Femtosecond Laser System

Sources Sought Notice and Request for Information for NIST Femtosecond Laser System

Notice ID: 1333ND-26-00088

Contract Opportunity Type: Sources Sought 

Response Date: September 4, 2026 

Product Service Code (PSC): 6650 – Optical Instruments, Testing Equipment, Components, and Accessories

NAICS Code: 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

Background 

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Quantum Measurement Division (QMD) in the Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) develops novel spectroscopic measurement techniques to probe key physicochemical properties of low dimensional, advanced quantum materials (i.e., 2D…) that will enable future technologies to move past conventional digital computing. Determining the fundamental processes of quasiparticles and related charge migration and phase change phenomenon are key aspects of work performed in QMD.

Additionally, the group studies alternative-state variables or information carriers, such as spin, phase, valley, etc., which will provide the foundation for lower-power electronics, optical switching, non-volatile memory, neuromorphic computing, and other technologies that are not possible with present material systems. Visible wavelength measurement systems, both in the linear and non-linear regime, enable detection of scattering, absorption, emission, and magnetism in these materials.

To support the group’s research activities and to measure the interaction of quasiparticles, including phonons, magnons and excitons, the Fundamental Electrical Metrology Group (FEMG) requires a fixed frequency, femtosecond laser system for multi-photon imaging within an already operating Raman microscope. Second harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy will be enabled with the new laser system.

This laser system shall be used for SHG studies of novel quantum nanomaterials at varying temperatures and magnetic/electric fields. The system must be compatible with the extensive existing spectroscopic infrastructure already in use. Due to space limitations the laser system must not require external cooling, such as that with water.

As part of the CHIPS Act, researchers from NIST are actively pursuing a comprehensive program in metrology research and development aimed at bolstering the U.S. semiconductor industry. A pivotal aspect of their strategic objectives is outlined in one of the seven Grand Challenges—specifically, Grand Challenge 1. This challenge focuses on enhancing metrology tools and measurement science dedicated to assessing the Purity, Properties, and Provenance of materials, which are critical for advancing the semiconductor sector.

A targeted initiative under this challenge involves the evaluation of the reliability of both two-dimensional (2D) and wide band gap (WBG) materials and devices. This evaluation is crucial for understanding the robustness and potential applications of these advanced materials in the semiconductor industry. To effectively conduct this research, and particularly to analyze the critical nonlinear optical spectroscopy responses of materials and devices, there is a need for a Femtosecond Laser System for Sum Harmonic Generation Microscopy (FLS4SHGM). This system must be specifically compatible with the existing Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopic instrumentation. The integration of such a laser system will greatly enhance the group’s capabilities and bandwidth in conducting optical experiments to study both linear and nonlinear processes in 2D materials.

Minimum Capabilities that NIST Requires and for Which Information is Being Requested 

I.             MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

The respondent shall provide a system/product that meets all technical specifications identified below. All items must be new.  The use of “gray market” components are not authorized for sale in the U.S. by the Contractor is not acceptable.   All line items shall be shipped in the original manufacturer’s packaging and include all original documentation and software, when applicable.

Line Item 0001:

Description:  High-power ultrafast fiber laser system – Brandname of Equal to the FF Ultra 1050 II manufactured by Toptica Photonic Inc.

Unit of Issue: EA

Quantity: 1

•             Center wavelength: 1053 nm +/- 5 nm

•             Passively mode-locked fiber oscillator

•             High-power fiber amplifier

•             Air-cooled supply unit

•             Motorized group delay dispersion control

•             Average output power: > 4 W

Line Item 0002:

Description:  Acousto-optical modulator and driver electronics integrated in laser system – Brandname of Equal to the FF Ultra 1050 II AOM manufactured by Toptica Photonic Inc.

Unit of Issue: EA

Quantity: 1

•             Modulation bandwidth of >1 MHz 

•             Average output power:  > 4 W

Together items 1 and 2 must enable:

•             Pulse duration: < 100 fs (sech² fit)

•             Repetition rate: 80 MHz

•             Linear polarization: > 100:1 (>20 dB), vertical

•             Beam shape TEMoo, M² < 1.2, Ø 1.0 mm (1/e²)

•             Beam divergence (half angle): < 1 mrad

•             Output coupling via free-space

Safety

a.           The laser system system shall meet industry standards for safety, including those related to electrical components, mechanical components, and optical components.

