Nanometer Scale Planar Films and Measurements
ID: NIST-FY25-CHIPS-0088Type: Sources Sought
Overview

Buyer

COMMERCE, DEPARTMENT OFNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGYDEPT OF COMMERCE NISTGAITHERSBURG, MD, 20899, USA

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

PSC

LABORATORY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES (6640)

Original Source

https://sam.gov/opp/87ff809f352342cdb9befd3ddc88227a/view
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking vendors to provide high-quality thin films on silicon wafers as part of its CHIPS Metrology program, which aims to enhance semiconductor manufacturing capabilities. The procurement specifically targets four classes of wafers: HfO2, TiN, ZrO2, and SiN, each with defined substrate and thickness parameters, along with customizable options for orders. These materials are crucial for advancing measurement techniques in semiconductor technology, and vendors are required to submit detailed responses that include company information, equipment specifications, and pricing transparency. Interested parties should direct inquiries to Elizabeth Timberlake at elizabeth.timberlake@nist.gov and submit their responses by the specified deadline, noting that this notice is a market research tool and not a commitment for contract awards.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Elizabeth Timberlake
    elizabeth.timberlake@nist.gov
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    Nanometer-scale planar films and measurement.docx
    NIST is soliciting vendors for high-quality thin films on silicon wafers to support its CHIPS Metrology program, aimed at advancing semiconductor manufacturing. The agency seeks suppliers for four specific classes of wafers: HfO2, TiN, ZrO2, and SiN, each with fixed parameters for substrates and thickness, along with customizable options at the time of order. Essential measurement data using non-destructive methods (e.g., XRR, XRF, XPS, SE) is required for quality assurance. Vendors must provide a detailed response, including company information, equipment specifications, performance capabilities, potential barriers to participation, customization options, and services offered with the equipment. The solicitation emphasizes the need for transparency in pricing, equipment origin, and existing federal contracts. Additionally, responding companies must indicate their business size classification and whether the requested equipment is available for purchase through existing contracts. The aim of this notice is to gauge the market's readiness to fulfill NIST's requirements and is not a commitment for contract awards, emphasizing that responses will not be considered proposals. NIST invites interested parties to clarify any aspects of the notice and submit their responses by a specified deadline.
    Lifecycle
    Title
    Type
    Nanometer Scale Planar Films and Measurements
    Currently viewing
    Sources Sought
    Similar Opportunities
    2D materials transfer system
    Buyer not available
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking information from qualified vendors regarding an automated 2D materials transfer system for its Quantum Measurement Division (QMD). This system is intended for precise transfer of 2D materials onto substrates within glove box environments, supporting the CHIPS project 1.01, which aims to enhance the quality of 2D materials for microelectronics and establish electrical measurement standards. Interested parties are requested to provide detailed company information, product specifications, manufacturing details, and available services, as this notice serves as market research rather than a solicitation. Responses should be directed to Junee Johnson via email, with questions submitted at least five days prior to the response deadline.
    Sources Sought Notice for Commercial Isothermal Titration Calorimeter to Measure Suspensions of Solid Particles
    Buyer not available
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has issued a Sources Sought Notice for a commercial isothermal titration calorimeter (ITC) to support its CHIPS R&D Metrology Project 7.03, which focuses on quantifying critical materials recovery from microelectronic waste. The ITC is essential for benchmarking NIST-developed instruments by providing fundamental thermodynamic data on ion interactions with membrane and sorbent species in solution, with key specifications including a temperature range of 15-80°C and a minimum injection volume under 10 microliters. Interested vendors are required to submit company details, product specifications, past performance evidence, and pricing information, as this notice serves solely for market research purposes and does not constitute a commitment to contract. For further inquiries, respondents may contact Nina Lin at nina.lin@nist.gov or Donald Collie at donald.collie@nist.gov.
    Sources Sought Notice for Lock-in Amplifier
    Buyer not available
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is conducting a Sources Sought Notice (NIST-SS26-CHIPS-02) to identify potential suppliers for a commercial integrated electronic test system that includes a lock-in amplifier, PID controller, and spectrum analyzer compatible with the LabOne software platform. This system is vital for NIST's Biomedical Measurement Technologies group, as it will facilitate testing biofunctionalization techniques in advanced electronic sensing applications and enhance the quality and performance testing of functionalized semiconductor substrates. Interested vendors are requested to provide detailed company information, product specifications, and performance capabilities, as this notice serves as market research and does not guarantee a solicitation or contract award. For further inquiries, respondents may contact Nina Lin at nina.lin@nist.gov or Donald Collie at donald.collie@nist.gov.
    STANDARDS DEVELOPMENT LICENSED PLATFORM SUBSCRIPTION
    Buyer not available
