NIST NB687000-26-01521 Microwave Amplifiers

NIST is conducting market research through a sources-sought notice for five low-noise microwave amplifiers with a noise temperature of 1.5K, operating within a 4–8 GHz RF bandwidth and delivering a gain of at least 23dB, designed specifically for integration into quantum sensor systems using Microwave SQUID readout technology. The amplifiers must adhere to internal NIST specifications dated 2019, utilize SMA connectors for RF and Nano-D for DC bias, and operate under specified power conditions of 0.70V and 15mA. Delivery of the five units is required within eight weeks of order issuance to NIST’s facility in Boulder, Colorado, where all inspection, testing, and acceptance will occur. The government will conduct acceptance testing over a 14-day period to verify basic functionality, with full noise temperature validation extending beyond this initial window. Vendors must provide electronic manuals and ensure a minimum 180-day warranty covering parts and labor, and must disclose the country of manufacture with a clear preference for U.S.-made products to support potential small business set-asides. Submission must be made electronically via email to Matthew Delgado at NIST no later than June 29, 2026, and is limited to a four-page capability statement containing company and manufacturer details, country of origin, specification sheets, and lead time. No formal evaluation factors, contract clauses, or pricing data exist in the current document as it is a pre-solicitation market research notice, not a binding procurement. U.S. citizenship is required for any vendor personnel on-site, and foreign nationals must be preregistered 30 days in advance. Packaging, preservation, and labeling requirements are not specified beyond the need for serial and NIST property numbers, and no MIL-STD references are cited. While the NAICS code is 334220 and the agency code is 1333ND, no contract value is estimable at this stage. Responses from small businesses are encouraged, and if at least two qualified small businesses submit proposals, NIST may proceed with a small business set-aside. No invoicing, payment, or contracting officer details are available as formal award has not occurred.