Sources Sought - High Power Balanced Photodiodes
ID: NB672010-25-02219Type: Sources Sought
Overview

Buyer

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

NAICS

Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing (334413)

PSC

SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES AND ASSOCIATED HARDWARE (5961)
Timeline
    Description

    The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking quotations for the procurement of three High Power Balanced Photodiodes, which are essential for enhancing measurement capabilities in communications technology. The photodiodes must operate within a frequency range of DC-20 GHz, with a minimum sensitivity of 0.3 A/W and a 3-dB bandwidth exceeding 15 GHz, ensuring robust performance for optical measurements in RF applications. Interested vendors must comply with the technical specifications outlined in the attached documents and submit their quotations by the specified deadline, with delivery expected by October 1, 2025. For further inquiries, potential suppliers can contact Daniel Kent at daniel.kent@nist.gov or by phone at 303-497-6533.

    Point(s) of Contact
    Files
    Title
    Posted
    The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) seeks to procure three High Power Balanced Photodiodes as specified in their request for proposal. These devices are required to operate within a frequency range of DC-20 GHz, with a minimum sensitivity of 0.3 A/W and a 3-dB bandwidth exceeding 15 GHz. Essential features include dual single-mode fiber inputs for a 1550 nm continuous wave and robust performance characterized by a low dark current and significant common-mode rejection. Vendors must ensure that the devices are new and performance-verified before shipment to the NIST facility in Boulder, Colorado, with delivery expected by October 1, 2025. The proposal outlines no additional visitation or site-specific shipping requirements, while installation and training are not applicable. The document reflects NIST's ongoing commitment to enhancing measurement capabilities in communications technology, focusing on precision and reliability of optical measurements in RF applications.
    The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) requires three high power balanced photodiodes, functioning within a frequency range of DC to 20 GHz, as specified by the Communications Technology Laboratory. These photodiodes are essential for measuring weak amplitude-modulated signals from electro-optic RF field probes. Key specifications include a >15 GHz 3-dB bandwidth, a responsivity greater than 0.3 A/W, a continuous wave photocurrent exceeding 50 mA, and a maximum dark current of <100 nA. Delivery is required by October 1, 2025, to the NIST facility in Boulder, CO. The document outlines limited additional requirements, such as ensuring that the equipment is new and performance-verified before shipment. No additional services, training, or maintenance are expected as part of this procurement. Overall, this RFP emphasizes the need for high-performance photodiodes to enhance NIST’s capabilities in advanced communications technology research and development.
    The document is a Request for Quotation (RFQ) numbered NB672010-25-02219, issued under the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Simplified Acquisition Procedures. It solicits quotations for three high-power balanced photodiodes and is open to all suppliers (unrestricted basis), with a focus on vendors meeting the technical specifications outlined in the attachment. Quotations must demonstrate compliance with government requirements and must be submitted by the stated deadline to be considered. The evaluation will prioritize technical capability and price, applying a lowest price technically acceptable method. Suppliers must provide clear prices, payment terms (Net 30), and may need to disclose alignment with the Buy American Act. Required certifications and form submissions through the System for Award Management (SAM) are mandatory for eligibility. Invoicing and delivery will adhere to specified conditions, including FOB Destination terms. The solicitation emphasizes compliance with various federal statutes and conditions pertinent to contract performance and invoicing. This RFQ aims to ensure that the government procures technically suitable products at a competitive price, while adhering to federal regulations, thus promoting efficiency and accountability in federal procurements.
    Lifecycle
    Title
    Type
    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.
    Sources Sought Notice for Continuous Wave Parametric Oscillator (CW OPO) Laser System
    Commerce, Department Of
    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.
    Sources Sought Notice for Amplifier
    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 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.
    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.
    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.
    Notice of Intent to Sole Source for Coupled Device Detector Camera System
    Commerce, Department Of
    The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is issuing a Notice of Intent to Sole Source for a coupled device detector camera system, intending to award the contract to Teledyne Digital Imaging. This procurement aims to acquire a specialized camera system capable of performing fast optical emission spectroscopy (OES) measurements, which are critical for improving efficiencies in plasma etching processes as part of the CHIPS RF Waveform and Rapid Frequency Comb Diagnostics project. The camera must meet stringent technical specifications, including ultra-low noise characteristics and high gain, along with accompanying control and data analysis software. Interested vendors are encouraged to respond with their capabilities and relevant product information by contacting Elizabeth Timberlake or Donald Collie before the specified deadline, with no solicitation currently available.
    Interferometry Laser - 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 conducting a sources sought notice for a tunable laser, specifically a 780 nm laser, as part of its CHIPS R&D Program. The laser is required for mass sensing experiments related to atomic layer deposition processes critical in semiconductor manufacturing, aiming to enhance measurement capabilities and optimize fabrication yields. NIST intends to issue a sole source award to Toptica Photonics Inc if no other capable sources are identified, with responses due to the primary contact, Nina Lin, at nina.lin@nist.gov. This procurement is essential for meeting project milestones by early FY26, and interested parties are encouraged to respond with detailed capabilities and specifications.
    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.
    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 small pad sizes, and include features such as a heated wafer chuck and a digital microscope. Interested vendors should submit their responses, including company details and relevant experience, to Cielo Ibarra at cielo.ibarra@nist.gov by December 12, 2025, for consideration in NIST's market research efforts.