CHIPS R&D ADS and IQ Software

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is soliciting quotations for Keysight ADS and IQ software licenses on a sole-source basis to support CHIPS R&D initiatives focused on developing traceable on-wafer measurement capabilities and calibration kits for industry use. NIST requires two Keysight ADS licenses (model W3606B) with specified capabilities including core licensing, EM design, RFPro, RF Circuit Simulation, and floating single-site subscription features, along with one Keysight IQ Data Bandwidth license (model S93053B) with up to 40 GHz capacity on a node-locked perpetual basis. Key contract requirements include delivery of new software in original manufacturer packaging within 8 weeks, provision of 12 months of vendor support and a minimum 90-day warranty, and compliance with NIST cybersecurity and privacy requirements consistent with FISMA, OMB Circular A-130, and NIST SP 800-171 standards. Award will be made to the lowest-priced, technically acceptable offeror whose quotation demonstrates that the proposed software meets or exceeds all minimum requirements, with payment structured at 100 percent upon installation, acceptance, and successful completion of testing. Quotations must be submitted electronically by 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on April 10, 2026, with pre-quote inquiries due no later than five calendar days after solicitation issuance on March 27, 2026.

This solicitation contains no set-aside designation and represents a straightforward commercial item procurement under Revolutionary FAR Overhaul Part 12 procedures. No specific award value or budget range is disclosed in the solicitation documents. The procurement involves two line items consisting of software licenses with delivery required within 8 weeks to NIST's Boulder facility located at 325 Broadway, Boulder, Colorado 80305, under F.O.B. Destination shipping terms. All quotations must include firm-fixed pricing valid for 90 days and must be submitted in three separate volumes addressing technical requirements, pricing, and terms and conditions acceptance. Offerors are required to maintain active System for Award Management (SAM.gov) registration at the time of quotation submission and throughout contract performance and final payment.