Robotic arms with end-effectors, linear stage, software, and programming
ID: NIST-SS26-CHIPS-47Type: Sources Sought
Overview

Buyer

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

Original Source

https://sam.gov/workspace/contract/opp/aec2329b7c0943159b3ca42cfbe8e870/view
Timeline
    Description

    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.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Cielo Ibarra
    cielo.ibarra@nist.gov
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    Lifecycle
    Title
    Type
    Probes
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    Sources Sought
    Similar Opportunities
    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.
    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.
    Commercial semi-automatic probe stations
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    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.
    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.
    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.
    Atomic Force Microscope for use in a Scanning Electron Microscope
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    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.
    Sources Sought Notice for Mid-IR Optical Frequency Comb
    Commerce, Department Of
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), has issued a Sources Sought Notice for Mid-IR Optical Frequency Comb Systems to support its CHIPS Metrology Program's Grand Challenge 1. NIST requires three systems for applications in broadband spectroscopy, spectral reference databases, and new laser diagnostics in semiconductor processes, along with an additional system to fill a critical gap in long-wave infrared spectroradiometry and molecular spectroscopy for the space, defense, and satellite industries. Interested vendors are invited to provide information regarding their capabilities, including product specifications, customization options, and available services, while ensuring that proprietary information is not disclosed. Responses should be submitted via email to Forest Crumpler at forest.crumpler@nist.gov, as NIST seeks to gather market insights to inform future procurement decisions.
    Custom Magneto-resistive Sensors
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    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.
    Twenty-seven (27) semirigid cables, two (2) VNA test cables, ten (10) flexible cables
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    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking sources for the procurement of twenty-seven (27) semirigid cables, two (2) VNA test cables, and ten (10) flexible cables. These cables are critical for the automated measurement of NIST's standard reference materials related to complex permittivity, supporting the NIST CHIPS program. The sources sought notice outlines specific technical requirements for each cable type, including dimensions, frequency ranges, and connector specifications, and emphasizes that this inquiry is for market research purposes only, with no commitment to issue a solicitation or award a contract. Interested vendors should provide their company information, product details, and pricing to the primary contact, Elizabeth Timberlake, at elizabeth.timberlake@nist.gov, or the secondary contact, Donald Collie, at donald.collie@nist.gov.