Kern Electronics & Lasers Inc.
Wadena, MN Doing business as Kern Laser Systems
- UEI
- FYDYJ9VBLC96
- CAGE
- 1N2L1
- Primary NAICS
- 333517 Machine Tool Manufacturing
- SAM.gov registration
- Active through
Company facts
- FY2025 rankings
- SBA certifications
-
HUBZone Firm· Current
- Self-certified in SAM.gov
- Entity structure
- Corporate Entity (Not Tax Exempt)
- Other NAICS codes in SAM.gov
- SAM.gov registration date
- Physical address
- 1501 Industrial Dr, Wadena, MN 56482, USA
- Website
- kernlasers.com
- Founded
- 1982
- Employees
- 11-50
- Estimated annual revenue
- $1M-$10M
- Industry
-
- Industrials
- Capital Goods
- Industrial Conglomerates
- Industrials & Manufacturing
- SIC code
- 36 Electronic & Other Electric Equipment
Registration and certifications come from SAM.gov and the SBA; company details from public web sources. Updated .
Contract obligations by fiscal year
| Fiscal year | Obligated |
|---|---|
| FY2027 To date | $0 |
| FY2026 | $169,535 |
| FY2025 | $287,475 |
| FY2024 | $162,078 |
| FY2023 | $20,495 |
Top agencies by obligations
| Rank | Agency | Obligated, FY2026–FY2027 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Department of the Navy | $169,535 |
Contract awards
Latest 5 listed here. See the rest on GovTribe.
Contract subawards
| Prime contractor | Prime award | Amount | Awarded |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asrc Federal Facilities Logistics, LLC | SPE8E324FBBBQ | $222,425 |
Similar vendors
| Vendor | Location | Primary NAICS |
|---|---|---|
| Shop Sabre | Lakeville, MN | 332710 Machine Shops |
| Trotec Laser Inc. | Plymouth, MI | 333248 All Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing |
| Epilog Corporation | Golden, CO | 333517 Machine Tool Manufacturing |
| Mazak Optonics Corp | Elgin, IL | 423830 Industrial Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers |
| Tormach Inc. | Madison, WI | 333515 Cutting Tool and Machine Tool Accessory Manufacturing |
About the company
Kern Electronics & Lasers Inc., doing business as Kern Laser Systems, manufactures and sells large-format laser cutting, engraving, and foam routing equipment to federal defense and civilian agencies as a prime contractor (98% of recent awards), with SBA HUBZone and small disadvantaged business certifications anchoring its competitive posture in small-business set-asides.
Kern Laser Systems is a for-profit Subchapter S corporation headquartered in Wadena, Minnesota, classified under primary NAICS 333517 (Machine Tool Manufacturing) with supporting categories in general-purpose machinery and cutting-tool accessory manufacturing. The company competes predominantly under small-business set-asides — HUBZone and Total Small Business designations appear across its prime award footprint, with recent full-and-open procurements representing equipment upgrades and training services rather than core system sales. Across 48 recent prime and sub awards spanning 1998 to July 2026, Kern Laser Systems has generated $3.1 million in combined potential value, with $3.7 million obligated.
Kern Laser Systems concentrates customer relationships within Air Force sustainment logistics. The top five customer agencies by award count account for 52% of recent awards: the Department of the Army (7 awards), the Department of the Air Force Materiel Command's Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex (6 awards, $272 thousand combined potential value), the Department of the Air Force (5 awards, $189 thousand), the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex (4 awards, $489 thousand), and West Point Military Academy (3 awards, $213 thousand). When ranked by potential value, the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex ($489 thousand) and Warner Robins ($272 thousand) dominate, together accounting for about 44% of combined potential value across 10 awards. Representative work includes a $129,240 100% Small Business Set-aside purchase order from the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex (July 2025) for an OptiFlex 52" x 100" laser foam cutting machine with dual servo motors and two-year warranty, a $158,235 Total Small Business purchase order from the Ogden Air Logistics Complex (September 2025) for a foam router table modernization, a $169,535 firm fixed-price purchase order from the Office of Naval Research (July 2026) for a Micro 48 x 24 laser system, and a $33,437.72 HUBZone set-aside purchase order from Naval Sea Systems Command (September 2024) for KT-300 laser tube refurbishment. The company also delivers on-site laser operator training at Air Force facilities (two 2-day sessions in 2023 for $4,500 and $4,900 respectively).
Activity has been sparse and inconsistent — one award in 2020, four in 2023, two each in 2024 and 2025, and one in 2026 — with no clear growth trajectory. Kern Laser Systems holds one seat on the Federal Supply Schedule GS21F0103V ($147 thousand combined potential value) and operates under an Indefinite Delivery Contract SPE8E324D0007. The vendor carries minimal subcontract exposure: one sub award in May 2024 as a subcontractor to Asrc Federal Facilities Logistics LLC for a 52" x 100" foam and metal laser cutter task order. The 48-award footprint represents long tenure in federal equipment supply (first award in September 1998) concentrated in durable goods manufacturing for Air Force and Army sustainment operations, with 22 distinct customer agencies but narrow technical specialization in laser and routing equipment.
SBA capabilities narrative
Manufacturer of industrial laser cutting and engraving equipment capable of precision cutting, engraving, and etching of various materials. Large custom table sizes, multiple laser cutting capabilities and high speed engraving are available.
Quick answers
Is Kern Electronics & Lasers Inc. registered in SAM.gov?
Yes. Kern Electronics & Lasers Inc.'s SAM.gov registration is active through March 20, 2027.
Which SBA certifications does Kern Electronics & Lasers Inc. hold?
Kern Electronics & Lasers Inc. holds HUBZone Firm certification from the SBA.
How much has Kern Electronics & Lasers Inc. received in federal contracts?
Federal contracts obligated $287,475 to Kern Electronics & Lasers Inc. in fiscal year 2025 and $639,583 in fiscal years 2023 through 2027.
How does Kern Electronics & Lasers Inc. rank among federal contractors?
Kern Electronics & Lasers Inc. ranked #22 in PSC 3419 and #59 in NAICS 333517 in FY2025.
What is Kern Electronics & Lasers Inc.'s most recent federal award?
Kern Electronics & Lasers Inc.'s most recent federal contract award is Micro 48 x 24 laser system (N0017326P1337), from Office of Naval Research (SECNAV), on July 10, 2026.
On GovTribe
See Kern Electronics & Lasers Inc.'s full federal record
- Federal contract awards
- IDV awards
- Subcontracting relationships
- Funding analysis by agency, NAICS and set-aside
- Similar vendors