Optical Spectrum Analyzer

The National Institute of Standard and Technology (NIST), Sensor Science Division (SSD) requires an optical spectrum analyzer capable of providing accurate measurement of the wavelength and spectrum of an optical source to meet the research and calibration needs of the Division. Procurement of an optical spectrum analyzer (OSA), which meets the specifications described below, will improve wavelength calibration and stray light evaluation over a wide spectral range from the ultraviolet to the near infrared for a variety of optical sources.

This notice is not a request for a quotation. A solicitation document will not be issued and quotations will not be requested.

This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) via FAR 13.106-1(b). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing.

NIST’s SSD requires an OSA for wavelength calibration and stray light evaluation in order to meet the research and calibration needs of the Division. Specifically, NIST requires an OSA that: 1) provides accurate measurement of the wavelength and spectrum of an optical source; 2) compatible for optical sources that consist of lamp-based systems and monochromator, are continuous wave (CW), are on the order of 1 μW, and have bandpass of 1.5 nm to 3 nm; 3) allows for free-space coupling optical source to the OSA; 4) has spectral range of 250 nm to 2500 nm and spectral resolution of ≤ 0.01 nm; and 5) wavelength accuracy of ≤ 0.005 nm and traceable to the International System of Units (SI) meter. After thorough evaluation, it has been determined that only Thorlabs can meet NIST’s requirements for the reasons listed below:

1. Only Thorlabs provides an OSA that meets requirements for spectral range (250 nm to 2500 nm). No other manufacturer produces an OSA with capabilities below 350 nm. Additionally, wavelengths longer than 350 nm, multiple instruments would be required to cover the visible, near infrared, and shortwave infrared spectral ranges at greater expense. The Thorlabs OSA meets the requirement with a single instrument.


2. The Thorlabs OSA is needed to implement effective, low uncertainty method for calibrating the wavelength scale of the monochromator of the national reference instrument for transmittance, Reference Transmittance Spectrophotometer (RTS). This instrument is provides the national scale for transmittance measurements and is used for the dissemination of the transmittance scale to stakeholders through NIST calibration services. Other common methods for calibration the wavelength scale of a monochromator include the pen-ray method and use of a calibrated array spectroradiometer. The Thorlabs OSA will yield smaller wavelength uncertainties than those obtained by the pen-ray method and eliminate the time required to calibrate and correct an array spectroradiometer.


3. Thorlabs is the manufacturer of this OSA and they do not have any third-party resellers.

NIST conducted market research from January 2025 through February 2025 by internet searches, discussions with sources, and a sources sought posting. Sources sought NIST-SS25-11 was posted from January 13, 2025 to January 27, 2025 with no responses. The results of that market research revealed that only Thorlabs, 43 Sparta Ave., Newton, NJ, 07860, United States, UEI: VCJKYBSL8DL8 appears to be capable of meeting NIST’s requirements.

However, any sources that believe they are capable of meeting NIST’s minimum requirements are encouraged to respond to this notice by the response date to provide the following information at a minimum: Company Unique Entity Identifier number in https://sam.gov; details about what your company is capable of providing that meets or exceeds NIST’s minimum requirements; whether your company is an authorized reseller of the product or service being cited and evidence of such authorization; and any other information that can help NIST determine whether this requirement may be competitively satisfied.