Sources Sought Notice_Handheld Laser Welding System.docx

NIST Document Type: Sources Sought Notice Procurement Identifier: NIST-AMD-F-FTO-SSN-25-0425 Title: Requirement for one (1) Extended Range Handheld Laser Welding & Cleaning System

BACKGROUND

The Fabrication Technology Office (FTO) provides a wide range of engineering, fabrication, and technical services to support the creation of unique measurement instruments and scientific apparatus needed by NIST scientists and research staff. The group provides the mission critical engineering and manufacturing expertise, and equipment needed to produce specialized parts and subassemblies for a variety of one-of-a-kind instruments conceived by NIST scientists and engineers. A cadre of highly skilled engineers, instrument makers, and engineering technicians provide this core capability. Beyond fabricating parts and equipment, group staff members work collaboratively with NIST research staff providing research support, technical consulting, and testing services. The group specializes in single job/prototype work and short production runs of unique mechanical components. The group also provides mechanical engineering design, optics and glass fabrication, and overall technical solutions for the fabrication and assembly of electromechanical devices.

Requirement: The FTO requires one (1) Extended Range Handheld Laser Welding & Cleaning System to support advanced manufacturing and materials research. The system will be used in a laboratory environment to perform high-precision welding and cleaning tasks on various materials, including stainless steel, aluminum, titanium, nickel alloys, and copper.

Specifications:

1. Laser Power:

· Maximum Average Power: 2000 W

· Peak Pulse Power: 3000 W

2. Welding Capability:

· Stainless, Galvanized, and Mild Steel: Up to 8 mm (0.315”)

· Aluminum (3 & 5 Series): Up to 8 mm (0.315”)

· Aluminum (6 Series): Up to 5 mm (0.200”)

· Titanium & Nickel Alloys: Up to 7 mm (0.275”)

· Copper: Up to 3 mm (0.120”)

3. Cleaning Capability:

· Pre- and Post-Weld Cleaning: Up to 15 mm width

· Pulsed Cleaning Power: Up to 3000 W peak power

· Cleaning Width-Length: Up to 15 mm

4. Operational Features:

· 100% Duty Cycle

· Wobble Length & Frequency: Up to 5 mm at 300 Hz

· Mode Storage Capacity: 100 modes

5. Power Requirements:

· 220V Single Phase, 33 A

6. Physical Specifications:

· Maximum Weight: 70 kg

· Gun Cable Length: 10 m (16 or 32’ selectable)

· Workpiece Clamp Length: 10 m (16 or 32’ selectable)

7. Safety and Classification:

· Class IV laser system

· Includes Laser Safety Glasses (OD 7+)

8. Accessories:

· Welding Helmet with IR Shield

· Cleaning Nozzles

· Welding Nozzles

· Cover Slides

· 3 m (10’) CAT 6 Ethernet Cable

· User Guide

9. Performance Requirements:

· Pre-weld and post-weld cleaning functionality to optimize weld quality and productivity.

HOW TO RESPOND TO THIS NOTICE

In responding to this notice, please DO NOT PROVIDE PROPRIETARY INFORRMATION. Please include only the following information, readable in either Microsoft Word 365, Microsoft Excel 365, or .pdf format, in the response. Submit your response via email to Rene Edwards, Contract Specialist on or before the closing date and time of this notice. Closing date for responses is by 2:00 pm ET on Monday May 12, 2025.

· Manufacture specifications on the Metal Finishing Machine

· Indicate if the equipment is manufactured in the Unites States or overseas (identify county of manufacturing).

· Provide the complete name of your company, address, name of contact for follow-up questions, their email, their phone number and, if your company has an active registration in https://sam.gov, your company’s Unique Entity ID (UEI).

· Identify any aspects of the description of the requirements in the BACKGROUND section above that could be viewed as unduly restrictive or create unnecessary barriers that adversely affect your firm’s ability to fully participate in a procurement for such services and explain why. Please offer suggestions for how the requirements could be organized or structured to encourage the participation of small businesses.

· Indicate whether your company is (a) a small business or (b) other than small business. See the Table of Small Business Size Standards and the associated .pdf download file for small business size standards and additional information.

· If your firm has existing Federal Supply Schedule contract(s) or other contracts for services against which the Department may be able to place orders, identify the contract number(s) and other relevant information.

IMPORTANT NOTES

The information received in response to this notice will be reviewed and considered so that the NIST may appropriately solicit for its requirement soon.

This notice should not be construed as a commitment by the NIST to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract.

Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotations.

No award will be made because of this notice.

The NIST is not responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice.

The NIST reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and appropriate.