    The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting a Sources Sought Notice to identify qualified sources for a customized online standards development platform licensed subscription. The platform is required to facilitate the management of standards document development processes, including features for committee participation, discussion tracking, voting mechanisms, document commenting, editing, and archiving. This initiative is crucial for enhancing collaboration among various stakeholders involved in standards development, ensuring efficient and effective document management. Interested vendors must submit detailed capability statements and relevant information to Randy E. Schroyer at randy.schroyer@nist.gov by the specified response date, with no formal solicitation documents currently available.
    Sole Source Justification Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM)
    Buyer not available
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking to procure a Sole Source Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) through a Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC). This procurement is essential for advancing NIST's capabilities in laboratory equipment and supplies, particularly in high-resolution imaging and analysis. The justification for this sole source acquisition will be publicly available within 14 days of the contract award, and the opportunity will remain open for 30 days in accordance with federal regulations. Interested parties can reach out to Nina Lin at nina.lin@nist.gov or Forest Crumpler at forest.crumpler@nist.gov for further inquiries.
    Praevium Wafer Bonded 8um Detectors
    Buyer not available
    The Department of Defense, through the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), intends to award a sole source contract to Praevium Research Inc. for the procurement of Praevium Wafer Bonded 8um Detectors. This procurement is essential for fulfilling specific agency requirements that can only be met by the designated supplier, as no other sources are deemed capable of providing the necessary goods. The contract will be executed under Simplified Acquisition Procedures, with a value not exceeding $250,000, and interested parties are invited to express their capabilities by referencing Notice of Intent number N00173-26-Q-1301264828 in their correspondence. For further inquiries, potential respondents may contact James Chappell at james.chappell@nrl.navy.mil or by phone at 202-923-1418.
    Available for Licensing:High-Quality Superconducting ZrN Thin Films via Molecular Beam Epitaxy for Quantum Computing and Advanced Superconducting Technologies
    Buyer not available
    The Department of Energy is offering a licensing opportunity for high-quality superconducting zirconium nitride (ZrN) thin films produced via molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), aimed at advancing quantum computing and superconducting technologies. This initiative focuses on the precise deposition parameters established by researchers at Idaho National Laboratory, which enhance the crystalline quality and physical properties of ZrN, potentially leading to unconventional superconductivity and improved performance metrics. The technology is particularly relevant for applications in quantum computing, superconducting heterostructures, and fault-tolerant computing systems. Interested parties can reach out to Javier Martinez at javier.martinez@inl.gov for further details on this opportunity.
    CERIUM(III) NITRATE
    Buyer not available
    The Department of Defense, specifically the Department of the Navy, is soliciting bids for the procurement of Cerium(III) Nitrate, a critical material used in various defense applications. The contract requires the manufacturing of this hazardous material, which must meet specific material and physical requirements as outlined in the associated drawings and specifications. This procurement is essential for maintaining operational readiness and supporting national defense initiatives, with a delivery timeline of 90 days from the award date. Interested vendors should contact Amanda Hayward at 717-605-5834 or via email at amanda.r.hayward.civ@us.navy.mil for further details and to access the solicitation documents.
    Award Notice - SemiProbe Inc SA-8 200mm Magnetic Probe Station
    Buyer not available
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has announced a contract award for the SemiProbe Inc SA-8 200mm Magnetic Probe Station. This procurement is justified under the Justification for Other Than Full and Open Competition (JOFOC), indicating that the specific requirements necessitate this particular equipment for their operations. The Magnetic Probe Station is crucial for electrical hardware testing and development, playing a significant role in advancing standards and technologies in the field. Interested parties can review the attached redacted justification document for further details, and inquiries can be directed to Forest Crumpler at forest.crumpler@nist.gov. The notice will remain available for 30 days following the contract award, in accordance with FAR regulations.
    BSA RFI-Tabletop Maskless Optical Writer
    Buyer not available
    The Department of Energy, through Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL), is seeking information from qualified vendors regarding the acquisition of a tabletop maskless optical writer. This system is intended for advanced 2D and 3D photolithography applications, requiring capabilities such as operation in both raster and vector modes, a compact design, and the ability to handle various substrate sizes while achieving sub-micrometer resolution. The procurement is crucial for enhancing research capabilities in nanotechnology and materials science, with a focus on precision and efficiency in photolithography processes. Interested parties must submit their capabilities and responses to the attached RFI document by 5:00 PM Eastern Time on November 24, 2025, via email to Aaron Hagler at ahagler@bnl.gov, with the subject line “BSA RFI-471842.”