FY26 USAFA DFPM Quantum Education Lab Kits

SOURCES SOUGHT SYNOPSIS

Notice Type: Sources Sought / Market Research
Title: FY26 USAFA DFPM Quantum Education Lab Kits
Agency: US Air Force Academy
NAICS Code: 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (Size Standard: 1,000 Employees)
Product Service Code (PSC): 6640 – Laboratory Equipment and Supplies
Response Due Date: 22 June 2026 at 10:00am MDT

1. DISCLAIMER

This is a Sources Sought Synopsis ONLY. This notice is issued solely for information and planning purposes – it does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP), or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Further, the Government is not seeking proposals at this time and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this Sources Sought. All costs associated with responding to this notice will be solely at the interested party's expense.

2. BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

The US Air Force Academy is conducting market research to identify potential sources capable of providing a modular, turnkey Quantum Demonstration and Experiment System. The intended system will support educational, training, and research missions in quantum physics, specifically focusing on nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers, single-photon detection, and quantum entanglement.

3. REQUIRED CAPABILITIES / SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS

The Government is seeking capability statements from vendors who can supply a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) system that meets or exceeds the following minimum technical characteristics:

System Architecture & Detection:

• Specifically designed to integrate with multiple interchangeable experiments via a central control unit.
• Four (4) detectors configured as 2 Avalanche Photodiodes (APD) and 2 Photodiodes (PD).
• Time tagging electronics with picosecond jitter resolution.
• Single photon and coincidence events counting capability.
• Built-in capabilities allowing for analysis and processing of measurement data.

Nitrogen-Vacancy (NV) Module:

• NV diamond setup incorporating 3 High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) diamonds.
• NV diamond excitation diode Laser (516 nm) capable of both Continuous Wave (CW) and Pulsed operation.
• Microwave 4 GHz RF sweep generator capable of CW and Pulsed operation.
• Magnetic field coils and current drivers (3x), each rated for ±1.5A.

Entanglement Photonics Module:

• Pre-aligned, turnkey entanglement demonstrator.
• Spontaneous Parametric Down-Conversion (SPDC) Type I degenerate BBO crystal for entangled photon generation.
• Pump laser wavelength: 405 nm, power > 50mW.
• Entangled photon operating wavelength: 810 nm.
• Guaranteed entanglement quality (Bell parameter) of S > 2.3.

4. REQUESTED INFORMATION

Interested parties who believe they have the capability to provide the required system as defined above are invited to submit a Capability Statement. The Capability Statement should be brief (no more than 5 pages) and must include the following information:

1. Company Profile:
   
   • Company Name, Address, and Point of Contact (Name, Title, Phone, and Email).
   • Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code and Unique Entity ID (UEI).
2. Socioeconomic Status:
   • Indicate your business size status under NAICS Code 334516 (e.g., Large Business, Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business [SDVOSB], Women-Owned Small Business [WOSB], HUBZone, etc.).
3. Product Capability:
   • Product literature, specifications, or brochures demonstrating that the proposed equipment meets all salient characteristics outlined in Section 3.
   • Indicate whether the items are available on any existing Government-wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) or Multiple Award Schedules (e.g., GSA Schedule) and provide the contract number.
   • Specify if your company is the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or an authorized reseller. If a reseller, please confirm that you are an authorized distributor for the OEM.
4. Estimated Lead Time:
   • Provide an estimated delivery timeline (e.g., Days After Receipt of Order) for the complete system.

5. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Responses to this Sources Sought must be submitted via email to the Contracting Office Point of Contact(s) listed below no later than 10:00am on 22 June 2026.

Primary Point of Contact:
Name: Wanda Farr
Title: Contract Specialist
Email: wanda.farr@us.af.mil

Secondary Point of Contact:
Name: Danielle Hyde
Title: Contracting Officer
Email: danielle.hyde.2@us.af.mil