The Applied Electrical Metrology Group at NIST requires a 4-Channel Arbitary Bitstream Generator (ABG-4). This instrument is a critical component in the operation of an intrinsic AC Josephson voltage standard (ACJVS) which is a mission critical project to replace artifact electrical standards with quantum-based systems. The ABG-4 is the only item in existence that is capable of providing the necessary electrical biases for operation of state of the art 2 V pulse driven Josephson junction arrays. The ACJVS is a delicate, advanced technology where related phenomenon and errors within the system are not well understood to the degree to where substitute electronics could be made for or fitted to existing systems.

Minimum requirements for the 4-Channel ABG include:

Technical Requirements:

Definition
The ABG shall include:
(1) a high-speed (20 Gbps or greater), four-channel arbitrary pulse pattern generator (PPG), wherein the four channels are arranged as either:
a. two pairs of complementary, binary data outputs (e.g., channel 1 and channel 2 are a pair and channel 2 is channel 1's complement; likewise for channels 3 and 4; also, each pair has its own independent data path), or
b. one pair of complementary, ternary (3-level) data outputs
(2) a microwave synthesizer, which provides a high-speed (7 GHz or greater) clock for picosecond timing synchronization of the two pairs of PPG outputs
(3) internal microcontroller, or orther electronic hardware, for communication between the ABG and a computer, for operation from the front panel of the ABG itself, and for onboard storage of bitstream pattern files
(4) an input for referencing the system clock to an external timebase
(5) a high-speed (1 Gbps) data port for transferring large pattern files from a computer to the ABG in a reasonable amount of time
(6) sufficient internal memory to store bitstream pattern files larger than 4 GB

Technical Specifications

Parameter                                                                Value           Unit
Minimum number of channel pairs                                2                  -
Timing accuracy between between channel pairs            25                ps
Minimum bitstream pattern length                               32                Gb
Minimum pulse/data rate                                            20                Gb/s
Minimum pulse/data amplitude, peak-to-peak                6.0               V
Minimum microwave clock frequency                             10                GHz

HSCC is the only responsible source that can meet the stated requirements. The model ABG-4, developed by HSCC, involves proprietary technology both in terms of hardware and in terms of assembly techniques. HSCC does not license or distribute such proprietary information, they are the exclusive vendor for the ABG-4.

The estimated completion for this project will be 1 year from award. The NAICS code is 541712 and size standard is 500 employees. This notice is not a request for competitive quotations. However, any firm that believes it can meet these requirements may submit a written response via email to Danielle Peña at [email protected] no later than 9:00 AM Eastern Time on Tuesday, April 14, 2015. Supporting evidence must be furnished in sufficient detail to demonstrate the ability to comply with the above requirement. Information received will be considered; however, a determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based on responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. If no responses are received, NIST will proceed with the sole source award to Steven Waltman, 1441 County Rd 83, Boulder, CO 80302. The anticipated award date for this requirement is around June 1st. No phone calls will be accepted. If you have any questions regarding this announcement, please contact Danielle Peña at [email protected].