NIST-MML-26-SS09.pdf

Sources Sought Notice for Short-Wave Infrared Radiation Open-Top Sample Digestion System

Notice ID: NIST-MML-26-SS09

Contract Opportunity Type: Sources Sought

Response Date: August 21, 2026

Product Service Code (PSC): 6630

NAICS Code: 334516

BACKGROUND

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting market research to identify alternative sources that (a) are capable of meeting NIST’s minimum requirements for the following commercial products and commercial services and (b) would be interested in competing for that requirement:

The Contractor shall deliver a Short-Wave Infrared Radiation Open-Top Sample Digestion System meeting the following technical requirements:

• Digestion Unit: The system shall include a primary multi-channel (between 10 and 20 channels) open-air digestion block designed to operate entirely inside an existing laboratory chemical fume hood. The Contractor shall verify the system fits the designated footprint and operates safely under minimum exhaust specifications.

• System Controller: The system shall feature a digital controller unit with an integrated software package capable of multi-step digestion programming, accessible via tablet, laptop, or desktop.

• Digestion Method: The system shall utilize focused short-wave infrared radiation to directly energize sample particles, coupled with an upper cooling zone that creates a condensation effect to prevent the escape of volatile elements.

• External Recirculating Chiller: The system shall include a fully compatible external recirculating chiller dedicated to maintaining the digester’s upper condensation zone. The chiller shall meet or exceed the following: a recommended temperature range of -5°C to 25°C; a minimum cooling capacity of 300W @ 20°C; a minimum pump flow rate of 10 - 20 L/min; and a minimum reservoir volume of 3 - 5 Liters.

• Starter Accessory Kit: The system shall include a starter accessory kit containing at least two (2) test tube racks/stands, two (2) transfer trays, a baseline set of compatible digestion tubes engineered to be fully compatible with the usage of hydrofluoric acid (such as Teflon instead of standard borosilicate or quartz), and one (1) spare short-wave infrared (IR) heating lamp (minimum 4,000-hour runtime rating).

• Electrical Supply: The system controller shall be compatible with a dedicated, single-phase 208–240V AC, 50/60 Hz, 30 Amp power source. The Contractor shall provide the appropriate power cables and plug configurations (typically a NEMA 6-30 plug) that match the facility outlets (U.S.-based).

• Regulatory Compliance: The equipment supplied shall carry official CE and/or CSA safety inspections and certifications.

IV. INSTALLATION

The system shall be installed by the Contractor and meet the contract specifications. At a minimum, installation shall include unpackaging of all equipment, assembly, demonstration of all manufacturer's specifications, and removal of trash. Installation shall take place during normal business hours: 8:30am to 5:00pm Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, except Federal Holidays and official closures.

The Contractor shall coordinate this with the NIST Contract Officer Representative (COR).

Additional installation coordination: The Contractor or an authorized manufacturer representative shall perform the unboxing, inspection, physical positioning, and utility connection of the digester, controller, and recirculating chiller. The Contractor shall configure the software control interface on the laboratory's designated device, ensuring seamless communication, program-saving capabilities, and remote method execution.

V. TRAINING

The Contractor shall conduct a training session for up to four (4) persons. The training shall provide a thorough demonstration of all functions, maintenance, calibration, data analysis, and basic troubleshooting. Training shall be completed during normal business hours. The Contractor shall coordinate this with the COR.

Additional training coordination: The Contractor shall provide an on-site or comprehensive virtual training session for designated laboratory personnel. Training shall cover system safety, multi-step method program creation, routine cleaning protocols, and IR lamp replacement steps.

NIST has not yet determined its acquisition strategy for this requirement and encourages interested sources to respond to this Notice.

