Notice of Intent to Sole Source

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106(b)(1), with IPG Photonics Corporation (IPG) for 1KW laser system.

Background Information and Basis for Sole Source

The Production Systems Group (PSG) at NIST conducts research in metals-based additive manufacturing (AM) to develop and deploy advances in measurement science that will enable rapid design-to-product transformation. In collaboration with NIST and outside scientists, the group develops, analyzes, and applies advanced metrology and monitoring methods for AM measurement science at NIST.  A Fundamentals of Laser-Matter Interaction (FLaMI) testbed was developed for this purpose. The FLaMI system is a fully custom, open laser processing system to advance understanding of laser-matter interaction physics, monitoring, and metrology research.

PSG is committed to advancing research in metal-based additive manufacturing (AM) processes. The goal of our research is to quantify and disseminate high-quality data on laser-matter interaction physics. A key component of this research is the development of a testbed to study the Fundamentals of Laser-Matter Interaction (FLaMI). To conduct experiments with the same building conditions as the real AM production systems, FLaMI must be equipped with similar capabilities as state-of-art commercial machines, and in particular applied laser power up to 1 kW. This upgrade will place our research at the cutting edge of AM technology, reflecting the latest trends in AM development and bolstering our competitiveness in the field. Therefore, only IPG Photonics Corporation (IPG) is capable of meeting the needs of this requirement. IPG is the only source able to provide the same model of laser be implemented on the FLaMI system as are currently implemented on the Additive Manufacturing Metrology Testbed (IPG YLR-1000-WC), for interoperability of laser components and control hardware and software.

The requirement is for 1KW laser system meeting the minimum specifications detailed in the attached specifications document.

General

The North American Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing.  The small business size standard is 1000 employees.  

No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, responses received by the listed due date, 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.

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 due date for this notice. This notice of intent is not a solicitation. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to Seth Kaplan at [email protected]. All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted so that they are received at [email protected] no later than the aforementioned due date.