The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, in accordance with the guidance for FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b) with Avnet, Inc., doing business as Avnet Electronics Marketing, of Phoenix Arizona for the purchase of ASIC-Strobed Analog Comparator Part Number 806-0582-90.

Sole source determination is based on the need for more chips to build more of the sampling probe that is an integral part of the NIST Sampling Waveform Analyzer (SWA).  The ASIC chip was designed at NIST using design software from Maxim, and a small number of chips were fabricated and delivered to NIST for use.  NIST has depleted the stock of these comparator chips and more are necessary.  Avnet is the only distributor of the chips manufactured by Maxim Integrated Products, Inc., of Hillsboro Oregon.  Maxim is the only supplier of these chips as they own the wafer masks that are used to make the chips.  The masks were made when the first run of the chips were produced. Maxim does not sell directly to the government.

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

As defined in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), FOB destination means: The contractor shall pack and mark the shipment in conformance with carrier requirements, delivery and shipment in good order and condition to the point of delivery specified in the purchase order, be responsible for any loss of and /or damage to the goods occurring before receipt and acceptance of the shipment by the consignee at delivery point specified in the purchase order, and pay all charges to the specified point of delivery.  The contractor shall delivery all line items to NIST, Building 301 Shipping and Receiving, 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD  20899-0001. 

The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for the acquisition is 334418, and the size standard is 500 employees.

No solicitation package will be issued.  This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotation; however, the government will consider responses received by September 21, 2011.  A determination by the government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to the 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.