Thermally Insulating Waveguide
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting a sources-sought market research notice for thermally insulating rectangular waveguides, with responses due by July 17, 2026. No set-aside applies. Work will be performed at the NIST Boulder site (325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80305).
NIST requires six units each of WR-10 waveguides (75–110 GHz operating frequency) and WR-6.5 waveguides (110–170 GHz), with separately priced options for six units each of WR-4.3 waveguides at two frequency bands (170–260 GHz and 220–330 GHz). All units must be new, feature IEEE 1785-2a Precision Dowel flanges, measure approximately 20 mm in length with a maximum of 30 mm, and be manufactured from material with thermal conductivity less than 0.25 Wm⁻¹K⁻¹. Contractors may optionally provide estimates for thermal resistance, insertion loss, return loss, and part-to-part variability; lower insertion loss, higher return loss, and higher thermal resistance are advantageous for evaluation.
Delivery to NIST-Boulder must occur within 16 weeks of contract award, with partial delivery acceptable. Acceptance is not expected to exceed 7 business days. At award, contractors must possess an active Unique Entity Identification Number (UEI) registered on SAM.gov and an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN). Base manufacturer warranty is acceptable; no installation, training, maintenance, calibration, government-furnished material, or travel requirements apply.
Respondents should submit information in Microsoft Word or PDF format, 12-point font, limited to ten pages excluding cover page, to lia.arthofer@nist.gov. Do not include proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information.
NB6720102601964 Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology
7/13/26, 10:48 AM Thermally Insulating Waveguide
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) seeks firm-fixed-price quotations for thermally insulating waveguides, with proposals due August 12, 2026 and questions due July 29, 2026. Amendment 01 extended the close date from August 7 to August 12. This is an unrestricted acquisition using simplified acquisitions procedures under FAR Part 12 for commercial products.
Place of performance and acceptance is NIST-Boulder, Mail Stop 672.01, Boulder, Colorado 80305. The procurement includes four line items: six WR-10 waveguides (CLIN 0001, 75–110 GHz), six WR-6.5 waveguides (CLIN 0002, 110–170 GHz), and optionally six units each of WR-4.3 (CLIN 0003, 170–260 GHz) and WR-3.4 (CLIN 0004, 220–330 GHz) waveguides on a separately priced basis. All items must be new (not refurbished), feature IEEE 1785.2-2016 standard compliant flanges, and be delivered within 16 weeks of award. WR-10 and WR-6.5 items require nominal dimensions specified in the specifications document and material thermal conductivity less than 0.25 Wm⁻¹K⁻¹.
NAICS code is 334515 with a small business size standard of 750 employees; PSC code is 6625. Quotations must include three volumes: Technical Quotation (demonstrating technical capability and past performance within five years), Price Quotation (with unit prices, total amounts, shipping costs, and SAM.gov registration details), and Terms and Conditions. Award will be made to the single firm offering the most advantageous proposal considering technical capability, past performance, experience, and price in descending order of importance. Contractors must maintain active SAM.gov registration and possess an active Unique Entity Identification Number and Export Control Classification Number at time of award. Quotations must be submitted electronically to lia.arthofer@nist.gov.
NB6720102601964 Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology
7/27/26, 3:54 PM