Cryogenic Nano Positioner

COMMERCE, DEPARTMENT OF

Notice type
Combined Synopsis/Solicitation
Solicitation #
NB686000-26-01956
NAICS
334516
PSC
6640
Posted
June 12, 2026
Response due
June 25, 2026
Place of performance
Boulder, CO

What this opportunity is

The Department of Commerce is seeking encoded cryogenic nano-positioners and controllers for the Physical Measurements Laboratory, specifically for superconducting device characterization. This opportunity is suitable for small businesses under NAICS 334516, focusing on precision measurement equipment. The notice type is a Combined Synopsis/Solicitation, indicating that interested vendors should prepare to submit proposals rather than just track the opportunity. Key requirements include compatibility with extreme temperatures and vacuum conditions, as well as specific technical specifications for the equipment.

Analysis by Mindy, grounded in the SAM.gov notice.

Description

STATEMENT OF REQUIREMENTS Title: Encoded Cryogenic Nano-positioners and Controllers Requesting Lab / Division / Group: Physical Measurements Lab / Applied Physics Division / Spin Electronics Group Requisition Number: NB686000-26-01956 I. BACKGROUND INFORMATION The Spin Electronics Group of the Physical Measurement Laboratory requires the purchase of position encoded cryogenic nano-positioners and the necessary controllers for characterization of superconducting devices and circuits. The encoded nano-positioners must be compatible with temperature below 4 Kelvin and vacuum pressures below 1x10 -8 Torr. The nano-positioners and controllers must be 1-to-1 compatible with the stages and controllers that are specified below. II. Purpose The position encoded cryogenic nano-positioners and controllers will be used to characterize devices and circuits made for our pi-ground state Josephson junction research and for testing electrical performance of superconducting digital logic circuits that will be imaged in our scanning superconducting quantum interference device microscope. The positioners and controllers must meet temperature specifications, dimensions and load specifications, and be comprised of all non- magnetic materials to ensure our ability to rapidly test new device and circuit designs and materials. The Contractor shall deliver a quantity of each positioner and controller specified below, inclusive of FOB Destination delivery, installation, warranty and training, and option line items. III. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS The Contractor shall provide a system that meets all technical specifications identified below. All items must be new. Used or remanufactured equipment will not be considered for award. Experimental, prototype, or custom items will not be considered. The use of “gray market” components are not authorized for sale in the U.S. by the Contractor is not acceptable. All line items shall be shipped in the original manufacturer’s packaging and include all original documentation and software, when applicable. Line Item 0001: X Nanopositioner Description: Nanopositioner with 20 mm range and position encoding Quantity: Eight (8) A. Technical Specifications a. 45x45x12mm footprint b. 20 mm of range c. Maximum load of > 200 g d. Titanium body and ceramic bearings e. UHV compatible f. Capacitance < 10 nF g. Capability of using low thermal conductance drive lines with up to 100 Ohm of resistance. h. Full range capacitive encoding of position. i. < 100 nW sensor heat dissipation j. < 300 nm repeatability, unidirectional is acceptable. Line Item 0002: Z Nanopositioner Description: Z axis nano positioner with positioner encoding -- 1 of 5 -- Quantity: Two (2) A. Technical Specifications a. 34x34x25.7mm footprint (30.7mm height when fully extended) b. 5 mm of range c. Maximum load of > 200 g at 4 K d. Titanium body and ceramic bearings e. UHV compatible f. Capacitance < 10 nF g. Capability of using low thermal conductance drive lines with up to 100 Ohm of resistance. h. Full range capacitive encoding of position. i. < 100 nW sensor heat dissipation j. < 300 nm repeatability, unidirectional is acceptable. Line Item 0003: Z Nanopositioner Description: Z axis nano positioner with positioner encoding Quantity: Two (2) A. Technical Specifications a. 24x24x20 mm footprint (25 mm height when fully extended) b. 5 mm of range c. Maximum load of > 100 g at 4 K d. Titanium body and ceramic bearings e. UHV compatible f. Capacitance < 10 nF g. Capability of using low thermal conductance drive lines with up to 100 Ohm of resistance. h. Full range capacitive encoding of position. i. < 100 nW sensor heat dissipation j. < 300 nm repeatability, unidirectional is acceptable. Line Item 0004: Necessary adapters and testing Description: Necessary adapters to combine 2 X axis and 1 Z axis positioner to make 4 total full XYZ stacks. Quantity: As Needed a. Titanium construction b. Any required testing for integration of the positioners into XYZ stacks Line Item 0005: Slip-Stick Drive and position encoding sensor readout unit Description: Control and position readout for positioners. Quantity: Two (2) a. Bipolar Stick Slip Drive for moving positioners up to 9 axis per unit b. Voltage range from 10 V to 300 V c. Frequency range from 10 Hz to 3000 Hz d. Closed loop positioning capable e. External computer controllable using Python Line Item 0006: Preamplifier Description: Preamplifier / driver needed for position sensor excitation and readout Quantity: One (1) a. 3 axes b. Differential drive for sensors -- 2 of 5 -- c. Coaxial input from sensors Line Item 0007: Preamplifier Description: Preamplifier / driver needed for position sensor excitation and readout Quantity: One (1) a. 9 axes b. Differential drive for sensors c. Coaxial input from sensors Line Item 0008: X Flexure Description: X scanning stage Quantity: Two (2) a. 24 mm x 24 mmx 9 mm b. > 200 μm / volt scan sensitivity c. Bipolar operation d. Titanium body Line Item 0009: Z Flexure Description: Z scanning stage Quantity: One (1) a. 24 mm x 24 mmx 10 mm b. > 40 μm / volt scan sensitivity c. Bipolar operation d. Titanium body IV. DELIVERABLES Standards of Acceptance: The NIST TPOC or COR shall review the positioners and respond with an acceptance or request for revision email to the Contractor Point of Contact (POC) within 21 days of receipt of deliverable. V. PLACE OF PERFORMANCE National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 325 Broadway Boulder, CO 80305 VI. PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE/LEAD TIME Lead time 16 Weeks VII. DELIVERY TERMS Delivery shall be F.O.B Destination and shall occur in accordance with the delivery due dates provided above. FOB Destination means: The contractor shall pack and mark the shipment in conformance with carrier requirements, deliver the shipment in good order and condition to the point of delivery specified in the purchase order, be responsible for any loss of and/or damage to t

Source: SAM.gov, as posted. Verify the current solicitation before responding.

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