Amended Sources Sought Notice for a Ultra-High Vacuum Sample Backout Chamber

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking market research on sources capable of supplying an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) sample backout chamber, specialized laboratory equipment essential for testing semiconductor detector materials under extreme ultraviolet lithography conditions. This Sources Sought Notice is part of a CHIPS R&D project aimed at developing metrology equipment for the U.S. semiconductor industry. Interested vendors must submit comprehensive company information within a 10-page Microsoft Word or PDF document, including their unique entity identifier, business size status, and SAM.gov registration to specified NIST email contacts. The notice specifically targets both small and other-than-small businesses to determine market availability for this critical equipment. The amended response deadline is December 12, 2025, and vendors should note that this is strictly a market research initiative that does not guarantee a subsequent solicitation or contract award.

This pre-solicitation notice contains no set-aside designations and does not identify any incumbent contractors or current suppliers. The anticipated performance period for the equipment is 16 weeks, providing vendors with a clear timeline for delivery and implementation. No specific budget range or award value is disclosed in the notice, as this is a market research phase preceding formal solicitation. The notice does not specify the quantity of UHV chambers required, though the focus on semiconductor detector material testing suggests a specialized, potentially limited procurement. Potential respondents should be prepared to demonstrate technical capability in ultra-high vacuum equipment manufacturing and familiarity with semiconductor industry standards and requirements.