Asic amplifier chip

The Naval Research Laboratory (NRL), operating under the Department of the Navy's Office of Naval Research, has published a Notice of Intent to Award a sole source purchase order for ASIC amplifier microchip testing and fabrication services. This special notice, posted on March 5, 2026, indicates that NRL intends to award the contract exclusively to UCLA, as the agency has determined that only one responsible source can satisfy its requirements. The procurement falls under NAICS code 334413 (Semiconductor and Related Device Manufacturing) and PSC code 5961 (Semiconductor Devices and Associated Hardware), with a small business size standard of 1,000 employees. This is not a competitive solicitation but rather a notification of intent, issued in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 13.106-1(b) for purchases under the simplified acquisition threshold of $350,000.

Interested parties have fifteen calendar days from the publication date to submit responses demonstrating clear and convincing evidence that competition would benefit the Government and justify a competitive procurement process instead of the sole source award. Any capability information submitted will be evaluated solely to determine whether conducting a competitive procurement is warranted; the Government retains full discretion in making this determination, and no reimbursement will be provided for costs associated with submitting capability statements. Responses must reference the Notice of Intent number and be directed to Richard Key at richard.a.key2.civ@us.navy.mil with the notice identification included in the email subject line. The March 9, 2026 due date provides a compressed timeline for interested contractors to present their qualifications and evidence of competitive advantage to challenge the sole source award recommendation.