If NIST’s market research indicates there are alternative sources that are capable and interested in competing to fill this requirement, separate and apart from COLDBLOCK Technologies HDQBSCSJQXA3, then NIST will consider conducting a competitive acquisition in accordance with law and regulation. To be clear, NIST’s identification of COLDBLOCK Technologies in this Notice does not constitute a binding commitment or obligation for it to conduct a sole source procurement with COLDBLOCK Technologie for this requirement.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR RESPONDING TO RESPOND TO THIS NOTICE

Parties that respond to this Notice are requested to voluntarily submit the requested information via email in Microsoft Word, Adobe PDF, and/or Microsoft Excel format to the designated point(s) of contact whose name and email address appears at the bottom of this notice. Please provide only the information requested by this Notice, and do not include proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information in a response to this Notice.

Information Requested in Response to This Notice: To help NIST with its market research, NIST is requesting that industry sources carefully review this notice and any attachments to it and voluntarily provide the following information:

1. Company Summary

• Notice Identification: Notice ID and Title of this posting.

• Corporate Details: Company name, physical address, website address, and Unique Entity Identifier (UEI).

• Point of Contact (POC): Name, phone number, and email address.

• Company Size Standard: Your company’s size status relative to the NAICS code provided in this Notice. (Refer to the SBA Table of Small Business Size Standards).

https://www.sba.gov/document/support-table-size-standards

• System for Award Management (SAM) Registration: Indicate whether your company has an active registration for procurement purposes in SAM.gov.

2. Feedback for Draft Requirements

• Review the potential requirements/minimum specifications included with this Notice.

Then, please provide suggestions to (a) improve clarity of it; (b) to make it more competitive; (c) to indicate whether there anything in it that may inadvertently exclude domestic involvement; and (d) to indicate how the requirements could potentially be revised to improve the ability for domestic (“Made in America”) end products to be considered.

3. Information Regarding Your Company’s Products and Services

• Provide specifications, company name of the original equipment manufacturer, and the country of manufacture for products and services that your company is legally authorized to sell and that may meet NIST’s minimum requirements.

o Indicate whether, in your opinion, the product(s) meet the definition of (a) commercial product or (b) commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS) item or COTS item as described at https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-2 and, if so, which definition applies ((a) or (b)).

• Standard Commercial Pricing: Provide your company’s standard commercial pricing information for the identified products and services and explain what is included in those standard prices.

• Estimated Price Range: You may provide an estimated price or price range for the requirements, including a brief explanation of how the price estimate was developed.

• Standard Commercial Terms and Conditions: Provide a copy of the standard commercial terms and conditions for the commercial products and commercial services identified in the response to this notice, including nature and duration of standard commercial warranty.

4. Regulatory and Supply Chain Compliance

• Indicate whether your company could comply with FAR Clause 52.219-14, Limitations on

Subcontracting (OCT 2022) if this acquisition were to be set aside for small businesses.

Provide a brief supporting explanation.

5. Existing Governmentwide Contract Vehicles

• Indicate whether your company has its own GSA Multiple Award Schedule (MAS) contract or other federal contract vehicles under which NIST could award an order and, if so, provide the contract details (contract number, Contracting Officer name/contact, SOW, terms and conditions, and price lists).

We truly appreciate your company’s willingness to provide the above-mentioned information which NIST will be valuable in helping NIST complete its market research.

https://sam.gov/ https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-2 https://www.acquisition.gov/far-overhaul/far-part-deviation-guide/far-overhaul-part-2 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_219_14 https://www.acquisition.gov/far/part-52#FAR_52_219_14

IMPORTANT NOTES

This Notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay respondents to this notice for information provided in response to this Notice. Following a review of the responses and market research, NIST may publish a solicitation on an authorized site, depending on the chosen acquisition strategy. Responses received after the closing date for this Notice may not be considered.

There is no solicitation available at this time.

The Government reserves the right to use information that it receives in response to this Notice as it deems appropriate to establish final requirements or for other legally appropriate purposes.

Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s capability.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.

After a review of the responses received, a synopsis and solicitation may be published on GSA’s eBuy or SAM.gov. However, responses to this notice will not be considered an adequate response to any such solicitation(s).

QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS NOTICE

For additional information, please contact the primary contact identified at the bottom of this notice.

THANK YOU

Thank you for taking the time to read this notice and for your interest in helping NIST with its efforts to maximize competition!