Sources Sought Notice for Entangled Photon Source

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting market research to procure a Rubidium Vapor Cell Based Entangled Photon Source for quantum networking research. The sources sought notice seeks a highly specialized quantum networking component with specific technical requirements, including the generation of biochromatic photon pairs at 1324 nm and 795 nm. The device must produce over 5 million photon pairs per second, operate continuously (24/7), and be rack mountable with 110V power compatibility. Potential vendors are required to submit comprehensive responses demonstrating their capability to meet NIST's technical specifications, with submissions limited to 5 pages and due by June 10, 2025. Respondents must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) and provide detailed information about their proposed solution, including company details, technical specifications, manufacturing location, available services, and customer references.

This sources sought notice does not represent a formal solicitation or guarantee of contract award, and there are no specific set-aside designations for the procurement. The notice does not mention incumbent contractors or provide explicit budget ranges for the potential contract. The quantum photon source must meet rigorous performance metrics, including a state fidelity over 95% and heralding efficiency over 30%. While the exact procurement timeline is not specified, the market research phase is currently underway with a response deadline of June 10, 2025. The device's technical complexity suggests this will be a high-value, specialized procurement targeting advanced quantum networking research capabilities, with potential implications for cutting-edge scientific and technological development.