O-band Optical Filters

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document outlines the requirements for procuring a set of tunable, low-loss, narrow-band optical filters operating in the O-band wavelength range (approximately 1270 nm to 1300 nm). This procurement supports NIST's Quantum Information Group's research in quantum networking.

• Line Item 0001: 2 units of manually tunable O-band optical filters with specific pass bandwidths (0.15 nm to 0.20 nm), insertion loss (<= 2.5 dB), polarization-dependent loss (<= 0.25 dB), and out-of-band suppression (>= 45 dB). Compatible with SMF-28 FC/APC fibers.

• Line Item 0002: 2 units of manually tunable O-band optical filters with specific pass bandwidths (0.25 nm to 0.30 nm), insertion loss (<= 2.5 dB), polarization-dependent loss (<= 0.25 dB), and out-of-band suppression (>= 45 dB). Compatible with SMF-28 FC/APC fibers. The pass bandwidth for this item must be 0.10 nm +/- 0.01 nm wider than Line Item 0001.

• All items must be new.

• Period of Performance/Lead Time: Delivery within 12 weeks from the date of award.

• Delivery Terms: F.O.B. Destination to NIST, Gaithersburg, MD.

• Warranty: Minimum of one year from acceptance.

• Payment: NET30 basis following delivery, inspection, and acceptance.

• Inspection & Acceptance: Government reserves the right to perform performance tests and evaluations. Contractor has the right to be present at their expense. Government may reject equipment due to defects or nonconformance prior to acceptance.

• Not specified in this document.

• The document references FAR 52.212-4 for inspection, acceptance, and warranty terms.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document outlines the applicable provisions and clauses for a solicitation. It details various Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Commerce Acquisition Regulation (CAR) provisions that are incorporated by reference or in full text. These provisions cover a range of requirements, including prohibitions on contracting with certain entities, system for award management, instructions for offerors, security requirements, and representations regarding inverted domestic corporations.

• FAR 52.203-18: Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements-Representation.

• FAR 52.204-7: System for Award Management.

• FAR 52.212-1: Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Items.

• FAR 52.212-2: Evaluation - Commercial Products and Commercial Services, outlining that award will be made to the responsible offeror whose offer is most advantageous considering price and other factors. Specific evaluation factors are referenced in an attached Request for Quotation document.

• FAR 52.212-4: Terms and Conditions-Commercial Products and Commercial Services.

• FAR 52.219-1: Small Business Program Representation, including definitions for EDWOSB, SDVOSB, small business, small disadvantaged business, veteran-owned small business, and women-owned small business concerns.

• FAR 52.222-18: Certification Regarding Knowledge of Child Labor for Listed End Products.

• FAR 52.225-2: Buy American Certificate.

• 52.225-18: PLACE OF MANUFACTURE (DEVIATION JAN 2026).

• CAR 1352.233-70: Agency Protests and CAR 1352.233-71: GAO and Court of Federal Claims Protests, detailing protest procedures.

• NIST LOCAL-53: Contract Performance During Changes in NIST Operating Status, outlining procedures for checking campus status and actions during lapses in appropriation.

• NIST LOCAL-54: Electronic Billing Instructions.

• NIST LOCAL 56: Invoicing Processing Platform – Alt I, detailing electronic invoice submission via the Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).

• The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334413 - Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing.

• The small business size standard is 1,250 Employees.

• Offerors must represent their status regarding small business, small disadvantaged business, HUBZone, veteran-owned, SDVOSB, and women-owned small business concerns.

• Evaluation will consider price and other factors as detailed in the attached Request for Quotation.

• The document details various small business categories (e.g., EDWOSB, SDVOSB, HUBZone, WOSB) and requires offerors to represent their eligibility.

• It is set aside for small business and has a value above the simplified acquisition threshold.

• Offerors must complete required representations and certifications.

• Specific instructions are provided for electronic billing and invoicing through the IPP system.

• Procedures for agency, GAO, and Court of Federal Claims protests are outlined.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or services to procure a set of tunable, low-loss, narrow-band optical filters in the O-band wavelength range (near 1310 nm). The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Quantum Information Group requires these filters for research and development in quantum networking.

• Tunable, low-loss, narrow-band optical filters in the O-band wavelength range.

• The contractor shall deliver all requirements within twelve weeks after receipt of order.

• Delivery is FOB Destination.

• The attached Requirements Document contains detailed specifications.

• A firm fixed price purchase order is anticipated.

• Questions Due: Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.

• Quotations Due: Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.

• Quotations must be submitted electronically via email to Mr. Collin Randall (Collin.Randall@nist.gov) and Ms. Lauren Roller (lauren.roller@nist.gov).

• The solicitation requires a two-volume submission: Technical Quotation and Price Quotation.

• Evaluation Factors:

  1. Technical Capability (more important than Price)
  2. Price

• Award will be made to the responsible quoter whose offer represents the best value to the Government.

• NAICS Code: 334413 – Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing.

• Small business size standard: 1,250 Employees.

• This is an unrestricted competition; both small and other than small businesses are eligible.

• Quoters must have an active registration at www.SAM.gov at the time of offer submission.

• No written solicitation document (Standard Form) will be issued separately.

• NIST prefers quotations with lower insertion loss and wider tuning ranges than the minimum specifications, while holding bandwidths within the requirements.