Sources Sought Notice for CHIPS R & D Thermogravimetric Analyzer with Gas Chromatography ( GC ) – Mass Spectrometry ( MS )

2026-11-03

The 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 National Institute of Standards and Technology ( NIST ) supports the development of measurement science critical to a resilient and sustainable U . S . semiconductor ecosystem . The semiconductor supply chain is global , specialized , and interconnected , chipmakers depend on thousands of suppliers for highly complex materials and tools . To address gaps in supply chain visibility and R & D infrastructure , NIST conducts metrology to advance new materials , packaging technologies , and production methods essential to semiconductor manufacturing . The Materials Measurement Laboratory ( MML ) Materials Science and Engineering Division ’ s ( MSED ) Thermodynamics and Kinetics Group ( TKG ) is developing a vacuum distillation recovery process for critical materials using recycled microelectronics waste . MSED aims to elaborate on separating processes as a function of temperature and vacuum pressure across different phases , which may include chemical gas reactions . To achieve these objectives , the capabilities of the required instruments should include simultaneous thermal gravimetric measurement , calorimetry , temperature measurements , and quantification of evaporated vapors . This instrument will consist of two components : thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis ( TG - DTA ), coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry ( GC - MS ). Given the demanding nature of the distillation process , the TG - DTA will consist of two compartments based on measurement capabilities , test conditions , and precision : TG - DTA1 for TG and TG - DTA , and TG - DTA2 for TG and TG - DSC . Additionally , the GC - MS should be coupled with both compartments of TG - DTA1 and TG - DTA2 . This procurement aims to acquire TGA and DTA systems coupled with GC - MS in FY2026 . It will create a vital laboratory platform for NIST , allowing advanced thermal analysis of complex materials linked to semiconductor manufacturing waste streams . This system aligns directly with the mission of the CHIPS Metrology Program , which is to build essential measurement science capabilities that promote critical material recovery , enhance sustainability , and reinforce the resilience of the U . S . semiconductor supply chain . NIST anticipates procuring the above description and is seeking information from manufacturers capable of meeting the following needs : Line Item Number : 0001Description : TG - DTA coupled with GC - MSQuantity : 1 setThe Contractor shall deliver one ( 1 ) set of TG - DTA with GS - MS that shall meet or exceed the minimum requirements identified below . 1 . General System Configuration and Requirements : The TG - DTA shall consist of two furnaces . TG - DTA1 shall focus on measuring TG and TG - DTA , with a temperature range of at least 25 ºC to 2000 ºC . TG - DTA2 shall focus on measuring TG and TG - DSC , with a temperature range of at least 25 ºC to 1600 ºC . A set of GC - MS and accessories shall be integrated with both TG - DTA1 and TG - DTA2 . The sample sensors of TGA and TG - DTA for TG - DTA1 , as well as TGA and TG - DSC for TG - DTA2 shall be interchangeable for the relevant measurement mode . The temperature variation of the furnaces shall be equal to or less than 0 . 5 ºC between 300 ºC and 1800 ºC for TG - DTA1 , and between 300 ºC and 1500 ºC for TG - DTA2 . The balance resolution of TGA shall be equal to or less than 0 . 1 µg . The temperature in the TG - DTA1 chamber shall be controllable to ensure accurate isothermal measurements between 300 ºC and 1700 ºC , and the TG - DTA2 chamber shall be controllable to ensure accurate isothermal measurements between 300 ºC and 1400 ºC . The pressure in the TG - DTA1 and TG - DTA2 chambers shall be controllable to ensure accurate isobaric measurements between 10 mbar and 1000 mbar of chamber pressure , using an external mechanical pump . A turbo molecular vacuum pump system shall be integrated to evacuate the sample chambers on both TG - DTA1 and TG - DTA2 . The evacuation vacuum pressure shall be equal to or less than 1 . 0 x 10 - 4 mbar within 20 minutes . TG - DTA1 and TG - DTA2 shall safely transport inert , mixed , or corrosive gases . A fully computerized system shall be integrated with software to control the systems and acquire and analyze data . The software shall enable the analysis of the comparative results of TG , DTA , DSC , and GC - MS . The software shall export all raw and analyzed metadata in Excel , CST , or CSV format . The TG - DTA system shall have a solution to absorb the vibrations . 2 . Thermal Gravimetry and Differential Thermal Analysis ( TG - DTA ) 2 . 