Rack-Mountable, High-Power, Frequency-Doubled Red Laser System

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis and solicitation for commercial supplies and services, prepared in accordance with FAR Part 12. The government intends to procure one (1) high power 657nm laser system and one digital laser locking device for the United States Naval Observatory. This requirement is being solicited as a 100% small business set-aside.

• One (1) high power 657nm laser system.

• One (1) digital laser locking device.

• Deliverables are to be in accordance with the attached Statement of Work.

• Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP).

• Anticipated Award Date: No later than 15 May 2026.

• Period of Performance: 5 Months After Contract Award (ADC).

• Delivery Location: UNITED STATES NAVAL OBSERVATORY, 3450 MASSACHUSETTS AVE NW, WASHINGTON DC 20392-5420.

• Questions Due: 10 April 2026, 01:00 PM EST.

• Quotes Due: 14 April 2026, 11:00 AM EST.

• Quotes must include pricing, materials, labor, FOB destination, point of contact, business size, and payment terms.

• Quotes must confirm the ability to meet all technical requirements and deliverables.

• Evaluation will be based on a combination of factors: Technical and Price.

• This requirement is a 100% small business set-aside.

• NAICS Code: 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing).

• Small Business Standard: 1,000 employees.

• Quoters must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) database.

• Paper copies of this solicitation will not be available. The solicitation is posted on SAM.gov.

• Applicable clauses and provisions are incorporated by reference and can be accessed online.

• The following documents are attached: FAR and DFARS provisions and clauses, and Statement of Work.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document contains a comprehensive list of Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) clauses and provisions that are incorporated by reference or in full text into the solicitation. It also includes specific addenda and supplemental clauses relevant to the contract.

• FAR Clauses Incorporated by Reference: Lists numerous FAR clauses with their effective dates, including those related to System for Award Management, prohibition on certain agreements, small business set-asides, equal opportunity, and payment by electronic funds transfer.
• DFARS Clauses Incorporated by Reference: Lists DFARS clauses concerning prohibitions on business operations with certain regimes, safeguarding covered defense information, and prohibitions on acquiring specific telecommunications equipment.
• FAR Clauses Incorporated by Full Text: Includes the full text of FAR clauses such as "Postaward Small Business Program Rerepresentation" (52.219-28) and "Item Unique Identification and Valuation" (52.212-4).
• DFARS Clauses Incorporated by Full Text: Includes "Wide Area WorkFlow Payment Instructions" (252.232-7006).
• Addenda: Includes an addendum to FAR 52.212-4 (Terms and Conditions-Commercial Products and Commercial Services) and an addendum to FAR 52.212-1 (Instructions to Offerors).
• Solicitation Provisions: Lists solicitation provisions incorporated by reference and by full text, including "Instructions to Offerors-Commercial Products and Commercial Services" (52.212-1) and "Evaluation-Commercial Products and Commercial Services" (52.212-2).
• Offeror Representations and Certifications: Includes addenda to solicitation provisions related to representations and certifications, such as "System for Award Management-Registration" and "Prohibition on the Procurement of Foreign-Made Unmanned Aircraft Systems."

This document is critical for bidders as it outlines the legal and regulatory framework governing the contract. Understanding these clauses and provisions is essential for preparing a compliant and competitive offer. Key areas of focus for bidders include:

• Small Business Requirements: Clauses related to small business set-asides and representations.
• Payment and Invoicing: Details on Wide Area WorkFlow (WAWF) payment instructions.
• Item Identification and Valuation: Requirements for unique item identification and valuation.
• Offeror Instructions: Specific instructions for submitting quotes, including content, format, and evaluation factors (Technical and Price).
• Representations and Certifications: Requirements for completing various representations and certifications, many of which are incorporated by reference and may require electronic submission via SAM.gov.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

The U.S. Naval Observatory (USNO) requires a high-power, frequency-doubled red laser system for their Precise Time Department to support the development of calcium atomic clocks. The goal is to transition to a calcium atomic clock driven by 657nm laser light, which requires a system capable of generating this specific wavelength with sufficient power and narrow linewidth.

The USNO is seeking one high-power 657nm laser system and one digital laser locking device. The system must generate 657nm light via second harmonic generation (SHG) from a fundamental 1315nm source, which will be amplified using an ECDL and Tapered Amplifier (TA).

• Laser System:

  • Frequency-doubled output centered around 657.459nm.
  • Linewidth of 50kHz or less.
  • Mode-hop free tuning range of 15GHz.
  • Coupled 657nm output fiber power of at least 600mW.
  • 1315nm source generated by an ECDL and TA configuration.
  • Optical isolation between components.
  • Pick-off for 1315nm source wavelength measurement (fiber coupled, >= 3mW).
  • Auto-tuning for alignment into the tapered amplifier and SHG stage.
  • Auto-relocking of the frequency doubling cavity (preferably Pound-Drever-Hall).
  • Electro-optic modulator for SHG stage to remove residual frequency/amplitude modulation.
  • Well-shaped and collimated final spatial mode.
  • 'Turn-key' operation in a standard laboratory environment.
  • Rack-mountable in a standard 19" equipment rack with a fluid chiller.

• Laser Locking System:

  • Seamless interface with the laser controller.
  • Capable of locking to high finesse cavities or frequency combs and phase locking between lasers.
  • Bandwidth: 50 MHz.
  • Linewidth: <1 Hz.
  • PID regulator with 10ns or less signal delay.

• Period of Performance: 5 months from the date of award.

• Place of Performance: USNO DC, with coordination from the technical POC.

• The system must be rack-mountable and include a fluid chiller for temperature stabilization.

• The laser locking system must be capable of advanced locking and phase-locking functions.