High Resolution Time Tagger Procurement

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate a firm-fixed price purchase order on a sole source basis with Swabian Instruments USA Inc. for a high-precision, 4-measurement channel Swabian Time Tagger. This procurement is necessary to support NIST's quantum networking research and development, as well as to enhance the resilience of time measurement infrastructure integral to the 2026 NIST Strategy for American Technology Leadership and related initiatives. The instrument will provide high-precision time interval counting capabilities, associated software for data acquisition, visualization, and analysis, and integration into quantum networking applications including single photon counting, coincidence counting, and other quantum network metrology protocols.

Selection of Swabian Instruments is based on compatibility and equivalency with NIST’s existing Swabian X Time Tagger system, which is vital to maintaining scientific data continuity and supporting on-going research. The need for an identical system is underscored by the proprietary nature of the equipment, as Swabian Instruments does not authorize resellers. Interested parties that believe they can meet the requirements should respond in writing by the deadline.

Responses must include complete business information, contractor details, SAM registration, and relevant classification. Only parties with demonstrated capability to provide a fully compatible and equivalent system will be considered.