White Rabbit System

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate on a sole-source basis with Safran Group under the authority of 41 US 3304(a)(1) for a White Rabbit LJ Switches (WRS-LJ) and LEN Kit manufactured in Switzerland.

Background Information and Basis for Sole Source

The US Department of Commerce (DOC), NIST, Computing and Communications Theory 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. Researchers apply their knowledge and skills in areas such as the fundamental models of physics, chemistry, biology, and information systems, complex systems analysis, pattern recognition, and quantum computing and communications. In collaboration with NIST and outside scientists, the group develops, analyzes, and applies related mathematical methods and tools for critical problems of measurement science at NIST, and develops mathematical foundations for the measurement science of information systems. As part of this mission, the Computing and Communications Theory group is planning to develop new schemes and protocols for quantum networking and perform experiments to test these protocols in the newly developed NIST campus network (called NG-QNet) and a regional quantum network (called DC-QNet).

The goal of the group’s research is to develop a measurement and testbed infrastructure to test and validate the performance of optical quantum components on the NIST Gaithersburg campus and over a regional DC area quantum network. A critical component of these quantum networks is the precision timing synchronization that is required between ‘nodes’ on the network. To distribute and characterize quantum signals and to perform quantum experiments between at least two DC-QNet agencies over a fiber-based link, the requesting lab needs to implement high precision (

NIST currently has existing Seven Solutions (acquired by OROLIA, and now Safran) hardware and firmware and plans to extend the network to work with additional labs at NIST and in DC-QNet. A comparison with CreoTech and OPNT show the hardware is similar but with different firmware and software. The risks of NIST not acquiring the same hardware and firmware for the White Rabbit (WR) are (a) significantly increased research delay time to acquire and verify other systems, 12 to 24 months depending on the supply chain availability, ease of working with different firmware and software interfaces, ease of integration, and the acquisitions process; and (b) the required frequency stability performance of

Per calibration requirements, WR devices must be the same in order to calibrate the devices on the network (to satisfy assumptions that hardware delays are relatively equal in devices with same hardware and firmware): See CERN White Rabbit Network Calibration Procedures, Section 3 (bullet 3): https://white-rabbit.web.cern.ch/documents/WR_Calibration-v1.1-20151109.pdf

Due to the compatibility and capability requirements as described herein, NIST has determined that only the White Rabbit LJ Switches (WRS-LJ) and LEN Kit will satisfy the agency’s needs for continued mission requirements.

General

The North American Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334111 – Electronic Computer Manufacturing. The small business size standard is 1,250 employees.

This notice of intent is not a solicitation, and no solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, responses received via email to Jennifer Lohmeier at jennifer.lohmeier@nist.gov by 10:00AM ET, April 23, 2025, will be considered by the Government.

A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Interested parties that believe they could satisfy the requirements listed above for NIST may clearly and unambiguously identify their capability to do so in writing on or before the response date for this notice.