Notice of Intent to Sole Source Galvanostat/Potentiostat System

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Acquisition Management Division intends to negotiate with Gamry Instruments, Inc., located in Warminster, PA, on a sole source basis under the authority of FAR Subpart 13.106-1(b), soliciting from a single source, for a Galvanostat/Potentiostat System.

Specific Requirements are as follows:

1. The system will be computer controlled with software that is specifically integrated with the hardware. 

2. Connection to computer must be by USB, not over a network.

3. Hardware must be capable of Potentiostat control and Galvanostat control.

4. Four (4) or more measuring channels. 

5. Chassis and/or power systems, if necessary, must be included.

6. Simultaneous measurement of current and voltage (per installed channel) must be available.

7. Voltage range must be at least +/- 10 V. 

8. Resolution (or noise limit) on voltage must 50 µV or better.

9. System must include platinum (standard) counter electrode, corrosion set-up (glass cell including ports for electrodes, O-rings for ports, sample holder, other accessories may be included).

10. Software must be compatible with Windows. 

11. Software must have capabilities for voltammetry, DC corrosion, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

12. Corrosion systems with heating capabilities will be given preference.

NAICS Code is 334516 –Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a Size Standard of 1,000 employees. NIST anticipates negotiating and awarding a firm-fixed-price purchase order to Gamry Instruments, Inc. for this requirement.

Interested parties that can demonstrate they could satisfy the requirement listed above for NIST must clearly and unambiguously identify their capability to do so in writing on or before the response date for this notice. This notice of intent is not a solicitation. Information submitted in response to this notice will be used solely to determine whether competitive procedures could be used for this acquisition. If competitive procedures are not used it is estimated that an award will be issued by August 29, 2025. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to lisa.stevens@nist.gov. All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted to lisa.stevens@nist.gov no later than the date and time provided herein this posting.

JUSTIFICATION FOR OTHER THAN FULL AN OPEN COMPETITION:

The proposed vendor, Gamry Instruments, manufactures and sells a commercial system that meets the required specifications.  Gamry Instruments is currently the only vendor who is selling a system that has the required four channels in a single system. A single system with four channels is needed because timing of all four experiments needs to be simultaneous. Other vendors offer similar instruments; however, the division would need to purchase four separate units that utilize four separate USBs in order to work simultaneously.