High Electrical Probe Station

The Department of the Army Materiel Command, Army Contracting Command (ACC) Aberdeen Proving Ground seeks one high-temperature Direct Current and Radio Frequency capable vacuum probe station (model HP1000V-RF-mK2000) via sole-source procurement, with proposals due June 10, 2026. This is a non-competitive acquisition under simplified acquisition procedures; however, all proposals received prior to closing will be considered.

The procurement is a sole-source award to Instec, Inc., Boulder, Colorado, justified under 41 USC 1901 on the basis that Instec is the only manufacturer offering a system meeting salient characteristics. The existing Instec probe station (model HP1000V-MPS-mK2000) lacks required high-temperature RF characterization capabilities; the new system will integrate with existing vacuum pump equipment, KF-compatible connections, frame cooling accessories, and the existing Instec MK-2000 heater controller compatible with Vision software developed by Radiant Technologies, Inc.

Place of performance is Aberdeen Proving Ground, with delivery to Adelphi Lab Center (2800 Powder Mill Road, Adelphi, MD 20783) FOB Destination within twelve weeks after contract award. The procurement includes four upgrade standard DC probers (part number BNC-VT-1x) and a buy-back provision for the existing HP1000V-MPS-mK2000 unit plus four BNC-VT-1x probes and PSM-TM1 equipment.

Salient specifications include four DC probes thermally stable to 1000 degrees Celsius with X, Y, Z positioning accommodating up to 200 volts; two RF ground-signal-ground probes stable to 800 degrees Celsius useable at 40 gigahertz or greater; one heated stage reaching 1000 degrees Celsius with 1-degree-Celsius accuracy and backside cooling with safety interlocks; and one environmental control chamber operating on 120V, 60Hz AC input power, vacuum tight to less than one millitorr, supporting inert gases including Argon and Nitrogen.

The contract will be awarded as Firm Fixed Price under FAR Part 12 Simplified Acquisition Procedures, with no contract financing available. Payment terms must be net 30 days or greater. NAICS 334513, small business size standard 750 employees. Contracting Officer is Zachary Dowling.