Optical Clock

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) intends to award a firm-fixed-price purchase order in accordance with FAR 13.501(a) to Vector Atomic Inc, Inc. located at 6870 Koll Center Parkway, Pleasanton CA 94566. The Government intends to procure three (3) high-performance clock units that are compact (≤4U) and capable of delivering ultra-low phase noise microwave (5 MHz, 10 MHz, 100 MHz, 1PPS) and optical outputs with exceptional timing stability (≤25 femtoseconds at 1 second integration and ≤50 attoseconds at 1 day ). Crucially, these clocks must maintain sub-nanosecond holdover for at least 6 months with minimal drift, operating at room temperature in a standard conditioned lab space. Furthermore, a time and frequency distribution system is required to transport the microwave clock signals to remote locations (≤10 km) with ≤5 ps precision at 10 seconds integration, automatically compensating for time-varying path length changes, along with dispersion effects if using fiber.

This sole source (brand name) requirement meets the conditions of 41 U.S.C. 1901(e)(2) as implemented by FAR 13.501(a), wherein only an item peculiar to one manufacturer is able to provide the supplies and/or services that will satisfy the Agency requirements.

Interested companies may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals and does not constitute a solicitation. However, all capability statements received prior to the closing date shall be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed action based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future.

If your organization has the capability of performing these services NRL asks that interested parties, at a minimum, supply the below information. Submissions not containing all of the below information will not be considered.

1. Business name and address;


2. Name of company representative, business title and email;


3. Telephone number, address, and e-mail address of POC;


4. Large or Small Business Size and Type of Small Business (if applicable);


5. Cage Code;


6. UEID Number;


7. A brief capabilities statement package (no more than five pages) demonstrating their ability to perform the services required under this posting. Demonstrated past performance providing similar services should be detailed, if applicable.


8. A detailed analysis of how your firm will successfully remove the sole source barriers listed above.

All information and data received in response to this posting marked or designated as corporate or proprietary information will be protected as such. Please include this notice number on all documents and email correspondence. Classified Material shall not be submitted. Please transmit responses by e-mail to Erica Turner, Contract Specialist, at erica.n.turner9.civ@us.navy.mil in either Microsoft Office or pdf format. All responses must be received on or before the time specified in the announcement.