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Notice ID Number: NIST-SS26-109 Title: Ion mill for transmission electron microscope specimens The purpose of this sources sought notice is to conduct market research and identify potential sources of commercial products/services that satisfy the Government's anticipated needs. BACKGROUND To support the CHIPS for America Act, the NIST Precision Imaging Facility (PIF) requires an ion milling system to provide final thinning to transmission electron microscope specimens. The coating system is intended to support the scanning electron microscope, focused ion beam, and transmission electron microscope instruments (among others) in the PIF. 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: TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS: Line Item 0001: Sputter coater for scanning electron microscopy Quantity: One (1) Technical Specifications: Function The system shall be capable of milling/polishing specimens for transmission electron microscopy using one or more ion beams. Chamber/Stage The system shall be able to hold standard 3 mm diameter transmission electron microscope grids and/or half grids which are typically used during focused ion beam preparation. The stage shall rotate 360° Offerors shall comment on the ability of the stage to be cooled using liquid nitrogen Ion Source(s) The system shall have two or more independently adjustable ion sources. The energy of the ion sources shall be adjustable. Offerors shall comment on the ion source energy range. The angle of the ion sources shall be adjustable relative to the specimen. Offerors shall comment on whether ion source angles are motorized. Imaging and illumination The system shall include a microscope to image the specimen during ion milling. Illumination of the specimen for microscope imaging shall be built into the system. Process Gasses: The system shall be able to accommodate at least one process gas to support the ion sources (e.g. argon). Vacuum System: The system shall include or be compatible with a turbo pump and/or turbo pumping station. The system shall include all vacuum pumps required to operate the system. Any vacuum pumps or vacuum system components shall be oil free. All functions of any vacuum system (start, stop, pump, vent, etc.) shall be fully controllable from the user interface. HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS NOTICE In responding to this notice, please DO NOT PROVIDE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. Please include only the following information, readable in either Microsoft Word 365, Microsoft Excel 365, or .pdf format, in the response: Submit the response by email to the Primary Point of Contact and, if specified, to the Secondary Point of Contact listed in this notice as soon as possible, and preferably before the closing date and time of this notice. Please note that to be considered for award under any official solicitation, the entity must be registered and “activ…

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