NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

The Acquisition Management Division (AMD) at the National Institute of Standards and Technology Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) intends to procure a Ultra-Stable, High Finesse Optical Cavity (UHFOC) system, model number 6030-4-Notched Cavity, 106020-4-Vacuum Enclosure; manufactured by Stable Laser Systems, Inc using Simplified Acquisition Procedures for Commercial Items (FAR Parts 12 and 13).

The NIST Thermodynamics Metrology Group (TMG) requires a UHFOC System to perform critical, long-term metrology research of SPoT. The required system must meet all the following minimum technical specifications:

1. Perform critical long-term metrology research of SPoT over 1000°C temperature range
2. Accelerate the replacement of SPRT by SPoT
3. Notched Fabry-Perot optical cavity operating in 1550 nm frequency range with finesse above 400,000, allowing sub-Hz linewidth.
4. Optical cavity shall have ultra-high vacuum housing, with integrated ion pump
5. Integrated ultra-stable temperature control, that allows a thermal time constant on the order of 2-days or more
6. Temperature drift less than 1mK per 1 degC room temperature change.
7. Integrated collimator assembly that aligns and mode-matches optical fiber coupled light into the cavity.
8. FPGA-server electronics box with touchscreen GUI interface for automatic frequency stabilization to optical cavity via feedback to external laser.

Extensive market research demonstrated the only UHFOC to meet all listed minimum technical specifications, is the UHFOC system model number 6030-4-Notched Cavity, 106020-4-Vacuum Enclosure; manufactured by Stable Laser Systems. Stable Laser Systems is the sole source supplier of this system.

The North American Industry Classification code for this acquisition is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees.

A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations. This notice of intent is not a request for quotations; however, all responsible sources interested may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. Interested parties that believe they can satisfy the requirements listed above must identify their capability in writing before the response date of this notice. Only responses received by 12:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on June 06, 2023, will be considered by the government. Responses shall be submitted via email to elizabeth@nist.gov with a cc to ranae.armstrong@nist.gov.

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