Sources Sought Notice of Intent to Sole Source - Dual Optical Frequency Comb Systemview on SAM.gov

NIST-SS26-06 6640 / 334516 Primary POC: Liz Timberlake (Elizabeth.timberlake@nist.gov) Secondary POC: Donald Collie (Donald.collie@nist.gov) Title: Dual Optical Frequency Comb System BACKGROUND ***THIS IS A COMBINED SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE*** The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking information from sources that may be capable of providing a dual optical frequency comb system. If no alternate sources are identified, the Government intends to issue a Sole Source Award to X3 Optics LLC (1880 S Flatiron Ct, Suite F, Boulder, CO 80301) under the authority of FAR 12.102(a) only one reasonably found source. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516. NIST has a need for a dual optical frequency comb system that meets or exceeds the following draft minimum specifications: The Contractor shall provide one (1) array spectroradiometer that meet the following minimum specifications: 1.Comb Architecture: The system should have two optical frequency combs with 50 MHz repetition rate (or less) each and a controllable difference in repetition rates (from 0 to 10 kHz tuning). 2.Spectral Coverage and Power: The system should have a center wavelength at 1550 nm and >30 nm of bandwidth. Average optical power should be 10 mW (or more). 3.Carrier offset frequency: The system should have an integrated carrier offset frequency detection with high signal to noise ratio of (> 30 dB). The system should have a locked carrier envelope offset frequency with < 350 mrad integrated phase noise. 4. Repetition rate feedback: The system should have both fast repetition rate feedback (100 kHz, or more) and slow feedback (> 10 Hz). 5. Optical or RF lock: The system should have an option to lock a comb line to an optical reference CW laser at 1550 nm. In addition, the system should have an outputting repetition rate beat note for directly locking the repletion rates of each comb to a RF reference. 6. Interface: The system should have a digital control interface for phase locking the two degrees of freedom of each comb. 7. Output: The system should have optical outputs terminated with polarization maintaining fiber with FC/APC connector. 8. The system shall operate using a 100-230 VAC, 1 phase, 50-60 Hz 9. The laser system shall have Programmability with Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, C. The vendor shall supply scripts to control the systems using Python, MATLAB, and LabView NIST conducted market research from February through April of 2026 by attending conferences, speaking with colleagues, performing internet searches, and speaking with vendors to determine what sources could meet NIST's minimum requirements. The results of that market research revealed that only X3 Optics LLC appears to be capable of meeting NIST's requirements. HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS NOTICE In responding to this notice, please DO NOT PROVIDE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. Please inc…