Solicitation - Dynamic Frequency Comb Applications Support IDIQ

This contract is a Firm Fixed Price Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) solicitation issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), part of the U.S. Department of Commerce, for technical support in advancing dynamic frequency comb applications, specifically in optical time transfer and dual-comb spectroscopy. The solicitation, numbered NB675020-26-01170, was posted on July 21, 2026, with a response deadline of August 11, 2026, and targets organizations capable of developing FPGA-based digital control systems, algorithms for Doppler shift compensation and CW comb tracking, and integrated laser systems to enable dynamic performance under motion. The primary place of performance is Boulder, Colorado, with required onsite presence at NIST’s Radio Building and Precision Measurement Laboratory. The government anticipates awarding a contract with a five-year potential duration including a one-year base period and four annual option periods, subject to funding availability and task order issuance within 365 days of award. The contract requires the contractor to deliver software, firmware, hardware simulators, and documentation, with all code mandated to be hosted in a public GitHub repository and subject to NIST review and acceptance. Proposals must meet strict technical criteria, including software reliability (no more than one crash per 80 hours), limited revision cycles for documentation, and compliance with NIST safety protocols and badge requirements. Evaluation is based solely on a single Technical factor composed of three equally weighted sub-factors—Technical Approach, Key Personnel, and First Task Order Proposal—using an adjectival confidence rating system without numerical weights. The award will be made using a trade-off process, not LPTA, favoring best value through a balance of technical merit and cost. Only individuals with a Ph.D. in Physics or Electrical Engineering and extensive experience in FPGA development, laser frequency control, and embedded systems are acceptable as Key Personnel. The contract prohibits proprietary or closed-source software unless owned by NIST, mandates full Government ownership of all deliverables, and requires contractor personnel to undergo Tier I background investigations under HSPD-12 and FIPS 201 standards. Invoicing must be done electronically via email to INVOICE@NIST.GOV or the Treasury’s IPP system, not WAWF. The contract has a minimum funding threshold of $100,000 and a maximum ceiling of $7.5 million, with individual