NB688000-26-01820 Two-Channel Microwave Signal Generator

The Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, is conducting market research for the procurement of a single two-channel microwave signal generator with output frequencies up to 12 GHz to support research in ultrastable lasers and low noise microwave signal characterization. This effort is identified by solicitation number NB688000-26-01820 and is classified as a Total Small Business Set-Aside under FAR 19.5, with the NAICS code 334516. The opportunity is currently in the Sources Sought phase, meaning no formal solicitation or request for quotation has been issued, and responses are being gathered to assess industry capabilities rather than to initiate competitive bidding. The required instrument must feature two independent output channels with greater than 75 dB channel-to-channel isolation at 0 dBm, a frequency range from 1 MHz to 12 GHz with a minimum step size of 0.05 Hz, and support for continuous-wave and modulated continuous-wave outputs with internal and external amplitude, frequency, and phase modulation. It must accept an external 10 MHz timebase, achieve phase noise below -125 dBc/Hz at 1 GHz and -105 dBc/Hz at 10 GHz, maintain channel-to-channel phase stability better than 2 degrees at 10 GHz with a setting resolution of at least 0.1 degree, and offer a power range of -30 dBm to +10 dBm with 0.05 dB resolution. Output impedance must be 50 ohm with N-type, SMA, or 3.5 mm connectors, and communication must be accessible via USB or GPIB, with the capability for both self-contained and externally computer-controlled operation. Delivery, installation, and training are required to be completed within 12 weeks after contract award, with the place of performance in Boulder, Colorado. The procurement is not yet soliciting offers or bids, and no formal evaluation factors, contract clauses, inspection criteria, pricing details, or delivery terms have been established at this stage.