Tunable Low-noise Short Wavelength Visible Coherent Light Source System

Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted

A newer solicitation was posted. See the latest solicitation from .

Solicitation number
NIST-SS26-126
Agency
National Institute of Standards and Technology Department of Commerce
Responses due
Set-aside
No set-aside

Opportunity facts

NAICS code
334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
PSC
6640 Laboratory Equipment And Supplies
Place of performance
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
Points of contact

Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .

About this opportunity

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking sources for a tunable low-noise short wavelength visible coherent light source system, with responses due June 2, 2026. This is a sources-sought notice only, not a formal solicitation.

NIST's Quantum Measurement Division requires a frequency-doubled fiber amplifier to generate 200 mW or higher of coherent 780 nm light from 10 mW or less of coherent 1550 nm light. The apparatus will integrate into primary acoustic measurement systems supporting the Division's mission to deliver accuracy and traceability of acoustic measurements.

The technical specifications for the single line item are stringent: continuous-wave laser waveform; input wavelength of 1560 nm (±2 nm); output wavelength at half the input frequency; output power of 200 mW or higher; output polarization linear with polarization extinction ratio of 17 or higher; output linewidth of 10 MHz or lower; fundamental rejection from output of 40 dB or higher; output power stability of 1 percent or lower RMS variation over 1 hour. Input and output coupling must use polarization-maintaining fiber with FC/APC termination. The unit must include front-panel control, operate on 60 Hz 115 VAC power, and fit in a standard 19-inch rack or smaller form factor.

Place of performance is at NIST, location not further specified. No set-aside applies to this sources-sought notice.

Notice text

NIST-SS26-126

PLEASE NOTE THIS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY

Title:  Tunable Low-noise Short Wavelength Visible Coherent Light Source System

BACKGROUND

The Quantum Measurement Division (QMD) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) provides the fundamental basis for the measurement of mass, force, and vibration in the United States by maintaining and modernizing primary standards linked to the International System of Units (SI). The Division performs leading-edge research to develop advanced measurement technologies and provides calibration services that support U.S. industrial productivity and ensure equity in trade. The QMD has a requirement for a frequency-doubled fiber amplifier to generate 100’s of mW of coherent 780 nm light from < 10 mW of coherent 1560 nm light. This apparatus will be integrated into primary acoustic measurement systems, in support of the Division’s mission to deliver accuracy and traceability of acoustic measurements.

In order to meet the mission indicated above, the Mass and Force Group requires an apparatus for generating 200 mW or more of coherent 780 nm light from 10 mW or less of 1550 nm light.

The minimum requirements are as follows:

Line Item 0001:

Description: Frequency-Doubled 1560 nm Optical Amplifier

Quantity: One (1)

  1. Technical Specifications:
  1. Laser waveform:                                         Continuous-wave
  2. Input wavelength:                                       1560 nm (+/- 2 nm)
  3. Output wavelength:                                     Half of input wavelength
  4. Output power:                                             200 mW or higher
  5. Input power:                                               10 mW or lower
  6. Output polarization:                                    linear with PER 17 or higher
  7. Output linewidth:                                        10 MHz or lower
  8. Fundamental rejection from output:             40 dB or higher
  9. Output power stability:                                1 % or lower rms variation over 1 hour
  10. Input coupling:                                            PM fiber, FC/APC termination
  11. Output coupling:                                         PM fiber, FC/APC termination
  12. Instrument control:                                      Front panel control
  13. AC power supply:                                       60 Hz 115 VAC
  14. Form factor:                                                A single unit, fitting in a standard 19” rack, or smaller.

HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS NOTICE

In responding to this notice, please DO NOT PROVIDE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. Please include only the following information, readable in either Microsoft Word 365, Microsoft Excel 365, or .pdf format, in the response.  Submit the response by email to the Primary Point of Contact and, if specified, to the Secondary Point of Contact listed at the bottom of this notice as soon as possible, and preferably before the closing date and time of this notice.

•           Provide the complete name of your company, address, name of contact for follow-up questions, their email, their phone number and, if your company has an active registration in https://sam.gov, your company’s Unique Entity ID (UEI).

•           Details about what your company is capable of providing that meets or exceeds NIST’s minimum requirements and its past experience. Any relevant past performance.

•           Identify any aspects of the description of the requirements in the BACKGROUND section above that could be viewed as unduly restrictive or create unnecessary barriers that adversely affect your firm’s ability to fully participate in a procurement for such services and explain why.  Please offer suggestions for how the requirements could be organized or structured to encourage the participation of small businesses.

•           For the NAICS code

o          Indicate whether your company is (a) a small business or (b) other than small business.  See the Table of Small Business Size Standards and the associated .pdf download file for small business size standards and additional information.

o          If you believe the NAICS and/or Product Service Code code listed in this notice is not the best NAICS code for the type of product addressed in this notice, identify an alternative NAICS/PSC code that you believe would be more appropriate for the planned procurement.

•           If your firm has existing Federal Supply Schedule contract(s) or other contracts for products or services against which the Department may be able to place orders, identify the contract number(s) and other relevant information.

•           Describe your firm’s experience (as a prime, subcontractor, or consultant) providing the products or services described in Background section.

•           Provide any other information that you believe would be valuable for the Government to know as part of its market research for this requirement.

•           Please let us know if you would like to engage to get a better understanding of the requirement or need additional information about the Government’s requirement for the products or services described in the Background section.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS NOTICE

Questions regarding this notice may be submitted via email to the Primary Point of Contact listed in this notice. Questions should be submitted so that they are received by 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time on May 21, 2026.  Questions will be anonymized and answered via sources sought notice amendment following the question submission deadline.

IMPORTANT NOTES

The information received in response to this notice will be reviewed and considered so that the NIST may appropriately solicit for its requirements in the near future. 

This notice should not be construed as a commitment by the NIST to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. 

This notice is not a request for a quotation. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotations.

No award will be made as a result of this notice. 

NIST is not responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice.

NIST reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and appropriate.

Thank you for taking the time to submit a response to this request.

Notice history

Notices posted for this opportunity, newest first
Notice Type Posted
Tunable Low-noise Short Wavelength Visible Coherent Light Source System Latest solicitation Solicitation
Tunable Low-noise Short Wavelength Visible Coherent Light Source System This notice · Original Pre-Solicitation

On GovTribe

Work this opportunity on GovTribe

  • Track it in your pipeline
  • Find teaming partners
  • Similar opportunities
  • Ask GovTribe AI about this opportunity