Sources Sought Sputter & Carbon Thread Coater System
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
Not the latest version. See the latest solicitation from .
- Solicitation number
- NB643030-25-02217
- 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
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting market research to identify vendors capable of providing a Sputter & Carbon Thread Coater System for their Materials Measurement Science Division at the Gaithersburg facility. The system must be brand name or equivalent to the Leica EM ACE600 and will be used for sample preparation of non-conductive surfaces prior to electron microscopy, replacing existing end-of-life equipment. Key technical requirements include a planar magnetron sputter head, carbon thread head, metal vacuum chamber with large dimensions, integrated oil-free pumping system, touch screen interface, and compatibility with multiple metal targets including Gold/Palladium, Tungsten, and optional Iridium and Au. Interested vendors must submit capability statements limited to four pages that include company information, manufacturing details, country of origin, specification sheets, typical lead times, and other relevant information. The deadline for responses is June 22, 2025, and submissions must be sent electronically to Contract Specialist Lisa Stevens at lisa.stevens@nist.gov.
This sources sought notice indicates that no set-aside designation has been predetermined, though NIST will consider a small business set-aside if at least two qualified small businesses are identified during the market research phase, with all small business categories being considered under NAICS code 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) with a 1,000-employee size standard. No incumbent contractors or current service providers are mentioned in the documentation. While no specific budget range or award value is disclosed, the procurement will include the complete coater system, compatible metal targets, a spare sputter source, installation services, and a one-year warranty. The period of performance is established at two months after receipt of order, with NIST retaining inspection and acceptance rights within seven business days of delivery. The government emphasizes that responses from all responsible sources, both large and small businesses, are being sought to determine the appropriate acquisition method for the eventual competitive or non-competitive procurement.
Notice text
National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)
Acquisition Management Division
Sources Sought for Commercial Product Purchase
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 Sputter & Carbon Thread Coater System per the specifications attached herein.
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 system 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 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 1,000 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, Lisa Stevens, via email at lisa.stevens@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 Statement of Work document.
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| NB643030-25-02217 Statement of Work.pdf |
Notice history
| Notice | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Sputter & Carbon Thread Coater System | Solicitation | |
| This notice | Pre-Solicitation |
Similar open opportunities
| Opportunity | Agency | Set-aside | Responses due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sources Sought Notice for Continuous Wave Parametric Oscillator (CW OPO) Laser System | National Institute of Standards and Technology | No set-aside | |
| Sources Sought Notice for Mid-IR Optical Frequency Comb | National Institute of Standards and Technology | No set-aside |
On GovTribe
Work this opportunity
- Track it in your pipeline
- Find teaming partners
- Similar opportunities
- Ask GovTribe AI about this opportunity