SAM #NIST-SS26-127

NIST Market Research for High- and Low-Resolution Wavelength Meters

NIST's Sensor Science Division is seeking information from vendors for the Standard Photonic Thermometer (SPoT) project: - Government Buyer: - National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division, Gaithersburg, MD - Products/Services Requested: - One high-resolution wavelength meter - Wavelength range: 630 nm to 1700 nm - Includes 4-channel optical switch and PID controller - Accuracy: ±0.2 ppm; Resolution: 0.001 ppm or better; Stability: <3 MHz over 1 minute - Measurement rate: ≥1 kHz - Pre-aligned 9/125 μm single-mode fiber with FC/APC connector - Control via Windows 11 (USB/Ethernet); includes software, Labview drivers, Python scripts - One low-resolution wavelength meter - Wavelength range: 1270 nm to 1680 nm - Accuracy: ±0.2 ppm; Display resolution: 0.01 ppm or better; Stability: ±0.03 ppm - Sensitivity: -30 dBm or better; Measurement rate: ≥25 Hz - Pre-aligned 9/125 μm single-mode fiber with FC/APC connector - Control via Windows 11 (USB/Ethernet); includes software, Labview drivers, Python scripts - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Both meters must be from the same manufacturer to ensure software compatibility - Respondents must identify manufacturers and models that meet all requirements - No specific OEMs or vendors are named; market research only - Place of Performance: - NIST Gaithersburg, Maryland - No services or installation requested at this stage

Description

The purpose of this sources sought notice is to conduct market research and identify potential sources of commercial products/services that satisfy the Government’s anticipated needs.

BACKGROUND

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the Fundamental Thermodynamics group at the Sensor Science Division, is conducting Standard Photonic Thermometer (SPoT) project. The main focus of the project is to develop the next-generation chip-scale photonic temperature metrology that can replace Standard Platinum Resistance Thermometers (SPRTs), reduce the temperature calibration chain, and sensor ownership cost.

The SPoT project, pursued by The Fundamental Thermodynamics group, is a multi-year/multi-million effort funded by both NIST-on-a-Chip (NOAC) and the Air Force. The timely achievement of project milestones is NIST-mission-critical and is one of the priorities of the Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML).

One of the essential milestones of Standard Photonic Thermometer is to develop both high-resolution photonic readout capabilities and cost-efficient, deployable photonic readout systems. To achieve these milestones, the Fundamental Thermodynamics group has a critical need for one (1) high-resolution and one (1) low-resolution wavelength meter. The high-resolution wavemeter should come with a 4-channel optical switch and a 4-channel PID controller. Both instruments must be from the same manufacturer to ensure software compatibility. These instruments are essential for achieving the precision and stability necessary in next-generation temperature metrology.

NIST is seeking information from sources capable of providing a solution that will meet the objectives described above, in addition to the following essential requirements:

The Contractor shall provide the following one (1) wavelength meter in the near infrared (NIR) frequency range that meets the following minimum specifications:

High-resolution wavemeter

The wavelength meter operates over a range of at least 630 nm to 1700 nm. The system shall be pre-aligned with a 9/125 μm single-mode fiber with FC/APC optical fiber input connector. Input laser type: CW and pulsed Minimal input optical power: 50 nJ or less Maximum input optical power: 10 mW (CW) / 0.5 mJ (pulse), or more Input laser light maximum bandwidth (FWHM) shall be 1 GHz or larger. Wavelength measurement accuracy ±0.2 ppm fractional wavelength error over the entire operating range; ±60 MHz at 1000 nm, or better. The wavelength meter must reach this accuracy with a warm-up period of less than 15 min. The wavelength resolution 0.001 ppm or better, 300 kHz @ 300 THz The wavemeter stability/repeatability over 1 minute shall be better than 3 MHz. The measurement rate of the wavelength meter shall be at least 1 kHz or faster. The wavemeter shall have a built-in PID controller and an automatic internal calibration locked to a known stable frequency. The wavemeter shall come with an additional 4-channel optical switch and 4-channel PID controller. The wavelength meter must be controllable through Windows 11 via USB and Ethernet. The software, LabVIEW drivers, and Python scripts necessary to operate the wavemeter must be included and compatible with the low-resolution wavemeter.

