Notice of Intent to Noncompetitively Acquire Widely Tunable Laser with Fast Stabilization

Announcement Type: Special Notice
Classification Code: 6695

Announcement Number: NIST-SS26-143

Subject: Notice of Intent to Noncompetitively Acquire Widely Tunable Laser with Fast Stabilization

The Photonics and Optomechanics Group of the Physical Measurement Laboratory at NIST develops quantum sensing technology for a broad range of applications, including inertial measurement. As part of that work a widely tunable laser is required to readout sensors. In addition, fast laser frequency stabilization electronics are required to allow the laser to be locked to an optical frequency reference.

The laser shall cover the wavelength range between 1510 nm to 1630 nm. Required specifications are given below.  A set of fast laser-locking electronics are also required that can frequency lock the 1550 nm laser to a frequency reference, such as a high-finesse optical cavity, with at least 50 MHz bandwidth. The controller for the laser must also include the ability to measure spectra as the laser wavelength is swept, display the spectra, lock to spectral features independently of the fast laser-locking electronics, and control these operations from the front panel or a computer interface.

The frequency locking electronics shall include fast Pound-Drever-Hall (PDH) detection electronics that can provide a PDH error signal as well as PID control electronics to lock the laser.

The controller for each laser must have an interactive screen for selecting operational modes, setting parameters, visualizing optical resonances of an optically interrogated cavity as the laser tunes, and selecting resonances for locking. The controller must be fully digital with 24 bit input resolution and include a single mode, polarization-maintaining fiber-coupled output. The laser wavelength must be tunable using a coarse motion stage and a piezoelectric motion stage. These tuning methods must be able to operate simultaneously.

NIST intends to award a non-competitive contract to Toptica Photonics for a CTL 1550 with Fast Stabilization.

This notice is not a request for a quotation. A solicitation document will not be issued, and quotations will not be requested.

This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of RFO 12.102(a). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing.

NIST requires a solution that meets the following minimum requirements:

1. Tuning range of at least 1510 nm to 1630 nm without mode hops
2. Built-in frequency stabilization capabilities to lock the laser to photonic sensors
3. Fast external stabilization electronics to enable laser linewidth reduction to decrease frequency noise.

After thorough evaluation, it has been determined that the CTL 1550 with fast stabilization from manufacturer, Toptica, is essential for several reasons:

1. Technical: PML requires the capability to test photonic sensors and integrated circuits. tuning range of at least 1510 nm to 1630 nm without mode hops is required to access multiple optical modes of sensors and allow measurement of spectra over the full range of wavelengths. Adding built-in frequency stabilization allows the laser to lock to specific optical modes of the sensor and readout the sensor by interrogating a single mode in a repeatable manner. Adding fast locking increases measurement precision, which is particularly important for applications such as inertial measurement where measurement precision and repeatability are key factors limiting performance.  Toptica is the only manufacturer that creates such devices capable of meeting NIST’s minimum requirements. Based on market research, no other vendor offers a similar product that meets these requirements. A prototype product is not acceptable. Without a laser that meets these mimimum requirements does not allow to NIST to support national needs in Positioning, Navigation and Timing, and may prevent NIST from meeting our obligations in developing next-generation photonic sensors and obligations to AFRL in developing next-generation inertial sensors. Therefore, it was determined that only Toptica could provide a system that meets the Government’s minimum requirements.
    

NIST conducted market research from February – May 2026 by conducting online searches and discussions with sources to determine what sources could meet NIST’s minimum requirements.  The results of that market research revealed that only Toptica Photonics, 1120 PITTSFORD VICTOR RD, PITTSFORD, NY 14534 USA (UEI: EYC4JKCBA7J9) appears to be capable of meeting NIST’s requirements. The Government intends to issue a Sole Source Award to Toptica, under the authority of FAR 12.102(a). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516. 

However, any sources that believe they are capable of meeting NIST’s minimum requirements are encouraged to respond to this notice by the response date to provide the following information at a minimum: Company Unique Entity Identifier number in https://sam.gov; details about what your company is capable of providing that meets or exceeds NIST’s minimum requirements; whether your company is an authorized reseller of the product or service being cited and evidence of such authorization; and any other information that can help NIST determine whether this requirement may be competitively satisfied.