Sources Sought Notice for CHIPS R & D 67 GHz Microwave Source

2026-11-03

BACKGROUNDThe purpose of this sources sought notice is to conduct market research and identify potential sources of commercial products / services that satisfy the Government ’ s anticipated needs . The semiconductor supply chain is global , specialized , and interconnected . Chipmakers do business with thousands of individual suppliers that provide the highly complex materials and tools used to produce semiconductors . To address the lack of full visibility into the semiconductors markets supply chain and R & D ecosystem gaps , NIST will conduct the measurement science , or metrology , critical to the development of new materials , packaging , and production methods in chip manufacturing . With this goal in mind , the Photonics and Optomechanics Group is seeking a microwave source , or signal generator , for characterizing microwave acoustic devices . This source will be used to electrically drive piezoelectric microwave acoustic resonators at frequencies up to 67 GHz . Electrical and optical measurements will be performed on these devices to better understand their dynamics , loss mechanisms , and material properties . The project is investigating the dynamics of piezoelectric microwave acoustic resonators and their materials at unprecedented frequencies . Electrical and optical measurements are being used to measure resonance frequencies , mode shapes , acoustic velocities , loss mechanisms , and nonlinear behavior . A 67 GHz microwave source will be used to excite these resonators with varying frequency and power while measuring the output current and displacement of the resonators . Swept - frequency measurements will provide a complete analysis of microwave acoustic resonators and provide critical information needed to develop the next generation of 5G and millimeter - wave filters and oscillators . NIST anticipates procuring the above described supply and is seeking information from manufacturers capable of meeting the following needs : Line Item 0001 : 67 GHz microwave sourceQuantity : 1Key CapabilitiesA digital display that shows all relevant operational parameters , including frequency , power , and frequency sweep informationA manual keypad interface for setting operational parameters . A remote control interface including a USB communications port and communications protocols for setting operational parameters . Upgradeable capabilities for amplitude , frequency , and phase modulation . These capabilities are not needed at this time but the instrument must be capable of the upgrade . Technical SpecificationsRF output connector : 1 . 85 mmRF output connector impedance : 50 ohmsFrequency range : 250 kHz to 67 GHz or higherFrequency resolution : at least 0 . 001 HzPhase offset resolution : at least 0 . 1 degMaximum output power at specified frequencies : At least 19 dBm at 3 GHzAt least 18 dBm at 15 GHzAt least 14 dBm at 30 GHzAt least 11 dBm at 65 GHzSpecified single sideband phase noise :≤ - 90 dBc / Hz @ 1 GHz for an offset of 10 Hz ≤ - 135 dBc / Hz @ 1 GHz for an offset of 10 kHz ≤ - 70 dBc / Hz @ 20 GHz for an offset of 10 Hz ≤ - 110 dBc / Hz @ 20 GHz for an offset of 10 kHz ≤ - 60 dBc / Hz @ 50 GHz for an offset of 10 Hz ≤ - 105 dBc / Hz @ 50 GHz for an offset of 10 kHzBroadband noise : ≤ - 140 dBc / HzHarmonics for frequencies above 1 GHz : ≤ - 55 dBc for output power < + 10dBmInternal reference output frequency : 10 MHzInternal reference relative accuracy at time of calibration : ≤ 4 x 10 - 8Oscillator aging rate : ≤ +/- 3 x 10 - 8 / year after one year of operationExternal reference input frequency : 10 MHzNIST is seeking information from sources that may be capable of providing a solution that will achieve the objectives described above . HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS NOTICEIn 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 ). Identify the equipment that your company sells that can meet the objectives addressed in the BACKGROUND section of this notice . For each product recommended to meet the Government ’ s requirement , provide the following : Manufacturer nameModel numberTechnical specificationsIf your company is not the manufacturer , provide information on your company ’ s status as an authorized reseller of the product ( s ) Describe performance capabilities of the product ( s ) your company recommends to meet the Government ’ s requirements . Additionally , if there are other features or functions that you believe would assist NIST in meeting its objectives described above , please discuss in your response . Discuss whether the equipment that your company sells and which you describe in your response to this notice may be customized to specifications and indicate any limits to customization . Identify any aspects of the NIST market research notice , including instructions , and draft minimum specifications in the BACKGROUND section you cannot meet and state why . Please offer suggestions for how the market research notice and draft minimum specifications could be made more competitive . State whether the proposed equipment is manufactured in the United States and , if not , state the name of the country where the equipment is manufactured . Identify any plans / possibilities for changes in manufacturing location of the aforementioned equipment and provide relevant details , including timeline . For the NAICS code listed in this notice : 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 . Describe services that are available with the purchase of the aforementioned equipment from your company such as installation , training , and equipment maintenance . Describe standard terms and conditions of sale offered by your company for the recommended equipment such as : delivery time after your company accepts the order ; FOB shipping terms ; manufacturer warranty ( including details regarding nature and duration ); if available , description ( s ) of available extended warranty ; equipment setup and test ; operator and service instruction manual ( s ); cleanup after installation ; and if applicable , other offered services . Provide a copy of manufacturer standard terms and conditions that typically relate to the sale of the specified equipment , if available . State whether your company offers facility renovation services related to installation of the recommended equipment at its delivery destination , if required per the NIST - identified minimum specifications , and provide description of said services . Indicate if your company performs the facility renovation services or typically subcontracts the work to another company . Indicate if your company would be interested in inspecting the intended installation site during the market research phase . State published price , discount , or rebate arrangements for recommended equipment and / or provide link to access company ’ s published prices for equipment and services . If the recommended equipment and related services are available for purchase on any existing Federal Supply Schedule contract ( s ) or other contracts against which NIST may be able to place orders , identify the contract number ( s ) and other relevant information . Identify any customers in the public or private sectors to which you provided the recommended or similar equipment . Include customer ( s ) information : company name , phone number , point of contact , email address . Provide any other information that you believe would be valuable for NIST to know as part of its market research for this requirement . State if you require NIST to provide additional information to improve your understanding of the government ’ s requirement and / or would like to meet with NIST representatives to discuss the requirement and the capabilities of the identified equipment . QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS NOTICEQuestions 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 5 calendar days prior to the response date . 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 NOTESThis notice is for market research purposes and should not be construed as a commitment by NIST to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract . There is no solicitation available at this time . This notice does not obligate the Government to award a contract or otherwise pay for the information provided in response . NIST reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally 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 . 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 . Thank you for taking the time to submit a response to this request !

Maryland

2026-05-02