Subject: Attocube Positioners

SOLICITATION NUMBER: NB620030-13-04029

RESPONSE DATE: July 24, 2013

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 Attocube Systems, inc. for the purchase of Attocube Positioners with encoders under other than full and open competition by the authority of FAR 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 the Attocube positioner.

An existing project within the Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology currently utilizes Attocube positioners and a controller hardware in a custom built laboratory apparatus controlled by custom designed software. The currently used positioners do not have the built in encoders and do not allow for close loop control of the position. They need to be replaced by positioners that have encoders and that are mechanically compatible with the existing mechanical and control hardware. Different positioners would require replacing the mechanical and control hardware and modifying the software, that would cost additional funds in hardware and in excess of person-months of NIST staff labor. The suggested positioners are fully compatible with the existing setup, and are a drop-in replacement.
It is more cost effective to purchase the new positioners.

As Attocube Systems, Inc is the sole distributor of this product, the acquisition must be sole sourced.

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

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. (EST) on July 24, 2013. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to Christopher.ganey@nist gov. No telephone requests will be honored.

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.