Microscale Thermophoresis Instrument

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

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking information from sources that may be capable of providing a Microscale Thermophoresis Instrument.  If no alternate sources are identified, the Government intends to issue a Sole Source Award to NanoTemper Technologies Inc., 400 OYSTER POINT BLVD, STE 336, SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94080 , under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing  with a size standard of 1,000 Employees.  

The Biomolecular Structure and Function (BSF) Group requires a Microscale Thermophoresis (MST) instrument to support measurement science for biomanufacturing and formulated biotherapeutics. The requirement is for a solution-phase, non-flow, temperature-gradient-driven (thermophoretic) measurement platform capable of characterizing molecular transport and structural changes in both purified systems and complex solution environments. For a unified measurement framework, the instrument must provide both intrinsic fluorescence (label-free) and fluorescently labeled detection capabilities within a single integrated MST platform, allowing direct comparison of measurements while maintaining a consistent analytical methodology.

NIST has a need for a Microscale Thermophoresis Instrument to support measurement science for biomanufacturing and formulated biotherapeutics. The requirement is for a solution-phase, non-flow, temperature-gradient-driven (thermophoretic) measurement platform capable of characterizing molecular transport and structural changes in both purified systems and complex solution environments. For a unified measurement framework, the instrument must provide both intrinsic fluorescence (label-free) and fluorescently labeled detection capabilities within a single integrated MST platform, allowing direct comparison of measurements while maintaining a consistent analytical methodology.  

The thermophoretic measurement platform capable of evaluating molecular transport behavior through temperature-gradient-driven migration. The static solution environment provided by MST is essential for direct comparison with NMR-derived measurements in the BSF group and for developing transferable biomanufacturing measurement methodologies.

The use of separate instruments or multiple platforms would not satisfy the requirement. NIST specifically requires both intrinsic fluorescence (label-free) and fluorescently labeled measurements within a single MST platform to ensure cross-comparable measurements and consistent interpretation across purified samples, formulation matrices, and complex solution environments. The thermophoretic response depends strongly on the coupled optical and thermal characteristics of the instrument. Using separate instruments for intrinsic and labeled measurements would introduce platform-dependent variability complicating direct comparison between datasets and reduce the reproducibility. A single integrated MST platform minimizes these sources of variability and preserves consistency across all measurement conditions.

 If another source were selected, the Government would be unable to obtain the required MST measurements using the specified thermophoretic measurement principle.

Alternative technologies would generate data based on different physical phenomena that are not the focus of this requirement. If the requirement were competed among vendors that do not provide a commercial MST platform meeting these specifications, the Government would either receive technically noncompliant proposals or be forced to modify its requirements and measurement objectives. Consequently, NanoTemper is uniquely capable of meeting this requirement because it is the only known vendor capable in providing a capillary-based MST instrument with both intrinsic fluorescence (label-free) and fluorescently labeled detection capabilities within a single integrated platform of the Monolith Pico RED/LabelFree.

The Salient Characteristics are as follows:

• Enable rapid, solution-phase monitoring of biomolecular interactions and structural changes relevant to biotherapeutics and biomanufacturing processes;
• Support measurements using intrinsic fluorescence (label-free detection) for purified biomolecules in solution;
• Support measurements using fluorescent labeling for biomolecules studied in complex or heterogeneous solution environments;
• Allow seamless transition between label-free and labeled measurement modes within a single instrument platform to ensure data consistency and cross-validation;
• Provide a broad dynamic range of interaction measurement, enabling characterization of weak to strong interactions relevant to biotherapeutic development and formulation;
• Enable efficient experimental setup, optimization, and data analysis workflows to support routine use;

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 at the bottom of this notice as soon as possible, and preferably before the closing date and time of this notice.

• 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.

• 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.

• Please provide a letter of authorization from the manufacturer showing the relationship as an authorized reseller

• 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 by 8:00 a.m.. Eastern Time on July 24, 2026.  Questions will be anonymized and answered via sources sought notice amendment following the question submission deadline.

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 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.