ACTION CODE: <PRESOL>

CLASSIFICATION CODE: 66 - Laboratory Equipment and Supplies

SUBJECT: ASG-2 Bitstream generator

SOLICITATION NUMBER: NB684060-12-05462

RESPONSE DATE: September 14, 2012

CONTACT POINTS: Chris Ganey, Contract Specialist, 301-975-6205
Todd Hill, Contracting Officer, 301-975-8802

DESCRIPTION:

The Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), intends to negotiate a firm fixed price purchase order, on a sole source basis, with Steven Waltman for the purchase of an ASG-2 Bitstream generator under other than full and open competition by the authority of FAR subpart 13.106 (b)(1): Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

The requirement is based on NIST's need for an ASG-2 Bitstream generator which fulfills a critical need to meet milestones for the integration of quantum voltage standards in NIST voltage measurement services.

This instrument is a further development of a previous design for a custom device specifically designed to drive superconducting Josephson voltage standards, meeting the requirements to the Quantum Voltage Standards Project in NIST Boulder, where it was demonstrated that its performance exceeded the required specifications.

The unique specifications for this procurement, unavailable from any other vendor, include:
A data rate exceeding 28 gigabits per second

A pattern length of 32 gigabits for repetition frequencies below 1 Hz;

Output amplitudes up to 2 Volt peak-to-peak that eliminate the need for expensive external amplifiers;
A microwave source with continuously adjustable amplitude and phase that eliminates the need for an external microwave synthesizer, high power amplifier, and phase shifter, and meets stability requirements; and a bias compensation arbitrary waveform generator that eliminates the need for external compensation.

The device is custom made to order.

Steve Waltman has no re-sellers. A sole source is recommended to Steve Waltman.

Delivery shall be FOB Destination, Gaithersburg, MD, and be completed in accordance with the Contractor's commercial schedule.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516, and the size standard is 500 employees.

No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. The Government will consider responses received by 12:00 p.m. (Eastern) on September 14, 2012. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to [email protected].

A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future.