Picoquant Picosecond Pulsed Diode Laser

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has published a Special Notice seeking sources for the procurement of two Picoquant Picosecond Pulsed Diode Laser Systems. This combined Notice of Intent and Sources Sought announcement was posted on April 21, 2026, with a response deadline of May 6, 2026 at 10:00 AM Eastern Time. NIST intends to sole source this procurement to Picoquant Photonics North America, Inc., unless alternate sources capable of meeting the technical requirements are identified. The laser systems are classified under NAICS code 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) and PSC 6640 (Laboratory Equipment and Supplies), with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees. This notice applies to firms interested in demonstrating capability to supply equipment meeting NIST's specific technical and operational requirements.

The procurement supports NIST's participation in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Quantum-Augmented Network (QuANET) phase 2 integration event, with the laser systems intended to characterize optical fiber links and integrate into NIST's quantum network measurement suite for the Washington Metropolitan Quantum Network Research Consortium infrastructure. The required equipment must feature a 1550 ± 3 nm center wavelength, spectral width less than 1 nm, picosecond pulse width under 100 picoseconds, and FC/APC fiber coupling, with delivery required within eight weeks of order receipt to NIST's Gaithersburg, Maryland facility. Interested contractors must submit responses via email to Jennifer.lohmeier@nist.gov including company name and address, point of contact information, UEI, SAM.gov business classification validation, and a capability statement demonstrating ability to meet seamless interoperability requirements with existing Picoquant equipment and software libraries. Payment terms provide for 100% compensation upon government acceptance following testing verification, with Net 30-day payment terms, and a one-year manufacturer warranty is required. This notice emphasizes that responses are being sought to evaluate alternate sources; no award will be made based on responses submitted, and NIST assumes no responsibility for respondent costs.