Combined Sources Sought/Notice of Intent to Sole Source: Repair Keysight model 5227A Vector-Network-Analyzer

Active

Contract Opportunity

THIS IS A COMBINED SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

Announcement Number: NIST-SS26-CHIPS-41

Subject: Notice of Intent to Noncompetitively Acquire Repair Keysight model 5227A Vector-Network-Analyzer

This notice is not a request for a quotation. A solicitation document will not be issued, and quotations will not be requested.

This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) via FAR 13.106-1(b). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 811210, Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance.

BACKGROUND

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Applied Physics Division requires the repair of the existing Keysight N5227A Vector-Network-Analyzer. The Vector-Network-Analyzer is intermittently not outputting microwaves at certain frequencies and displays the error message "unleveled LO synthesizer". This makes it impossible to measure the resonance field over a wide frequency range up to 67 GHz, which is important to determine magnetic materials parameters with high accuracy. Currently, such measurements cannot be carried out with our 3 Tesla magnet. The repair of the Vector-Network-Analyzer will enable the CHIPS project to measure a sufficiently large number of samples to inform models and support industry in the measurement of state-of-the-art materials. Awarding this procurement within this Fiscal Year is necessary to maintain project timelines and meet critical milestones related to materials characterization. Already several weeks have passed since the CHIPS project lost the capability to carry out measurements up to 67 GHz with our 3 Tesla magnet.

Keysight is the manufacturer of the N5227A Vector-Network-Analyzer. Keysight is the only company that can perform repairs on the Keysight N5227A. Keysight does not allow for any third-party repairs from any other company. Keysight does not provide training nor schematics with all necessary information to third parties for repair of the Vector-Network-Analyzer. There are proprietary components used in the Vector-Network-Analyzer and there are proprietary repair procedures.

This acquisition will be to repair the broken Keysight N5227A Vector-Network-Analyzer so that it meets the original specifications once again.

Line Item 0001:

Description: This acquisition is for the repair of a Keysight N5227A Vector-Network-Analyzer

General Technical Specifications

1. The Keysight N5227A Vector-Network-Analyzer needs to meet the original vendors specifications after it is returned from repair.

NIST conducted market research from April 2025 – December 2025 by conducting online searches, discussions with sources, and discussions with colleagues to determine what sources could meet NIST’s minimum requirements. The results of that market research revealed that only Keysight Technologies, 1900 GARDEN OF THE GODS RD, COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80907 USA, UEI: NNMLTBU9E5H3 appears to be capable of meeting NIST’s requirements.

HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS NOTICE

In responding to this notice, please DO NOT PROVIDE PROPRIETARY INFORMATION. Include only the following information provided below. Submit the response by email to the Primary Point of Contact and, if specified, to the Secondary Point of Contact no later than 12/23/25, 5:00pm ET.

1. Provide the complete name of your company, address, name of contact for follow-up questions, their email, their phone number and, if your company has an active registration in https://sam.gov, your company’s Unique Entity ID (UEI).


2. Details about what your company is capable of providing that meets or exceeds NIST’s minimum requirements (Capability Statement).


3. Whether your company is an authorized reseller of the product or service being cited and evidence of such authorization.


4. Identify any aspects of the description of the requirements in the BACKGROUND section above that could be viewed as unduly restrictive or create unnecessary barriers that adversely affect your company’s ability to provide a technically acceptable product. Please offer suggestions for how the requirements could be organized or structured to encourage the participation of small businesses.


5. For the NAICS code
   
   
   
   1. Indicate whether your company is (a) a small business or (b) other than small business. See the Table of Small Business Size Standards and the associated .pdf download file for small business size standards and additional information.
   
   
   2. If you believe the NAICS code listed in this notice is not the best NAICS code for the type of product addressed in this notice, identify an alternative NAICS code that you believe would be more appropriate for the planned procurement.
   
   
   
   


6. your firm has existing Federal Supply Schedule contract(s) or other contracts for products or services against which the Department may be able to place orders, identify the contract number(s) and other relevant information.


7. Describe your company’s experience (as a prime, subcontractor, or consultant) providing the products or services described in Background section.


8. Provide any other information that you believe would be valuable for the Government to know as part of its market research for this requirement.


9. Contact the primary and/or secondary point of contact (provided below) if you would like to engage in discussions to gain a better understanding of the requirement or need additional information about the Government’s requirement for the products or services described in the Background section (provided above).

QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS NOTICE

Questions regarding this notice must be submitted via email to the Primary Point of Contact and the Secondary Point of Contact. Questions must be submitted so that they are received by 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on 12/12/25 to receive a government response prior to the close of this notice. Questions will be anonymized and answered via sources sought notice amendment following the question submission deadline.

IMPORTANT NOTES

1. The information received in response to this notice will be reviewed and considered so that the NIST may appropriately solicit for its requirements in the near future.


2. This notice should not be construed as a commitment by the NIST to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract.


3. This notice is not a request for a quotation. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotations.


4. No award will be made as a result of this notice.


5. NIST is not responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice.


6. NIST reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and appropriate.

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