Request for Information/ Sources Sought Notice for Providers/Supplies for 2 Directional Couplers
Notice ID: NIST-SS26-CHIPS-19
Contract Opportunity Type
Sources Sought
Response Date: December 8,2025
Product Service Code
6640—Laboratory Equipment and Supplies
NAICS Code
334515 - Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals
BACKGROUND
The research project “RF Waveform and Rapid Frequency-Comb Diagnostics for Plasma Etching” focuses on high-power waveform metrology. High-power RF waveforms are used in semiconductor plasma processing, including etching and deposition processes. These processing steps are very common in semiconductor manufacturing. The characteristics of the waveforms impact the quality of the resulting chips. But industry lacks the ability to accurately measure these waveforms. We aim to close that gap by developing high-power waveform measurement techniques.
Specifically, this SOW describes high-power dual directional couplers. In our experiments, we will use high-power waveforms (up to 5 kW). The dual directional couplers are necessary to allow metrology equipment to sample the high-power waveforms. The couplers will be used in a laboratory, alongside electrical metrology equipment.
This notice is strictly to request information for market research purposes to help NIST determine the appropriate acquisition strategy for this requirement. This notice shall not be construed as a solicitation, an obligation, or commitment by the NIST.
OVERVIEW
Specifically, this SOW describes high-power dual directional couplers. In our experiments, we will use high-power waveforms (up to 5 kW). The dual directional couplers are necessary to allow metrology equipment to sample the high-power waveforms. The couplers will be used in a laboratory, alongside electrical metrology equipment.
ANTICIPATED PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE
NIST anticipates that it will require supplies beginning no later than June 1, 2026, and intends to conduct a competitive acquisition.
INFORMATION REQUESTED FROM INDUSTRY SOURCES:
NIST invites industry sources to review this notice carefully. Thereafter, NIST encourages those sources to submit the following:
- Notice ID and its Title for this posting
- Your company’s name, address, website address and Unique Entity Identifier (if the company has one)
- Company point of contact, their phone number, and their email address
- Your company’s size status as it relates to NAICS 334515. See table of business size standards at https://www.sba.gov/document/support-table-size-standards for more information.
- Indicate whether your company has an active registration for procurement purposes in sam.gov.
The Government reserves the right to follow up on a one-on-one basis with respondents to request additional information or clarifications about information submitted.
THIS IS STRICTLY MARKET RESEARCH. NIST WILL NOT RESPOND TO QUESTIONS REGARDING THE RESULTS OF THIS MARKET RESEARCH. REQUESTS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION WILL NOT BE PROVIDED
SUBMMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Interested parties shall submit responses to by the closing date of this notice Elizabeth.timberlake@nist.gov and to donald.collie@nist.gov.
- Microsoft Word (or PDF) document, and 12-inch font.
- Submission shall not exceed ten (10) pages. Any cover page OR Standard Commercial Pricing Sections is not included in the total page count.
- Respondents are requested to state their capabilities and expertise in clear and concise language.
- Respondents are strongly encouraged to avoid use of excessive marketing and sales language
Cover Page
Respondents shall include the following Business information on the Cover Page:
- Sources Sought Notice number, title, and date of issuance
- Unique Entity ID
- Company Name
- Company Address
- company website address,
- Company Point of Contact, Phone, and Email address
- Validation of business status under NAICS: 334515 See table of business size standards at https://www.sba.gov/document/support-table-size-standards for more information.
- Indicate whether your company has an active registration for procurement purposes in sam.gov.
This notice is for information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of NIST.
NIST does not intend to award a contract based on responses nor otherwise pay for the preparation of any information submitted. As a result of this notice, NIST may issue a Request for Quote (RFQ) or Request for Proposal (RFP).
THERE IS NO SOLICITATION AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME. However, should such a requirement materialize, no basis for claims against NIST shall arise because of a response to this notice or NIST’s use of such information as either part of our evaluation.
Confidentiality
Do not include proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information in a response to this notice. The Government reserves the right to use any non-proprietary information as it deems appropriate in establishing requirements for its upcoming acquisition.
