Notice of Intent: Wavemeter upgrade to an existing Ti:sapphire laser system.

The United States Department of Commerce (DOC), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division (AMD) intends to negotiate a firm fixed price purchase order, on a sole source basis, with M Squared Lasers, Inc., for the procurement of a wavemeter upgrade to an existing Ti:sapphire laser system.   The statutory authority for this sole source acquisition is FAR 13.106-1(b) by the authority of FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

The Nanophotinics Laboratory, within Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) requires a wavemeter upgrade and warranty exenstion to it existing Ti: sapphire laser with frequency mixing module.

The Nanophotonics Laboratory purchased the M Squared Lasers SolsTiS with EMM 1950 Ti:sapphire laser with frequency mixing module in FY2020, and it was installed in Nov. 2020.  It's primary function is to produce continuous wave laser light at any desired wavelength in the ranges of 515 nm to 660 nm and 700 nm to 1000 nm; it also performs wavelength scans in those ranges.  The system is in need of a wavemeter upgrade that will improve the accuracy and performance of wavelength setting and scans in the 515 nm to 660 nm range.  In addition, due to the overall complexity of the laser system and its importance in the lab, an extended warranty period is being sought to cover possible problems with the laser system. 

M Squared Lasers, Inc. is uniquely qualified to meet the Governments minimum requirements for the following reasons:

1. The control software used to run the system needs to be customized to make it compatible with the wavemeter upgrade.  This software has been created by M Squared Lasers, they are the only vendor with access to the source code, and thus the only one that can make the required changes.

2. The overall laser system, including the Equinox pump laser, the SolsTiS Ti:sapphire laser, and the EMM frequency mixing module, are manufactured by M Squared Lasers.  A warranty extension is meant to cover any issues with malfunctioning parts, and M Squared Lasers has all original mechanical and electrical drawings needed to manufacture replacement parts.  

3. The upgraded laser system needs to be tested and compared against its original factory performance as established by M Squared Lasers during its original build of the system (when the wavemeter system we are seeking to acquire was used).  

Delivery shall be FOB DESTINATION and shall be in accordance with the Contractors established service lead times.    

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 333314, and the size standard is 500 employees.

No solicitation package will be issued.  This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all responsible sources interested may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. The Government will consider responses received by established due date/time set forth in this notice. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to joni.laster@nist.gov . No telephone requests will be honored.   

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 normally be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future.