Combined Sources Sought/Notice of Intent to Sole Source: Sub-THz VNA Extenders and Amplifier
ID: NIST-SS26-CHIPS-43Type: Special Notice
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/workspace/contract/opp/1b52ca680983427b902413cc993e978b/view
Timeline
    Description

    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.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Cielo Ibarra
    cielo.ibarra@nist.gov
    Files
    No associated files provided.
    Similar Opportunities
    Vector Network Analyzer
    Buyer not available
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking responses for a Sources Sought notice regarding the procurement of a Vector Network Analyzer (VNA) to support its semiconductor metrology program. The VNA will be utilized in a project focused on high-power waveform metrology, which is critical for improving the accuracy of RF measurements in semiconductor manufacturing processes. This equipment is essential for establishing traceability in high-power RF signals, thereby enhancing the reliability of measurements that impact chip quality and yield. Interested vendors should contact Cielo Ibarra at cielo.ibarra@nist.gov for further details and submit their responses by the specified deadlines, ensuring they do not include proprietary information.
    Sources Sought Notice for Amplifier
    Buyer not available
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is conducting a sources sought notice to identify potential sources for an amplifier required for their Absolute Magnetometer system. The amplifier must meet specific technical specifications, including a bandwidth from DC to at least 250 kHz, an output voltage of 0 to 250 VRMS, and a power rating of at least 12 kW, among other requirements. This equipment is critical for the development of standard reference materials for magnetic moment, which are essential for various applications in government, industry, and academia, particularly in the fields of next-generation memory and computing. Interested vendors should submit their responses, including company details and product specifications, to the primary contact, Nina Lin, at nina.lin@nist.gov, by the specified deadline, ensuring they are registered and active in SAM.gov.
    Twenty-seven (27) semirigid cables, two (2) VNA test cables, ten (10) flexible cables
    Buyer not available
    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.
    Combined Sources Sought/Notice of Intent to Sole Source: Repair Keysight model 5227A Vector-Network-Analyzer
    Buyer not available
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), intends to noncompetitively acquire repair services for a Keysight model 5227A Vector-Network-Analyzer. The repair is critical due to the analyzer's failure to output microwaves at certain frequencies, which hinders essential measurements for the CHIPS project, impacting the characterization of magnetic materials. Keysight Technologies is the sole provider capable of performing these repairs due to proprietary components and procedures, and the acquisition must be completed within the current fiscal year to meet project timelines. Interested parties should direct inquiries to Cielo Ibarra at cielo.ibarra@nist.gov by December 12, 2025, and responses to the notice are due by December 23, 2025, at 5:00 PM ET.
    Sources Sought Notice for Mid-IR Optical Frequency Comb
    Buyer not available
    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.
    Atomic Force Microscope for use in a Scanning Electron Microscope
    Buyer not available
    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.
    Optical Microscope
    Buyer not available
    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 Continuous Wave Parametric Oscillator (CW OPO) Laser System
    Buyer not available
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking information regarding a Continuous Wave Parametric Oscillator (CW OPO) Laser System to fulfill specific technical requirements. The desired system must include a pump laser, signal and idler laser outputs with defined tunable ranges and power, control electronics compatible with U.S. power and Windows PCs, as well as a high-accuracy wavelength meter and stabilization controls. This procurement is crucial for advancing analytical laboratory capabilities, and interested vendors are encouraged to submit their company details, equipment specifications, and service offerings by email to Forest Crumpler at forest.crumpler@nist.gov by October 31, 2022. This notice serves as market research and does not constitute a solicitation or commitment to award a contract.
    Amended Sources Sought Notice for a Ultra-High Vacuum Sample Backout Chamber
    Buyer not available
    The Department of Commerce, specifically the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), is seeking information from potential providers for an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) sample backout chamber, which is essential for the CHIPS R&D project aimed at testing materials for UHV compatibility in the U.S. semiconductor industry. This Sources Sought Notice is part of market research to inform future procurement strategies and does not constitute a solicitation; NIST is looking for company summaries that include size status under NAICS code 334516 and confirmation of active registration on sam.gov. Responses to this notice, which has been extended to December 12, 2025, should be submitted via email and must not exceed ten pages, with no guarantee of contract award or responses to inquiries regarding market research results. Interested parties can contact Elizabeth Timberlake at elizabeth.timberlake@nist.gov for further information.
    Combined Sources Sought/Notice of Intent to Sole Source: Pump Suppression Module
    Buyer not available
    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.