Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) Pump Cart

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking to procure an Ultra High Vacuum (UHV) Pump Cart for its Sensor Science Division's Low Background Infrared facility through Solicitation Number 1333ND25QNB680209. The procurement involves a specialized scientific instrument designed to support cryogenic experiments with superconducting nanowire single photon detectors (SNSPD). Vendors must submit a comprehensive electronic quotation by June 14, 2025, at 5:00 PM Eastern Time, including technical, price, and terms and conditions volumes. The contract will be awarded on a firm-fixed-price basis to the lowest-priced, technically acceptable offeror, with quotes remaining valid for 90 days. Importantly, the government will only consider new equipment, explicitly rejecting prototypes, demonstration models, used, or refurbished instruments.

The solicitation is exclusively set aside for small businesses within the Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (NAICS 334516) category. The pump cart must meet precise specifications, including a turbomolecular pump, backing pump, pressure gauge, and readout with all necessary interconnections, capable of achieving pressures as low as 10-8 hPa. The place of performance is located in Gaithersburg, Maryland, specifically at the NIST facility with ZIP code 20899. While specific budget details are not explicitly stated, the procurement is for a single UHV pump cart that will support advanced measurement and calibration research. The government reserves the right to make an award without further discussions, potentially expediting the procurement process for this specialized scientific equipment.