Request for Information / Sources Sought Notice for Providers/Suppliers of a Field deployable X-Ray Diffraction System
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The U.S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting market research through a Request for Information (RFI)/Sources Sought Notice (SSN) to identify potential providers of a Field Deployable X-Ray Diffraction System. This system is required for multiaxial stress measurements of steel in both laboratory and outdoor settings. Responses are due April 17, 2026.
Scope of Work
NIST seeks a portable X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) system capable of measuring axial, shear, and transverse stress components in iron and steel materials. Key requirements include:
- Portability: Indoors and outdoors via protective pack-out boxes.
- Mounting: Means of securing to horizontal and vertical surfaces.
- Safety: Enclosure/radiation shielding, emergency stop, visible X-ray active indicator.
- Precision: Powered translation stage for fine positioning (0.1 mm or less) and a powered rotational stage for automated multidirectional stress measurements.
- Power: Operates on standard single-phase 115V or 120V electrical power.
- Warranty: One-year manufacturer's warranty. Optional items include an X-ray tube for aluminum stress measurement, a liquid cooling system for the X-ray tube, and translation stages for spatial stress mapping.
Delivery, Installation, and Training
- Delivery: F.O.B Destination to NIST Gaithersburg, MD, within 120 days After Receipt of Order (ARO).
- Installation: Contractor-performed within 14 days of delivery, including setup, hook-up, and demonstration of specifications.
- Training: One session for up to five users at NIST, covering system functions, maintenance, data administration, and troubleshooting. On-site measurements demonstrating no damage/misalignment post-installation are also required.
Information Requested
Respondents should submit a Company Summary including:
- Notice ID and Title.
- Company name, address, website, UEI, point of contact, phone, and email.
- Size status under NAICS 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing.
- Active SAM.gov registration status.
- Place of Manufacture/Origin: Identify if the product is manufactured in the U.S. or elsewhere.
- Existing Contract Vehicles: Indicate GSA MAS or other federal contracts under which NIST could place an order, providing contract details.
Submission Details
- Format: Microsoft Word or PDF, 11 or 12-point font.
- Page Limit: Not to exceed five (5) pages (excluding cover page/commercial pricing).
- Content: Clear, concise language, avoiding excessive marketing.
- Submission Email: hunter.tjugum@nist.gov and lauren.roller@nist.gov
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Sources Sought / Request for Information (RFI)
- Set-Aside: None specified (market research stage)
- Response Due: April 17, 2026, 8:00 PM ET
- Published: April 10, 2026
Additional Notes
This is strictly for market research and planning purposes; it is not a solicitation. NIST does not intend to award a contract based on responses and will not pay for information submitted. A Request for Quote (RFQ) may be issued later. Do not include proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information.