Low-Power Dual-Comb Laser System Design and Integration

The contract seeks the design, engineering, and integration of a compact, low-power dual-comb laser system optimized for precision timing and ranging applications in field environments where size, weight, power, and cost constraints are strictly enforced. The system must leverage advanced photonic technologies to deliver high-precision measurements while maintaining operational efficiency under real-world conditions, targeting applications that demand reliability without bulky infrastructure. The work involves full-cycle development from concept through prototyping, with emphasis on robustness, portability, and minimal power consumption to enable deployment in mobile or remote settings. This subcontract is issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology under the U.S. Department of Commerce, with performance required to take place in Boulder, Colorado, 80305. The solicitation, posted on July 16, 2026, mandates proposals be submitted by July 23, 2026, and falls under NAICS code 334516 for laser and electro-optical equipment manufacturing. The project is driven by NIST’s mission to advance measurement science and technology, requiring innovators to deliver a system that meets stringent SWAP parameters while achieving the accuracy and stability expected in metrology-grade instrumentation.