Sources Sought for Laser System and Digital Laser Locking Device
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 Department of the Navy, through the Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, is conducting a Sources Sought to identify qualified and experienced sources capable of providing the United States Naval Observatory (USNO) with one high-power 423nm laser system and one digital laser locking device. This equipment is crucial for USNO's research and development in atomic clock technology. This is for planning purposes only and is not a solicitation. Responses are due by April 16, 2026, at Noon ET.
Scope of Interest
The USNO requires a high-power, frequency-doubled blue laser system centered at 423 nanometers (nm) with a fundamental at 846 nm. This system will be used to phase lock to a user-provided optical reference and necessitates high-bandwidth laser locking electronics to narrow the laser linewidth. The effort involves the procurement of both the laser system and the digital laser locking device.
Key Requirements
Laser System:
- Uses an amplified 846 nm source laser that frequency doubles to approximately 423 nm.
- Linewidth: 10kHz or less.
- Mode-hop free tuning range: 15GHz.
- 423 nm output power: at least 1000 mW (free space).
- Includes optical isolation, auto-tuning, auto-relocking (preferably Pound-Drever-Hall), and an electro-optic modulator for the SHG stage.
- Must be a "turn-key" system, functional in a standard laboratory environment.
Laser Locking System:
- Seamlessly interfaces 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.
Submission Details
Qualified sources should email capability statements and/or estimates to Ms. Shere' C. Reese at shere.c.reese.civ@us.navy.mil by April 16, 2026, at Noon ET. Submissions must reference the Sources Sought number and include:
- Company name, address, POC, phone, fax, and email.
- Contractor and Government Entity (CAGE) Code.
- Business size (Large, Small, 8(a), Hubzone, Woman-owned, Veteran-owned).
- Existing Government contract vehicles (e.g., GSA, SeaPort-NxG) and contract numbers.
- Capability statement demonstrating ability to meet minimum requirements, including relevant past performance (last 5 years) with contract numbers, dollar values, and periods of performance.
- Questions, comments, or feedback regarding the draft SOW or planned contract type.
- Indication of prime or subcontractor capability, anticipated subcontracting percentage, and subcontractor business size.
- Specific details on how FAR clause 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting) would be achieved if a small business set-aside is considered.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Market Research
- NAICS: 334511 (Stimulated Coherent Radiation Devices, Components, And Accessories)
- Set-Aside: None specified (for market research)
- Response Due: April 16, 2026, 12:00 PM ET
- Published: April 10, 2026
- Period of Performance (Anticipated): Five (5) months from award date.
- Place of Performance: Washington D.C. (USNO, DC 20392)
Additional Notes
This is for planning purposes only, and no contract will be awarded from this announcement. The Government will not pay for information submitted. Respondents will not be notified of results, and the Government is not required to answer questions submitted regarding this notice. All requests for further information must be made in writing via email.