Solicitation for 4K Recirculating Cryostat

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking a 4K recirculating cryostat with optical and microwave access for use at its Gaithersburg, Maryland campus to support advanced quantum networking research, particularly the metrology of silicon vacancy defects in 4H silicon carbide. The solicitation, numbered 1333ND26QNB680374, seeks a single commercial-off-the-shelf system with strict technical requirements including a base temperature of no more than 4.2 K, at least 100 mW of cooling power at 5 K, temperature stability within 10 mK, vibrational stability under 10 nm, five optical access ports with fused silica windows, ten DC and two AC GHz electrical feedthroughs, a 3-axis nanopositioner with 25 nm resolution, and a Python-compatible control interface that operates on Windows 11. The system must be delivered new, in original manufacturer packaging, with all documentation, and include onsite installation, demonstration, and a one-year warranty within six months of award. The contract is structured as a Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) Request for Quotation under FAR Part 12, using the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) evaluation method, where technical acceptability is determined first on a binary pass/fail basis, followed by selection of the lowest-priced acceptable offer. All proposals must be submitted electronically via email to Nina Lin and Tracy Retterer at NIST no later than 6:00 p.m. EST on August 3, 2026, following the amendment that extended the original deadline. Submissions must be organized into three distinct volumes: Technical Capability, Price Quotation, and Terms and Conditions, with no page limits but requiring a clear table of contents and numbered pages. Offerors must be currently registered in SAM.gov and provide a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and CAGE code. The equipment will be delivered FOB Destination to NIST Building 217 in Gaithersburg, where government personnel will perform final inspection and acceptance. Pricing is unestimated and to be proposed by vendors, with CLIN 0003 designated as a Not-to-Exceed charge without a specified dollar value. Compliance with critical federal clauses is mandatory, including prohibitions on covered telecommunications and video surveillance equipment, Buy American requirements with certification, and security representations prohibiting the use of prohibited suppliers. Invoicing must be