Planar Junction Deposition System
ID: NB6720602402620Type: Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
Overview

Buyer

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

NAICS

Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing (333242)

PSC

ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONIC PROPERTIES MEASURING AND TESTING INSTRUMENTS (6625)
Timeline
    Description

    The Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking quotations for a Planar Junction Deposition System to enhance its capabilities in depositing superconducting junctions at the Boulder Micro-fabrication Facility. The procurement includes the supply, installation, and training for a system that meets strict ISO Class 5 cleanroom standards and operates efficiently at high altitudes, with a focus on rapid pump down times and film deposition uniformity. This advanced semiconductor machinery is critical for various programs, including the Josephson Voltage Standard, ensuring NIST maintains cutting-edge research capabilities. Interested vendors must submit comprehensive quotations by the specified deadline, with inquiries directed to Lia M. Arthofer at lia.arthofer@nist.gov or 303-497-3870, and Clifford Nicholson at clifford.nicholson@nist.gov or 303-497-5185.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    The document outlines a Request for Proposals (RFP) for a new Planar Junction Deposition System to be supplied to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) at the Boulder Micro-fabrication Facility. The main purpose is to enhance the capabilities for depositing superconducting junctions critical to various programs, including the Josephson Voltage Standard. Key objectives include supplying, installing, and training users on a system that adheres to strict ISO Class 5 cleanroom standards and operates efficiently at high altitude. The scope includes specific requirements for system construction, operational capabilities, and various subsystems such as gas distribution, cooling, and automated control. The contractor must ensure performance standards are met, including rapid pump down times to achieve ultra-high vacuum and maintaining film deposition uniformity. The document also dictates a schedule for factory acceptance testing, delivery logistics, installation, and training, emphasizing contractor responsibilities for documentation, security protocols, and compliance with NIST safety regulations. Overall, this RFP reflects the government's commitment to maintaining cutting-edge research capabilities while ensuring rigorous standards are upheld during the acquisition process.
    The document outlines specifications regarding existing structural features, specifically detailing measurements for walls and available footprints within a given space. It lists dimensions for a “chase” with a height of 7 feet and width of 3 feet, alongside an available footprint of 9 feet by 3 feet. The focus is on identifying these existing conditions, likely as part of a broader solicitation related to federal or state RFPs aimed at construction or renovation projects. This data provides essential context for contractors or stakeholders by delineating the physical parameters under which any proposed work must adhere. Such information is critical for ensuring that compliance with standards and the efficient planning of resources occurs during project execution.
    The document is a project data sheet used in the context of government Requests for Proposals (RFPs) and grant applications. It gathers essential information about a specific project, focusing on the experience and qualifications of the offeror, which could be an individual firm, a joint venture, or another entity. The structure includes sections for identifying the project number, the nature of the experience (e.g., prime contractor or subcontractor), relevant contract details, project description, and customer contact information. Key elements include the project's award and completion dates, the type of work involved (e.g., dilution refrigerator), contract type, and a detailed project description that illustrates its relevance to the current RFP requirements. The document emphasizes the need for concise responses, allowing for an expanded format but limiting the total length to ensure clarity. Ultimately, this format aims to substantiate the qualifications of the bidding entity in relation to specific government project needs, ensuring all relevant experiences are adequately represented for assessment by government agencies.
    The document outlines a Request for Quotation (RFQ) for a Planar Junction Deposition System, including installation and training, issued by the Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The solicitation number is NB672060-24-02620, and it follows FAR 13.5 for simplified acquisition procedures. It seeks quotations for a single firm fixed-price order, emphasizing technical capability and experience as key evaluation factors, along with price. Vendors must provide a comprehensive quotation split into four volumes: technical approach, experience summaries with references, price quotation, and terms and conditions. Emphasis is placed on the offeror’s technical specifications, relevant experience, firm fixed pricing inclusive of shipping, and compliance with listed contract provisions. The submission deadline is set, with detailed instructions for inquiries and quotation preparation, ensuring all communications reference the solicitation number. This RFQ represents NIST’s commitment to procuring advanced semiconductor machinery while adhering to federal acquisition regulations and promoting fair competition among contractors. The focus is on high-quality, technologically capable solutions meeting specified requirements.
    Lifecycle
    Title
    Type
    Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
    Similar Opportunities
