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Dispersive Mirror

ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF.ENERGY, DEPARTMENT OF.SLAC Natl Accel Lab -DOE Contractor · Response deadline: Fri, 06 Nov 2026

What the government is buying

The SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, a Department of Energy national lab operated by Stanford University, is soliciting bids for dispersive mirrors. These are specialized optical components used in ultra-fast laser systems to manipulate how different wavelengths of light separate and travel at different speeds.

Dispersive mirrors are precision-manufactured optics that provide controlled chromatic dispersion—essentially, they stretch or compress ultrashort laser pulses by delaying some wavelengths relative to others. This technology is critical for applications in particle accelerators, X-ray free-electron lasers, and high-field physics research. SLAC, home to the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), relies on such components for its world-class accelerator and photon science programs.

NAICS code 333314 (Optical Instrument and Lens Manufacturing) indicates this falls under precision optics manufacturing rather than general glass or mirror fabrication.

Key facts

Who can bid

This is a full and open competition with no small-business set-aside, meaning businesses of any size may compete. However, the specialized nature of dispersive mirror fabrication creates natural barriers to entry.

Potential bidders likely include:

• Precision optics manufacturers with experience in laser-grade coatings and substrates
• Vendors familiar with DOE national lab procurement and its quality assurance requirements
• Firms with vacuum-deposition coating capabilities for multilayer dielectric mirrors
• Companies able to meet SLAC's technical specifications for wavefront accuracy, dispersion uniformity, and damage thresholds

Small businesses with relevant capabilities should not self-exclude, but be prepared to demonstrate comparable performance data. Large primes may also bid directly.

How to put together a competitive bid

For precision optics solicitations at national labs, competitive bids typically address:

Technical capability documentation: Provide measured performance data on similar dispersive mirrors you've produced—group delay dispersion curves, reflectivity spectra, and wavefront error measurements. SLAC will likely require see the solicitation for exact specifications, but expect demands for sub-nanometer surface figure accuracy and high laser damage thresholds.

Metrology and quality assurance: Describe your interferometric testing capabilities, environmental controls, and traceable measurement protocols. DOE labs emphasize reproducibility and documentation.

Substrate and coating expertise: Detail your experience with the specific substrate materials (often fused silica or low-expansion glass) and coating technologies (ion-beam sputtering, magnetron sputtering, or similar) relevant to this class of optics.

Past performance: Cite deliveries to other DOE labs, NSF facilities, or comparable research institutions. Familiarity with national lab contract terms (such as IP provisions, security requirements, and audit rights) strengthens proposals.

Pricing structure: Given the 6-day response window, pricing should reflect your actual manufacturing costs with any R&D or risk premiums for custom specifications. See the solicitation for whether cost breakdowns or labor categories are required.

Next steps

Read the full solicitation on SAM.gov using solicitation number SLAC_368931_DispersiveMirror to obtain technical specifications, delivery requirements, contract terms, and submission instructions.

Note the November 5, 2026 deadline at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. The compressed 6-day response period suggests this may be a recompete, urgent requirement, or sole-source justification posting—confirm whether questions are permitted and when responses are due.

View the official notice on SAM.gov →