Advanced Multichannel Multispectral Photodetection System

STATEMENT OF WORK/REQUIREMENTS DOCUMENT Title: Procurement of Advanced Photodetector System Requesting Lab: PML / 681 I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Biophysical and Biomedical Measurement Group (BBMG) within the Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division of the Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) requires an advanced spectral photodetection system for incorporation into NIST’s unique and world-class Serial Flow Cytometer for high temporal and spectral resolution optical measurements of biological micro and nanoparticles. This will enable accomplishment of our mission of developing microscale measurement science and technology applied to characterization of biological systems. Flow cytometry is a technology that rapidly analyzes properties of thousands of single cells or particles per second as they flow in a fluid stream. A laser incident on the fluid stream interrogates the cells, which can be labeled with fluorescent markers to enable the quantification of specific cell markers and classification of different cell types within populations. NIST develops a Serial Flow Cytometer (SFC) that uses multiple light sources to repeat optical measurements of single cells to provide uncertainty quantification (UQ). UQ is a valuable outcome that enables optimization of flow cytometers and modeling to improve confidence in flow cytometry measurements and instrument comparability. Purpose/Objective: NIST requires a complete, multichannel and multispectral photodetector system as listed below in the Scope and specified below in Minimum Requirements. The system will integrate directly into NIST’s Serial Flow Cytometer to perform sensitive, dynamic, and hyperspectral fluorescence measurements of rapidly flowing micro and nanoparticles including cells, gene therapy nanoparticles, and fluorescence calibration particles. Incorporation of the system within NIST instruments requires compatible connections to optical lines and routing of voltage signals to NIST recording devices. The advanced photodetector system is critical to achieve NIST project missions as it will enable the R&D team to build generalizable, multimodal cytometric tools with world-class deep spectral probing to advance Critical and Emerging Technologies (CETs) in Biotechnology. Since the advanced photodetector system is needed to conduct preliminary experiments to guide microdevice development, it must be awarded in FY26. II. SCOPE The Contractor shall deliver an advanced multichannel multispectral photodetection system that meets the specifications described within this document, including warrantied hardware. The contractor is also responsible for providing installation instructions and facilitating initial training and troubleshooting of the system either in-person or remotely. III. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS The Contractor shall provide a system that meets all technical specifications identified 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 are not authorized for sale in the U.S. by the Contractor is not acceptable. All line items shall be shipped in the original manufacturer’s packaging and include all original documentation and software, when applicable. Line Item 0001: Description: Advanced Spectral Photodetector System Quantity: 1 -- 1 of 5 -- A. Technical Specifications a. Performs multispectral light detection with ≥ 16 spectral channels, each detecting a non- overlapping wavelength bin of bin width ≤ 20 nm, distributed over a spectral sensitivity range including ≤ 450 nm to ≥ 750 nm. b. Detects light from ≥ 4 light sources, either through multiplexed detection to one system unit or through separated detection to multiple detector modules c. Accepts one fiber optic input per light source (SMA905 connector, fiber NA ≥ 0.1 and core diameter ≥ 105 μm) d. Internal detector format: photomultiplier tube, avalanche photodiode, silicon photomultiplier, or hybrid e. Typical peak photon detection efficiency ≥ 10 %, net bandwidth ≥ 500 kHz, Readout noise ≤ 10 mV p-p, and Dynamic range ≥ 10,000 f. Max voltage output with 500 mV ≤ max output ≤ 10 V and per-channel standard connector (i.e., SMA or BNC) to differential digitizers g. Includes power supply and tunable amplification gain via provided hardware or (if needed) via computer control h. Gain range for resolving fluorescence intensities between ≤ 102 MESF and ≥ 105 MESF Line Item 0002: Description: Installation/training Quantity: 1 A. Technical Specifications a. Instructions for installation, validation, and training must be provided. b. Remote or in-person meeting(s) will meet this requirement. Line Item 0003: Description: Shipping / Receiving Quantity: 1 A. Technical Specifications a. The cost for shipping and receiving to NIST Gaithersburg, MD, must be provided. IV. DELIVERABLES Description Quantity or Format Due Date Spectral photodetector system meeting the specification described above Physical instrument consisting of one or more photodetector modules. 12 weeks after award Operations and maintenance manual for the system covering proper operation, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting for the instrument Electronic (.pdf) or paper copies At the same time as delivery Standards of Acceptance: The NIST TPOC or COR shall review that the unit is functioning to specifications as outlined in Section III and respond with an acceptance or request for revision email to the Contractor Point of Contact (POC) within 2 months of receipt of deliverable. This -- 2 of 5 -- section applies to deliverables which must be reviewed and approved for acceptances (draft plans, drawings, etc.) V. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE a) Construction and fabrication of the equipment shall be completed at the contractor’s facility. b) If necessary (i.e., if remote installation cannot be achieved), instal…