    Dilution Refrigerator
    Commerce, Department Of
    The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking information from industry regarding the procurement of a state-of-the-art dilution refrigerator to support its quantum sensor development and quantum information science research in Boulder, Colorado. The refrigerator must achieve a base temperature of 10 mK or lower, with specific cooling power and minimal vibration, and include advanced features such as automation via Python scripting and a fully automated gas handling system. This opportunity is crucial for enhancing NIST's capabilities in quantum research, and interested parties are invited to submit their responses by December 23, 2025, to Angela Hitt at angela.hitt@nist.gov, with a focus on their qualifications and compliance with relevant regulations.
    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.
    CHIPS R&D: Extreme Thermal Cycling Chamber– Combined Sources Sought/Notice of Intent to Sole Source
    Commerce, Department Of
    The Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking to procure an Extreme Thermal Cycling Chamber to support its CHIPS Metrology program, which focuses on the reliability of materials used in advanced semiconductor packaging. The chamber must meet specific technical requirements, including a temperature range of -100 °C to 200 °C and a cycling rate of at least 70 °C/min, to facilitate accelerated aging experiments on polymeric components. This procurement is critical for enhancing metrology capabilities within the U.S. semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem, and interested vendors are encouraged to respond with their capabilities and relevant information to the primary contact, Tracy Retterer, at tracy.retterer@nist.gov, by the specified deadline.
    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.
    Combined Sources Sought/Notice of Intent to Sole Source: Pump Suppression Module
    Commerce, Department Of
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking to noncompetitively acquire a Pump Suppression Module essential for a new Brillouin Light Scattering (BLS) spectrometer as part of its CHIPS project. This module is critical for accurately measuring magnetic materials parameters, which directly supports advancements in magnetic random-access memories (MRAM) and enhances the semiconductor industry's product reliability and performance. The procurement is intended to be fulfilled by Light Machinery, Inc., the only vendor identified that meets the stringent specifications required for the module, including a suppression capability of at least 60 dB and high transmission rates. Interested parties must submit their responses by August 1, 2025, to the primary contact, Cielo Ibarra, at cielo.ibarra@nist.gov.
    Motorized Positioners
    Commerce, Department Of
    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.
    Notice of Intent to Noncompetitively Acquire CHIPS R&D On-axis TEM tomography Holder
    Commerce, Department Of
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), intends to noncompetitively acquire an on-axis transmission electron microscopy (TEM) tomography holder to support its CHIPS atom probe tomography project in Boulder, Colorado. This specialized equipment is crucial for analyzing wire-based specimens used in the CAMECA Invizo 6000 atom probe microscope, which plays a significant role in the characterization of materials relevant to semiconductor manufacturing. The acquisition is based on market research indicating that Fischione Instruments is the only vendor capable of providing a compatible holder that meets NIST's stringent requirements. Interested parties who believe they can fulfill these requirements are encouraged to contact Tracy Retterer at tracy.retterer@nist.gov or Forest Crumpler at forest.crumpler@nist.gov with relevant information by the specified response date.
    Electrochemical Liquid TEM Holder System with Heating/Cooling - Combined Sources Sought Notice and Notice of Intent to Sole Source
    Commerce, Department Of
    The Department of Commerce's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking to procure an Electrochemical Liquid TEM Holder System with Heating/Cooling through a combined sources sought notice and notice of intent to sole source. This acquisition is part of the CHIPS R&D Metrology Grant Challenge Project 7.03, aimed at developing thermodynamic datasets and measurement platforms for critical material recovery from microelectronic waste. The system must be compatible with Thermo Fisher Scientific TEMs and X-ray scattering beamlines, featuring integrated electrochemical and temperature control capabilities, along with specific design requirements and comprehensive support services. Interested vendors should contact Nina Lin at nina.lin@nist.gov or Donald Collie at donald.collie@nist.gov for further details, as market research has indicated that Protochips, Inc. is the only capable source for this procurement.
    Combined Sources Sought/Notice of Intent to Sole Source: Sub-THz VNA Extenders and Amplifier
    Commerce, Department Of
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking to noncompetitively acquire Sub-THz VNA extenders and a high-power amplifier to support its CHIPS program focused on high-frequency transistor characterization. The procurement includes specific requirements for WR6.5, WR5.1, and WR3.4 VNA waveguide extenders, as well as a D-band waveguide amplifier, all of which are critical for developing a unique microelectronic measurement setup essential for semiconductor testing. This equipment is vital for enhancing measurement capabilities and accelerating the development of next-generation microelectronic devices. Interested vendors must respond by December 23, 2025, with their capabilities and relevant information to the primary contact, Cielo Ibarra, at cielo.ibarra@nist.gov.