Commerce Buys $145K Supercontinuum Light Source from NKT Photonics for NIST Research
Contract Overview
Contract Amount: $145,520 ($145.5K)
Contractor: NKT Photonics Inc.
Awarding Agency: Department of Commerce
Start Date: 2024-07-16
End Date: 2024-08-19
Contract Duration: 34 days
Daily Burn Rate: $4.3K/day
Competition Type: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Number of Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE
Sector: R&D
Official Description: ONE (1) BROADBAND, HIGH POWER SUPERCONTINUUM LIGHT SOURCE, QUANTITY ONE (1) OF A WIDE BANDWIDTH TUNABLE FILTER WITH SINGLE-MODE FIBER OUTPUT, AND QUANTITY ONE (1) OF A MULTILINE, NARROW BANDWIDTH, FAST SWITCHING TUNABLE FILTER.
Place of Performance
Location: BOSTON, SUFFOLK County, MASSACHUSETTS, 02210
Plain-Language Summary
Department of Commerce obligated $145,520.24 to NKT PHOTONICS INC. for work described as: ONE (1) BROADBAND, HIGH POWER SUPERCONTINUUM LIGHT SOURCE, QUANTITY ONE (1) OF A WIDE BANDWIDTH TUNABLE FILTER WITH SINGLE-MODE FIBER OUTPUT, AND QUANTITY ONE (1) OF A MULTILINE, NARROW BANDWIDTH, FAST SWITCHING TUNABLE FILTER. Key points: 1. High-power supercontinuum light source and tunable filters acquired for advanced research. 2. Procurement was competed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures (SAP). 3. Potential risk of limited vendor options for highly specialized scientific equipment. 4. Spending falls within the analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing sector.
Value Assessment
Rating: good
The price of $145,520.24 for a specialized light source and filters appears reasonable given the advanced nature of the equipment. Benchmarking against similar high-power scientific instruments suggests this is within market norms.
Cost Per Unit: N/A
Competition Analysis
Competition Level: limited
The contract was competed under SAP, suggesting a limited number of bidders were solicited. While competed, the specialized nature of the equipment may inherently limit the pool of qualified vendors, potentially impacting price discovery.
Taxpayer Impact: Taxpayer funds are used for critical scientific research infrastructure, aiming for long-term innovation and economic benefit.
Public Impact
Supports advanced scientific research at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Enables development of new technologies and measurement standards. Potential for breakthroughs in areas requiring precise light manipulation.
Waste & Efficiency Indicators
Waste Risk Score: 50 / 10
Warning Flags
- Limited competition due to specialized equipment
- Potential for vendor lock-in with niche technology
Positive Signals
- Supports critical NIST research mission
- Acquisition through a competed process
Sector Analysis
Spending is within the analytical laboratory instrument manufacturing sector, which supports scientific research and development. Benchmarks for similar specialized scientific equipment can vary widely based on technical specifications and application.
Small Business Impact
No specific information is provided regarding small business participation in this procurement. The vendor, NKT Photonics Inc., is likely a larger entity given the specialized nature of the product.
Oversight & Accountability
The acquisition was processed via a Purchase Order under SAP, indicating standard procurement procedures were followed. Oversight would focus on ensuring the equipment meets NIST's technical requirements and is used effectively for research.
Related Government Programs
- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- Department of Commerce Contracting
- National Institute of Standards and Technology Programs
Risk Flags
- Limited competition
- Specialized technology
- Potential for vendor lock-in
Tags
analytical-laboratory-instrument-manufac, department-of-commerce, ma, purchase-order, 100k-plus
Frequently Asked Questions
What is this federal contract paying for?
Department of Commerce awarded $145,520.24 to NKT PHOTONICS INC.. ONE (1) BROADBAND, HIGH POWER SUPERCONTINUUM LIGHT SOURCE, QUANTITY ONE (1) OF A WIDE BANDWIDTH TUNABLE FILTER WITH SINGLE-MODE FIBER OUTPUT, AND QUANTITY ONE (1) OF A MULTILINE, NARROW BANDWIDTH, FAST SWITCHING TUNABLE FILTER.
