Thin-Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN) Photonic Chips
ID: AMD-RFQ-25-7700689Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
Overview

Buyer

COMMERCE, DEPARTMENT OFNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGYDEPT OF COMMERCE NISTGAITHERSBURG, MD, 20899, USA

NAICS

Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing (334413)

PSC

SPECIALIZED SEMICONDUCTOR, MICROCIRCUIT, AND PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD MANUFACTURING MACHINERY (3670)
Timeline
  1. 1
    Posted Mar 24, 2025, 12:00 AM UTC
  2. 2
    Updated Mar 24, 2025, 12:00 AM UTC
  3. 3
    Due Apr 7, 2025, 4:00 PM UTC
Description

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is soliciting quotations for the fabrication of Thin-Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN) photonic chips, which are crucial for their research in quantum communications and networking. The procurement aims to acquire at least seven custom-designed TFLN chips with specific optical and electronic features, requiring contractors to provide design resources and ensure timely fabrication within ten months of award. This initiative underscores NIST's commitment to advancing integrated optics technology, with a focus on enhancing capabilities in quantum measurement and optical state manipulation. Interested parties must submit their quotations by April 7, 2025, and direct inquiries to Collin Randall or Lauren P. Roller via email.

Point(s) of Contact
Files
Title
Posted
Mar 24, 2025, 9:05 PM UTC
This document outlines the provisions and clauses applicable to federal requests for proposals (RFPs) and grants, particularly emphasizing compliance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). It includes a detailed compilation of required representations and certifications, such as those related to contracting with entities involved in covered telecommunications services, and those addressing certain liability regarding federal tax obligations and felony convictions. Key clauses dictate the need for offerors to verify their eligibility, provide certain disclosures, and ensure registration in the System for Award Management (SAM). The document further emphasizes various classifications of small businesses, including service-disabled veteran-owned and women-owned small businesses, detailing the specifics needed for proposal evaluations. Additionally, it mandates operational transparency regarding the use of internal confidentiality agreements that may restrict reporting of waste, fraud, or abuse. The structured framework serves to guarantee that contracting processes remain fair and compliant, fostering government accountability in procurement practices.
Mar 24, 2025, 9:05 PM UTC
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is soliciting quotations for the fabrication of Thin-Film Lithium Niobate (TFLN) photonic chips, which are essential for their research in quantum communications and networking. This Request for Quotation (RFQ No. AMD-RFQ-25-7700689) follows federal acquisition regulations and is open to both small and large businesses. The contractor must deliver the fabricated chips within ten months post-award, with delivery terms specified. Quotations should include a technical response outlining the proposed approach, fabrication capabilities, and corporate experience with similar projects. A price quotation must be provided, with a firm fixed price anticipated. The evaluation will focus on technical expertise, relevant corporate experience, and price, emphasizing the importance of the technical approach over cost. The document outlines clear requirements for submission formats, deadlines, and contact information for inquiries, reinforcing the structured nature of government procurement processes aimed at transparency and competitiveness. Overall, this RFQ underscores NIST’s commitment to advancing integrated optics technology within the context of public sector innovation and technological research.
Mar 24, 2025, 9:05 PM UTC
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to procure fabricated thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) photonic chips for quantum communications research. The objective is to produce at least seven custom-designed TFLN chips fabricated on x-cut TFLN with specific thickness and component requirements, including optical and electronic features. The contractor must provide essential design resources and facilitate the successful design process, ensuring fabrication is completed within four months post-final design. The contract has a ten-month performance period, during which completed chips must be delivered within two weeks after fabrication to specified NIST locations. Inspection and acceptance terms stipulate that any defective or damaged products must be replaced at the contractor's expense. Payment follows Net 30-day terms upon receipt and acceptance of deliverables. This request reflects NIST's commitment to advancing technology in quantum measurement and optical state manipulation through integrated optics.
Lifecycle
Title
Type
Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
Similar Opportunities
Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometer
Buyer not available
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking information from potential suppliers for an Optical Frequency Domain Reflectometer to support its CHIPS Metrology Program, which aims to enhance measurement science in semiconductor manufacturing. The required system must cover telecommunications C and L bands, providing high spatial resolution and dynamic range for analyzing back reflection and transmission signals from photonic integrated circuit components. This procurement is critical for advancing R&D in microelectronics and ensuring the competitiveness of the U.S. semiconductor industry. Interested parties should respond to Junee Johnson at junee.johnson@nist.gov with their capabilities and relevant product information, as this notice is for market research purposes and does not constitute a solicitation.
Cryogenic Hardware
Buyer not available
The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking quotations from small businesses for the procurement of cryogenic hardware, including low-noise microwave amplifiers essential for quantum computing experiments. The requirement includes two amplifiers operating in the 4-8 GHz band and two in the 1-12 GHz band, each with a minimum gain of 35dB and operational capabilities at temperatures as low as 2 Kelvin. This procurement reflects the government's commitment to advancing quantum technologies and research capabilities, with deliverables expected within eight weeks of order placement to Boulder, Colorado. Interested parties must submit their quotations electronically, demonstrating technical capability and compliance with federal regulations, by contacting Angela Hitt at angela.hitt@nist.gov or 303-497-7305, referencing solicitation number NB686050-25-01488.
