New Federal Ion Mill for Transmission Electron Microscope Specimens

Description: The National Institute of Standards and Technology, within the U.S. Department of Commerce, is soliciting proposals for a new ion mill used to prepare transmission electron microscope specimens. The system is expected to support specimen milling and polishing with features including adjustable ion sources, a rotating stage, in-process microscopy, process-gas compatibility, and a turbo-pump-compatible vacuum system. The solicitation was posted on August 8, 2026, and responses are due August 20, 2026, at 3:00 PM Eastern Time.