The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST) is conducting Market Research to gather information and identify potential Small Businesses capable of providing an All Sky Camera that meet the requirements identified herein. This announcement does not commit the Government to the award of a contract as a result of this sources sought synopsis and no solicitation is available at this time. The information obtained from this announcement will be utilized in the development of an Acquisition Strategy for this requirement. After results of this market research are analyzed and compared with NIST's technical specifications, NIST may conduct a competitive procurement and subsequently award a contract. NIST is seeking responses from small businesses including small businesses in all socially economic categories identified in FAR Part 19. The specific purpose of this Sources Sought Announcement is to determine if there are small businesses capable of meeting the requirement, if at least two qualified small businesses are identified as a result of this market research effort, then this requirement may be solicited as a small business set aside. A determination by the Government not to compete this requirement based upon responses to this announcement is solely within the discretion of the Government.

The NAICS Code for this requirement is 333316 - "Photographic and Photocopying Equipment Manufacturing" with a small business size standard of 1000 Employees.

The National Institute of Standards & Technology (NIST), Engineering Laboratory seeks information on Small Businesses that are capable of providing an All Sky Camera. The All Sky Camera will be used to take pictures of the entire sky during daytime hours. The All Sky Camera shall meet the following requirements:

Camera Requirements:

1. Color CCD between 1.8 and 5 megapixels (ex. 1600 X 1200 = 1,920,000 =
    1.92 MP)
2. 185°X 185°circular fisheye Lens, with focal length resulting in full image in
    frame (no cropping)
3. Auto-iris that results in minimal sun blooms during daylight operation
4. Dome heater for snowy climate locations
5. Windows 7 compatible software for interfacing and configuring camera
6. Weatherproof enclosure and at least 20 m cable connections that allow
    continuous outdoor operation
7. Non-mechanical shutter for long-lasting high frequency exposures
8. Un-occluded view of sky, showing no element of camera
9. Fully assembled

Interested small businesses capable of meeting the requirement should submit electronic copies of their capability statement. Please limit responses to ten (10) pages or less. Vendor responses should include the following information:

1. Name, physical location, point of contact and telephone number and
    business size of company that will provide the item.
2. Name, physical location point of contact and telephone number and
    business size of the company that will manufacture the item.
3. Capability statement showing the ability to meet the camera requirements
    identified above, delivery lead time and product warranty information.
4. Any other relevant information that is not listed above which the 
   Government should consider in developing its minimum specifications and
   finalizing its market research.
5. Contractor's DUNS Number and CAGE Number

The Government will not reimburse interested parties for any costs incurred in preparation of a response to this notice. Information provided herein does not bind the Government to solicit for or award a contract. It is the responsibility of the interested parties to monitor the Federal Business Opportunities (www.fbo.gov) site for additional information pertaining to this Sources Sought Synopsis.

Any proprietary information should be so marked. The written capability statement should be received no later than 2:00 p.m., Monday, August 19, 2013. Only electronic capability statements will be accepted and shall be emailed to the attention of Desiree Blakey at [email protected]. Faxes will not be accepted. Any questions related to this announcement shall be sent by email NO LATER THAN 2:00 p.m., Friday, August 16, 2013 to the attention of Desiree Blakey at [email protected]. Respondents will not receive any notification or feedback on any information submitted as a result of this announcement.