NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE: Low-Light, Low-Noise Spectrometer
Added: Apr 06, 2018 4:06 pm The United States Department of Commerce (DOC), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division (AMD) intends to negotiate a firm fixed price purchase order, on a sole source basis, with Roper Scientifics, Inc (Princeton Instruments), 3660 Quakerbridge Rd, Trenton, NJ, 08619-1208 for the purchase of a low-light, low-noise spectrometer system for NIST's Quantum Measurement Division (QMD). The statutory authority for this sole source acquisition is FAR 13.106-1(b) by the authority of FAR Part 13.5 Simplified Acquisition Procedures.NIST requires a low-light, low-noise spectrometer system for conducting frequency domain measurements in association with quantum optics experiments. The mission of the Quantum Optics Group of the Quantum Measurement Division is to develop and characterize measurement methods that take advantage of the quantum nature of light so as to achieve better performance, uncertainties, or to enable new applications that are not possible with classical methods. Typically, these measurements are of single quantum states, and thus are done in very low-light environments. Therefore, one of the most important aspects of the research is the measurement of this light via a spectrometer. To meet these mission needs the low-light, low-noise spectrometer system will be used in this device, and/or parts of this device to spatially and spectrally image the output of single photon sources that occur in a broad range of processes, including biological systems.Roper Scientifics, Inc (Princeton Instruments), is the sole source Contractor for this product. The reason is they are the only company that can provide an accurate and precise spectral characterization, while being compatible with extremely weak classical and quantum light sources in a broad range of optical and near-IR wavelengths. In order to meet these needs the system must be compatible with weak signal sources, the spectrometer should have low insertion loss, and the camera(s) that comprise the said system should be both highly efficient and low noise. Because the cameras comprising this system are unique, it is required for them to be versatile and allow standalone imaging operation. To ensure turnkey operation, the entire system (that is, the monocomator and cameras) should be calibrated and operated by one software suite. Specifically, the system must provide provides cameras to operate from 350 nm to 1700 nm and a compatible software system. Roper Scientifics, Inc (Princeton Instruments) does not provide this system tough any of their resellers, so there is only one responsible vendor.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 1,000 employees.No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all responsible sources interested may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. The Government will consider responses received by 1:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on April 20, 2018. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to tracy.bisson@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. 1333ND18QNB680012 Department of Commerce National Institute of Standards and Technology
4/6/18, 4:06 PM