Sources Sought - 0.5mm Calibration Kit

Project ID: NB672010-26-02016 FederalOpportunitiesSources Sought

Overview

Agency	National Institute of Standards and Technology
Deadline	06/26/26
Posted	06/15/26
Estimated Value	$40,000 - $120,000 (AI estimate)
Set Aside	None
NAICS	334515 - Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals
PSC	6625 - Electrical And Electronic Properties Measuring And Testing Instruments
Location	Boulder, CO 80305 United States

Description

Primary Latest Change

Posted: June 5, 2026, 6:05 p.m. EDT

Summary (Newest Update)

Background The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking information on vendors capable of providing a 0.5mm Calibration Kit. This Sources Sought announcement serves as a market research tool to identify potential and eligible business firms prior to determining the method of acquisition. NIST's mission includes ensuring accurate traceable calibrations for internal and external customers, particularly in the field of electrical calibration artifacts for scattering parameter traceability from DC up to 250 GHz. Work Details The contract involves the provision of a 0.5mm Calibration Kit, which includes the following items: 1. **Precision Offset Short Calibration Kit in 0.5 mm Connector Type** - Quantity: 1 EACH - Specifications: - Disassembled - Contains at least six offset short calibration artifacts of each connector sex (12 total: 6 male and 6 female). - Manufactured with metrology grade dimensional specifications. - Designed for calibrations in the range of 5 GHz to 260 GHz. - Measured mechanical data with k=2 uncertainties. 2. **Assembly of Offset Short Components** - Quantity: 1 JOB - Specifications: - Assembly will occur after NIST performs dimensional metrology on the components. 3. **Precision Short Open Load Kit** - Quantity: 1 KIT - Specifications: - Lowband load - male 0.5 mm - Lowband load - female 0.5 mm - Offset open - male 0.5 mm - Offset open - female 0.5 mm - Flush short - male 0.5 mm - Flush short - female 0.5 mm - Fabricated as metrology grade components, including relevant torque wrenches. 4. **Spare Components for Dimensioning** - Quantity: 1 SET - Specifications: - Includes various spare center conductors and components suitable for dimensioning. 5. **Test Port Adapters in 0.5 mm** - Quantity: 1 SET - Specifications: - Assembled test ports (1 male, 1 female). - Metrology grade. Period of Performance Delivery timelines are contingent upon NIST's dimensional metrology process, with partial delivery acceptable within specified timeframes post-assembly. Place of Performance The products will be delivered to NIST-Boulder, located at Mail Stop: 672.01, 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305. Bidder Requirements Vendors must possess an Export Control Classification Number (ECCN) and a Unique Entity Identification Number (UEI) that is listed as 'Active' at the time of award/contracting. Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail) This opportunity appears to have a closely related prior contract with Keysight Technologies under contract 1333ND23PNB670533 (09/12/23–05/31/26) valued at $102,792. The prior award was for a 1.0MM offset short precision calibration kit, which is similar in type and purpose to the requested 0.5mm calibration kit and suggests continuity in providing metrology-grade offset short calibration artifacts and associated kit components for NIST’s electrical calibration needs.

Current: Posted: June 15, 2026, 8:41 a.m. EDT 6/15 - Extend notice due date to 6/26. 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 0.5mm Calibration Kit per the Specifications attached herein. This announcement is not a Request for Quotation (RFQ) and does not commit the Government to award a contract now or in the future. No solicitation is currently available. 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, prior to determining the method of acquisition and issuance of a solicitation. Based on this Sources Sought announcement, NIST may conduct a competitive procurement on the System for Award Management (sam.gov) website and subsequently award a contract. If at least two qualified small businesses are identified during this market research stage that can fulfil 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 (SB, SDB, WOSB, HUBZone, SDVOSB and VOSB). This requirement is assigned NAICS 334515 Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals with a small business size standard of 750 employees. Interested business organizations that believe they can meet the requirement should submit electronic copies of their capability statement. Please limit responses to five (5) pages or less. Responses should include the following information: 1. Company Profile to include number of employees, office location(s), Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number and Cage Code. 2. Name of company that will provide the product. 3. Name of company that will manufacture and country of origin of the product. 4. Specification sheets and examples of products that meet the Specifications attached herein. 5. Typical lead time to deliver the product after receipt of award to include installation time and any necessary training that is provided. 6. Identification and verification of the company's small business status. 7. Any other relevant information that is not listed above which the Government should consider in developing our requirement and finalizing our market research. (Company sales brochures or marketing packages will not be considered). REQUIREMENTS OVERVIEW: See the attached Specifications document.

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