Motorized Positioners
ID: NIST-SS26-CHIPS-48Type: Sources Sought
Overview

Buyer

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

    The Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking responses to a Sources Sought notice for the procurement of motorized positioners to enhance their wafer probing systems. The specific requirements include two motorized linear translation stages: one horizontal with a travel range of at least 75 mm and a minimum incremental movement of 20 nm, and one vertical with a travel range of at least 20 mm, also with a minimum incremental movement of 20 nm. These positioners are critical for characterizing high-frequency microelectronic devices under the CHIPS Act program, supporting advancements in semiconductor technology. Interested vendors should submit their responses, including company details and capabilities, to the primary contact, Cielo Ibarra, at cielo.ibarra@nist.gov, by the deadline for questions on December 12, 2025. This notice is for market research purposes only and does not constitute a request for proposals or a commitment to award a contract.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Files
    No associated files provided.
    Lifecycle
    Title
    Type
    Motorized Positioners
    Currently viewing
    Sources Sought
    Similar Opportunities
    Commercial semi-automatic probe stations
    Commerce, Department Of
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking responses to a Sources Sought notice for the procurement of a commercial semi-automatic probe station. This equipment is essential for conducting reliability testing on silicon carbide field effect transistors (FETs), which are increasingly used in high power semiconductor applications across various industries, including electric vehicles and energy storage. The probe station must meet specific technical requirements, including the capability to probe 300 mm wafers, accommodate both whole wafers and pre-diced dies, and include features such as a heated wafer chuck and a digital microscope. Interested vendors should submit their responses, including company information and capabilities, to the primary contact, Cielo Ibarra, at cielo.ibarra@nist.gov, by the deadline of December 12, 2025, for any questions regarding this notice.
    Optical Microscope
    Commerce, Department Of
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking responses to a Sources Sought Notice for the procurement of an Optical Microscope. The primary objective is to support the NIST CHIPS Metrology R&D program, which focuses on nondestructive defect detection metrology for semiconductor advanced packaging, requiring a microscope capable of various imaging modes and equipped with advanced features for precision measurements. This procurement is critical for enhancing the accuracy of defect detection in semiconductor failure analysis, with a focus on characterizing defects through precise optical measurements. Interested vendors should submit their capabilities and relevant information to Cielo Ibarra at cielo.ibarra@nist.gov by December 15, 2025, while noting that this notice does not constitute a commitment to award a contract.
    Atomic Force Microscope for use in a Scanning Electron Microscope
    Commerce, Department Of
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking sources for a compact Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) intended for use in conjunction with a Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). This procurement is part of the CHIPS Act initiative aimed at enhancing metrology research and development to support semiconductor manufacturing, with a focus on improving device reliability through advanced measurement technologies. The AFM will facilitate live imaging and analysis of two-dimensional materials, crucial for understanding device performance and failure mechanisms, thereby streamlining the fabrication and optimization processes for next-generation semiconductor devices. Interested vendors should contact Cielo Ibarra at cielo.ibarra@nist.gov and submit their responses by the specified deadlines, ensuring they include relevant company information and capabilities.
    Probes
    Commerce, Department Of
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is conducting market research through a Sources Sought Notice for the procurement of five 220 GHz on-wafer probes to support its CHIPS program. The probes are essential for manufacturing on-wafer standards for S-parameters and power measurements up to 330 GHz, with the goal of providing known permittivity measurements for on-wafer traceability. Interested vendors are encouraged to submit their capabilities and relevant product information to Cielo Ibarra at cielo.ibarra@nist.gov by December 15, 2025, as this notice is for market research purposes and does not constitute a commitment to award a contract.
    Robotic Arms
    Commerce, Department Of
