Sources SoughtPosted Jul 7, 2026·Original deadline passed (Jul 22). See latest amendment for current deadline.

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

Commerce (all) · DEPT OF COMMERCE NIST

In plain words

Commerce is planning to buy "Quantum Network pluggable 4-channel superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD) system". This is an early notice: it is not taking bids yet. The original due date (Jul 22, 2026) has passed; check the latest amendment for the current one. In the last 2 years, similar work went to 10 or more companies, usually for about $74K per award. An award could come any day: the usual time to award has passed.

Put together from the facts on this page; the details and sources are below.

Stage
Early notice (sources sought, presolicitation or special notice)
NAICS
334419
Value
Not stated
Solicitation
NIST-AMD-SSN-26-01477
Set-aside
None stated
PSC
6150
Place
Not stated
Contact
Hunter Tjugum (hunter.tjugum@nist.gov)
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CSV Email

Capture briefs (a one-page, shareable copy of this page) are part of Pro. The CSV here holds the notice, its timeline and past awards.

Where this opportunity stands

Every notice posted under solicitation NIST-AMD-SSN-26-01477 in this department, oldest first.

Early notice
  • Jul 7, 2026 · this notice
    Sources Sought
Solicitation
None posted
Award
Not yet. Expected award: Any day (median passed). Typical range Sep 2, 2026 to Nov 11, 2026; middle Sep 25, 2026.
Measured from 19 past early notices at National Institute of Standards and Technology that later posted an award (middle half of cases, counted from Jul 7, 2026).

Next steps for this stage

Standard steps for the notice type; not advice about this buyer.

  • Answer the notice: this is when the requirement can still be shaped.
  • Contact the contracting officer named on the notice.
  • Check who won similar work; they are the likely bidders.

What the notice says

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 … (show all)

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

Who won similar work

11 award notices on SAM.gov in the last 24 months. Matched by: Same agency (Commerce (all)), same industry group (NAICS 3344).

Single-winner award sizes (11): middle half $37K to $565K, median $74K; range $13K to $2.1M.

WinnerAwardsValueLast
SIGRAY, INC.1$2.1MApr 15, 2026
DECTRIS USA INC1$798KMar 20, 2026
FINETECH Mesa AZ 85210 USA1$643KJan 30, 2025
CAV MANUFACTURING LLC1$486KAug 27, 2025
TECHNICAL COMMUNITIES, INC.1$439KApr 17, 2026
LARITECH, INC.1$74KSep 18, 2026
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION · $IBM · $69.1B1$50KJul 2, 2025
LADYBUG TECHNOLOGIES LLC1$48KJul 29, 2025
SKYWATER TECHNOLOGY FOUNDRY INC1$27KJul 9, 2026
ROSENTHAL, BROCK 7416 CABRILLO AVE La Jolla CA 92037 USA1$17KSep 2, 2026

Value counts new single-winner awards. "Shared" awards are multiple-award contracts that list every winner with the same total ceiling (same contract, or the same office, day and amount); that ceiling is not one company's win, so it is not added in. Contract modifications are not new awards and are not added in either. Notices whose amount is a placeholder such as $999,999,999 are not added in. Revenue next to a ticker is the company's revenue over the latest 12 months in its SEC filings.

Investor context
  • $IBM reported $69.1B revenue (12 months to Jun 30, 2026). The median single-winner award in these 11 past awards, $74K, is under 0.1% of that. SEC filing

One award's total value against one year of revenue; many awards are paid over several years.

Latest awards

Materiality: one award's value as a share of the winner's revenue over the latest 12 months in its SEC filings (or its last fiscal year, as noted when you point at it). Low under 1%, Medium 1 to 5%, High 5% or more. Many awards are paid over several years, so this overstates a single year's share.

Competitive landscape

For the 8 most frequent past winners above. Lobbying is matched by the company's exact name or exact ticker; agencies are as named on the filings.

  • 1 of these past winners lobbied Commerce, Dept of (DOC) since 2024 (4 filings)
  • 0 of their lobbyists list a past Commerce, Dept of (DOC) job
  • No corporate PAC money from them to the overseeing committees since 2024
  • 0 foreign-agent (FARA) registrations
See who and the source records with Pro

Policy around it

Bills the past winners named while lobbying this agency's issues, rules from the department, and executive orders that name the agency, last 12 months.

  • 0 bills named on the past winners' lobbying filings
  • 378 rules from the department in the last 12 months
  • 0 executive orders naming the agency in the last 12 months
See who and the source records with Pro

Market

For past winners matched exactly to a listed company. Insider trades are open-market buys and sells (Form 4) in the last 90 days, shown as facts; our own study found insiders do not reliably buy ahead of awards. A sale marked 10b5-1 was made under a trading plan set up in advance.

  • 1 of the past winners are listed companies
  • 0 insider buys and 1 insider sells at them in the last 90 days
See who and the source records with Pro

Sources: SAM.gov notices and award notices; Senate LDA lobbying filings; FEC filings; FARA; Federal Register; congress.gov; SEC Form 4. Every row above links to its record.

Companies are matched to tickers by exact name, including the subsidiaries a company lists in its SEC filings. A company we could not match shows no market rows; that is a miss, not a finding.