signal frequency range: DC to 1.8 GHz or greater
9. Output signal maximum digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) rate: ≥ 6 GSa/s
10. Output signal DAC resolution: ≥ 14-bit
11. Output signal voltage range: ≤ 10 mV to ≥ 0.5 V
12. Input and output signal connectors: Lock-in input connector: SMA or 2.92 mm, 50 ohm
13. Number of dual-phase demodulators: ≥ 8
14. Demodulator filter slope: selectable from ≤ 5 mHz to ≥ 10 MHz
15. Demodulator filter slope: selectable from 6 to 48 db/octave
16. Frequency reference resolution: 50 microHz
17. Auxiliary signals: 4 output channels, 2 input channels
18. Auxiliary output channel specification: ≥ 14 bit, ≥ 50 MSa/s
19. Auxiliary input channel specification: ≥ 14 bit, ≥ 4 GSa/s
20. Internal clock short term stability: ≤ 0.05 ppm deviation
21. Internal clock aging: ≤ 0.3 ppm/year
22. Software: Run using Zurich Instruments LabOne software platform for interoperability with existing lock-in instruments running using this platform.
23. Computer interface: USB 3.0 and Gigabit Ethernet
24. Line power: 120 V AC, 60 Hz
25. At least 6 additional frequencies for synchronous lock-in measurements, and amplitude and frequency modulation analysis with same specifications as the base.
26. Number of independent PID channels: ≥ 4
27. Maximum PID bandwidth: ≥ 1 MHz
28. Input parameters: X, Y, R and Theta outputs of lock-in amplifier and auxiliary inputs
29. Two independent AM/FM (amplitude/frequency) modulation units with 3 frequency components each
30. Simultaneous sideband modulation and demodulation
31. Harmonic sideband analysis

NIST conducted market research in March to April 2025 to determine what sources could potentially meet NIST’s minimum requirements. This included searches on GSA; SAM; Thomas Register; surveying vendor websites; speaking with subject matter experts inside and outside of NIST; and issuance of a Sources Sought Notice on SAM.gov. The results of market research revealed that only Zurich Instruments AG (UEI: WXNAU91NVWB6) appears to be capable of meeting NIST’s requirements.

However, any sources that believe they are capable of meeting NIST’s minimum requirements are encouraged to respond to this notice by the response date to provide the following information at a minimum: Company Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number in https://sam.gov; details about what your company is capable of providing that meets or exceeds NIST’s minimum requirements; whether your company is an authorized reseller of the product or service being cited and evidence of such authorization; and any other information that can help NIST determine whether this requirement may be competitively satisfied. 

A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Only responses received by the offers due date and time of this notice will be considered by the government. Responses shall be submitted via email to nina.lin@nist.gov.