Combined Sources Sought Notice and Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source Contract for an Optical Dilatometer with Heating Microscope Capability

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is conducting market research to identify alternative sources for an optical dilatometer with heating microscope capability. The contractor shall deliver an optical dilatometer with heating microscope capability that meets the minimum specifications, including a horizontal optical (non-contact) dilatometer, exchangeable optics for operation as an optical dilatometer and heating microscope, a MoSi2 furnace, and a vacuum-tight sample chamber. The system shall also include automatic gas control, a desktop PC with instrument control and data analysis software, and a digital or physical operations and maintenance manual. * The system must be able to measure sample dimensional changes using a high-precision camera and optical imaging. * The system must be able to operate as an optical dilatometer with a resolution of 1 μm or better. * The system must be able to operate as a heating microscope with a resolution of 1 μm or better and a field of view of at least 1 x 1 cm. * The system must be able to achieve a pressure level of at least 0.1 Pa when used in combination with an appropriate vacuum pump. * The system must include a compatible Type S thermocouple and a Type C thermocouple. * The system must be delivered with a digital or physical operations and maintenance manual.