The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (1), with Physik Instrumente located at 16 Albert Street, Auburn, MA 01501, to purchase a Super Resolution Macro Stage System.

The sole source justification is based on the following:  The National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Materials Measurement Science Division (MMSD) conducts research on the development of innovative metrologies and measurement protocols for micro/nano-scale heterosystems analysis. Measurement techniques are used to determine sample composition as well as structural, electronic, and chemical properties of a wide variety of organic, inorganic and biomolecular systems where materials of interest are typically present as either micro/nano-scale features or monolayer/multilayer films. To meet mission requirements; the MMSD needs to procure a Super Resolution Macro Stage System to enable measurements with user supplied mechanical fixtures and software. Pursuant to this application, the Super Resolution Macro Stage System must be fully compatible with PI (Physik Instrumente) L.P. NanoCapture™ and PIMikroMove™ as well as PI’s General Command Set DLL due to pre-existing custom software and hardware. MMSD requires a Super Resolution Macro Stage System platform that is pin-to-pin compatible to the U-628.03 PILine® High-Speed Rotation Stages with a C-867.2U2 PILine(R) Controller; the P-763.22C Precision XY Piezo Flexure Nanopositioning  Stage with an E-727.3CDA Digital Multi-Channel Piezo Controller; ND72Z2LAQ PIFOC® Nanofocusing Z-Drive with a Digital Piezo Controller and P-721.12Q thread adapter; the V-610.998061 PIMAG® High-Speed Rotation Stages with a C-891.130300 PIMAG(R) Controller; and a MS900C080 comprised of a V-738.05611 XY Stage and A-812.21A00 Controller.  Market research has concluded no other equipment will be fully compatible with the NIST owned equipment and authorized resellers for PI are not available.

Given these facts, Physik Instrumente is the only source reasonably available to provide the required upgrades.

The resulting purchase order will be a Firm Fixed Price purchase order. The NAICS Code is 334516 with a size standard of 1000 employees.

No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, interested parties who regard themselves as capable of fulfilling these requirements are invited to submit responses to the Government for consideration. Responses received by 8:00 am EST April 27, 2020, will be considered by the Government.

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.

Inquiry POCs:

Primary: Sadaf Afkhami, [email protected], 301-975-3976  

Secondary: Donald Graham, [email protected], 301-975-8567