Wavelength-locked laser systems

DESCRIPTION OF REQUIREMENTS

Background
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) seeks to obtain two narrow-band, wavelength-locked laser systems. One system should be locked around 1530 nm, while the second system should be locked around 1550 nm. Locking is achieved through HCN reference cells. The wavelength/frequency locked laser systems will be used to measure the optical phase drift of deployed optical fibers in our metropolitan quantum network. Locking each system of two lasers to a specific wavelength with linewidth of around or less than 5 kHz will allow us to measure phase drift in optical fiber point-to-point, and not as usual accomplished by back-reflection at the far end and subsequent beating with the original laser beam. The intended use of these systems is to understand the feasibility of scalable phase stabilization approaches in quantum networks. The two narrow-band, wavelength-locked laser systems will further assist with NIST’s research of developing a moveable measurement test suite for quantum network component and protocol testing, verification, and characterization.

Objectives
The purpose of this acquisition is to obtain two narrow-band, wavelength-locked laser systems for use in quantum network research.

Scope of Work 
Please see the attached Requirements Document.
 

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE / DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS

The Contractor shall deliver all requirements within three (3) months after receipt of order. All required items shall be delivered FOB Destination.
 

CONTRACT TYPE & PAYMENT TERMS
A firm fixed price purchase order is anticipated.

APPLICABLE PROVISIONS AND CLAUSES
Please see the attached document for applicable provisions and clauses.

Addendum to FAR 52.212-1, Instructions to Offerors – Commercial Products and Commercial Services (DEVIATION April 2026):

QUESTION AND ANSWER PERIOD

CAR 1352.215-73 INQUIRIES (APR 2010):
 

Quoters must submit all questions concerning this solicitation in writing electronically to Mr. Collin Randall, Contract Specialist, at [email protected] and Ms. Lauren Roller, Contract Officer, at [email protected] Questions must be received by or before Monday June 15, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET. Any responses to questions will be made in writing, without identification of the questioner, and will be included in an amendment to the solicitation. Even if provided in other form, only the question responses included in the amendment to the solicitation will govern performance of the contract. 

(End of Provision)

DUE DATE FOR QUOTATIONS

All quotations must be submitted via email to Mr. Collin Randall, Contract Specialist, at [email protected] and Ms. Lauren Roller, Contract Officer, at [email protected]. Submission must be received not later than Monday June 22, 2026, at 12:00 PM ET.

Note: Quoters must have an active registration at www.SAM.gov at time of offer submission to be considered for award. “ID Assigned” is not acceptable; registration must be “Active.”

Please reference the RFQ number in the subject line of all email communications. Quotations shall not be deemed received by the Government unless the quotation is received in the e-mail inboxes set forth above by the required date and time.

INSTRUCTIONS TO QUOTERS

Quotations shall be submitted electronically via email and shall consist of two volumes as detailed below. Each quotation volume shall include the Quoter’s name, System for Award Management Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number, and point of contact information in a cover page, header/footer, or other easily identified location. The Contracting Officer intends to award a purchase order without discussions but reserves the right to enter into discussions if in the best interest of the Government.
 

The Quoter’s quotation shall be clearly divided into the following distinct volumes:

Volume I – Technical Quotation

Volume II – Price Quotation

Volume I: Technical Response

The Quoter shall submit one (1) copy of their technical response electronically via E-mail to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer identified above. The technical response shall not exceed five (5) single-spaced, single sided pages. Text shall be no less than 12-point font in read-only Microsoft Word or searchable Adobe PDF format. The technical quotation shall address the following:

1. Technical description and/or product literature.  Quoters shall include the manufacturer, make and model of the quoted product(s), manufacturer sales literature, or other product literature that CLEARLY DOCUMENTS that the quoted products meet or exceed all specifications outlined in the Statement of Requirements. The quoter is responsible for ensuring the submitted documentation clearly addresses all specifications and requirements. The quoter must not simply state they will meet or exceed the requirement; evidence must be provided.
2. Country of origin of all manufactured end products quoted
3. If applicable, evidence that the quoter is authorized by the manufacturer to sell the item(s) in the quotation.
4. Confirmation of the quoter’s ability to meet the required delivery terms.
5. Confirmation of the quoter’s ability to meet warranty requirements.

Volume II: Price Quotation

The quoter shall submit one (1) copy of their price quotation electronically via E-mail to the Contract Specialist and Contracting Officer identified above. The price quotation shall address, at minimum, the following information:

1. The solicitation number
2. The name, phone number, and email address of the quoter's/contractor’s point of contact;
3. Unique Entity Identifier # for quoter's/contractor’s active SAM.Gov registration.
4. A firm fixed price for each required line item, including a unit price and total amount where applicable, and the aggregate quoted firm fixed price for the requirement.
5. FOB Destination Shipping and Delivery costs must be included in the quotation either as a separate line item or contained in the total price of the quote. The quotation shall include a total firm fixed price for the requirement that includes all shipping/delivery costs
6. Any applicable discount terms.

Quoters that are proposing products manufactured outside of the United States must identify any other or unknown charges that may be applicable to the sale of these products as a separate line item. This price element may be listed as part of the cost of the product or as a sub-total element but must be clearly identified. This price element must only apply to the total value of the goods identified for customs processing. Only include the country of origin and the tariff percentage currently in place or the expected amount at time of delivery for that country.  Price quotes shall clearly identify the relevant tariffs in terms of percentage and total cost. If there are multiple countries of origins and associated tariffs, identify each separately.

FAR 52.212-2 Evaluation- Commercial Products and Commercial Services (DEVIATION Jan 2026)

1. Evaluation factors. The Government will award a contract resulting from this solicitation to the responsible Quoter whose quotation, conforming to the solicitation, is the lowest price technically acceptable quotation.

The Government intends to award a single firm fixed price purchase order (PO) from this solicitation utilizing simplified acquisitions procedures in accordance with FAR part 12 of the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul. The Government reserves the right not to award a PO and to make an award without discussions based solely upon initial quotes.

Basis for Award: 

This requirement will be evaluated on the basis of Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA). Award will be made to the Quoter who submits a technically acceptable quotation at the lowest price amongst competitive quotations. A quotation will be determined technically acceptable if it meets the following criteria:
 

(1) Technical Capability: The Quoter must indicate in its quotation the ability to provide all minimum requirements identified in the Specifications document, as well as warranty requirements.

(2) Schedule: The Quoter must indicate in its quotation the ability to meet the delivery requirements of three months (90 days) ARO. Additionally, delivery must clearly be on an F.O.B Destination (or equivalent INCO Terms) basis and inclusive of all costs associated with delivery to NIST.

The Contracting Officer intends to make an award decision without discussions, but reserves the right to enter into discussions if in the best interest of the Government.

A quoter's failure to address any factor may be considered indicative of the quoter's lack of understanding of the Government's requirements and may result in the offer being determined unacceptable.