NIST Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors (SNSPDs)

Notice of Intent to Sole Source The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Information Technology Lab (ITL) intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b), with QUANTUM OPUS, LLC to acquire two Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors (SNSPDs). Background Information and Basis for Sole Source The National Institute of Standards and Technology requires two Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors (SNSPDs) for Quantum Networking Metrology.

The SNSPDs are required for NIST to further its quantum networking measurement capabilities at the NIST/JQI lab as part of the DC-QNet. The two SNSPDs will be hosted in NIST’s existing cryostat to be run at the NIST/JQI lab at the University of Maryland. The Government requires SNSPDs that can run in a 2.2K cryostat without the need for further and more expensive cooling requirements. The detectors need to be run in the cryostat without interruption/downtime.

Only the SNSPDs from Quantum Opus can be installed in our existing cryostat without any modification to the existing design. A design change would require additional cost and effort. SNSPDs are required at the NIST/JQI lab for continuous, 24/7 operation of single photon detection. Without this capability, the government’s research will be severely impacted, as we will not be able to obtain and provide single-photon measurements for our research and the DC-QNet 24/7.

One of the tasks that NIST has in relation to quantum networks is to develop the necessary metrology to enable complex quantum networks. In order to develop this metrology, reliable SNSPDs are required. As such, the Government’s intent is to negotiate with QUANTUM OPUS LLC to acquire two Superconducting Nanowire Single-Photon Detectors (SNSPDs). General The North American Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing.

The small business size standard is 1,000 employees. No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, responses received by the listed due date, will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.

Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Interested parties that believe they could satisfy the requirements listed above for NIST may clearly and unambiguously identify their capability to do so in writing on or before the response due date for this notice. This notice of intent is not a solicitation. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to Hing Pan Wong at Hnw6@nist.gov. All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted so that they are received at Hnw6@nist.gov no later than the aforementioned due date.