Vacuum Compatible stages – Combined Sources Sought/Notice of Intent to Sole Source
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) issued a combined sources sought and notice of intent to sole source for vacuum-compatible motor-driven rotation stages, with responses due by June 1, 2026. If no alternate sources are identified, NIST intends to award solely to AIM Concepts, 5489 S Iris St Littleton, CO 80123, under FAR 12.102(a). NAICS code 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) applies.
NIST's Radiation Physics Division requires two identical motor-driven rotation stages for the NG6-U and NG6-A neutron beamlines at its Physical Measurement Laboratory. The new advanced supermirror guide mandates vacuum operation; existing stages are incompatible. The NG6-U beamline serves as a dedicated metrology station for measuring small forces and fundamental physical constants, while NG6-A develops and tests new detector technologies. Both stages must be rated to operate at pressures of 1×10−6 Torr or lower, constructed from aluminum alloy or material with comparable or lesser neutron activation than aluminum (specifically not copper alloy). The stages require full-step rotation and tilting capability along one axis to enable remote manipulation of monochromator crystals.
Interested sources should submit capability statements or other evidence of capacity by the June 1, 2026 deadline.
NIST-SS26-123 Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology
5/18/26, 10:13 AM Vacuum Compatible stages
The National Institute of Standards and Technology seeks quotations for vacuum-compatible precision rotation and tilt stages for neutron beamlines, with proposals due July 17 following Amendment 0001, which extended the original July 15 deadline and provides vendor Q&A clarifications. This is a total small business set-aside under NAICS 334516 (optical instrument and lens manufacturing), with a 1,000-employee size standard.
Place of performance is Gaithersburg, Maryland. The procurement calls for four precision motorized stages total: two identical vacuum-compatible precision rotation stages, two identical vacuum-compatible precision tilt stages, four vacuum-compatible cables, four non-vacuum cables, and shipping and handling. All stages must be rated for 1×10⁶ Torr or lower vacuum operation, constructed of aluminum alloy, and include pre-installed double-shafted 2-phase stepper motors. Full-step resolution must be less than 0.01 degrees (a firm requirement; NIST will use microstepping for smaller increments). Working distance or center of rotation must be 65 millimeters or greater, with larger values accommodable through precision spacers but smaller values not acceptable. Cable length must be greater than or equal to 12 inches. Connectors must be vacuum-compatible. Dual-shaft motors are required to enable independent stage movement without power and to accommodate potential future encoder additions. Custom products are acceptable. Delivery is F.O.B. Destination within four months, with inspection and acceptance at NIST's Gaithersburg facility. Payment is 100% upon installation, acceptance, successful testing completion, and proper invoice submission under Net 30-day terms. Award will be made to the lowest-priced, technically acceptable offeror. Quotations must include technical capability documentation, detailed pricing, and acceptance or exceptions to terms and conditions in three separate volumes.
1333ND26QNB680293 Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology
6/29/26, 3:02 PM