Semirigid, VNA Test, and Flexible Cables

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This document incorporates by reference numerous Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) provisions and clauses, along with specific NIST local clauses. It outlines standard terms and conditions for solicitations, particularly those involving commercial products and services, and includes deviations effective January 2026. Bidders must be aware of these incorporated provisions and clauses as they form the basis of the contract.

• FAR Clauses Incorporated by Reference: Includes provisions related to System for Award Management (SAM), reporting executive compensation, contractor employee whistleblower rights, prohibition on contracting with inverted domestic corporations, and instructions to offerors for commercial products and services.

• FAR Clauses Incorporated by Full Text: FAR 52.212-4 (Terms and Conditions—Commercial Products and Commercial Services) is provided in full text, detailing definitions, inspection/acceptance, assignment, changes, disputes, excusable delays, invoicing, patent indemnity, payment terms, risk of loss, taxes, termination (convenience and cause), title, warranty, limitation of liability, compliance with unique government contract laws, order of precedence, unauthorized obligations, Comptroller General examination of records, and incorporation by reference of representations and certifications.

• Specific Provisions: Includes 52.225-6 (Trade Agreements Certificate), 52.225-18 (Place of Manufacture), and 52.240-90 (Security Prohibitions and Exclusions Representations and Certifications), which require specific representations regarding the origin of goods, place of manufacture, and compliance with security-related prohibitions (e.g., concerning telecommunications equipment, Sudan, and Iran).

• NIST Local Clauses: Includes instructions for agency protests, GAO/Court of Federal Claims protests, place of acceptance (NIST Boulder, CO), contractor performance during NIST operating status changes, and electronic billing instructions (email to INVOICE@NIST.GOV, with an alternate using the Invoice Processing Platform - IPP).

• The document references deviations effective January 2026 for several FAR provisions and clauses.

• Offerors must review and comply with all incorporated provisions and clauses. Specific representations and certifications are required, particularly regarding the origin of goods and security compliance.

• Provisions related to small business subcontracting plans (52.219-9, 52.219-16) and post-award small business program representation (52.219-28) are incorporated, suggesting potential small business considerations.

• Bidders are cautioned that incorporated provisions may require completion and submission with their offer. Full text is available upon request or electronically via provided links.

• The document specifies the place of acceptance as NIST in Boulder, Colorado.

• Electronic invoicing is mandatory, either via email or the IPP system, with specific instructions provided.

Form / Attachment / Pricing Sheet

This document is a technical drawing, specifically a sketch or schematic, labeled "SRM Robot Cable Sketch." It provides detailed visual representations of a robotic system, likely for manufacturing or assembly processes.

• Multiple views of a robot and associated equipment, including a main assembly, a detail view (Detail A), and another detail view (Detail B).
• Depicts robotic arms, conveyor systems, and control boxes.
• Shows cable routing and connections, indicated by red lines in Detail A.
• Includes dimensions and scale information for various components.
• A title block with drawing number (SRM Robot), sheet number (1 of 1), revision information, and dates.

This sketch is crucial for bidders to understand the physical layout, component integration, and specific requirements related to cabling and robotic system configuration for the opportunity. It serves as a visual guide for potential manufacturing, installation, or integration tasks.

Statement of Work (SOW)

To procure microwave measurement cables for NIST's CHIPS program to support the development and dissemination of best practices and algorithms for complex permittivity measurement.

Procurement of the following new cables:

• Twenty-seven (27) semirigid cables
• Two (2) VNA test cables
• Ten (10) flexible cables

Semirigid Cables (Line Item 0001):

• Quantity: 27
• Technical Specifications: 24 inches, DC-67 GHz, 1.85 mm male to 1.85 mm male, 5 bends.

VNA Test Cables (Line Item 0002):

• Quantity: 2
• Technical Specifications: 39 inches, DC-67 GHz, 1.85 mm female NMD to 1.85 mm male ruggedized, Phase stable.

Flexible Cables (Line Item 0003):

• Quantity: 10
• Technical Specifications: 3 inches, DC-67 GHz, 1.85 mm male to 1.85 mm male, 090 coax, Flexible.

General Requirements:

• All items must be new; used, remanufactured, experimental, prototype, or custom 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.

• All deliverables are due within 8 weeks ARO (After Receipt of Order).

• Delivery Location: NIST Boulder.

• Period of Performance: Approximately 8 weeks ARO.

• Place of Performance: NIST Boulder, Building 1-4635, 325 Broadway, Boulder Colorado, 80305. Contractor will be provided access to Building 1.

• Delivery: F.O.B Destination.

• Delivery Address: National Institute of Standards and Technology, Shipping and Receiving, 325 Broadway Boulder, Colorado 80305.

• NIST TPOC will review deliverables within 10 calendar days of receipt.

• Performance Tests: VNA S-parameter measurement and Visual inspection.

• NIST may forego acceptance testing at its discretion.

• Government reserves the right to reject cables due to defects or nonconformance.

• Acceptance or rejection within 10 days of receipt.

• Minimum of 1 year warranty in accordance with FAR 52.212-4, commencing upon acceptance.

• Includes first year full warranty and return manufacturer.

• 100% after installation and acceptance.

• Payment after successful completion of testing requirements.

• Payment after successful demonstration of instrumentation performance.

• Solution must provide security and privacy protection consistent with federal laws, regulations, policies, and standards (e.g., FISMA, OMB Circular A-130, FIPS Publication 200).

• May meet requirements through FedRAMP authorization, third-party assessments, or NIST SP 800-171.

• Minimally Acceptable Controls include system security plans, secure configuration management, restricted access to SPII, multi-factor authentication, vulnerability scanning, and incident response processes.

• SPII must be encrypted in transit (TLS 1.2+) and at rest, using FIPS 140-2/140-3 validated algorithms.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This is a combined synopsis/solicitation for commercial products or services, issued as a Request for Quotation (RFQ) under Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) Part 12. The acquisition is a small business set-aside.

The government is procuring the following items:

• CLIN 0001: Semirigid cables (27 Each)
• CLIN 0002: VNA test Cables (2 Each)
• CLIN 0003: Flexible cables (10 Each)

Detailed requirements are provided in the attached Statement of Work (Attachment #1), SRM Robot Cable Sketch (Attachment #2), and Applicable Provisions and Clauses (Attachment #3).

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

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

• FOB Point: FOB Destination.

• Submission Deadline: Electronic quotations must be received by 12:00 PM Eastern Time on February 13, 2026.

• Submission Method: Via email to elizabeth.timberlake@Nist.gov and Donald.Collie@nist.gov. Reference the RFQ number (1333ND26QNB030016) in the subject line.

• Quotation Preparation: Quotations must be clearly written, indexed (or have a Table of Contents), and divided into three distinct volumes:

  • Volume I: Technical Quotation (demonstrating technical capability and compliance with SOW requirements, including manufacturer authorization if applicable).
  • Volume II: Price Quotation (firm-fixed-price for each CLIN, including shipping costs; valid for 90 days).
  • Volume III: Terms and Conditions (completing required information from attachments).

• Evaluation Criteria: Award will be made to the responsible offeror proposing the lowest price that also meets all required technical specifications. Award will be based on the lowest priced, technically acceptable offer.

• Discussions: The government may award without discussions based solely on initial quotes.

• This acquisition is solicited as a small business set-aside.

• The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code is #334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees.

• Inquiries: Written questions must be submitted to elizabeth.timberlake@nist.gov and donald.collie@nist.gov no later than 2 calendar days after solicitation issuance.

• RFO Provisions: Provisions and clauses in effect through RFO apply. RFO 52.212-1 applies, with addenda provided.