Low-resolution wavemeter

The wavelength meter operates over a range of at least 1270 nm to 1680 nm. The system shall be pre-aligned with a 9/125 μm single-mode fiber with FC/APC optical fiber input connector. Input laser type: CW Maximum input optical power: +10 dBm (displayed level), +18 dBm (safe level), or larger Input laser light maximum bandwidth (FWHM) shall be 10 GHz or larger. Wavelength measurement accuracy ±0.2 ppm fractional wavelength error over the entire operating range; ±0.3 pm at 1550 nm, or better. The wavelength meter must reach this accuracy with a warm-up period of less than 15 min. The wavelength display resolution 0.01 ppm or better The wavemeter stability/repeatability ±0.03 ppm (±0.5 pm at 1550 nm) or better. The wavemeter sensitivity should be -30 dBm or better. The measurement rate of the wavelength meter shall be at least 25 Hz or faster. The wavelength meter must be controllable through Windows 11 via USB and Ethernet. The software, LabVIEW drivers, and Python scripts necessary to operate the wavemeter must be included and compatible with the high-resolution wavemeter.

HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS NOTICE

In responding to this notice, please DO NOT PROVIDE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. Include only the following information, readable in Microsoft Word 365, Microsoft Excel 365, or .pdf format:

Complete company name, address, contact person’s name, email, phone number, and, if registered in SAM, your company’s Unique Entity ID (UEI).

Submit the response by email to the Primary Point of Contact and, if specified, to the Secondary Point of Contact listed in this notice as soon as possible, preferably before the closing date and time. To be considered for award under any official solicitation, the entity must be registered and active in SAM at the time of response.

Identify the equipment your company sells that can meet the objectives in the BACKGROUND section. For each recommended product, provide: Manufacturer name Model number Technical specifications If not the manufacturer, indicate your status as an authorized reseller

Describe the performance capabilities of the recommended products and any additional features or functions that could assist NIST. Discuss whether the equipment can be customized and any limits to customization.

Identify any aspects of the market research notice, including instructions and draft specifications, that you cannot meet, and explain why. Offer suggestions to improve competitiveness.

State whether the equipment is manufactured in the United States or specify the country of manufacture.

Provide information on any plans or possibilities for changing the manufacturing location, including timelines.

For the NAICS code listed: Indicate whether your company is a small business or other than small business, referencing the Small Business Size Standards. If applicable, suggest a more appropriate NAICS code for the procurement.

Describe services available with the equipment, such as installation, training, and maintenance.

Outline standard terms and conditions of sale, including delivery time, FOB terms, warranty details, setup, manuals, cleanup, and other services. Include a copy of standard terms if available.

State whether your company offers facility renovation services for installation, and describe these services. Indicate if your company performs or subcontracts the work, and if interested in site inspection during the market research phase.

Provide published prices, discounts, rebates, or links to access pricing information.

If available, identify any existing Federal Supply Schedule or other contract numbers for purchasing the equipment.

Identify any customers in the public or private sectors who have purchased similar equipment, including contact details.

Include any other relevant information that would aid NIST’s market research.

Indicate if NIST should provide additional information or if a meeting is desired to discuss the requirement and equipment capabilities.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS NOTICE

Questions may be submitted via email to the contacts listed. Questions should be received at least 5 days before the response deadline. If deemed beneficial, questions will be anonymized and answered via an amendment to this notice.

IMPORTANT NOTES

This notice is for market research only and does not constitute a solicitation or guarantee an award. There is no solicitation available now. The Government is not obligated to award a contract or pay for responses. Responses will be used for informational purposes, and the Government may publish a synopsis or solicitation later. Responses to this notice are not responses to any solicitation.

Thank you for your participation!

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