The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Acquisition Management Division, on behalf of the Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML) - Sensor Science Division, intends to negotiate with Bruker Optics Inc.; Billerica, MA, on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b), soliciting from a single source, to purchase a Fourier transform spectrometer.

The Sensor Science Division has established capabilities for the characterization of the infrared spectral optical properties of materials including reflectance, transmittance, and emittance of materials. The existing capabilities extend over a wavelength range of approximately 1 µm to 50 µm and over a temperature range of approximately 5 K to 1200 K. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometers are used as spectral sources and detectors within the facilities. The demand for an increasing number of calibrations as well as an expanded range of capabilities necessitates the setup of additional instrumentation, requiring an additional FTIR spectrometer. Specifically, the new FTIR spectrometer will be used for both spectral radiance and sample reflectance measurements.

This FTIR spectrometer will become part of an existing NIST facility, the Infrared Spectral Emittance System (ISES). It will replace an existing similar FTIR, a Bruker Vertex 80vs, which is being transferred to another system. The Bruker Vertex 70v configured as required is the only available Fourier transform spectrometer, which is fully compatible with the current ISES facility. The modifications that would be required to accommodate another manufacturer's instrument would require significant cost to the government. Specifically, the costs are related to three areas:

1) Duplication of existing detectors including a bolometer, a wide band MeT detector, a far-infrared DTGS detector and a high power globar source.

2) Duplication of measurement control software, which would require an estimated 200 hours of programming.

3) Physical modifications to the ISES facility, which would require re-arrangement of optical components, construction of a new purge enclosure, and realignment of all optical and source components.

In addition to the financial cost, performing all the work would cause a significant delay of several months before activation of a functioning facility. Market research has shown that Bruker Optics Inc. is the only company that can provide Fourier transform spectrometer that meets the requirements.

The NAICS Code is 334516- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing with a Size Standard of 500 employees. NIST anticipates negotiating and awarding a firm-fixed-price purchase order to Bruker Optics Inc. for this requirement.

Interested parties that believe they could satisfy the requirements listed above for NIST may clearly and unambiguously identify their capability to do so in writing on or before the response date for this notice. This notice of intent is not a solicitation. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether competitive procedures could be used for this acquisition. If competitive procedures are not used it is estimated that an award will be issued by May 31, 2013. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to Eric Bubar at [email protected]. All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted so that they are received at [email protected] no later than April 5, 2013 at 5:00 pm.

Contracting Office Address:
100 Bureau Drive, Building 301, Room B129, Mail Stop 1640
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-1640
Place of Performance:
100 Bureau Drive
Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899
United States

Primary Point of Contact:
Eric Bubar,
Contract Specialist
[email protected]
Phone: 301-975-3635

Bid Protests Not Available