The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Acquisition Management Division, on behalf of the NIST Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology (CNST), intends to negotiate with Asylum Research Corporation; Goleta, CA, on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b) - Soliciting from a single source, to purchase an upgrade for an existing high resolution atomic force microscope.

The CNST requires an upgrade for an existing high-resolution atomic force microscope (AFM)-an Asylum Cypher-to enable piezoelectric force microscopy and optimized contact mode imaging for the development of combined high-precision contact mechanics measurements and local piezoelectric properties measurements on ferroelectric materials. The upgrade requires modification of the existing AFM for high voltage operation, as well as a new light source optimized specifically for low-interference noise contact mode measurements.

The Asylum Cypher AFM is proprietary to Asylum Research Corporation. Market research has shown that there are no other vendors capable of upgrading the existing AFM owned by NIST or providing equipment compatible with the existing Asylum Cypher AFM system and control software.

The NAICS Code is 334516- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing with a size standard of 500 employees. NIST anticipates negotiating and awarding a firm-fixed-price purchase order to Asylum Research Corporation for this requirement in the 3rd quarter of fiscal year 2013.

Interested parties that believe they could satisfy the requirements listed above for NIST may clearly and unambiguously identify their capability to do so in writing on or before the response date for this notice. This notice of intent is not a solicitation. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether competitive procedures could be used for this acquisition. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to Eric Bubar at [email protected]. All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted so that they are received at [email protected] no later than June 18, 2013 at 5:00 pm.

Contracting Office Address:
100 Bureau Drive, Building 301, Room B129, Mail Stop 1640
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-1640

Place of Performance:
100 Bureau Drive
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899
United States

Primary Point of Contact:
Eric Bubar,
Contract Specialist
[email protected]
Phone: 301-975-3635

Bid Protests Not Available