Sources Sought Cryogenic Nano Positioners

Project ID: NB686000-26-01956 FederalOpportunitiesSources Sought

Overview

Agency	National Institute of Standards and Technology
Deadline	06/12/26
Posted	06/04/26
Estimated Value	$80,000 - $250,000 (AI estimate)
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 Cryogenic Nano Positioner 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 Cryogenic Nano Positioner 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 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 and 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 Requirements document

Summary (Newest Update)

Background The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking information on vendors that can provide Cryogenic Nano Positioners for the Physical Measurements Lab, specifically for the Spin Electronics Group. This requirement is part of their mission to characterize superconducting devices and circuits, which are essential for research in superconducting digital logic circuits and Josephson junctions. The goal is to identify potential and eligible business firms capable of fulfilling this requirement prior to determining the method of acquisition. Work Details The contract involves the provision of position encoded cryogenic nano-positioners and controllers with specific technical requirements. The items required include: 1. **Line Item 0001: X Nanopositioner** - Description: Nanopositioner with 20 mm range and position encoding - Quantity: Eight (8) - Specifications: - Footprint: 45x45x12mm - Range: 20 mm - Maximum load: > 200 g - Material: Titanium body and ceramic bearings - Compatibility: UHV compatible - Capacitance: < 10 nF - Thermal conductance drive lines capability: up to 100 Ohm resistance - Encoding: Full range capacitive encoding of position - Heat dissipation: < 100 nW - Repeatability: < 300 nm (unidirectional acceptable) 2. **Line Item 0002: Z Nanopositioner** - Description: Z axis nano positioner with position encoding - Quantity: Two (2) - Specifications: - Footprint: 34x34x25.7mm (30.7mm height when fully extended) - Range: 5 mm - Maximum load: > 200 g at 4 K - Material: Titanium body and ceramic bearings - Compatibility: UHV compatible - Capacitance: < 10 nF - Thermal conductance drive lines capability: up to 100 Ohm resistance - Encoding: Full range capacitive encoding of position - Heat dissipation: < 100 nW - Repeatability: < 300 nm (unidirectional acceptable) 3. **Line Item 0003-0009:** Additional nano-positioners, adapters, drives, preamplifiers, and flexures with specified quantities and technical requirements as detailed in the Statement of Requirements document. Period of Performance Lead time is estimated at 16 weeks from receipt of order. Place of Performance National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 325 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80305. Bidder Requirements Bidders must provide a capability statement including: - Company name providing the product(s). - Manufacturer's name. - Country of origin for the product. - Spec/data sheets demonstrating compliance with specifications. - Typical lead time for delivery after receipt of order. All items must be new; used or remanufactured equipment will not be considered. The use of gray market components is not authorized. Incumbent Analysis (see Incumbents section for more detail) This opportunity appears to have a confirmed incumbent based on contract 1333ND25PNB680079 awarded to Attocube Systems for “Cryogenic Nano Positioners” (value $79,046; 03/19/25–08/31/25). The current Sources Sought similarly calls for cryogenic nano-positioners and controllers with position encoding and UHV-compatible, low-heat-dissipation designs, which aligns with the prior procurement’s stated purpose. A closely related prior award was also made to JPE under 1333ND25PNB670373 for a “Cryogenic Nanopositioner” (value $46,332), suggesting continuity in the same specialized cryogenic positioning capability.

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