Combined Sources Sought Notice and Notice of Intent to Sole Source for Replacement Probe for Superconducting Quantum Interference Device Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (SQUID VSM)

The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting market research to identify potential sources for a replacement probe for the Superconducting Quantum Interference Device Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (SQUID VSM). The SQUID VSM is a critical instrument for NIST's magnetic standards work, and the current probe has recently failed. NIST is seeking information from companies that may be able to provide a replacement probe that meets the specified technical requirements. The replacement probe must be compatible with the existing SQUID VSM system and meet certain technical specifications, including magnetic field range, temperature range, and measurement modes. • The replacement probe must have a magnetic field range of ± 7 T (70,000 Oe) and a ramp rate of 0.4 mT/s - 70 mT/s (4 Oe/s - 700 Oe/s). • The replacement probe must have a temperature range of 1.8 K - 400 K and a ramp rate of up to 30 K/min. • The replacement probe must be compatible with the oven, ultra-low field, and horizontal sample rotator options. • The replacement probe must have a sample chamber inner diameter of 9 mm. • The replacement probe must meet certain technical specifications, including SQUID sensitivity, maximum moment, and measurement modes.