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 Fleet Logistics Center Norfolk, Virginia is conducting market research via 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 effort supports research and development in atomic clock technology. Responses are due by April 16, 2026, at Noon ET.
Scope of Work
The requirement is for the procurement of a high-power, frequency-doubled blue laser system centered at 423 nanometers (nm) with a fundamental at 846 nm, and a digital laser locking device. The laser system will be used to phase lock to a user-provided optical reference, requiring high-bandwidth locking electronics to narrow the laser linewidth.
Key Requirements
Laser System:
- Amplified 846 nm source laser, frequency doubling to approximately 423 nm.
- Linewidth: 10kHz or less.
- Mode-hop free tuning range: 15GHz.
- 423 nm output power: at least 1000 mW (free space).
- Source generated by an external cavity diode laser (ECDL) and tapered amplifier chip (TA).
- Includes optical isolation, auto-tuning for alignment, and auto-relocking for frequency doubling (preferably Pound-Drever-Hall).
- Includes an electro-optic modulator for the second harmonic generation (SHG) stage.
- Must be "turn-key" and 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.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Market Research (NAICS: 334511 - Stimulated Coherent Radiation Devices, Components, And Accessories)
- Period of Performance (Anticipated): Five (5) months from award date.
- Set-Aside: None specified at this stage; market research will inform acquisition strategy, including potential small business set-aside.
- Response Due: April 16, 2026, at Noon ET.
- Published: April 16, 2026.
Submission Requirements
Qualified sources should email capability statements and/or estimates to Ms. Shere' C. Reese at shere.c.reese.civ@us.navy.mil. Responses must include:
- Company name, address, POC, phone, fax, email.
- CAGE Code.
- Business size (Large, Small, 8(a), Hubzone, WOSB, VOSB).
- Existing Government contract vehicles (e.g., GSA, SeaPort-NxG) and contract numbers.
- Capability statement with relevant past performance (last 5 years), including contract numbers, dollar value, and period of performance.
- Questions, comments, or feedback regarding the draft SOW, planned contract type, or other associated information.
- Indicate prime/subcontractor status, anticipated subcontracting percentage, and business size of subcontractors.
- If anticipating a small business set-aside, provide details on how FAR clause 52.219-14 (Limitations on Subcontracting) will be achieved.
Additional Notes
This is for planning purposes only and is not a solicitation. The Government will not award a contract from this announcement and will not pay for information submitted. Respondents will not be notified of results, and the Government is not required to answer questions. All requests for further information must be made in writing via email.