Purchase of silicon-based photonics integrated circuit (PICs) for laboratory testing for the AstroPIC project.

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION

Notice type
Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
Solicitation #
80NSSC26936131Q
NAICS
334413
PSC
6695
Posted
June 16, 2026
Response due
June 22, 2026

What this opportunity is

NASA is procuring silicon-based photonics integrated circuits (PICs) for laboratory testing related to the AstroPIC project, with a sole source contract intended for Applied Nanotools, the only identified provider. This opportunity falls under NAICS 334413 and is classified under PSC 6695. Small businesses interested in this procurement can submit their capabilities and qualifications by the specified deadline; however, the government may choose not to pursue competitive bidding based on the responses received.

Analysis by Mindy, grounded in the SAM.gov notice.

Description

STATEMENT OF WORK Astrophotonics fabrication of silicon PICs for high-contrast imaging coronagraphy 1. Objective/Requirements The AstroPIC project at NASA Ames Research Center is seeking to manufacture silicon-based photonics integrated circuit (PICs) for laboratory testing. These PICs feature input grating coupler designs that need to be manufactured to fabrication tolerances to enable high efficiency coupling. Applied Nanotools (ANT) will use an electron-beam write lithography process with both full and partial etch capabilities to fabricate silicon PIC devices that meet fabrication tolerances specified below. These silicon PIC devices will be used for high-contrast imaging demonstrations for coronagraphy. ANT is a registered entity on SAM.gov with ID#: J3Q3ARBLN3H3. NASA Ames Research Center technical POCs:  Dan Sirbu (AstroPIC Principal Investigator) – dan.sirbu@nasa.gov  Kevin Sims (AstroPIC Project Manager) – kevin.sims@nasa.gov Applied Nanotools POCs:  Cameron Horvath - cameron@appliednt.com 2. Characteristics, Scope, and Specs Applied Nanotools (ANT) shall deliver a total of 56 photonic integrated circuit devices (referred to as “dies” on the quote) based on the following NASA provided silicon photonic layout design files:  ant_apr26_121_ACHIP.gds – 4 copies diced into 12 dies  ant_apr26_121_AstroPIC_main.gds – 12 copies diced into 12 dies  ant_apr26_121_AstroPIC_secondary.gds – 4 copies died into 4 dies  ant_apr26_121_BBDC.gds – 4 copies diced into 4 dies  ant_apr26_121_grating.gds – 4 copies diced into 4 dies  ant_apr26_121_Grating_pp.gds – 4 copies diced into 4 dies  ant_apr26_121_MEMS.gds – 4 copies diced into 4 dies  ant_apr26_121_PCLA.gds – 4 copies diced into 4 dies  ant_apr26_121_Polarization.gds – 4 copies diced into 4 dies  ant_apr26_121_SPEC.gds – 4 copies diced into 4 dies Each of the PIC devices shall have the following specifications and fabrication tolerances:  All devices will be Silicon-on-Insulator (SOI) material  Partial etch (layer 2) with 70nm (±10nm) depth, with pattering of gratings and partial- etching down to custom etch depth  Full etch (layer 1) at 220 nm depth with patterning of waveguides and etching down to the buried oxide (BOX) layer. -- 1 of 2 --  Oxide cladding: 2.2 +/- 0.2 micron thickness, deposited using plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) process.  Tri-layer metallization (layer 11, 12, 13) for thermal phase shifters and deep trench process for thermal isolation, on applicable devices. TiW and Au layers on 5 wafers total.  Oxide window openings (or MEMS release on MEMS devices – see below)  For devices containing Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) structures: o Direct metallization (layer 5) o Via openings (layer 40) o MEMS release (layer 6)  Deep trenches for thermal isolation trenches: > 250 microns (applicable to non- MEMS)  Dicing of 48 layout copies into 56 dies in total (as described above)  Shipping to NASA Ames. 3. Place of Performance Delivery of fabricated photonics integrated circuits to: NASA Ames Research Center Building N255 Central Receiving Moffett Field, CA 94035 United States Attention: Dan Sirbu 4. Period of Performance Delivery approximately 16 weeks after receipt of order. -- 2 of 2 --

Source: SAM.gov, as posted. Verify the current solicitation before responding.

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