Tunable Single Frequency Laser – Combined Sources Sought/Notice of Intent to Sole Source

***THIS IS A COMBINED SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE***

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking information from sources that may be capable of providing a tunable single frequency laser. If no alternate sources are identified, the Government intends to issue a Sole Source Award to NKT PHOTONICS, INC, 23 DRYDOCK AVE., BOSTON, MA 02210-2336 under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516. 

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Quantum Measurement Division (QMD) is furthering NIST’s mission to develop campus-wide and metropolitan-scale quantum networks, using highly sensitive few-photon measurements for distribution of photonic quantum information. As part of these efforts, the QMD is developing the capability to stabilize optical phase over long fiber links with faint light, enabling the distribution of phase-sensitive quantum information carriers. This project combines QMD expertise in single-photon measurement with the expertise of the Time and Frequency Division (TFD) in ultra stable optical frequency references. Before incorporating quantum measurement, the QMD will first replicate state-of-the-art methods of classical phase stabilization using a benchmark system designed by the TFD. A central component of this system is a low-noise single-frequency laser, to be purchased here. The QMD requires one tunable, single-frequency laser which will be frequency-locked to an external cavity, and the combined laser-cavity system will serve as a stable phase reference for active phase stabilization of a fiber link. The optical reference cavity will be provided by the TFD, and the remaining commercial equipment (including the laser) is meant to replicate the TFD’s original phase stabilization apparatus as closely as possible.

Contract Line-Item Number (CLIN) 0001: The Contractor shall provide one (1) tunable frequency laser that meets the following minimum specifications:

The system shall meet or exceed the technical specifications identified below. All items shall be new. Prototypes, first articles, demonstration models, used, refurbished or otherwise developmental systems, will not be considered for award.

The specifications listed below are required to ensure the laser’s compatibility with the provided reference cavity, as well as to match the performance of state-of-the-art phase stabilization schemes. This includes sufficiently narrow linewidth, low intensity and phase noise, and the ability to quickly modulate laser wavelength so it can be locked to the reference cavity.

•           Operating Ambient Temperature: 21C to 23.5C

•           If an outside electrical power source is needed, the laser and its controller should be compatible with 100-120V/60Hz, 1-phase input.

•           Center Wavelength: (1550.12 +/- 0.40) nm , aligned to standard ITU channel 34

•           Total thermal tuning range: 1000 pm or more

•           Optical output power: 10 mW or more across full tuning range

•           Linewidth (Lorentzian): < 0.100 kHz

•           Relative Intensity Noise (RIN):

o          @ peak:  < -100 dBc/Hz

o          @ 10 MHz:  < -135 dBc/Hz

•           Maximum phase noise:

o          @ 10 Hz:  -90 dB((Rad/sqHz)/m)  or lower

•           Mode-hop-free tuning range: 25 GHz or more

•           The laser system should incorporate active stabilization of the output power to minimize noise while tuning wavelength.

•           Wavelength modulation speed: from 0 Hz to 20 kHz or more

•           Wavelength modulation range: 8 GHz or larger

•           Laser output is coupled into single-mode, polarization-maintaining (PM) fiber

•           Beam quality: M2 < 1.05

•           Output Polarization: linear; > 20 dB polarization extinction ratio

NIST conducted market research from July 2024 – December 2024 by, speaking with colleagues, performing internet searches, and speaking with vendors to determine what sources could meet NIST’s minimum requirements.  The results of that market research revealed that only NKT PHOTONICS, INC.  (UEI: WJNUYEZ9UT11) can meet all the Governments minimum requirements.  

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.
• Whether your company is an authorized reseller of the product or service being cited and evidence of such authorization.
• 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
• 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.
• If you believe the NAICS code listed in this notice is not the best NAICS code for the type of product addressed in this notice, identify an alternative NAICS 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 and the Secondary Point of Contact listed in this notice. Questions should be submitted so that they are received by 11:00 am  Eastern Time on January 20, 2025.  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!