Helium Mass Spectrometer Leak Detector System

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), a bureau of the Department of Commerce, is soliciting quotations for one mobile Helium Mass Spectrometer Leak Detector System capable of operating in both vacuum and sniffer leak detection modes. The system must detect He-4 with a dry pump, achieve a minimum detectable leak of 5×10^-12 mbar L/s in vacuum mode and 5×10^-8 mbar L/s in sniffer mode, operate on standard US outlet power (110-120V, 60 Hz, 20A maximum), and include a helium spray gun, sniffer probe of at least 10 feet, and all associated accessories from the same manufacturer. Award will be made to the lowest-priced, technically acceptable offeror whose proposed equipment meets or exceeds all minimum requirements specified in the Statement of Work, and quotations must be submitted electronically by 12:00 PM Eastern Time on February 17, 2026, to both the Contract Specialist (junee.johnson@nist.gov) and Contracting Officer (forest.crumpler@nist.gov). Pre-quote inquiries must be submitted in writing no later than 2 calendar days after solicitation issuance, which was February 3, 2026. Quotations must be divided into three volumes: Technical Quotation (with detailed capability documentation and explicit citations demonstrating compliance with each requirement), Price Quotation (firm-fixed-price basis), and Terms and Conditions, with pricing remaining valid for 90 days from the due date and including all shipping costs and applicable tariffs under FOB Destination terms.

This procurement is designated as a Total Small Business set-aside under NAICS code 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) with a 1,000-employee small business size standard, and no incumbents or current contractors are identified in the solicitation materials. The equipment must be new with no prototypes, demonstration models, used, or refurbished instruments acceptable, and delivery is required within 90 days of receipt of order to NIST Boulder (C/O Tara Fortin, MS 647.08, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305). Training for up to two users at NIST is required if included in the cost, covering system functions, maintenance, and troubleshooting within 60 days of installation during operating hours (9 AM-6 PM Mountain Time), and the contractor must provide a minimum one-year warranty commencing upon government acceptance. The equipment will support CHIPS Project 1.02 on gas flow and thermophysical property data collection for semiconductor chip production. No specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the solicitation materials, and the government reserves the right to conduct quality assurance testing and reject nonconforming equipment.