Compact temperature control system for Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy

*****THIS IS A COMBINED SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE***.

BACKGROUND

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Quantum Measurement Division (QMD) in the Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) develops novel spectroscopic measurement techniques to probe key physicochemical properties of low dimensional, advanced quantum materials that will enable future technologies to move past conventional digital computing. Determining the fundamental processes of quasiparticles and related charge migration and phase change phenomena are key aspects of work performed in QMD. To effectively conduct this research, and particularly to analyze the optical spectroscopy responses of materials and devices when subjected to thermal and environmental stresses, there is a need for compact temperature control system. This system must be specifically compatible with the existing Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy instrument. The integration of such a temperature control stage will greatly enhance the group’s capabilities and bandwidth in conducting precise and controlled experiments at both low and high temperatures.

NIST is seeking information from sources that may be capable of providing a solution that will achieve the objectives described above, in addition to the following essential requirements

Contract Line-Item Number (CLIN) 0001: The Contractor shall provide one (1) Compact temperature control system for Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy

The system shall meet or exceed the technical specifications identified below. All items must be new.  Used or remanufactured equipment will not be considered for award. Experimental, prototype, or custom items will not be considered.  The use of “gray market” components not authorized for sale in the U.S. by the Contractor is not acceptable.  

Compact temperature control stage for optical spectroscopy measurements in controlled environment

1.  Temperature Control System
   1. Temperature control system shall be fully compatible with NIST’s existing, commercial Raman spectroscopy microscope. The temperature control system must be compact and lightweight, enabling easy installation and removal from the existing stage of the Raman instrument. The sample viewing area should be at least 1800 mm2 and the working distance at least at least 4.5 mm.
   2. The temperature control system shall be capable of both heating and cooling across a broad temperature range (–196°C and +420°C). This system shall also be used to study the cyclic thermal reliability of materials and devices, requiring repeatable, stable thermal cycling with minimal sample drift or thermal lag. Temperature accuracy should be 0.01 °C across the temperature range. 
   3. The stage must be gas-tight to enable control over atmospheric composition
   4. The stage must also accommodate electrical connections (at least 6 BNC connections) for measurements under electrical bias.
2. Safety

The temperature control system shall meet industry standards for safety, including those related to cryogenics, electrical components, mechanical components, and optical components

NIST conducted market research from October 2024 – April 2025 by, speaking with colleagues, performing internet searches, and speaking with vendors to determine what sources could meet NIST’s minimum requirements.  The results of that market research revealed that only McCrone Microscopes & Accessories. (UEI DP3QGAC2VMN6) can meet all the Governments minimum requirements.

HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS NOTICE

In responding to this notice, please DO NOT PROVIDE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. Please include only the following information, readable in either Microsoft Word 365, Microsoft Excel 365, or .pdf format, in the response:  Submit the response by email to the Primary Point of Contact and, if specified, to the Secondary Point of Contact listed in this notice as soon as possible, and preferably before the closing date and time of this notice.  Please note that to be considered for award under any official solicitation, the entity must be registered and “active” in SAM at the time of solicitation response.

• Provide the complete name of your company, address, name of contact for follow-up questions, their email, their phone number and, if your company has an active registration in https://sam.gov, your company’s Unique Entity ID (UEI).

• Details about what your company is capable of providing that meets or exceeds NIST’s minimum requirements.

• Whether your company is an authorized reseller of the product or service being cited and evidence of such authorization.

• Identify any aspects of the description of the requirements in the BACKGROUND section above that could be viewed as unduly restrictive or create unnecessary barriers that adversely affect your firm’s ability to fully participate in a procurement for such services and explain why.  Please offer suggestions for how the requirements could be organized or structured to encourage the participation of small businesses.

• For the NAICS code

• Indicate whether your company is (a) a small business or (b) other than small business.  See the Table of Small Business Size Standards and the associated .pdf download file for small business size standards and additional information.
• If you believe the NAICS code listed in this notice is not the best NAICS code for the type of product addressed in this notice, identify an alternative NAICS code that you believe would be more appropriate for the planned procurement. 

• If your firm has existing Federal Supply Schedule contract(s) or other contracts for products or services against which the Department may be able to place orders, identify the contract number(s) and other relevant information.

• Describe your firm’s experience (as a prime, subcontractor, or consultant) providing the products or services described in Background section.

• Provide any other information that you believe would be valuable for the Government to know as part of its market research for this requirement.

• Please let us know if you would like to engage to get a better understanding of the requirement or need additional information about the Government’s requirement for the products or services described in the Background section. 

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS NOTICE

Questions regarding this notice may be submitted via email to the Primary Point of Contact and the Secondary Point of Contact listed in this notice. Questions should be submitted so that they are received within 3 days of this notice , 2025. If the Contracting Officer determines that providing a written amendment to this notice to document question(s) received would benefit other potential respondents, the questions would be anonymized, and a written response to such question(s) would be provided via an amendment to this notice.

IMPORTANT NOTES

The information received in response to this notice will be reviewed and considered so that the NIST may appropriately solicit for its requirements in the near future. 

This notice should not be construed as a commitment by the NIST to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. 

This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response.

This notice is not a request for a quotation. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotations.

No award will be made as a result of this notice. 

NIST is not responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice.

NIST reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and appropriate.

Any organization responding to this notice should ensure that its response is complete and sufficiently detailed to allow the Government to determine the organization’s capability.

Respondents are advised that the Government is under no obligation to acknowledge receipt of the information received or provide feedback to respondents with respect to any information submitted.

Thank you for taking the time to submit a response to this request.