Notice of Intent to Sole Source Replacement Locking Electronics
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- NB688000-26-00406
- Agency
- National Institute of Standards and Technology Department of Commerce
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 334515 Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals
- PSC
- 6640 Laboratory Equipment And Supplies
- Place of performance
- Boulder, Colorado 80305, United States
- Points of contact
-
- Lisa Stevens lisa.stevens@nist.gov (252) 422-2097
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a civilian agency under the Department of Commerce, has issued a Notice of Intent to Sole Source a replacement locking electronics system for an Ultrastable Cavity Laser System. NIST intends to negotiate exclusively with Menlo Systems, Inc., located in Boulder, Colorado, under the authority of FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b) for this specialized procurement. The requirement involves a customized SYNCRO control unit housed in a 19-inch, 3-height-unit enclosure with specific servo loop and temperature control capabilities. This notice was posted on January 29, 2026, and represents NIST's intent to pursue a sole source acquisition rather than conduct open competition. The procurement falls under NAICS Code 334515 (Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals) with a size standard of 750 employees.
The primary objective of this notice is to upgrade existing locking electronics from a previous project (AU00615) by procuring a SYNCRO control unit with customized configuration, servo loop electronics featuring a high-bandwidth PID controller, an ORC-TEC Temperature Controller, and all additional components necessary for full system functionality, with installation at NIST's laboratory in Boulder, Colorado. Interested parties who believe they can satisfy the listed requirements must submit written evidence of their capability to lisa.stevens@nist.gov by February 5, 2026, to demonstrate whether competitive procedures should be used instead of sole source procurement. The specifications require vendor technician on-site installation, completion within 10 weeks of order receipt, and a 12-month warranty. NIST anticipates awarding a firm-fixed-price purchase order and expects to issue an award by February 27, 2026, if competitive procedures are not pursued. All inquiries and responses must be submitted in writing via email to the contact provided, with no other submission methods accepted.
Notice text
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Acquisition Management Division intends to negotiate with Menlo Systems, Inc., located in Boulder, CO, on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b), soliciting from a single source, for Replacement Locking Electronics for an Ultrastable Cavity Laser System.
Specific Requirements are as follows:
SYNCRO control unit in a 19”, 3 height units enclosure, including:
•Customized configuration to upgrade the existing locking electronics delivered as part of the project AU00615
•Servo loop electronics for Pound-Drever-Hall laser frequency stabilization with high-bandwidth PIID controller
•ORC-TEC Temperature Controller for temperature stabilization of EOM and vacuum chamber and all additional components needed for full functionality
•Installation of SYNCRO unit at user’s lab in Boulder, CO
NAICS Code is 334515 –Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals, with a Size Standard of 750 employees. NIST anticipates negotiating and awarding a firm-fixed-price purchase order to Menlo Systems, Inc. for this requirement.
Interested parties that can demonstrate they could satisfy the requirements 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 February 27, 2026. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to lisa.stevens@nist.gov. All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted to lisa.stevens@nist.gov no later than the date and time provided herein this posting.
JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AN OPEN COMPETITION:
NIST’s Time and Frequency Division owns an ORC1500 Optical Reference Cavity System and is in need of a replacement SYNCRO locking electronics for laser frequency stabilization. The SYNCRO system is made solely by Menlo Systems and is intended to operate with the ORC1500 Optical Reference Cavity System (Project Number AU00615) also manufactured by Menlo Systems. Menlo Systems is the sole provider of the SYNCRO system as proprietary information is required for its integration into the ORC1500 system. Using incompatible third-party locking electronics could potentially damage components in the ORC1500 system and would make the ORC1500 system ineligible for future service contracts from Menlo Systems and any warranties would be voided.
Attachments
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| NB688000-26-00406 Requirements and Specifications.pdf |
Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Notice of Intent to Sole Source Replacement Locking Electronics | Special Notice | |
| Sources Sought for Replacement Locking Electronics | Pre-Solicitation |
On GovTribe
Work this opportunity on GovTribe
- Track it in your pipeline
- Find teaming partners
- Similar opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this opportunity