Replacement High-Performance Cesium Beam Tube
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
A newer solicitation was posted. See the latest solicitation from .
- Solicitation number
- NB688000-26-01570
- Agency
- National Institute of Standards and Technology Department of Commerce
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 334519 Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing
- PSC
- 6640 Laboratory Equipment And Supplies
- Place of performance
- Boulder, Colorado 80305, United States
- Points of contact
-
- de Ionne Jones deionne.jones@nist.gov
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting market research with a May 14, 2026 response deadline to identify qualified vendors capable of supplying a replacement high-performance cesium beam tube for its 5071A frequency standard, with a possible small-business set-aside if at least two qualified small businesses are identified. This sources-sought notice is not a request for quotation or proposal and does not commit the Government to award a contract.
The cesium beam tube must be new, electrically and mechanically compatible with the 5071A high-performance cesium beam frequency standard, and meet frequency stability specifications of 5e-12 at 1 second averaging intervals and 1e-14 at 30 day averaging intervals. The tube is used as part of the ensemble atomic time scale that generates UTC(NIST). Delivery, installation, and training must be completed no later than 24 weeks after receipt of order. Government acceptance testing is planned for 7 business days. NIST will perform installation of the replacement tube; vendor on-site installation, training, or maintenance is not required. An optional separately priced recycling service is available for the old cesium beam tube.
NIST intends to conduct a competitive or non-competitive procurement on SAM.gov following analysis of market research responses. All small-business set-aside categories will be evaluated. The effort is assigned to NAICS 334519 (Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing) and PSC 6640 (Laboratory Equipment and Supplies).
Notice text
Project Title: Replacement High-Performance Cesium Beam Tube for 5071A Frequency Standard
Notice ID: NB688000-26-01570
NAICS Code: 334519 - Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing
THIS SOURCES SOUGHT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR QUOTATION.
It is a market research tool being used to determine potential and eligible business firms that can provide the product described herein prior to determining the method of acquisition.
The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) seeks information on vendors that can provide a Cesium beam atomic clock.
This announcement is not a Request for Proposals or Quotes (RFP/RFQ) and does not commit the Government to award a contract now or in the future. The information contained in this notice is DRAFT only and, as such, is subject to change prior to the issuance of a solicitation. No solicitation is available currently. Additionally, the Government is not obligated to and will not pay for any information received from potential sources because of this Sources Sought announcement. The results of this Sources Sought will be utilized to determine if any Small Business Set-aside opportunities exist. All Small Business Set-aside categories will be considered. In addition, this market research tool is being used to identify potential and eligible firms, of all sizes, who manufacture the replacement high-performance cesium beam tube for 5071A frequency standard in the U.S. prior to determining the method of acquisition and issuance of a solicitation.
After the results of this market research are obtained and analyzed, NIST may conduct a competitive or non-competitive procurement on the System for Award Management (sam.gov) and subsequently award a contract. If at least two qualified small businesses are identified during this market research stage that can fulfill the requirement, in accordance with the Specifications, then this acquisition shall be solicited as a small business set aside, however, NIST is seeking responses from ALL responsible sources, including large and small businesses. Responses should include the country where the product is manufactured.
This requirement is assigned a NAICS code of 334519 - Other Measuring and Controlling Device, with a small business size standard of 600 employees.
Interested business organizations that believe they can meet the requirements should submit electronic copies of their capability statement. Please limit responses to four (4) pages or less. Responses should include the following information:
- Name of the company that will provide the product(s).
- Name of the company that will manufacture the product.
- County of origin or manufacture of the product.
- Spec/data sheets and examples of products that meet the specifications that demonstrate experience in meeting the requirements of this procurement.
- Typical lead time to deliver the product after receipt of order
- Any other relevant information that is not listed above that the Government should consider in developing its minimum specifications and finalizing its market research.
(Company sales brochures or marketing packages will not be considered.)
Any proprietary information should be so marked. The written capability statement should be received by the Contract Specialist, de Ionne Jones, via email at deionne.jones@nist.gov no later than the date and time posted in this notice. No quotes will be accepted at this time and will not be considered.
REQUIREMENTS OVERVIEW:
See the attached Requirements and Specifications document.
Attachments
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| 26-01570 Requirements and Specifications.pdf |
Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Replacement High-Performance Cesium Beam Tube for 5071A Frequency Standard | Solicitation | |
| Replacement High-Performance Cesium Beam Tube | Pre-Solicitation |
On GovTribe
Work this opportunity on GovTribe
- Track it in your pipeline
- Find teaming partners
- Similar opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this opportunity