Reviewed

Calcium PI Laser System

Waiver type - Procurement: Nonavailability

Agency: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY (1341) • Product Service Code (PSC) : 6640 | Last Modified: 06/06/2025

Procurement Summary

The Physical Measurements Lab (PML), Time and Frequency Division (TFD), Ion Storage Group (ISG) located at NIST, Boulder, CO. requires a 422nm and 375nm laser to photoionize neutral calcium 40 atoms as well as electronics to drive the lasers to perform a variety of quantum computing, quantum simulation, and optical clock experiments using trapped ions. The experiments performed with these lasers rely on the use of frequency-stabilized lasers of a variety of wavelengths to drive specific atomic transitions. In order for the experiments to be successful, one laser needs to excite the neutral calcium atom and the other excites the electron into the continuum to ionize the atom.

Waiver Rationale Summary

Consistent with market research results, no domestic product has been identified that can meet the Government's requirements. The required Calcium PI Laser System is not mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities, of satisfactory quality.

Did / Will the solicitation include one of the standard BAA provisions announcing the agency’s intention to provide a price preference for domestic end products and construction material?

Yes

Was a sources sought or Request for Information issued?

OMB Determination

Consistent with Policy

Product

LABORATORY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES

NAICS

334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing

Date Submitted

05/01/2025

Procurement Instrument Identifier (PIID)

Solicitation ID

NB688000-25-01506

Procurement Stage

Post-solicitation

Expected Maximum Duration of the Proposed Waiver

0 - 6 months

Waiver Coverage

Individual Waiver

Funding Agency

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY