Sources Sought Notice for Infrared Optical Spectrum Analyzer

2026-11-03

The purpose of this sources sought notice is to conduct market research and identify potential sources of commercial products / services that satisfy the Government ’ s anticipated needs . As part of a new NIST SERI program to advance measurement science for illicit drug identification and quantification under the TRANQ Research Act , the Sensor Science Division is developing new infrared drug sensors based on metamaterials . These metamaterial sensors rely on detection at infrared wavelengths spanning 1 mm to 5 . 6 mm ( or greater ) for spectroscopic detection of drug molecules . For benchmarking the performance of the sensor , an infrared optical spectrum analyzer is required for characterizing metamaterial sensor spectral response . The contractor shall provide an infrared optical spectrum analyzer ( OSA ) that must have continuous spectral coverage over the 1 mm to 5 . 6 mm wavelength range at high spectral resolution ( 2 GHz or better ). This OSA must have both fiber and free space input options and a low noise floor of - 85 dBm or better . This specification is necessary for both characterization of the metamaterial sensor and spectroscopic detection of drug molecules . NIST anticipates procuring a Optical Spectrum Analyzer ( OSA ) and is seeking information from manufacturers capable of meeting the following needs : Infrared optical spectrum analyzer requirements : Continuous wavelength coverage from 1 to 5 . 6 mm or greaterDetection sensitivity ( noise floor ) of - 85 dBm or better over the full wavelength rangeSpectral resolution of 2 GHz or betterSpectral accuracy of 1 ppm or betterSpectral precision of 1 ppm or betterOptical rejection ratio of 40 dB or betterFrequency - locked reference laser for interferometerAlignment laser for free - space alignmentAir purging option for removal of waterSoftware to communicate with computerSoftware development kit ( SDK ) for python , LabviewNIST is seeking information from sources that may be capable of providing a solution that will achieve the objectives described above . HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS NOTICEIn responding to this notice , please DO NOT PROVIDE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION . Please include only the following information , readable in either Microsoft Word 365 , Microsoft Excel 365 , or . pdf format , in the response : Submit the response by email to the Primary Point of Contact and , if specified , to the Secondary Point of Contact listed in this notice as soon as possible , and preferably before the closing date and time of this notice . Please note that to be considered for award under any official solicitation , the entity must be registered and “ active ” in SAM at the time of solicitation response . Provide the complete name of your company , address , name of contact for follow - up questions , their email , their phone number and , if your company has an active registration in https :// sam . gov , your company ’ s Unique Entity ID ( UEI ). Identify the equipment that your company sells that can meet the objectives addressed in the BACKGROUND section of this notice . For each product recommended to meet the Government ’ s requirement , provide the following : Manufacturer nameModel numberTechnical specificationsIf your company is not the manufacturer , provide information on your company ’ s status as an authorized reseller of the product ( s ) Describe performance capabilities of the product ( s ) your company recommends to meet the Government ’ s requirements . Additionally , if there are other features or functions that you believe would assist NIST in meeting its objectives described above , please discuss in your response . Discuss whether the equipment that your company sells and which you describe in your response to this notice may be customized to specifications and indicate any limits to customization . Identify any aspects of the NIST market research notice , including instructions , and draft minimum specifications in the BACKGROUND section you cannot meet and state why . Please offer suggestions for how the market research notice and draft minimum specifications could be made more competitive . State whether the proposed equipment is manufactured in the United States and , if not , state the name of the country where the equipment is manufactured . Identify any plans / possibilities for changes in manufacturing location of the aforementioned equipment and provide relevant details , including timeline . For the NAICS code listed in this notice : Indicate whether your company is ( a ) a small business or ( b ) other than small business . See the Table of Small Business Size Standards and the associated . pdf download file for small business size standards and additional information . If you believe the NAICS code listed in this notice is not the best NAICS code for the type of product addressed in this notice , identify an alternative NAICS code that you believe would be more appropriate for the planned procurement . Describe services that are available with the purchase of the aforementioned equipment from your company such as installation , training , and equipment maintenance . Describe standard terms and conditions of sale offered by your company for the recommended equipment such as : delivery time after your company accepts the order ; FOB shipping terms ; manufacturer warranty ( including details regarding nature and duration ); if available , description ( s ) of available extended warranty ; equipment setup and test ; operator and service instruction manual ( s ); cleanup after installation ; and if applicable , other offered services . Provide a copy of manufacturer standard terms and conditions that typically relate to the sale of the specified equipment , if available . State whether your company offers facility renovation services related to installation of the recommended equipment at its delivery destination , if required per the NIST - identified minimum specifications , and provide description of said services . Indicate if your company performs the facility renovation services or typically subcontracts the work to another company . Indicate if your company would be interested in inspecting the intended installation site during the market research phase . State published price , discount , or rebate arrangements for recommended equipment and / or provide link to access company ’ s published prices for equipment and services . If the recommended equipment and related services are available for purchase on any existing Federal Supply Schedule contract ( s ) or other contracts against which NIST may be able to place orders , identify the contract number ( s ) and other relevant information . Identify any customers in the public or private sectors to which you provided the recommended or similar equipment . Include customer ( s ) information : company name , phone number , point of contact , email address . Provide any other information that you believe would be valuable for NIST to know as part of its market research for this requirement . State if you require NIST to provide additional information to improve your understanding of the government ’ s requirement and / or would like to meet with NIST representatives to discuss the requirement and the capabilities of the identified equipment . QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS NOTICEQuestions regarding this notice may be submitted via email to the Primary Point of Contact and the Secondary Point of Contact listed in this notice . Questions should be submitted so that they are received 5 calendar days prior to the response date . If the Contracting Officer determines that providing a written amendment to this notice to document question ( s ) received would benefit other potential respondents , the questions would be anonymized , and a written response to such question ( s ) would be provided via an amendment to this notice . IMPORTANT NOTESThis notice is for market research purposes and should not be construed as a commitment by NIST to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract . There is no solicitation available at this time . This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response . NIST reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate . Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization ’ s capability . Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotations . No award will be made as a result of this notice . NIST is not responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice . NIST reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and appropriate . Thank you for taking the time to submit a response to this request !

Maryland

2026-04-08