ACTION CODE: <PRESOL>

CLASSIFICATION CODE: 66 - Laboratory Equipment and Supplies

SUBJECT: Crystal Germanium Metal Ingot

SOLICITATION NUMBER: NB846030A

RESPONSE DATE: August 2, 2010

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 Merelex Corporation , of Los Angeles, California for the purchase of a Crystal Germanium Metal Ingot under other than full and open competition by the authority of FAR subpart 13.106 -1(b)(1): Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

A perfect single crystal Germanium metal ingot is required for cutting a new neutron interferometer. Due to the stringent angstrom -level alignment required for the neutron interferometry the metal ingot that it is cut from must be a perfect single crystal with high purity and very low dislocation density.

The specifications are:

Mechanical- Diameter 4.5 inches
Length 6 to 7 inches

Crystal - Dislocation density<5000 per meter sqared
Purity >99.9999% (metals basis)
Orientation (111)

The Crystal Germanium Metal Ingot offered by Merelex, Incorporation is the only commercially available product that meets all of NIST's specific needs.

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

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

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 August 2, 2010. 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.