Wavelength-locked laser systems

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document outlines the requirements for the acquisition of two narrow-band, wavelength-locked laser systems. These systems are intended for use by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Quantum Information Group to measure the optical phase drift of deployed optical fibers within their metropolitan quantum network. The goal is to understand the feasibility of scalable phase stabilization approaches in quantum networks.

Two distinct laser systems are required:

• System 1:
  • Two Laser Modules stabilized to the HCN line at 1530.370 nm.
  • Linewidth less than 5 kHz at 3dB.
  • Power output greater than 25 mW.
  • At least 60 dB optical isolation.
  • Polarization maintaining (PM) fiber output with FC/APC fiber optic connectors.
• System 2:
  • Two Laser Modules stabilized to the HCN line at 1550.515 nm.
  • Linewidth less than 5 kHz at 3dB.
  • Power output greater than 25 mW.
  • At least 60 dB optical isolation.
  • Polarization maintaining (PM) fiber output with FC/APC fiber optic connectors.

All equipment must be new. Used, remanufactured, experimental, prototype, or custom items will not be considered. "Gray market" components are not acceptable. Items must ship in original manufacturer's packaging with all original documentation and software.

• Warranty: A minimum of 1 year after inspection and acceptance, in accordance with Original Equipment Manufacturer's commercial practices and FAR 52.212-4.

• Delivery: FOB destination, within 3 months after contractor receipt of order. Delivery location: NIST Shipping & Receiving, 100 Bureau Drive, Building 301, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001.

• Installation & Training: Not required.

• Inspection & Acceptance: The Government reserves the right to perform visual and performance inspections and tests to verify system performance. The contractor has the right to be present at their own expense. The Government may reject equipment due to defects or nonconformance at any time prior to acceptance.

• Payment Schedule: 100% after delivery, inspection, and acceptance by the Subject Matter Expert (SME), followed by proper invoice submission.

Not specified in this document.

This document details the technical specifications, delivery, warranty, inspection, and payment terms for the required laser systems.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document outlines the applicable provisions and clauses for the "Provisions and Clauses Laser Systems" opportunity. It details the regulatory requirements and representations that offerors must adhere to.

• FAR 52.203-18: Prohibition on Contracting with Entities that Require Certain Internal Confidentiality Agreements or Statements-Representation.

• FAR 52.204-7: System for Award Management.

• FAR 52.212-1: Instructions to Offerors—Commercial Items.

• FAR 52.240-90: Security Prohibitions and Exclusions Representations and Certifications.

• FAR 52.252-1: Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference. Offerors must review and complete provisions as instructed, potentially accessing full text electronically via provided links.

• FAR 52.209-2: Prohibition on Contracting with Inverted Domestic Corporations-Representation. Offerors must represent their status regarding inverted domestic corporations.

• FAR 52.212-2: Evaluation - Commercial Products and Commercial Services. States that award will be made to the responsible offeror whose offer is most advantageous, considering price and other factors. Specific evaluation factors will be detailed in the attached Request for Quotation.

• FAR 52.219-1: Small Business Program Representation. Requires offerors to represent their status as small business, small disadvantaged business, women-owned small business, economically disadvantaged women-owned small business, veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, or HUBZone small business, including joint venture details where applicable. The NAICS code is 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a size standard of 1,000 Employees.

• FAR 52.222-18: Certification Regarding Knowledge of Child Labor for Listed End Products. Offerors must certify their compliance regarding child labor for specific end products and countries of origin.

• FAR 52.225-2: Buy American Certificate. Offerors must certify end products as domestic or foreign, and provide details on critical components and domestic content.

• 52.225-18 (DEVIATION JAN 2026): Place of Manufacture. Offerors must indicate if the place of manufacture for end products is predominantly in the United States or outside the United States.

• CAR 1352.233-70 & CAR 1352.233-71: Agency and GAO/Court of Federal Claims Protests. Provides addresses and procedures for filing agency protests and serving copies of GAO or Court of Federal Claims protests.

• NIST LOCAL-53: Contract Performance During Changes in NIST Operating Status. Contractors must monitor NIST campus status and adhere to operating requirements.

• NIST LOCAL-54: Electronic Billing Instructions. Invoices must be submitted electronically to INVOICE@NIST.GOV with specific required information.

• NIST LOCAL 56: Invoicing Processing Platform – Alt I. Payment requests must be submitted through the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Invoice Processing Platform (IPP), with instructions for registration and waiver requests.

• Evaluation factors are detailed in the attached Request for Quotation.

• Various small business representations are required, indicating potential set-aside opportunities or preferences.

• This document primarily consists of solicitation provisions and clauses. Offerors must carefully review all incorporated provisions and clauses, including those incorporated by reference, and ensure all required representations and certifications are accurately completed and submitted.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation (RFQ) for commercial products, specifically two narrow-band, wavelength-locked laser systems for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The systems are intended for use in quantum network research to measure optical phase drift in deployed optical fibers and to assist in developing a moveable measurement test suite for quantum network component testing.

• Two narrow-band, wavelength-locked laser systems.

• One system locked around 1530 nm, the second around 1550 nm, using HCN reference cells.

• Wavelength/frequency locked with a linewidth of approximately 5 kHz or less.

• Detailed requirements are specified in an attached Requirements Document.

• Contract Type: Firm fixed price purchase order anticipated.

• Period of Performance/Delivery: Within three (3) months after receipt of order (ARO).

• Delivery Terms: FOB Destination.

• Submission Method: Electronic via email to Mr. Collin Randall (Collin.Randall@nist.gov) and Ms. Lauren Roller (lauren.roller@nist.gov).

• Quotation Due Date: Monday, June 22, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.

• Questions Due Date: Monday, June 15, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.

• Evaluation Criteria: Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA). Award will be made to the responsible Quoter whose quotation is technically acceptable and offers the lowest price.

• Technical Capability and Schedule (delivery within 3 months ARO, FOB Destination) are key technical acceptability factors.

• Award may be made without discussions.

• This procurement is a restricted small business set-aside competition.

• NAICS Code: 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing.

• Small Business Size Standard: 1,000 Employees.

• Offerors must have an active SAM.gov registration at the time of offer submission.

• Quotations must be submitted in two volumes: Volume I – Technical Quotation and Volume II – Price Quotation.

• Technical response shall not exceed five (5) pages.

• Applicable provisions and clauses are detailed in an attached document.