Notice_of_intent_15-03077.pdf

FEDBIZOPPS.GOV ANNOUNCEMENT: Pre-Solicitation Notice

CLASSIFICATION CODE: 66- Laboratory Equipment and Supplies

SUBJECT: Industrial Robotic Arm

SOLICITATION NUMBER: SB1341-15-RQ-0777

CONTACT POINTS: Robert Cowins, Contract Specialist (301) 975-8335;

Todd Hill, Contracting Officer (301) 975-8802

DESCRIPTION: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 6.302-1, with Universal Robot, for

(2) UR-5 and (1) UR-3 Robotic Systems to be used by the NIST Engineering Laboratory.

***** Sole source determination is based on the need to acquire 3 lightweight robotic arms for research in measurement science and standards to the area of diagnostics and prognostics related to robotic manufacturing operations is one of these areas. A UR-3 robot system and two UR-5 robot systems are requested for purchase because they are the only two collaborative, industrial robot systems that meet the required specifications. Specifically, the UR-3 and UR-5 are the only two robots that conform to the size/portability requirements (each are less than 20 kg); meet the required robot safety standards of ISO standards for robot safety (specifically, ISO 10218-1:2011 and ISO 13849:2008); and are compatible with existing NIST URScript software libraries. The purchase of these three robot systems will enable the development of a testbed to support research aimed at addressing measurement science challenges currently hindering the emergence and advancement of diagnostic and prognostic techniques in the course of robotic manufacturing operations. Integrating these three robot systems into the testbed will promote technology transfer with other NIST robotic research efforts given that compatible UR script software language libraries exist and are being leveraged. This technology transfer will increase the likelihood of success since it will promote greater collaboration among existing robot research efforts. Therefore, the Universal Robot is the only vendor capable of meeting this requirement.

*****The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 332999.

****** A determination by the Government whether to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

*****No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for quotations.

Interested parties that believe they can satisfy the requirements listed above must identify their capability in writing before the response date of this notice. Only responses received by August 7, 2015, 12:00 p.m., EST will be considered by the government. Responses shall be submitted via email to robert.cowins@nist.gov or keith.bubar@nist.gov.

Contracting Office Address:

100 Bureau Drive Bldg. 301, Mail Stop 1640 Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-0001

Primary Point of Contact:

Robert Cowins Contract Specialist robert.cowins@nist.gov Phone: 301-975-8335 mailto:robert.cowins@nist.gov mailto:keith.bubar@nist.gov mailto:robert.cowins@nist.gov