Solicitation for Continuous Wave Parametric Oscillator (CW OPO) Laser System

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is soliciting quotations for the procurement of one Continuous Wave Optical Parametric Oscillator (CW OPO) Laser System to support the CHIPS Metrology Program's research on materials purity, properties, and provenance. The system will be used by the Chemical Science Division to perform ultrasensitive cavity ring-down and cavity-enhanced spectroscopy for detecting trace impurities in specialty-grade semiconductor and electronics gases at part-per-trillion levels. Key contract requirements include a pump laser with power exceeding 0.5 mW, signal output tunable from 1500 nm to 2000 nm with output power greater than 1 mW and peak power exceeding 200 mW, idler output tunable from 2300 nm to 4000 nm, a wavelength meter with measurement range of 1000 nm to 2000 nm and absolute accuracy better than 200 MHz, and Windows-based computer control via ethernet, USB, or GPIB. All equipment must be new, unused, and include original documentation, software, and all necessary components for full operation. Evaluation will be based on technical capability to meet all Statement of Work requirements (no prototypes, demonstration models, used, or refurbished instruments permitted), demonstrated relevant experience with up to three prior contracts, and price reasonableness, with non-priced factors significantly more important than price. Quotations must be submitted electronically by 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on April 12, 2026, to Contract Specialist Forest Crumpler and Contracting Officer Donald Trump at NIST, with pre-quote inquiries due within five calendar days of solicitation issuance on March 30, 2026.

This is an unrestricted competition with no set-aside designation, classified under NAICS code 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) and PSC category 6640 (Laboratory Equipment and Supplies). No specific incumbent contractor or budget range is disclosed in the solicitation materials. The government intends to award a single firm fixed-price purchase order to one vendor based on best value, with quotations required in four volumes: Technical Quotation, Demonstrated Experience, Price Quotation (with 90-day validity), and Terms and Conditions. Delivery is required within 24 weeks of award under F.O.B. Destination terms, with the contractor bearing all transportation costs and risk of loss. The place of performance is NIST Gaithersburg (100 Bureau Drive, Building 301, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899), with equipment to be delivered to Adam J. Fleisher in Building 221, Room A117, where NIST will conduct acceptance testing within 15 working days of receipt, including visual inspection and potential cavity ring-down spectroscopy performance tests.