Instructions for Responding to Respond to This Notice 

Parties that respond to this Notice are requested to submit the requested information via email in Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF, and/or Microsoft Excel format to the designated point(s) of contact whose name and email address appears at the bottom of this notice. Please provide only the information requested by this Notice, and do not include proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information in a response to this Notice. The Government reserves the right to use information that it receives in response to this Notice as it deems appropriate to establish final requirements or for other legally appropriate purposes. 

Disclaimer: This Notice does not obligate the NIST to award a contract or otherwise pay respondents to this notice for information provided in response to this Notice. Following a review of the responses and market research, NIST may publish a solicitation on an authorized site, depending on the approved acquisition strategy. Responses received after the closing date for this Notice may not be considered. 

Information Requested in Response to This Notice: To help NIST with its market research, NIST is requesting that industry sources carefully review this notice and any attachments to it and voluntarily provide the following information:   

1. Company Summary 

• Notice Identification: Notice ID and Title of this posting. 

• Corporate Details: Company name, physical address, website address, and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). 

• Point of Contact (POC): Name, phone number, and email address. 

• Company Size Standard: Your company’s size status relative to the NAICS code provided in this Notice. (Refer to the SBA Table of Small Business Size Standards). 

• System for Award Management (SAM) Registration: Indicate whether your company has an active registration for procurement purposes in SAM.gov. 

1. Feedback for Draft Requirements 

• Review the information included with this Notice, including any Attachment(s). Then, please provide suggestions to (a) improve clarity of it; (b) make it more competitive; (c) indicate whether there is anything that may inadvertently exclude domestically manufactured (made in the U.S.A.) end products from being considered; and (d) indicate if anything included with this Notice could potentially be revised to improve the ability for domestic (“Made in America”) end products to be considered; and (e) if a domestic end product is not currently available to meet the draft requirements/minimum specifications, please provide an estimated timeframe for when it may be domestically produced in the USA in the future if that appears to be likely. 

1. Information Regarding Commercial Products and Related Commercial Services 

• Provide specifications, company name of the original equipment manufacturer, and the country of manufacture for commercial products and/or commercial services that your company is legally authorized to sell and that may meet NIST’s minimum requirements.  

• Standard Commercial Pricing: Provide your company’s standard commercial pricing information for the requirements described in this Notice (including any Attachments) and explain what is included in those standard commercial prices.  

• Estimated Price Range: You may provide an estimated price or estimated price range for the draft requirements included in this notice, including a brief explanation of how it was derived. 

• Standard Commercial Terms and Conditions: Provide a copy of the standard commercial terms and conditions for the commercial products and/or commercial services identified in your company’s response to this Notice, including the nature and the duration of applicable standard commercial warranty(ies). 

1. Regulatory and Supply Chain Compliance 

• Indicate whether your company could comply with RFO FAR clause 52.219-14 (Deviation JAN 2026) if this acquisition were to be set aside for small businesses (assuming that there is no waiver to the Nonmanufacturer Rule for the applicable NAICS code). Provide a brief supporting explanation. 

1. Existing Governmentwide Contract Vehicles 

• Indicate whether your company has its own GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract or other federal contract vehicle(s) under which NIST could award an order and, if so, provide the details of the contract(s) (contract number, Contracting Officer name/contact, SOW, terms and conditions, and price lists). 

Important Notes 

This Notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay respondents to this notice for information provided in response to this Notice. Following a review of the responses and market research, NIST may publish a solicitation on an authorized site, depending on the chosen acquisition strategy. Responses received after the closing date for this Notice may not be considered. 

There is no solicitation available at this time. 

The Government reserves the right to use information that it receives in response to this Notice as it deems appropriate to establish final requirements or for other legally appropriate purposes. 

Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s capability. 

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. 

THANK YOU 

We truly appreciate your company’s willingness to take the time to provide the above-mentioned information, which will be valuable in helping NIST complete its market research! 

For additional information, please contact the primary contact or, if named, secondary contact identified at the bottom of this notice.