Custom Magneto-resistive Sensors

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or services, issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) under the Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) Part 12. The acquisition is unrestricted. The government is seeking quotations for custom MTJ Sensors.

• CLIN 0001: Custom MTJ Sensors, as detailed in Attachment 1 (Statement of Work).

• Offerors must provide technical capability documentation, including approach, resources, methods, specifications, performance capabilities, delivery schedules, warranties, and service requirements. Evidence must be provided to demonstrate that proposed items meet or exceed minimum requirements outlined in the SOW.

• If applicable, offerors must provide evidence of manufacturer authorization to provide the items.

• Contract Type: Firm-fixed-price purchase order.

• Delivery: As required by the attached Statement of Work.

• FOB Point: As required by the attached Statement of Work.

• Submission Deadline: Electronic quotations due by 5:00 PM Eastern Time, April 21, 2026.

• Submission Method: Via email to cielo.ibarra@nist.gov and donald.collie@nist.gov. Reference the RFQ number in the subject line.

• Quotation Preparation: Must be clearly divided into three volumes: Volume I – Technical Quotation, Volume II – Price Quotation, and Volume III – Terms and Conditions.

• Evaluation Criteria: Award will be made to the responsible offeror proposing the lowest price that meets all required technical specifications. This is a lowest-priced, technically acceptable award.

• Technical Capability: Evaluated based on submitted documentation demonstrating proposed equipment meets or exceeds all minimum requirements. No prototypes, used, or refurbished instruments will be considered.

• Price: Proposed prices will be evaluated for reasonableness and compatibility with technical requirements.

• Pre-Quote Inquiries: Written questions must be submitted to cielo.ibarra@nist.gov and donald.collie@nist.gov no later than 2 calendar days after solicitation issuance.

• Registration: Offerors must have an ACTIVE registration in the System for Award Management (SAM.gov) at the time of quotation submission, award, performance, and final payment.

• NAICS Code: 334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (1,000 employees).

• Set-Aside: Solicited as unrestricted.

• Attachments: Attachment 1 (Statement of Work), Attachment 2 (Applicable Provisions and Clauses).

• Provisions: RFO 52.212-1 and RFO 52.212-2 apply.

• Price Validity: Quotations must remain valid for 90 days.

• Terms and Conditions: Offerors must state any objections to the terms and conditions in their quotation. Failure to do so implies acceptance.

Statement of Work (SOW) / Performance Work Statement (PWS)

To procure custom-designed magneto-resistive sensors and sensor arrays for use in a scanning magnetic microscope being developed for 3D thermal imaging of advanced semiconductor packages as part of the CHIPS Metrology Project.

Fabrication of custom magneto-resistive sensors and sensor arrays according to NIST specifications. The process will involve initial design drawings from the manufacturer, followed by review, modification, and final approval by both parties before fabrication commences.

Minimum Requirements for Bare-Die Detectors:

• Frequency Range: DC to 100 kHz, with a 1/f knee at or below 1 kHz.
• Field Sensitivity: 1 nT/(Hz)⁰.⁵ at 10 kHz and 1 kHz; 10 nT/(Hz)⁰.⁵ at 100 Hz.
• Operating Conditions: Operate in saturation fields up to 10 mT (DC or AC). Acceptable designs include magnetometer, gradiometer, Wheatstone bridge, and compensation coil. Operating temperature range of 10°C – 85°C.
• Dimensions and Geometry: Single pixel sensor size of 2 mm x 2 mm. 2D arrays must have at least 50 sensors per direction (≥ 2500 total) with a total area ≤ 50 mm per direction. Sensors must be placeable within 1 mm of a device under test.

Deliverable Specifications:

• Minimum of two wafers: Wafer #1 with at least 100 single pixel sensors, Wafer #2 with at least 4 arrays. Diced into individual die preferred. Option to quote additional undiced wafers.

• Multiple designs can be fabricated on wafers; single sensors and 2D arrays are required. Linear arrays up to 50 devices are optional.

• Final wafer designs require mutual approval before fabrication.

• Documentation of CAD, measured specifications, and operation instructions must be provided.

• 1 year of technical support is required.

• Delivery: Not later than 250 days After Receipt of Order (ARO).

• Delivery Location: FOB Destination to The National Institute of Standards and Technology, 100 Bureau Drive, Building 221, Gaithersburg, MD 20899.

• All items must be new; used, remanufactured, experimental, or prototype items are not acceptable.

• "Gray market" components are not acceptable.

• Items must be shipped in original manufacturer’s packaging with all original documentation and software.

• Inspection and Acceptance: NIST will perform tests and evaluations to verify performance specifications. The contractor may be present at their own expense. Manufacturer must test representative sensors/arrays prior to shipping. NIST will inspect for damage and compliance with approved CAD designs, followed by performance testing. Acceptance occurs after successful inspection and testing.

• Warranty: Minimum of 1 year after receipt.

• Payment: 100% upon receipt and acceptance testing by the TPOC, paid Net 30 days after proper invoice submission.

Forms / Attachments / Pricing Sheets

This document contains various solicitation provisions and contract clauses that are incorporated by reference or provided in full text. It outlines the terms and conditions that will govern the contract, including requirements for offerors and contractors.

• Solicitation Provisions Incorporated by Reference (52.252-1): Informs offerors that provisions are incorporated by reference and provides links to access their full text. Offerors may need to complete certain blocks within these provisions.
• Clauses Incorporated by Reference (52.252-2): Similar to provisions, this indicates that contract clauses are incorporated by reference, with links provided for full text access.
• List of Incorporated Provisions and Clauses: A comprehensive list of specific FAR (Federal Acquisition Regulation) and agency-specific clauses and provisions that apply to this solicitation. These cover a wide range of topics including:
  • Restrictions on Subcontractor Sales
  • Whistleblower Rights
  • Payments to Influence Federal Transactions
  • System for Award Management (SAM)
  • Reporting Requirements
  • Representations and Certifications (e.g., Inverted Domestic Corporations, Tax Liability, Felony Convictions)
  • Commercial Products and Services Terms and Conditions (FAR 52.212-4)
  • Trade Agreements
  • Place of Manufacture
  • Security Prohibitions and Exclusions (related to telecommunications, Sudan, and Iran)
  • Contracting Officer's Representative (COR) designation and responsibilities
  • Agency and GAO Protest procedures
  • Place of Acceptance
  • NIST specific clauses regarding operating status, electronic billing, and invoicing processing.
• Full Text Clauses: Includes the full text for FAR 52.212-4 (Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services), FAR 52.225-6 (Trade Agreements Certificate), FAR 52.225-18 (Place of Manufacture), and FAR 52.240-90 (Security Prohibitions and Exclusions Representations and Certifications).

Bidders must carefully review the listed provisions and clauses to understand their obligations and requirements. This includes understanding submission requirements for representations and certifications, compliance with trade and security regulations, and adherence to contract terms and conditions. The full text of FAR 52.212-4 is particularly important as it details fundamental contract terms like changes, disputes, payment, termination, and warranties. Bidders should pay close attention to any deviations or specific NIST local clauses that may impact performance or administration.