Sources Sought - Dynamic Frequency Comb Applications Support IDIQ
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting a Sources Sought to identify qualified firms capable of providing Dynamic Frequency Comb Applications support services. This market research aims to determine potential small business set-aside opportunities for a future single award Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) Fixed Price contract, estimated at up to $7.5 million over 5 years. Responses are due by April 10, 2026, at 6:00 PM Z.
Scope of Work
The objective is to advance frequency comb-based optical time transfer and dual-comb spectroscopy systems by exploring and implementing real-time phase/timing control. Key tasks include:
- Developing advanced algorithms for real-time phase/timing control of frequency comb output.
- Modifying existing systems to utilize new control capabilities.
- Integrating FPGA-based digital control systems with laser frequency comb platforms.
- Developing next-generation firmware for dynamic control of frequency comb pulse train phase/timing.
- Developing algorithms for dynamic and coherent CW laser scanning.
- Facilitating software and firmware development for critical measurement variables and cold start operations.
- Developing tracking oscillator algorithms for substantial platform motion in long-range optical time transfer.
- Participating in field tests and performing data analysis.
- Specifying and building a digital backbone for an optical communication channel.
- Developing robust software solutions for optical terminal hardware interface and active tip tilt correction.
- Developing system design and algorithms for phase-stepped dual-comb spectroscopy.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought (potential single award IDIQ, Fixed Price)
- Duration: Base Period (1 Year) + 4 Option Periods (1 Year each) = 5 years total.
- Estimated Value: Not-to-exceed $7.5 million.
- NAICS: 541511 – Custom Computer Programming Services (Small Business Size Standard: $34.0 million).
- Set-Aside: Market research to determine if Small Business Set-aside opportunities exist. NIST is seeking responses from all responsible sources, including large and small businesses (SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB, VOSB).
- Response Due: April 10, 2026, 6:00 PM Z.
- Published: March 31, 2026.
- Place of Performance: Contractor's facility, with onsite testing and meetings at NIST Boulder, CO campus.
Submission Requirements
Interested firms should submit electronic capability statements (limited to five pages) including:
- Company Profile (number of employees, office location(s), UEI, Cage Code).
- Name of company providing services.
- Capability sheets and examples of similar services meeting PWS requirements.
- Identification and verification of the company’s small business status.
- Any other relevant information for market research.
Key Requirements & Personnel
- Required Expertise: Strong understanding of femtosecond laser operation, free-space optical time transfer, and phase locking. Expertise in VHDL, Verilog, C, C++, Python, Matlab.
- Key Personnel: Contractor shall serve as the “Algorithm and Signal Processing Lead” with a Ph.D. in physics or electrical engineering and over eight years' experience in embedded systems hardware/firmware and digital signal processing.
- Compliance: Contractor personnel must comply with Homeland Security Presidential Directive-12 (HSPD-12) and obtain background investigations.