Time Scale Synthesizers

The National Institute of Standards and Technology seeks four Time Scale Output Synthesizers with proposals due August 13, 2026 and questions due August 10, 2026. This is an unrestricted commercial acquisition under FAR Part 12 simplified procedures with no set-aside.

Place of performance includes Boulder, Colorado and Gaithersburg, Maryland. The synthesizers must deliver very low additive phase noise (less than -100 dB/Hz at 1 Hz offset or ADEV(1s) below 3e-13), deterministic phase tunability at microradians or lower, and phase-continuous operation during frequency tuning and phase adjustments. Required specifications include 10 MHz input reference frequency (preferred) or 5 MHz termination at 50 Ohms; programmable fractional frequency tuning range exceeding 1e-10 with precision at or below 1e-17; phase programmability resolution under 1 picosecond; at least two radio-frequency outputs at 10 dBm or greater; at least one PPS output capable of driving 3V into 50 Ohm; programming interface via RS-232, USB, or Ethernet (preferred); and EIA 19-inch rack mount compatibility with device width under 482.6 mm. Delivery of all units, installation, and training must be completed within 12–18 weeks after receipt of order. Government acceptance testing will occur within 7 business days. The NAICS code is 334515, Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals; PSC is 6640, Laboratory Equipment and Supplies.

All pricing must be firm fixed, FOB Destination, and include shipping and delivery costs. Quotations must be submitted electronically to Contracting Officer Lisa Stevens at lisa.stevens@nist.gov in three volumes: Technical Quotation, Price Quotation, and Terms and Conditions acceptance or exceptions. Evaluation weighs technical capability (weighted most heavily; prototypes, demonstration models, and refurbished instruments are rejected), schedule/delivery capability, warranty comprehensiveness, and price reasonableness. The Government reserves the right to award without discussions based on initial quotations. Award results in a binding purchase order governed by Government terms and conditions, regardless of any FSS or GWAC contract terms proposed.