Keysight Propsim Repair and Maintenance

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (1), with Keysight Technologies, of Englewood, CO for Repair, Calibration, and Maintenance of an existing Keysight Propsim, F32 Channel Emulator, for the Communications Technology Laboratory (CTL), Wireless Network Division (WND) at NIST, Gaithersburg, Maryland.

NIST CTL's Wireless Networks Division works with industry to develop, deploy, and promote emerging technologies and standards that will dramatically improve the operation and use of wireless networks.

The Wireless Networks Division specializes in communications networks and protocols as well as in the digital communications technologies that make those networks possible. In both of these areas, NIST performs both theoretical and empirical research to develop simulation models, experime811ntal testbeds, and proof-of-concept prototypes that we use to evaluate new technologies and to refine existing standard specifications for wireless networks and systems in addition to defining metrics and measurement methods to assess the performance of many types of wireless systems.

The WND currently owns and utilizes Keysight Technologies Propsim F32 channel emulator for research and development in the areas of spectrum sharing, wireless coexistence, and advanced communications. The channel emulator is complex, sensitive, and susceptible to damage as well as drift in local oscillator frequency and other metrics over time. Therefore, the Wireless Networks Division requires standard calibration maintenance for the Keysight Technologies Propsim F32 channel emulator as well as the repair of any hardware faults diagnosed when performing the calibration maintenance service.
Keysight Technologies of Englewood, CO is uniquely qualified to provide the services to the existing Keysight Technologies Propsim F32 channel emulator (NIST property number N106439) based upon the following.

Keysight Technologies, of Englewood, CO is uniquely qualified to maintain, calibrate, and repair the existing Propsim F32 instrument, and has the sole proprietary technology and knowledge, and assurance of compatibility of the existing parts and software, as well as guarantee of full operation of the system at the manufacturer's specifications.
No other contractor is authorized to service Keysight instrumentation, and no other contractor can ensure compatibility, as well as produce data that will ensure consistency in comparative analysis of historical projects, using the Keysight Propsim instrument.
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 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 competitive quotations. However, responses received by August 22, 2018 will be considered by the Government.

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