NIST and the US Department of Commerce solicits vendor to supply high power Terahertz system

https://www.fbo.gov/index?s=opportunity&mode=form&id=4f2aff8b88137956073a1cb5cb17fe90&tab=core&_cview=0

Solicitation Number:

AMD-13-SS39

Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division, 100 Bureau Drive, Building 301, Room B129, Mail Stop 1640, Gaithersburg, MD, 20899-1640
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) seeks information on commercial vendors that are capable of providing a Terahertz Imager to support research and development in the Physical Measurement Lab.

Measurement and alignment of high power Terahertz (THz) laser beams requires a compact, focal plane array (FPA) camera system sensitive in the long-wave region of the spectrum. Characterization of THz beams is crucial for experiment alignment and to determine propagation characteristics of the generated beam. Until recently, the commercial marketplace was limited for these and related applications including, for example, scene evaluation for homeland security and threat detection (for DHS requirements). NIST wishes to procure a sensitive FPA system for both beam characterization and scene imaging

After results of this market research are obtained and analyzed, and specifications developed, NIST may conduct a competitive procurement and subsequently award a Purchase Order for a Terahertz Imager. If at least two qualified small businesses are identified during this market research stage, then any competitive procurement that resulted would be conducted as a small business set-aside.

The THz-FPA Imager should be able to meet or exceed the following specifications:

1. Operation at 30-60 Hz frame rate is required. Ability to control the repetition rate in the range is preferred.

2. Lock-in detection (with external chopper synchronization) for improved Signal-to-Noise (SNR) image acquisition and software or hardware pixel binning required.

3. 240 x 320 or larger pixel microbolometer array format with no external cooling required. Pixel pitch size 30x30 micron or smaller.

4. Sensitivity in the 1 (or lower) to 5 THz (or higher) inclusive wavelength range.

5. NETD of 75 mK or smaller required - smallest value is best.

6. USB readout for fast frame rate output and post signal processing.

7. Integrated system software for camera control, image data collection and post processing.

8. Ability to accommodate external infrared lenses and filters with standard camera mounts.

NIST is seeking responses from all responsible sources, including large, foreign, and small businesses. Small businesses are defined under the associated NAICS code for this effort, 334516, as those domestic sources having 500 employees or less. Please include your company's size classification and socio-economic status in any response to this notice.

Companies that manufacture a Terahertz Imager are requested to email a detailed report describing their abilities to eric.bubar@nist.gov no later than the response date for this sources sought notice. The report should include achievable specifications and any other information relevant to your product or capabilities. Also, the following information is requested to be provided as part of the response to this sources sought notice:

1. Name of the company that manufactures the system components for which specifications are provided.

2. Name of company(ies) that are authorized to sell the system components, their addresses, and a point of contact for the company (name, phone number, fax number and email address).

3. Indication of number of days, after receipt of order that is typical for delivery of such systems.

4. Indication of whether each instrument for which specifications are sent to eric.bubar@nist.gov is currently on one or more GSA Federal Supply Schedule contracts and, if so, the GSA FSS contract number(s).

5. Any other relevant information that is not listed above which the Government should consider in developing its minimum specifications and finalizing its market research.

Point of Contact
Eric Bubar, Contracting Specialist, Phone (301) 975-3635, Email eric.bubar@nist.gov

Contracting Office Address:

100 Bureau Drive, Building 301, Room B129, Mail Stop 1640
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-1640
United States 

Primary Point of Contact.:

Eric Bubar

eric.bubar@nist.gov

Phone: 3019753635