Advanced Multichannel Multispectral Photodetection System

This federal Request for Quotation (RFQ), solicitation number 1333ND26QNB680346, is issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to acquire an Advanced Photodetector System. This acquisition is being conducted as an unrestricted, firm-fixed-price commercial product procurement under North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code 334516, which has a small business size standard of 1,000 employees. The requirement consists of four Contract Line Item Numbers (CLINs): a spectral photodetector system (CLIN 0001), installation and training (CLIN 0002), shipping (CLIN 0003), and other transportation-related charges (CLIN 0004). Interested offerors must possess an active registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) at the time of submission and throughout contract performance. Quotations must be submitted electronically to Contract Specialist Robert Singman at robert.singman@nist.gov no later than 11:00 AM Eastern Time on July 24, 2026. Submissions must be organized into three distinct volumes: Volume I (Technical Quotation), Volume II (Price Quotation), and Volume III (Terms and Conditions). Technical quotations must provide clear evidence and cross-referenced citations demonstrating that the proposed system meets or exceeds all specifications in the Statement of Work; used, refurbished, or prototype equipment will not be accepted. Price quotes must remain valid for 90 days. NIST intends to award a single purchase order to the lowest-priced, technically acceptable (LPTA) responsible offeror.

This Statement of Work outlines the requirements for the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to procure an advanced, multichannel, and multispectral photodetector system. The system will integrate into NIST’s Serial Flow Cytometer to enable high-resolution spectral and temporal measurements of biological micro and nanoparticles. The procurement consists of three main line items: the advanced spectral photodetector system, installation and training services, and shipping to NIST's facility in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Key technical requirements for the photodetector include at least 16 spectral channels, compatibility with four or more light sources, a peak photon detection efficiency of at least 10%, and tunable amplification gain. The contractor must deliver the system within 12 weeks of award, along with an operations and maintenance manual. The contractor is responsible for providing installation instructions and conducting training for up to two NIST users, which may be completed remotely or on-site. NIST will perform inspection and acceptance testing, including verifying basic operations and evaluating noise, sensitivity, and dynamic range. The contractor must provide a minimum 12-month warranty covering defects in materials and workmanship. Due to restricted access on the NIST campus, any onsite activities or shipments must be coordinated in advance, and contractor personnel must adhere to strict security, vehicle registration, and safety protocols.

This federal solicitation document outlines the mandatory provisions, clauses, and local instructions for a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) procurement. It incorporates numerous Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and Department of Commerce Acquisition Regulation (CAR) clauses by reference, including key deviations slated for 2026. The document details the standard terms and conditions for commercial products and services under FAR 52.212-4, covering inspection, assignment, disputes, payment terms, and termination guidelines. It also includes specific representations and certifications regarding the Buy American Act, place of manufacture, and security-related prohibitions (such as FASCSA orders, telecommunications restrictions, and business operations in Sudan or Iran). For administrative procedures, the document outlines the process for filing agency, GAO, or Court of Federal Claims protests, designating the NIST Protest Controller and the Department of Commerce's Contract Law Division as key recipients. Acceptance of all deliverables will occur at the NIST campus in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Furthermore, the document provides local NIST instructions regarding operational status. Contractors must monitor NIST campus operating statuses and stop work during lapses in federal appropriations unless designated as excepted. Finally, billing instructions require electronic invoice submissions to a designated NIST email or, upon official notification, transition to the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Invoice Processing Platform (IPP).