Federal Register #2026-14801

NIST Seeks Participants for Neutron-Based Materials Characterization (nMat) Consortium

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), under the Department of Commerce, is launching the Neutron-Based Materials Characterization (nMat) Consortium to foster collaborative research in neutron-based measurement techniques for manufacturing materials. - Government Buyer: - National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Department of Commerce - NIST Center for Neutron Research (NCNR) - Materials Science and Engineering Division (MSED) - OEMs and Vendors: - No specific OEMs or vendors are named; the opportunity is open to all eligible organizations with relevant expertise - Products/Services Requested: - Participation in collaborative, pre-competitive research focused on: - Structural characterization - Interface analysis - Stress and defect analysis - Process monitoring - Magnetic analysis - No specific products, part numbers, or quantities are listed - Unique/Notable Requirements: - Participation requires executing a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with NIST, or a non-CRADA agreement for entities unable to enter CRADAs - The consortium leverages NIST's advanced neutron research facilities - Open to industry, academia, and other stakeholders - Letters of interest are currently being accepted for participation

Description

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) announces the establishment of the Neutron-Based Materials Characterization (nMat) Consortium to bring together industry, academia, and other stakeholders to address measurement and standards needs related to neutron-based characterization methods for manufacturing materials. The Consortium supports pre-competitive research to advance neutron-based measurement techniques, expands industrial access to advanced neutron tools, and accelerates the translation of measurement science into manufacturing impact. Participation requires executing a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with NIST, with an option for a non-CRADA agreement for entities legally unable to enter CRADAs. Letters of interest are currently being accepted, and activities will commence on April 1, 2026.

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