Photon Counting Imaging Tube

Project ID: NB688000-26-00692 FederalOpportunitiesSources Sought

Overview

Agency	National Institute of Standards and Technology
Deadline	02/22/26
Posted	02/12/26
Estimated Value	Not Provided
Set Aside	None
NAICS	334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
PSC	6640 - Laboratory Equipment And Supplies
Location	Boulder, CO 80305 United States

Description

Primary Latest Change

Summary

National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)

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 Photon Counting Imaging Tube 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 Photon Counting Imaging Tube in the U.S. prior to determining the method of acquisition and issuance of a solicitation. PLEASE INDICATE WHAT COUNTRY MANUFACTURES THIS PRODUCT. After the results of this market research are obtained and analyzed, NIST may conduct 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 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 Contracting Officer, Angela Hitt, via email at angela.hitt@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

Summary (Newest Update)

Background The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting market research to identify potential vendors capable of supplying a Photon Counting Imaging Tube. This initiative supports NIST's mission in quantum information science, specifically for experiments involving trapped ion crystals that require sensitive imaging detectors. The goal is to find eligible business firms that can meet the specifications outlined for the product prior to determining the method of acquisition. Work Details The contract involves the procurement of one Photon Counting Imaging Tube with specific requirements: 1. The tube must employ a microchannel plate (MCP) stack compatible with the Photek model IPD340, including: - Flying lead electrical connections to Cathode, MCP in, MCP Intermediate, MCP Out, and Anode; - Clear fused silica window aperture of 41.0 mm; - Tube outside diameter: 76.0 mm (or less); - Tube thickness: 21.3 mm (or less); - Tube anode ceramic diameter: 62.5 mm (or less). 2. Photocathode specifications include Bialkali with a quantum efficiency (QE) ≥ 20% @ 350 nm and an active diameter of 40 mm. 3. Input Window must be made of Fused Silica. 4. MCP Configuration should be Z-stack or equivalent, with HOT type requiring > 1 MHz photon count rate uniformly distributed across the photocathode without degradation of gain. 5. Anode type should be Resistive Sea (1-10 MΩ/sq). 6. Gain must be 1x10^7 with an Anode to Cathode voltage of 3.5 kV, and ALD coating applied for enhanced lifetime. Period of Performance Delivery of goods, installation, and training shall be completed no later than 30 weeks after receipt of order. Place of Performance The product will be delivered to the National Institute of Standards and Technology facilities.

Contacts