Photonics Chip Simulation Software & Credits
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- FA875125Q0112
- Agency
- Air Force Research Laboratory Air Force Materiel Command, Department of Defense
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 513210 Software Publishers
- Points of contact
-
- Cody Owens cody.owens.4@us.af.mil (315) 330-2921
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Air Force Research Laboratory is seeking to procure Photonics Chip Simulation Software & Credits through a sole-source contract with Flexcompute, Inc. The procurement includes Tidy3D Pro annual licenses with unlimited concurrent simulations, 20 billion FDTD grid size limits, and associated FlexCredits for computational processing. The government has determined that Flexcompute's Tidy3D Pro is the only known photonics chip simulation software offering parallel processing capabilities via off-site high performance computation for rapid design iteration. The contract structure includes a base year plus one option year, with the requirement falling under NAICS code 513210 (Software Publishers). This pre-solicitation notice was posted on June 18, 2025, with a due date of July 3, 2025, though no formal solicitation will be issued as this is intended for sole-source negotiation.
No set-aside designation applies to this procurement, making it available to all business sizes under the small business size standard of $47 million in average annual receipts. Flexcompute, Inc., located at 182 Main Street, Watertown, MA, has been identified as the sole-source contractor for this requirement. The Tidy3D Pro license includes substantial computational capabilities with 100 GB storage limits and access to web GUI, Python API, and web-based Python notebook features. The software specifically supports optimization calculations for large optical components involving up to 100 million cells, enabling the design and optimization of photonic chip components. The contract encompasses both the software licensing and associated computational credits necessary for the high-performance computing requirements of the Air Force Research Laboratory's photonics research initiatives.
Notice text
This is a Notice of Proposed Contract Action under FAR Part 12 Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services, and FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. This notice is for information only; a solicitation will not be issued. THIS IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATION. No contract will be awarded on the basis of offers received in response to this notice. The associated North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is 513210 (Software Publishers) with a small business size standard of $47M in average annual receipts.
The Government requires the procurement of Photonics Chip Simulation Software & Credits for a base plus one option year, and intends to negotiate a sole-source award for this requirement with Flexcompute, Inc., 182 Main Street, Watertown, MA 02472-4427. Relevant Flexcompute, Inc. product descriptions for the required Photonics Chip Simulation Software & Credits are as follows:
Item 1 – Tidy3D Pro – Annual License
- Concurrent simulations: no limit
- FDTD grid size limit: 20 billion
- API access included
- Mode solver included
- EME solver
- Web GUI
- Python API
- Web-based Python notebook included
- Storage limit: 100 GB
Item 2 – Tidy3D FlexCredits
The Government has determined that other companies' products do not meet or cannot be modified to meet the Government's requirements. Flexcompute Inc.'s Tidy3D Pro product is the only known Photonics Chip Simulation Software that offers parallel processing capabilities via off-site high performance computation, allowing for the quick iteration of designs for inclusion on photonic chips. Specifically, the software provides for optimization calculations of several large optical components to a tune of 100M cells in <5 minutes, which is significantly faster than competing products and critical to the success of the current project for which the software is required. Moreover, the end user requiring this software already has experience using it which will eliminate the need for further training which would otherwise be required/necessary if an alternate Photonics Chip Simulation Software were introduced. Eliminating the need for additional training allows the Government to realize the savings of additional man hours. Interchanges with Flexcompute, Inc. have yielded that they are the sole-source provider of their software products and do not maintain a network of resellers. For the aforementioned reasons, the Government has determined Flexcompute, Inc. to be the sole-source provider of the required Photonics Chip Simulation Software, and intends to make a sole-source award to them, accordingly.
This is a notice of proposed contract action and not a request for competitive proposals; however, all responsible sources may submit a capability statement or proposal, which shall be considered by the agency. All inquiries should be sent by email to cody.owens.4@us.af.mil. Responses must be submitted by the date/time listed on the notice. Any response to this notice must show clear and convincing evidence that competition would be advantageous to the Government in future procurements.
Responses received will be evaluated; however, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. The Government anticipates an award date on or before 30 July 2025.
A Sole Source Justification will be attached to the subsequent Notice of Award in accordance with applicable regulation.
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