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking responses to a Sources Sought Notice for the procurement of robotic arms and associated equipment. The requirement includes four collaborative robotic arms with a 600 mm reach, a mountable smart camera, various grippers, and a professional license for RoboDK software, all intended for use in manufacturing complex permittivity standards up to 330 GHz. This initiative supports the NIST CHIPS program, which aims to enhance measurement practices and algorithms for complex permittivity and on-wafer measurements. Interested vendors should submit their responses, including company details and capabilities, to the primary contact, Cielo Ibarra, at cielo.ibarra@nist.gov, by the deadline for questions on December 17, 2025. Please note that this notice is for market research purposes only and does not constitute a request for proposals or a commitment to award a contract.
    Custom Magneto-resistive Sensors
    Commerce, Department Of
    The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking responses to a Sources Sought Notice for the fabrication of custom magneto-resistive sensors. These sensors are intended for use in a scanning magnetic microscope being developed for the CHIPS Metrology Project, specifically for acquiring 3D thermal images in semiconductor packages. The procurement requires sensors that meet specific technical specifications, including a frequency range from DC to 100 kHz, field sensitivity parameters, and operational conditions, with a minimum delivery of 100 sensors. Interested parties should respond to the primary contact, Cielo Ibarra, at cielo.ibarra@nist.gov, with their capabilities and relevant experience by the deadline of December 12, 2025, for any questions regarding the notice.
    Sources Sought Notice for CHIPS R&D Optical frequency comb, Control electronics
    Commerce, Department Of
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is conducting a Sources Sought Notice to identify potential sources for a Mid-Infrared Femtosecond Laser Source, Femtosecond Laser Control Electronics, and an Ultrastable Laser System as part of its CHIPS Metrology Program. The objective is to enhance measurement science critical to semiconductor manufacturing processes, particularly in plasma etching, by acquiring advanced optical frequency comb diagnostics. This procurement is vital for improving the correlation between reactor inputs and etching outcomes, thereby facilitating the development of next-generation plasma etching processes. Interested manufacturers are encouraged to submit their capabilities and relevant product information to Tracy Retterer at tracy.retterer@nist.gov or Donald Collie at donald.collie@nist.gov, with responses preferred before the closing date, as this notice is for market research purposes only and does not guarantee a contract award.
    CHIPS R&D Electrical/thermal TEM holder – Combined Sources Sought/Notice of Intent to Sole Source
    Commerce, Department Of
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking to procure a specialized electrical/thermal transmission electron microscope (TEM) holder system and compatible microelectromechanical system (MEMS)-based chips for advanced semiconductor research. This procurement aims to enhance measurement capabilities critical for evaluating the readiness of next-generation semiconductors by detecting early-stage indicators of material degradation and device failure under operational conditions. The TEM holder and associated equipment will support NIST's mission to improve manufacturing processes and assess advanced materials in semiconductor production, particularly focusing on two-dimensional and wide bandgap semiconductors. Interested vendors should respond with their capabilities and relevant information to the primary contact, Tracy Retterer, at tracy.retterer@nist.gov, by the specified deadline.
    Sources Sought Notice for two (2) CMOS Cameras
    Commerce, Department Of
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking potential sources for two scientific CMOS cameras through a sources sought notice (NIST-SS26-CHIPS-24). These cameras are integral to the Digital Twins for Atomic Layer Deposition Processes Project, aimed at developing and validating digital twin models for atomic layer deposition processes by enabling high-sensitivity and high-speed absorption tomographic measurements. Key technical specifications include a back-illuminated scientific CMOS sensor, high quantum efficiency, global shutter capability, and a minimum frame readout rate of 100 frames per second. Interested vendors should submit their responses, including company information and product details, by December 15, 2025, to Elizabeth Timberlake at elizabeth.timberlake@nist.gov or Donald Collie at donald.collie@nist.gov, with submissions not exceeding 20 pages.
    Sources Sought Notice for CHIPS R&D Data Acquisition System
    Commerce, Department Of
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is conducting market research through a Sources Sought Notice for a Data Acquisition System (DAQ) to support its CHIPS Metrology program. This procurement aims to identify potential sources capable of providing a DAQ system that can measure resistance and temperature changes in advanced packaging materials during accelerated aging experiments, which are critical for assessing the long-term reliability of semiconductor chips. The DAQ system will play a vital role in enhancing metrology capabilities within the U.S. semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem, ultimately contributing to improved design efficiency and cost savings. Interested manufacturers should respond with detailed information about their products and capabilities to the primary contact, Tracy Retterer, at tracy.retterer@nist.gov, by the specified deadline.