Who is the contractor on this award?
The obligated recipient is NKT PHOTONICS INC..
Which agency awarded this contract?
Awarding agency: Department of Commerce (National Institute of Standards and Technology).
What is the total obligated amount?
The obligated amount is $145,520.24.
What is the period of performance?
Start: 2024-07-16. End: 2024-08-19.
What is the specific research application for this supercontinuum light source and tunable filters?
The specific research application is not detailed in the provided data. However, supercontinuum light sources and tunable filters are typically used in advanced spectroscopy, optical coherence tomography, material science, and fundamental physics research where precise control over light properties is essential for measurement and analysis.
What are the risks associated with acquiring highly specialized scientific equipment like this?
Risks include limited vendor availability, potentially leading to higher prices and reduced competition. There's also a risk of obsolescence if technology advances rapidly, and dependence on a single vendor for maintenance, support, and future upgrades, which can impact long-term operational costs and research continuity.
How does this purchase contribute to NIST's overall mission effectiveness?
This purchase directly enhances NIST's capability to conduct cutting-edge research and develop critical measurement standards. By acquiring advanced instrumentation, NIST can improve the accuracy and scope of its scientific investigations, leading to more reliable data and fostering innovation across various technological fields.
Industry Classification
NAICS: Manufacturing › Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing › Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
Product/Service Code: INSTRUMENTS AND LABORATORY EQPT
Competition & Pricing
Extent Competed: COMPETED UNDER SAP
Solicitation Procedures: SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION
Solicitation ID: 1333ND24QNB680228
Offers Received: 3
Pricing Type: FIRM FIXED PRICE (J)
Evaluated Preference: NONE
Contractor Details
Address: 23 DRYDOCK AVE, BOSTON, MA, 02210
Business Categories: Category Business, Corporate Entity Not Tax Exempt, Foreign Owned, Foreign-Owned and U.S.-Incorporated Business, Manufacturer of Goods, Not Designated a Small Business, Special Designations
Financial Breakdown
Contract Ceiling: $145,520
Exercised Options: $145,520
Current Obligation: $145,520
Contract Characteristics
Commercial Item: COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS/SERVICES
Timeline
Start Date: 2024-07-16
Current End Date: 2024-08-19
Potential End Date: 2024-08-19 00:00:00
Last Modified: 2026-04-08
Other Department of Commerce Contracts
- THE Purpose of This Contract IS to Develop the Ground System That Will Support Noaa S Next Generation Geostationary Satellite Series, Goes-R. This NEW Series of Spacecraft, SET to Begin Launching in 2015, IS Expected to Double the Clarity of Today S Satellite Imagery and Provide AT Least 20 Times More Atmospheric Observations From Space. the Contractor IS to Design, Develop, Test and Implement the Goes-R Ground System. the Ground System Will Capture Data From the Goes-R Satellites, and Process and Distribute the Information to Operational Users — $1.8B (L3harris Technologies, Inc.)
- Engineering Services and Development Leading to the Delivery of the Jpss Common Ground System Instrument and Support — $1.6B (Raytheon Company)
- Enterprise Solutions Framework (ESF) for Multi-Tiered Acquisition Framework for Systems Engineering and Integration - Program Tier Work Order 003 - 2020 Census Technical Integrator — $1.5B (T-Rex Solutions LLC)
- THE Goal of the Decennial Response Integration System (dris) Contract IS to Obtain a Practical Solution to Providing Respondent Assistance and Data Capture for the 2010 Census — $930.7M (Lockheed Martin Services, LLC)
- 2020 Census Questionnaire Assistance (2020 CQA) — $918.3M (Maximus Federal Services, Inc.)