Integrating Sphere

The National Research Council of Canada is seeking two identical integrating spheres, along with all necessary supporting components, to enable traceable spectroradiometric measurements across the visible-near infrared to shortwave infrared spectrum, specifically from 400 to 2500 nm. Each sphere must have a minimum diameter of 16 inches, variable ports ranging from 2 to at least 4 inches, and a dedicated controller for power and data collection. The systems must deliver absolute uniformity in spectral radiance output with a variance of no more than 1% at the exit port and angular uniformity exceeding 30%, capable of stable operation across extreme lighting conditions—from low-light levels of approximately 5 cd/m² to bright light exceeding 20,000 cd/m²—with output stability maintained within 1%. Traceability to a national metrology standard such as NRC or NIST is mandatory, and each system must be accompanied by two comprehensive English-language manuals. Additional requirements include phone-based startup assistance and remote training for operators. All work must be completed and delivered no later than October 30, 2026, with delivery occurring 14 weeks after contract award to two specified locations in Ottawa, Ontario, and Mirabel, Quebec, under Incoterms 2020 DAP terms. The contract period extends for one year beyond acceptance of the systems. Proposals must be submitted electronically by July 9, 2026, at 14:00 ET, separated into three distinct sections: Technical Offer, Financial Offer, and administrative forms, with financial information strictly confined to the Financial Offer attachment to avoid disqualification. Offers must comply with mandatory technical criteria identified by the words “must” or “mandatory” in the Annex Technical Criteria, and failure to meet these results in non-compliance and automatic exclusion. The award will be made to the lowest-priced compliant offer. Packaging must adhere to ISO 21067-1:2016, prioritize reusable, returnable, or recyclable materials, and include detailed packing slips with contract identifiers and delivery information. The Contractor is responsible for insurance, compliance with all applicable laws, anti-forced labor standards, and international sanctions, and must maintain detailed accounting records in machine-readable formats, available for audit for seven years after final payment or resolution of claims. Invoices must be submitted only after all work is completed, include specific financial and contractual detail, and be sent via email to the designated NRC address, with