Quantum Network pluggable 4-channel superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) system

BACKGROUND
This is a Sources Sought Notice (SSN) from industry to help determine the availability and capability of small business and other than small businesses that are capable of providing any or all of the products and services required by the U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). NIST is conducting market research to identify potential sources that can provide a Quantum Network pluggable 4-channel superconducting nanowire single-photon detector system that meets all technical specifications, inclusive of FOB Destination delivery requirements identified in this notice. 

This notice is strictly to request information for market research purposes to help NIST determine the appropriate acquisition strategy for this requirement. This notice shall not be construed as a solicitation, an obligation, or commitment by NIST.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)/Quantum Information Group applies expertise in mathematical subdisciplines such as combinatorics, graph theory, network science, operations research, optimization, discrete nonlinear dynamics, computational geometry, quantum mechanics, and information theory. The Quantum Network pluggable 4-channel superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) system will assist current NIST research in the development of quantum network science and metrology. The system shall be incorporated into the first quantum network metrology node allowing users on the quantum network to dial into the detectors at any time, i.e. continuously (24/7) through the network. This system is anticipated to mark the next steps into the realization of a true plug-and-play quantum network testbed detector system. The system will be the workhorse of detecting quantum network traffic and make available valuable quantum network telemetry data for researchers and users. The system must be free from experiencing long delays to maintain operation of the metrology node.

OVERVIEW
NIST has a potential requirement for a Contractor to provide a Quantum Network pluggable 4-channel SNSPD system that operates continuously 24/7, is efficiently moveable and is quantum network pluggable, i.e. controls and status information are directed through a network, which meets the technical specifications 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 proposer is not acceptable.

The Contractor shall provide a Quantum Network pluggable 4-channel superconducting nanowire single-photon detector system, quantity one (1), in accordance with the following:

LINE ITEM (CLIN) 0001:
Description: Quantum Network pluggable 4-channel SNSPDs.
Quantity: One (1) 
A.    Technical Specifications:
a.    The Contractor shall provide a system that contains a total of 4 SNSPDs, with the following characteristics and features:
•    Four (4) SNSPDs with detection efficiency (fiber input to detector) of >80 % for wavelengths between 1300 nm and 1600 nm, <30 ps FWHM jitter, no latching with maximum countrates of >107 counts/sec and a dark count rate of 100 cps or less.
•    Power requirements: The system must operate at 110V/15A without the need for water cooling.
•    The system must be able to operate continuously (i.e, 24 hours a day /7 days a week), such that the SNSPDs must be able to detect and generate outputs continuously.)
•    The fiber connection to the system must be SMF28 with E2000 bulk-head connector.
•    The system must be able to be operated through the quantum network from a remote client, i.e. all system specific functions must be able to be executed from that remote client. 
•    The contractor must provide a command library to fully control the system using python.
•    The SNSPD circuitry must prevent the detectors from latching.
•    The detector system cryostat must be rack-mountable and 3U (5.25 inches) in height for mounting into existing racks and moveable between quantum network nodes.
•    No installation or training is required.

WARRANTY
The contractor shall warrant the entire system for 12 months after delivery in accordance with Original Equipment Manufacturer’s standard commercial item warranty terms and conditions, to include at minimum parts and labor. The warranty shall be in accordance with the terms specified in FAR 52.212-4.

ANTICIPATED DELIVERY, INSTALLATION, AND TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
Delivery of the Quantum Network pluggable 4-channel SNSPD system shall be F.O.B Destination and shall occur within one (1) month After Receipt of an Order (ARO). Delivery shall be made to the NIST Shipping and Receiving address, located at 100 Bureau Drive, Building 301, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-0001. No installation or training is required by the Contractor. 

INFORMATION REQUESTED FROM INDUSTRY SOURCES:
NIST invites industry sources to review this notice carefully and to familiarize themselves with this Source Sought Notice.  Thereafter, NIST encourages those sources to submit the following:

•    Company Summary:
1.    Notice ID and its Title for this posting
2.    Your company’s name, address, website address and Unique Entity Identifier (if the company has one)
3.    Company point of contact, their phone number, and their email address
4.    Your company’s size status as it relates to NAICS 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing.  See table of business size standards at https://www.sba.gov/document/support-table-size-standards for more information. 
5.    Indicate whether your company has an active registration for procurement purposes in sam.gov.

•    Place of Manufacture/Origin: Please identify whether the potential product is manufactured in whole or in part in the United States. If it is manufactured outside of the United States, in whole or in part, pleas identify the country of manufacture. 

•    Existing Contract Vehicles: Indicate whether your company has a GSA Multiple Award Schedule contract or other federal contract under which NIST would be authorized to place an order, and if so, provide a copy of that contract (including contract number, name and contact information for contracting officer, contract SOW, contract terms and conditions and contract prices).

The Government reserves the right to follow up on a one-on-one basis with respondents to request additional information or clarifications about information submitted.

THIS IS STRICTLY MARKET RESEARCH. NIST WILL NOT RESPOND TO QUESTIONS REGARDING THE RESULTS OF THIS MARKET RESEARCH. REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL NOT BE PROVIDED

SUBMMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Interested parties shall submit responses to by the closing date of this notice to hunter.tjugum@nist.gov.

•    Microsoft Word (or PDF) document, and 11 or 12-point font.
•    Submission shall not exceed five (5) pages. Any cover page OR Standard Commercial Pricing Sections is not included in the total page count.
•    Respondents are requested to state their capabilities and expertise in clear and concise language.
•    Respondents are strongly encouraged to avoid use of excessive marketing and sales language.

Cover Page
Respondents shall include the following Business information on the Cover Page:

1.    Sources Sought Notice number, title, and date of issuance
2.    Unique Entity ID
3.    Company Name
4.    Company Address
5.    Company website address, 
6.    Company Point of Contact, Phone, and Email address
7.    Validation of business status under NAICS: 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. See table of business size standards at https://www.sba.gov/document/support-table-size-standards for more information. 
8.    Indicate whether your company has an active registration for procurement purposes in sam.gov.

This notice is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of NIST.

NIST does not intend to award a contract based on responses nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted. As a result of this notice, NIST may issue a Request for Quote (RFQ).

THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against NIST shall arise because of a response to this notice or NIST’s use of such information as either part of our evaluation

Confidentiality
Do not include proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information in response to this notice. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary information as it deems appropriate in establishing requirements for its upcoming acquisition.

DISCLAIMER
This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response. The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed. Information provided will be used to help NIST assess alternatives available for the potential requirement and may lead to the development of a solicitation. Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted. After a review of the responses received and other market research, NIST may publish a solicitation on SAM.gov or on GSA ebuy, depending on the acquisition strategy chosen by NIST. NIST will not consider proposals submitted directly in response to this notice for award. Responses received after the closing date for this notice may not be considered for market research purposes.