Notice of Intent to Noncompetitively Acquire CHIPS Pulsed Ultraviolet Light Source

This notice is not a request for a quotation. A solicitation document will not be issued and quotations will not be requested.

This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of FAR 13.501(a) The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Physical Measurements Laboratory, Applied Physics Division, Quantitative Nanostructure Characterization Group has a requirement at its Boulder campus for a Pulsed Vacuum Ultraviolet (VUV) Light Source .

This system will serve as the triggering source for the experimental Atom Probe Instrument (APT) at NIST Boulder. This meets the mission of determining the very best pulsing method for performing APT of semiconductor materials, which is one of the thrusts of the CHIPS project Atom Probe Tomography: Nanostructured Semiconductor Materials, Interfaces, and Devices.

NIST is seeking information from sources that may be capable of providing a solution that will achieve the objectives described above, in addition to the following essential requirements: Generates VUV light (147 nm wavelength), which is within the wavelength ranged that NIST will explore for triggering APT measurements on semiconductor samples.

The energy per pulse is >10 nJ (when using the fourth harmonic and fundamental), above the required minimum of ~ 100 pJ, is sufficient for the successful evaporation of ions from the samples. Repetition rate in the 50 kHz – 100 kHz. This repetition rate range allows for fast data acquisition without compromising timing wrap around difficulties from heavy ions. The pulse duration (< 1 ps) is appropriate as longer pulse durations can lead to difficulties measuring light ions.

The ability to collimate the beam allows easier beam stirring and focusing designs. The adequate flux stability permits long acquisition measurements to be performed without sacrificing data quality.

The source’s dimensions fit the optical table currently present in the laboratory NIST conducted market research from October 2024 to November 2024 by NIST Staff via searched via spoke with colleagues at NIST, performed internet searches, and relied on their professional expertise Only Kapteyn-Murnane (KM) Laboratories, Inc was found in these searches as capable.

In addition sources sought NIST-SS25-CHIPS-0010 was posted in October - November 2024 with one response from Kapteyn-Murnane (KM) Laboratories, Inc which was found capable of meeting requirements. These searches were to determine what sources could meet NIST’s minimum requirements. The results of that market research revealed that only Kapteyn-Murnane (KM) Laboratories, Inc.; 4775 Walnut Street, Suite, Boulder, CO 80301-2811;

UEI: TJNCNAL37AA5 appears to be capable of meeting NIST’s requirements. However, any sources that believe they are capable of meeting NIST’s minimum requirements are encouraged to respond to this notice by the response date to provide the following information at a minimum: Company Unique Entity Identifier number in https://sam.gov; 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; and any other information that can help NIST determine whether this requirement may be competitively satisfied.