Digital Laser Servo Controllers
Buyer not available
The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking to procure 25 digital laser servo controllers to support research in quantum information processing and sensing with trapped ions. These controllers are critical for stabilizing laser frequencies and intensities necessary for advanced experiments and optical atomic clocks, with specific requirements including compatibility with existing NIST-designed controllers and a minimum servo bandwidth of 1 MHz. Interested vendors must submit their quotations based on the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) evaluation method, with delivery expected within 12 weeks after order receipt. For further inquiries, potential offerors can contact de Ionne Jones at deionne.jones@nist.gov.
Optical Reference Cavity
Buyer not available
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting market research through a Sources Sought Notice for the procurement of an Optical Reference Cavity, aimed at enhancing precision timekeeping and navigation capabilities. The required optical cavity must meet specific technical specifications, including high finesse and frequency stability across multiple wavelengths, to support NIST's research in nanophotonics and optomechanics. This equipment is critical for developing advanced metrology and sensing devices, and interested vendors are encouraged to submit their capabilities and relevant product information to the primary contact, Elizabeth Timberlake, at elizabeth.timberlake@nist.gov, by May 5, 2025. This notice serves solely for market research purposes and does not constitute a commitment to issue a solicitation or award a contract.
White Rabbit System
Buyer not available
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), part of the Department of Commerce, intends to negotiate a sole-source contract with Safran Group for the procurement of White Rabbit LJ Switches (WRS-LJ) and LEN Kit, which are critical components for developing quantum networking capabilities. The acquisition is essential for implementing high-precision timing synchronization necessary for quantum experiments and network protocols, leveraging existing infrastructure and ensuring compatibility with current systems. This procurement is vital for advancing NIST's research in measurement science and quantum communications, with responses to this notice due by 10:00 AM ET on April 23, 2025. Interested parties may contact Jennifer Lohmeier at jennifer.lohmeier@nist.gov for further information.
Linewidth Analyzer
Buyer not available
The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking information from potential sources for a laser linewidth analyzer that will support their research in nanophotonic and optomechanical devices. The analyzer must cover a wavelength range from 1064 nm to 1625 nm and provide real-time analysis of laser frequency noise, including various technical specifications such as frequency noise density and optical lineshape determination. This equipment is crucial for characterizing laboratory lasers and nonlinear photonic devices, with responses to the sources sought notice due by April 23, 2025. Interested parties should contact Elizabeth Timberlake or Tracy Retterer for further details and must ensure their company is registered and active in SAM.gov.
Camera for Vacuum- and Extreme-Ultraviolet light
Buyer not available
The Department of Commerce, through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking information from vendors regarding the procurement of a specialized camera designed for vacuum- and extreme-ultraviolet (EUV) light applications. This camera is essential for advancing metrology techniques that enhance semiconductor manufacturing, requiring capabilities such as operation in ultra-high vacuum environments and sensitivity to wavelengths ranging from 10 nm to 150 nm for non-destructive measurement of nanoscale features. Interested vendors are invited to submit their company details, product specifications, performance capabilities, and any customization options, as this Sources Sought Notice (NIST-FY25-CHIPS-0081) is part of NIST's market research and does not imply a solicitation or contract commitment. For further inquiries, vendors may contact Elizabeth Timberlake at elizabeth.timberlake@nist.gov or Tracy Retterer at Tracy.retterer@nist.gov.
ETEM Post-Column Electron Energy-Loss Spectrometer Upgrade
Buyer not available
The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking sources for the ETEM Post-Column Electron Energy-Loss Spectrometer Upgrade, aimed at enhancing measurement capabilities in semiconductor materials. The upgrade involves retrofitting existing cameras to improve electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) measurements, which are critical for addressing challenges in the semiconductor supply chain. This initiative is vital for advancing metrology in chip manufacturing, enabling better characterization of materials at the atomic level. Interested parties should contact Junee Johnson at junee.johnson@nist.gov for further details, and responses are encouraged before the deadline of April 14, 2025.
Sampler Holder for TEM
Buyer not available
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking proposals for a Heating-Biasing Sample Holder compatible with their Thermo Fisher scanning transmission electron microscopy (S)TEM, as outlined in solicitation number NB686090-25-01357. This specialized equipment is crucial for conducting in-situ analyses of semiconductor devices under varying conditions, including temperatures up to 900 °C and bias voltages from 0 V to 40 V, thereby enhancing the lab's capabilities in measuring atomic-scale failure mechanisms. Interested vendors must submit detailed quotations that demonstrate their technical capabilities, relevant experience, and pricing, with a focus on compliance with federal procurement standards. For inquiries, contact Angela Hitt at angela.hitt@nist.gov or 303-497-7305, and ensure submissions are made electronically by the specified deadline.
NB686010-25-01360 Optical Spectrum Analyzer
Buyer not available
The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking qualified small businesses to provide an Optical Spectrum Analyzer under the combined synopsis/solicitation notice NB686010-25-01360. The procurement aims to acquire an analyzer capable of measuring wavelengths from 600 nm to 1750 nm, with stringent requirements including a resolution exceeding 0.05 nm and a dynamic range of at least 50 dB, essential for characterizing laser emissions and enhancing measurement capabilities in scientific and industrial applications. Interested vendors must adhere to specific submission guidelines, demonstrate technical capability, and comply with federal regulations, with proposals evaluated on a Lowest Price Technically Acceptable basis. For further inquiries, potential offerors can contact Matthew Delgado at matthew.delgado@nist.gov.