1 . TG - DTA1The sample sensors shall be configured to include TGA and TG - DTA . The maximum temperature of the furnace and sample sensors shall be equal to or higher than 2000 ºC . The preferred heating elements shall be graphite or tungsten . The heating element shall be protected up to 2000 ºC , and the protective tube or liner shall be replaceable . The maximum heating rate shall be equal to or faster than 50 K / min . The temperature and gas controllers and the power supplier shall be assembled correctly to meet the required specifications . 2 . 2 . TG - DTA2The configurations of the sample sensors shall be TGA and TG - DSCThe maximum temperature of the furnace and sample sensors shall be equal to or higher than 1600 ºC . The preferred heating element shall be a silicon - carbide , a platinum , or a platinum - rhodium . The configuration shall be dedicated to enabling the accurate measurement of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters : e . g ., heat capacity and activation energy of thermal events . The maximum heating rate shall be equal to or faster than 50 K / min . The temperature and gas controllers and the power supplier shall be assembled correctly to meet the required specifications . 3 . Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry ( GC - MS ) GC - MS shall be coupled to evaluate the gases generated by TG - DTA1 and TG - DTA2 . Both TG - DTA1 , TG - DTA2 , and GC - MS coupling bundles shall include all necessary adaptors for gas transfer , valve controllers , transfer lines , temperature controllers , and a PC . The inlet of the GC shall be equal to or more than 2 ports . The temperature range of the GC column oven shall be controllable to at least 300 ºC . The temperatures of gas transfer lines shall be adjustable by temperature controllers . The maximum temperature of the gas transfer lines shall be equal to or higher than 300 ºC . The total gas flow range shall be accurately controllable . The pressure range shall be equal to or at least 0 to 650 kPa . The chamber temperature of MS shall be controllable at a minimum of 300 ° C . The range of mass shall be at least 1 u to 1022 u . The instrument detection limit shall be equal to or less than 5 fg . The GC - MS shall be controlled , analyzed , and quantified using integrated software . 4 . Turbo Molecular Vacuum Pump for TG - DTAOne turbo molecular vacuum pump system shall enable the evacuation of the sample chambers of the two sets of TG - DTA1 and TG - DTA2 . The pumping speed shall be equal to or faster than 30 l / s . The system shall be composed of a two - stage rotary vane pump . A valve shall be installed between the turbo pump and the rotary vane pump . The pressure gauge shall be installed with a wide - range vacuum gauge . The control device shall display the vacuum pressure and the turbo pump operating status . 5 . Sample SensorsTGA sample sensor 1The temperature range shall be at least 25 ºC to 2000 ºC . The temperature shall be measured using a thermocouple capable of withstanding 2000 ºC . The sample sensor shall be usable under inert , reducing , corrosive , or vacuum conditions . The sample sensor shall be usable with various volumes of TGA sample crucibles . TGA sample sensor 2The temperature range shall be at least 25 ºC to 1500 ºC . The temperature shall be measured using an S - type thermocouple . The sample sensor shall be usable under inert , reducing , corrosive , or vacuum conditions . The sample sensor shall be usable with various volumes of TGA sample crucibles . TG - DTA sample sensorThe temperature range shall be at least 25 ºC to 2000 ºC . The temperature shall be measured using a thermocouple capable of withstanding 2000 ºC . The sample sensor shall be usable under inert , reducing , corrosive , or vacuum conditions . The sample sensor shall enable the temperature measurement of the phase transition . TG - DSC sample sensorThe temperature range shall be at least from 25 ºC to 1500 ºC . The temperature shall be measured using an S - type thermocouple . The sample carrier shall be usable under inert , reducing , corrosive , or vacuum conditions . The sample carrier shall enable the accurate measurement of the heat capacity . 6 . Gas Control System for TG - DTA1 and TG - DTA2The gas controller shall include equal to or more than three mass flow controllers and valves . The sample chamber shall have a minimum of two gas inlet ports . The flow rate range shall be at least 5 ml / min to 250 ml / min . The gas control system shall be assembled correctly to ensure compatibility with corrosive gases . The flow rate shall be digitally readable and controllable . 7 . Consumables and AccessoriesTGA crucibles for 2000 ºC ( tungsten , 0 . 3 ml , 10 crucibles ) TGA crucibles and lids for 1500 ºC ( alumina , 0 . 9 ml , 4 sets of crucibles with lids ) TGA reference materials : calcium oxalate , etc . TG - DTA crucibles and lids ( tungsten , 2400 ºC , 0 . 08 ml ; 20 crucibles and 10 lids ) TG - DTA crucibles and lids ( alumina , 1500 ºC , 0 . 3 ml , 100 crucibles and 10 lids ) TG - DSC crucibles and lids ( alumina , 1650 ºC , 85 µl , 20 sets of crucibles and lids ) O - ring sets to protect the corrosive gas for the base system , TG - DTA1 , and TG - DTA2NIST 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