This Sources Sought opportunity from Department Of Commerce was posted on June 9, 2026. The submission period has ended. Browse the details below for market research, or find similar active opportunities.
Portable Optical Atomic Clocks
Contract Overview
Solicitation details, issuing organization, response deadlines, documents, and interested companies for this government contract opportunity.
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The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting market research to identify potential vendors capable of supplying two portable optical atomic clocks for installation in Gaithersburg, Maryland, to enhance the resilience and precision of UTC(NIST). This sources sought notice, designated OU68-FY26-492-NEW, is not a solicitation, request for proposal, or request for quotation, and does not obligate the government to enter into a contract. The requirement specifies that each clock must deliver RF outputs at 5 MHz, 10 MHz, 100 MHz, and 1 GHz, along with a stabilized continuous-wave laser in the C-band and a femtosecond-laser frequency comb, all contained within a 19-inch rack enclosure conforming to EIA-310-D standards. The systems must support a timescale instability of 1.2 nanoseconds per day and include a redundant DC power input operating between 18V and 30V. Electronic manuals are required, and the product must carry a five-year warranty covering both labor and parts. Delivery, installation, and training are expected to be completed within 12 to 18 weeks after receipt of order, with government acceptance anticipated to take up to 14 business days following delivery. The clocks will undergo rigorous performance evaluation, including Allan Deviation measurements against NIST’s ensemble time scale and hydrogen masers at 100,000 seconds, with potential short-term stability assessments using an optical signal stabilized to a Fabry-Perot cavity. The acquisition is classified under NAICS code 334516 for Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees. NIST is actively exploring the possibility of a small business set-aside if at least two qualified small businesses are identified during this research phase, and all small business set-aside categories will be considered. Responses must be submitted as electronic capability statements not exceeding four pages and must include the name of the offering company, the manufacturing company, the country of origin for the product, technical specifications and examples demonstrating compliance, typical lead time after order receipt, and any additional relevant data. Sales brochures or marketing materials are not acceptable. Proprietary information must be clearly marked, and no pricing information or quotes will be accepted at this stage. All submissions must be sent via email to Angela Hitt, Contracting Officer, by June 23, 20
General Info
Agency
NAICS
Place of Performance
Gaithersburg, MD, 20899, USASet-Aside
Timeline
Submission Closed
Organization & Contact Information
Full Description
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Acquisition Management Division
Sources Sought for Commercial Product Purchase
THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATION.
It is a market research tool being used to determine potential and eligible business firms that can provide the product described herein prior to determining the method of acquisition.
The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) seeks information on vendors that can provide two Portable Optical Atomic Clocks in Gaithersburg per the specifications attached herein.
This announcement is not a Request for Proposals or Quotes (RFP/RFQ) and does not commit the Government to award a contract now or in the future. The information contained in this notice is DRAFT only and, as such, is subject to change prior to the issuance of a solicitation. No solicitation is available currently. Additionally, the Government is not obligated to and will not pay for any information received from potential sources because of this Sources Sought announcement. The results of this Sources Sought will be utilized to determine if any Small Business Set-aside opportunities exist. All Small Business Set-aside categories will be considered. In addition, this market research tool is being used to identify potential and eligible firms, of all sizes, who manufacture the Portable Optical Atomic Clocks in the U.S. prior to determining the method of acquisition and issuance of a solicitation. PLEASE INDICATE WHAT COUNTRY MANUFACTURES THIS PRODUCT.
After the results of this market research are obtained and analyzed, NIST may conduct a competitive or non-competitive procurement on the System for Award Management (sam.gov) and subsequently award a contract. If at least two qualified small businesses are identified during this market research stage that can fulfill the requirement, in accordance with the Specifications, then this acquisition shall be solicited as a small business set aside, however, NIST is seeking responses from ALL responsible sources, including large and small businesses. Responses should include the country where the product is manufactured.
This requirement is assigned a NAICS code of 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees.
Interested business organizations that believe they can meet the requirements should submit electronic copies of their capability statement. Please limit responses to four (4) pages or less. Responses should include the following information:
- Name of the company that will provide the product(s).
- Name of the company that will manufacture the product.
- County of origin or manufacture of the product.
- Spec/data sheets and examples of products that meet the specifications that demonstrate experience in meeting the requirements of this procurement.
- Typical lead time to deliver the product after receipt of order
- Any other relevant information that is not listed above that the Government should consider in developing its minimum specifications and finalizing its market research.
(Company sales brochures or marketing packages will not be considered.)
Any proprietary information should be so marked. The written capability statement should be received by the Contracting Officer, Angela Hitt via email at angela.hitt@nist.gov no later than the date and time posted in this notice. No quotes will be accepted at this time and will not be considered.
REQUIREMENTS OVERVIEW:
See the attached Statement of Requirements document
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