Notice of Inten to Sole Source - One (1) PentaPod Fusion Splicer (PFS) with high accuracy and uniform circumferential heating distribution.

The Department of the Army Materiel Command Army Contracting Command Aberdeen Proving Ground is conducting a sole-source procurement for one (1) PentaPod Fusion Splicer (PFS) system with high accuracy and uniform circumferential heating distribution. This commercial laboratory equipment must meet nine salient technical characteristics, including the capability to perform precise fusion splicing of fiber endcaps to optical fibers, twelve-axis motion control with specific resolution and accuracy parameters, advanced machine vision with orthogonal live views, and portability between laboratories. The equipment must handle fiber and endcap diameters ranging from 125 micrometers to 2.5 millimeters, include a PC with software and accessories, and come with a one-year manufacturer's warranty. The procurement is classified under NAICS Code 335921 (Fiber Optic Cable Manufacturing) and PSC Code 6640 (Laboratory Equipment and Supplies). The proposal deadline is March 12, 2026, which is seven days after the solicitation posting date of March 5, 2026, providing offerors a five business-day window to submit quotations.

This acquisition employs no set-aside designation and is designated as a sole-source procurement from 3SAE Technologies, Inc., located in Franklin, Tennessee (CAGE Code: 3BCV4), as the contracting officer has determined that no other responsible source can satisfy the Government's unique requirements. The contract will be awarded as a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) agreement under the Simplified Acquisition Threshold (SAT) for commercial items, with contract line items covering the PentaPod Fusion Splicer system, training, travel, and shipping and handling. The equipment must be delivered within twelve weeks following contract award, and the system will be installed at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory Adelphi Laboratory Center located at 2800 Powder Mill Road, Adelphi, Maryland 20783. Government inspection and acceptance will occur at the Adelphi Laboratory Center, with work performed during standard business hours of 7:45 AM to 4:15 PM Monday through Friday. Additional contractual requirements include compliance with telecommunications equipment prohibitions under Section 889 of the National Defense Authorization Act and proper documentation of unique item identifiers using two-dimensional data matrix symbology for equipment exceeding $5,000 in Government acquisition cost.