Picosecond Laser

The National Institute of Standards and Technology, a component of the Department of Commerce, seeks quotations for one picosecond laser system, with proposals due August 7, 2026 and technical questions due July 31, 2026. The procurement is a Total Small Business set-aside under NAICS 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing), with a small business size standard of 1,250 employees.

Place of performance is the NIST-Gaithersburg facility in Maryland. The laser must generate entangled photon pairs for quantum network applications and meet stringent technical specifications: wavelength of 775 ± 0.25 nm, pulse width less than 50 picoseconds, spectral width less than 15 picometers, pulse-to-pulse jitter less than 10% RMS, clock-to-laser pulse jitter less than 3 picoseconds, single-mode fiber-coupled output exceeding 200 mW at the fiber output, 80 MHz repetition rate, integrated laser controllers with external clock synchronization capability, and design for reliable 24/7 continuous operation. The vendor must possess an Export Control Classification Number and maintain an active Unique Entity Identification Number on SAM.gov at the time of award. Installation shall be turnkey with one-year base manufacturer warranty covering parts, labor, and return costs. Power availability is limited to 120V, 10A maximum, single-phase, 60 Hz standard NEMA L5-20P connection.

Quotations must be submitted in three volumes—Technical Quotation, Price Quotation, and Terms and Conditions—via email to Contracting Officer Lia Arthofer at lia.arthofer@nist.gov as firm-fixed-price bids. Award goes to the responsible quoter offering the lowest priced, technically acceptable quotation. The Government reserves the right to award without discussions based on initial quotes. No prototypes, demonstration models, used, or refurbished instruments will be considered.