High-speed Video Cameras

FBO ANNOUNCEMENT: PRESOLICITATION NOTICE, NOTICE OF INTENT

ACTION CODE: SPECIAL NOTICE

SUBJECT: Sole source – High-speed Video Cameras for Quantitative Analysis of Impact Tests

SOLICITATION NUMBER: NB643100-26-01509

RESPONSE DATE: 8/29/26

DESCRIPTION:

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Security Technologies Group has existing high-speed video cameras that are used for a wide variety of testing, and the resulting videos are analyzed to quantify test results.  All of our available cameras are routinely used together for complex tests.  The new cameras are intended to be used with the existing cameras to allow tests that NIST cannot currently perform, such as stereo imaging of both the front and back of an armor specimen during a ballistic impact.  This requires that all cameras be synchronized so that each camera begins to record at the same instant, and each video frame is taken at the same time on all cameras.  Setup and configuration of the cameras for such tests require specialized software, which generally supports only one manufacturer's cameras.  In addition, while videos produced by such software will typically be in standard formats, meta-data files that are needed by analysis software tend to be in manufacturer specific formats. All the existing high-speed video cameras used for ballistics testing are from a single manufacturer, Photron, are supported by the software package Photron FASTCAM Viewer (PFV). Other NIST research who routinely collaborate with the Security Technologies Group also have compatible cameras from Photron, allowing multiple groups to easily share equipment when necessary.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR Part 12.102(b) with Tech Imaging Services, Inc. located in Saugus, MA, for these cameras.

Sole Source justification is based on the following:

Market research has shown that purchasing cameras that are not compatible with PFV will require that researchers be trained to use the new software, and accommodation will need to be made to allow multiple software packages to be operated and configuring the cameras during each test.  In addition, new commercial analysis software will be required to analyze the videos, and custom analysis software will need to be re-written to accommodate different meta-data formats.  There will be recurring costs over the life of the cameras to maintain and update multiple control software packages, and costs associated with the added time during every test for researchers to store video using multiple software packages instead of only one.

Photron USA indicates their sole domestic authorized distributer is Tech Imaging Services, Inc.

NAICS code for this requirement will be 333316 – Photographic Equipment Manufacturing with a small business size of 1000 employees.

No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, interested parties who regard themselves as capable of fulfilling these requirements are invited to submit responses to the Government for consideration. Responses received by 1:00AM EST on 8/29/26 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.

Inquiry POCs

Erik.Fycklund@nist.gov  Primary

Andrea.Parekh@nist.gov Secondary

National Institutes of Standards and Technologies NIST Acquisition Management Division (AMD)

100 Bureau Dr. Mail Stop 1640

Gaithersburg, MD. 20899-1640