Aberration-free Imaging Spectrograph

Active

Contract Opportunity

NIST-SS25-53

6695 / 334516

Title:  Aberration-free Imaging Spectrograph

BACKGROUND

The National Institute for Standards and Technology’s (NIST) Sensor Science Division (SSD) is involved in the development of a new measurement and calibration capability using a single photon spectroradiometer for calibration of extremely dim light sources such as nano-LEDs, LEDs used for calibration of photon-multiplier tubes, and sphere sources used for calibration of night vision goggles. The single photon spectroradiometer is composed of an aberration-free imaging spectrograph to achieve the highest imaging quality and a single photon digital camera to measure single photon sources. This acquisition is for the aberration-free imaging spectrograph.

The system shall meet or exceed the minimum requirements identified below. All items must be new. Used or remanufactured equipment will not be considered for award. Experimental, prototype, or custom items will not be considered. The use of “gray market” components not authorized for sale in the U.S. by the Contractor is not acceptable. All line items shall be shipped in the original manufacturer’s packaging and include all original documentation and software, when applicable.

The contractor shall provide one (1) aberration-free imaging spectrograph that is compatible with Hamamatsu’s single-photon digital camera Model Orca-Quest 2 in accordance with the technical specifications listed below:

1. Contract Line Item 0001: Aberration-free imaging spectrograph

Quantity: One (1)

The Contractor shall provide an aberration-free imaging spectrograph that meets the following minimum specifications:

1. 100 % compatible with Hamamatsu’s Orca-Quest 2 digital cameras for system integration.


2. LabVIEW software for control and data acquisition.


3. Aberration-free 320 mm focal length Schmidt-Czerny-Turner imaging spectrograph with advanced optics and superior MTF and spectral resolution.


4. Interchangeable motorized triple grating turret with torque-limiting kinematic mount.


5. f/4.6 aperture ratio.


6. Linewidth (FWHM) of 1.5 pixels or better with a 20 micron pixel pitch.


7. Spectral resolution of 0.065 nm or better at 546 nm with a 1200 groove/mm grating.


8. Spatial resolution ≥25 line pairs/mm @ 50% modulation, measured at focal plane center


9. Spatial resolution ≥10 line pairs/mm @ 50% modulation, measured over 27 x 8 mm focal plane


10. Zero astigmatism at any wavelength with any grating at all points in the focal plane.


11. Zero coma at 500 nm with 1200 gr/mm grating.


12. Wavelength accuracy of 0.2nm.


13. Wavelength Repeatability of +/- 0.015 nm.


14. Internal angle of 17.7°.


15. Mirror focusing with internal micrometer adjustment.


16. On-axis grating rotation design.


17. Planar 68 x 68 mm gratings are on extra-thick substrates for improved flatness.


18. Motorized or kinematic slit(s) with optional slit shutter.


19. Shutter control port from camera at rear of instrument.


20. Can resolve >200 distinct spectral channels on 2D arrays on CCD and CMOS cameras up to a height of 22 mm.

HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS NOTICE

In responding to this notice, please DO NOT PROVIDE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. Please include only the following information, readable in either Microsoft Word 365, Microsoft Excel 365, or .pdf format, in the response. Submit the response by email to the Primary Point of Contact and, if specified, to the Secondary Point of Contact listed at the bottom of this notice as soon as possible, and preferably before the closing date and time of this notice.

• Provide the complete name of your company, address, name of contact for follow-up questions, their email, their phone number and, if your company has an active registration in https://sam.gov, your company’s Unique Entity ID (UEI).


• 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.


• Identify any aspects of the description of the requirements in the BACKGROUND section above that could be viewed as unduly restrictive or create unnecessary barriers that adversely affect your firm’s ability to fully participate in a procurement for such services and explain why. Please offer suggestions for how the requirements could be organized or structured to encourage the participation of small businesses.


• For the NAICS code

• Indicate whether your company is (a) a small business or (b) other than small business. See the Table of Small Business Size Standards and the associated .pdf download file for small business size standards and additional information.


• If you believe the NAICS code listed in this notice is not the best NAICS code for the type of product addressed in this notice, identify an alternative NAICS code that you believe would be more appropriate for the planned procurement.

• If your firm has existing Federal Supply Schedule contract(s) or other contracts for products or services against which the Department may be able to place orders, identify the contract number(s) and other relevant information.

• Describe your firm’s experience (as a prime, subcontractor, or consultant) providing the products or services described in Background section.


• Provide any other information that you believe would be valuable for the Government to know as part of its market research for this requirement.


• Please let us know if you would like to engage to get a better understanding of the requirement or need additional information about the Government’s requirement for the products or services described in the Background section.

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS NOTICE

Questions regarding this notice may be submitted via email to the Primary Point of Contact and the Secondary Point of Contact listed in this notice. Questions should be submitted so that they are received by 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on June 13, 2025. Questions will be anonymized and answered via sources sought notice amendment following the question submission deadline.

IMPORTANT NOTES

The information received in response to this notice will be reviewed and considered so that the NIST may appropriately solicit for its requirements in the near future.

This notice should not be construed as a commitment by the NIST to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract.

This notice is not a request for a quotation. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotations.

No award will be made as a result of this notice.

NIST is not responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice.

NIST reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and appropriate.

Thank you for taking the time to submit a response to this request.

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