Swabian Time Tagger
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) intends to award a firm-fixed-price purchase order on a sole source basis to Swabian Instruments USA, Inc. for two (2) Swabian Time Tagger X Systems. These units are crucial for single photon counting in NIST's quantum network component research. This is a Notice of Intent, not a request for quotation. Responses from interested parties are due by June 18, 2026.
Scope of Requirement
NIST requires two (2) Swabian Time Tagger X Systems, including software, for single photon counting. The systems must meet specific technical specifications:
- 5 channel streaming time tagging system
- 2 ps resolution (rms jitter)
- A channel deadtime of less than 1.5 ns
- Full software package with development kit (Matlab, Python, Labview, C++ examples) and lifetime updates. Software must be compatible with NIST's existing Time Tagger X and Time Tagger 20 software suite.
These units will support NIST's research in developing a measurement test suite for quantum network component and protocol testing, verification, and characterization.
Contract & Timeline
- Opportunity Type: Special Notice (Notice of Intent to Sole Source)
- Agency: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Department of Commerce
- Intended Awardee: Swabian Instruments USA, Inc.
- Contract Type: Firm-Fixed Price Purchase Order
- Authority: FAR 12.102, citing 41 U.S.C. 1901 (simplified procedures for sole source)
- NAICS: 334515 – Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals (Small Business Size Standard: 750 Employees)
- Delivery: Within 30 days after receipt of order.
- Response Due: June 18, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET
- Published: June 3, 2026
Sole Source Justification
NIST's sole source determination is based on the critical need for compatibility with their existing quantum component measurement suite and extensive software/data acquisition library developed for Swabian Time Tagger systems. Using a different time tagging unit would require significant time delays for software changes, making results incomparable with existing research. Swabian Instruments USA, Inc. is the exclusive authorized domestic distributor for the required Time Tagger X.
Information for Interested Parties
This is not a solicitation. Interested parties who believe they can satisfy the requirements must submit a written response by the deadline. Responses should include:
- Contractor Name, Address, Point of Contact (Name, Phone, Email)
- Contractor DUNS
- Contractor Business Classification (as validated in SAM.gov)
- Capability Statement
Contact: Brian Jamieson, Contract Specialist, at Brian.Jamieson@nist.gov.