Notice of Intent to Sole Source for Virtually Imaged Phase Arrays
Closed Special Notice Posted
- Solicitation number
- NB305000-26-00165
- Agency
-
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Department of Commerce
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
- PSC
- 6640 Laboratory Equipment And Supplies
- Place of performance
- Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Material Measurements Lab, Chemical Sciences Division, Optical Measurements Group has issued a Notice of Intent to Sole Source a commercial supply contract with Lightmachinery, Inc. for the procurement of virtually imaged phased arrays (VIPAs). This special notice, posted on March 23, 2026, represents NIST's intention to award a firm fixed price purchase order for specialized optical equipment under FAR Part 12 commercial products procedures. The notice invites interested vendors to demonstrate their capability to meet the technical specifications and supply requirements for the equipment. This is not a formal solicitation but rather an announcement of the planned procurement, allowing other qualified vendors an opportunity to submit capability statements before the final award decision.
NIST seeks to procure six VIPAs operating across three distinct wavelength ranges to support the CHIPS Metrology Program's RF Waveform and Rapid Frequency-Comb Diagnostics for Plasma Etching project, which enables time-resolved frequency comb spectroscopy for monitoring plasma chemistry during semiconductor manufacturing processes. Interested contractors must submit detailed responses including company information, points of contact, technical documentation such as brochures and manuals, demonstration videos, customer references, and evidence of commercial product classification by March 30, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. ET. Questions regarding the procurement must be directed to Contract Specialist Ranae Armstrong by March 26, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. ET, with responses copied to Contracting Officer Don Collie. While this notice does not establish formal eligibility criteria, vendors must demonstrate their ability to deliver the specified VIPAs with the required performance characteristics, warranty coverage, and FOB Destination terms. No award will be made as a direct result of this notice; rather, it serves as an opportunity for alternative vendors to express their capability before NIST proceeds with its sole source award.
Notice text
SEE ATTACHED NOTICE OF INTENT FOR RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS AND PERTINENT DETAILS
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| VIPAs.docx | DOCX document |
Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| This notice | Special Notice | |
| Sources Sought Notice for a Virtually Imaged Phased Arrays (VIPAs) | Pre-Solicitation |
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