Swept-Wavelength Characterization System

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or services, issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) under simplified acquisition procedures. The government is procuring specific scientific equipment, including a swept-wavelength laser, optical attenuator, polarization synthesizer/controller, and power meter, along with transportation for shipment to the United States. The acquisition is a 100% small business set-aside.

• CLIN 0001: Swept-wavelength laser (IAW SOW)

• CLIN 0002: Optical attenuator (IAW SOW)

• CLIN 0003: Polarization synthesizer/controller (IAW SOW)

• CLIN 0004: Power meter (IAW SOW)

• CLIN 0005: Transportation and related expenses for shipment

• All requirements are detailed in the attached Statement of Work (SOW).

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed-price purchase order (PO).

• Period of Performance: Delivery and acceptance dates are specified in the SOW.

• Estimated Value: Not specified.

• Submission Deadline: Electronic quotations due by 10:00 am ET on April XX, 2026.

• Submission Method: Email to nina.lin@nist.gov and donald.collie@nist.gov. Reference RFQ number in the subject line.

• Quotation Preparation: Must be clearly written, indexed (or have a Table of Contents), and logically assembled. Quotations must be divided into three volumes:

  • Volume I – Technical Quotation (demonstrate meeting SOW requirements with evidence, include manufacturer authorization if applicable).
  • Volume II – Price Quotation (firm-fixed-price for each CLIN, including shipping; valid for 90 days).
  • Volume III – Terms and Conditions (complete required information from Attachment 2).

• Evaluation Criteria: Award will be made to the responsible quoter proposing the lowest price who also meets all required technical specifications. Award will be based on the lowest priced, technically acceptable quote.

• Inquiries: Written questions due no later than 2 calendar days after solicitation issuance, submitted via email to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer.

• Set-Aside: 100% Small Business.

• NAICS Code: 3345163 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) with a size standard of 1,000 employees.

• Registration: Active registration in SAM.gov is required at the time of quotation submission, award, performance, and final payment.

• Referenced Attachments: Statement of Work (Attachment #1), Applicable Provisions and Clauses (Attachment #2).

• The government may award without discussions based on initial quotes.

• No prototypes, demonstrations, or used/refurbished instruments will be considered.

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

To procure a swept wavelength characterization system for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division to develop advanced measurement methods and test structures for integrated photonics manufacturing. The system is needed for calibrated, broadly tunable swept-wavelength laser characterization of photonic integrated circuit components.

The contractor shall provide a Firm Fixed Price quotation for a swept-wavelength characterization system. The system must meet or exceed the technical specifications for the following contract line items:

• CLIN 0001: Swept-wavelength laser: Requires wavelength coverage from 1450 nm - 1650 nm, sweep speed of 200 nm/s or higher, spectral resolution of 0.1 pm or better, instantaneous linewidth <10 kHz, RIN <-150 dB/Hz, side-mode suppression ratio >60 dB, signal to source spontaneous emission ratio >80 dB/nm, output power >5 dBm, power flatness +/-0.25 dB, absolute wavelength accuracy +/-1.5 pm, relative wavelength accuracy +/-1 pm, hardware triggering, fixed wavelength operation with high accuracy and stability, and polarization-maintaining single mode fiber output.
• CLIN 0002: Optical attenuator: Four channels, wavelength range 1260 nm – 1650 nm, attenuation range 0-40 dB, resolution 0.01 dB, repeatability +/-0.025 dB, blocking attenuation of at least 45 dB, insertion loss < 2.5 dB, maximum input power 27 dBm, integrated optical power monitoring for power setting (-40 dBm to 20 dBm), and hardware triggering.
• CLIN 0003: Polarization synthesizer/controller: Wavelength coverage 1260 nm – 1650 nm, arbitrary control of output polarization state, polarization stabilization, polarization switching >10 kHz rate, polarization scrambling, output power sensitivity <1 dB change, polarization analysis up to 1 million samples/sec, insertion loss <5 dB, input power range -30 dBm to 16 dBm, and hardware triggering for scrambling.
• CLIN 0004: Power meter: Main wavelength range 1260 – 1650 nm with extended sensitivity in 800 nm – 900 nm range, 4 channels, power range -80 dBm to 10 dBm, averaging time as low as 1 microsecond, analog bandwidth up to 250 kHz, data logging capability (2 buffers/channel, 1 million points/buffer), measurement uncertainty +/- 5 %, hardware triggering, and analog output per channel.

System-Level Requirements: All components must be compatible for synchronized measurements. Software must be provided for computer control, data recording, wavelength-dependent insertion loss, polarization-dependent loss measurements (including Muller matrix method and/or polarization scrambling), zeroing functions, and automated analysis. A perpetual software license and an API (Python or Labview) are required. All items must be new, and "gray market" components are not acceptable.

Specific technical specifications are detailed for each component (e.g., spectral resolution, sweep speed, power accuracy, polarization control rates). The system must enable wavelength-dependent insertion loss and polarization-dependent loss measurements with high spectral resolution (0.1 pm).

Delivery is required within 120 days After Receipt of Order (ARO) to NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1640 (FOB Destination). Installation will be completed by NIST. Acceptance will occur at NIST, 100 Bureau Drive, Building 216, Gaithersburg, MD 20899.

• Cybersecurity: Solution must meet NIST cybersecurity and privacy requirements (FISMA, OMB A-130, FIPS 200, SP 800-171), including system security plans, patching, access controls, vulnerability scanning, auditing, incident response, and encryption (TLS 1.2+, FIPS 140-2/140-3 validated algorithms).
• Warranty: Minimum one-year warranty.
• Training: No in-person training required; vendor to provide relevant videos and operating manuals.
• Payment: 100% upon receipt, installation, and acceptance of the fully delivered system (Net 30).
• Inspection: Government reserves the right to perform performance tests and evaluations.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document outlines the various Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Commerce Acquisition Manual (CAM) provisions and clauses that are incorporated by reference or in full text into the contract. It details the terms and conditions that will govern the contract, including requirements for offerors and contractors.

• Provisions Incorporated by Reference (e.g., 52.212-1): These require offerors to provide specific information or certifications with their quotes or offers. Full text is available upon request or electronically via provided links.
• Clauses Incorporated by Reference (e.g., 52.252-2): These clauses will be part of the resulting contract. Full text is available upon request or electronically.
• Clauses/Provisions Incorporated by Full Text (e.g., 52.212-4): These are provided in their entirety within the document, covering definitions, inspection/acceptance, assignment, changes, disputes, excusable delays, invoicing, patent indemnity, payment, risk of loss, taxes, termination (convenience and cause), title, warranty, limitation of liability, compliance with laws, order of precedence, unauthorized obligations, Comptroller General examination of records, and incorporation by reference.
• Specific Provisions: Includes Buy American Certificate (52.225-2), Place of Manufacture (52.225-18), Security Prohibitions and Exclusions Representations and Certifications (52.240-90), and Authorized Deviations in Provisions/Clauses (52.252-5).
• Agency-Specific Clauses: Includes clauses related to Agency Protests (1352.233-70), GAO and Court of Federal Claims Protests (1352.233-71), Place of Acceptance (1352.246-70), Contract Performance During Changes in NIST Operating Status, Electronic Billing Instructions (NIST LOCAL-53), and Invoicing Processing Platform (NIST LOCAL-54).

Bidders must carefully review all incorporated provisions and clauses to understand their obligations and requirements. This includes understanding submission requirements for provisions, the terms and conditions that will apply to the contract, and any specific representations or certifications needed. Pay close attention to deviations, protest procedures, invoicing requirements, and NIST-specific operating status and billing instructions.