Multi-Channel Laser Interferometer for UHV Optomechanical Sensing

Combined Sources Sought Notice and Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source Contract for Multi-Channel Laser Interferometer for UHV Optomechanical Sensing Notice ID: NIST-SS26-156 Contract Opportunity Type: Sources Sought Response Date: 7/23/26 Product Service Code (PSC): 6640 NAICS Code: 334516 BACKGROUND The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting market research to identify alternative sources that (a) are capable of meeting NIST’s minimum requirements for the following commercial products and commercial services and (b) would be interested in competing for that requirement: The Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division at NIST is developing an optomechanical sensor to characterize the fundamental mechanisms of photo-charging on metal surfaces in ultra-high vacuum, enabling the control and mitigation of light-induced perturbations to trapped ions in quantum computing chips and to neutral atoms in optical clocks and Rydberg-based quantum processors. A compact, ultra-high-vacuum-compatible, multi-channel laser interferometer equipped with miniature in-situ measurement heads and providing picometer resolution is required to detect the three-axis displacements of the constituent cantilever transducer induced by charge accumulation and work-function shifts. NIST seeks a fiber-coupled laser interferometer system consisting of a three-channel Michelson interferometer controller, a breakout box for analog and digital signal access, and three (3) ultra-high-vacuum-compatible focusing sensor heads. The system must provide picometer-class displacement resolution with measurement bandwidth of at least 2.5 MHz across all three channels simultaneously, miniature all-optical (electronics-free) sensor heads rated to a base pressure of 1×10–11 mbar, and a stabilized, NIST-traceable laser source operating in the 1510–1560 nm range. These specifications are necessary to resolve sub-picometer cantilever motion at mechanical resonance frequencies in ultra-high vacuum, while minimizing thermal and electrical perturbations to the metal surfaces under study. NIST has not yet determined its acquisition strategy for this requirement and encourages interested sources to respond to this Notice. If NIST’s market research indicates there are alternative sources that are capable and interested in competing to fill this requirement, separate and apart from [SmarAct Inc LFAVHCE9K2X3] then NIST will consider conducting a competitive acquisition in accordance with law and regulation. To be clear, NIST’s identification of [SmarAct Inc] in this Notice does not constitute a binding commitment or obligation for it to conduct a sole source procurement with [SmarAct Inc ] for this requirement. Instructions for Responding to Respond to This Notice Parties that respond to this Notice are requested to voluntarily submit the requested information via email in Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF, and/or Microsoft Excel format to the designated point(s) of contact whose name and email address appears at the bottom of this notice. Please provide only the information requested by this Notice, and do not include proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information in a response to this Notice. Information Requested in Response to This Notice: To help NIST with its market research, NIST is requesting that industry sources carefully review this notice and any attachments to it and voluntarily provide the following information: Company Summary Notice Identification: Notice ID and Title of this posting. Corporate Details: Company name, physical address, website address, and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Point of Contact (POC): Name, phone number, and email address. Company Size Standard: Your company’s size status relative to the NAICS code provided in this Notice. (Refer to the SBA Table of Small Business Size Standards). System for Award Management (SAM) Registration: Indicate whether your company has an active registration for procurement purpos...