FBO ANNOUNCEMENT: PRESOLICITATION NOTICE, NOTICE OF INTENT

ACTION CODE: SPECIAL NOTICE

SUBJECT: Sole source – Thermo-Optical Plane Source Thermal Conductivity Measurement Instrument

SOLICITATION NUMBER: NB643090-25-01807

RESPONSE DATE: 07/07/25

DESCRIPTION:

The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST), requires an instrument that can provide non-destructive, non-contact, and spatially resolved thermal conductivity measurements for solids, liquids, pastes, gels, and foams that have a broad range of shape, size, and surface roughness. NIST requires a direct measurement of thermal conductivity that does not require numerical input values for heat capacity, density, or sample dimensions, enabling high-throughput, rapid characterization and analysis. The instrument will generate reliable data for NIST researchers and for semiconductor industry partners to improve thermal management in semiconductor microelectronics packaging.  To further this mission, NIST requires a Thermo-Optical Plane Source.

The Thermo-Optical Plane Source (TOPS) technique utilizes laser heating and infrared pyrometry to provide non-contact, non-destructive, and direct measurements of thermal conductivity. It can be implemented to characterize a wide variety of material forms, including ceramics, metals, pastes, liquids, polymers, composites, thermal interface materials, foams, and gels. Measurement of these material forms is extremely difficult and currently not a capability at NIST. Since TOPS provides a direct measurement of thermal conductivity, there is no analysis requirement to input assumed values for heat capacity, density, or sample dimensions, a typical limitation of other thermal conductivity measurement methods. Other thermal conductivity measurement methods also require the sensor to be in direct contact with the sample, leading to parasitic thermal contact errors. TOPS eliminates the need for extensive sample preparation like dimensional shaping or surface polishing, meaning rough surface materials like ceramics, foams, and additively manufactured materials of a variety of shapes and sizes can be readily measured.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (1), with Laser thermal located in Charlottesville, VA, for the purchase of this equipment.

Sole Source justification is based on the following:

Based on extensive market research, Laser Thermal Analysis, Inc. is the only vendor with a product that meets our minimum requirements. Other vendors were identified that have products capable of measuring solids, liquids, pastes, gels, and foams, but they do not cumulatively meet our requirements of providing non-destructive, non-contact, spatially resolved, direct measurement of thermal conductivity and for the minimum specified sample dimensions.

Laser thermal has stated “Laser Thermal has no authorized distributors for the Thermo-Optical Plane Source (TOPS) tool.    Additionally, TOPS is a proprietary instrument with a patent application pending with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.”

NAICS code for this requirement will be 334516– Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing with a small business size of 1000 employees.

No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, interested parties who regard themselves as capable of fulfilling these requirements are invited to submit responses to the Government for consideration. Responses received by 1:00AM EST on 07/07/25 will be considered by the Government.

A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Inquiry POCs

[email protected]  Primary

[email protected]  Secondary

National Institutes of Standards and Technologies NIST Acquisition Management Division (AMD)

100 Bureau Dr. Mail Stop 1640

Gaithersburg, MD. 20899-1640