Benchtop EPR/ESR Spectrometer

The National Institute of Standards and Technology seeks one benchtop EPR/ESR spectrometer via Request for Quotation, with quotations due July 20, 2026. This is a total small business set-aside under FAR Part 12 for commercial items.

Place of performance is Boulder, Colorado. The spectrometer must operate in the X-band (8 to 12 GHz) with sensitivity of 5 × 10^10 spins/mT, weak pitch signal-to-noise ratio of 600:1 or better, microwave power from 10 W to 100 mW (recommended 1 W to 200 mW), field homogeneity within 5 T, field stability of 1 T/h, magnetic field sweep range of -10 to 650 mT (recommended -1000 to 6500 mT), modulation frequency of 10 to 100 kHz, and resonator unloaded Q of 5000 or better. Software must be Windows 11–compatible, capable of running on a Dell Workstation PC without cloud dependence, and include standard sample sets measuring g-factor, magnetic field sweep, hyperfine splitting, and signal-to-noise ratio. A minimum three-year warranty (five years preferred) from date of acceptance is required. Delivery and installation must be completed within 20 weeks from receipt of order on FOB Destination terms, with 15 business days allowed for government acceptance testing. NIST will provide UPS or FedEx Freight codes for shipping.

Three separately priced options are available: a Liquid Nitrogen Variable Temperature Control System (95 K to 450 K, with 0.2 K stability; 550 K or greater recommended), an Optical Irradiation System/Photochemistry System (350 to 750 nm wavelength), and an Automated Goniometer (0 to 360 degrees at 0.1-degree resolution). All ancillary systems must be software-controllable from the main spectrometer with synchronized serialized experiment capability. The NAICS code is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. Quotations must include firm fixed pricing with Net 30 payment terms, technical capability narrative not exceeding six single-sided pages (three double-sided), product literature, country of origin, SAM Unique Entity ID, representations and certifications, and identification of any tariffs or customs charges. Price quotations remain valid for 120 days. Award will go to the responsible offeror whose offer is most advantageous to the Government, weighing technical capability as more important than price.