Notice of Intent to Sole Source: Star Cryoelectronics, LLC / Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID)

The United States Department of Commerce (DOC), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division (AMD) intends to negotiate a firm fixed price purchase order, on a sole source basis, with Star Cryoelectronics, LLC, for the procurement of a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) readout system.   The statutory authority for this sole source acquisition is FAR 13.106-1(b) by the authority of FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures.

The Radioactivity Group, within Physical Measurement Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is responsible for creating and disseminating standards for radioactivity measurements in the US. Ongoing NIST research in this field involves applying cryogenic Transition Edge Sensors (TES) being developed in the NIST Quantum Sensors group to measure radioactive samples with higher accuracy and specificity. The general field is referred to as Decay Energy Spectroscopy (DES).

This work requires the Radioactivity Group to acquire an eight-channel Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) readout system compatible with a dilution refrigerator cryostat for operating the DES-TES-based detector platform. The DES-TES are cryogenic low-impedance devices and only a SQUID based readout is suitable. Conventional semiconductor readout input noise is too high and will dominate the fundamental noise of the TES. These types of measurements are exemplified by “Measurement of the 240Pu/239Pu Mass Ratio Using a Transition-Edge-Sensor Microcalorimeter for Total Decay Energy Spectroscopy”, Hoover et. al, Anal. Chem. 2015, 87, 7, 3996–4000.

This equipment is required to be 100% compatible and a direct drop in replacement as the equipment is needed for a project that is part of an active collaboration with another laboratory that currently conducts similar measurements with NIST-produced TES and a SQUID readout system manufactured by Star Cryoelectronics.  

Therefore, Star Cryoelectronics is uniquely qualified to provide this equipment. It is important that the Radioactivity Group utilize a drop-in compatible SQUID readout system to facilitate use of existing TES designs and the exchange of radioactive samples with the existing system with minimal engineering.

Delivery shall be FOB DESTINATION and shall be in accordance with the Contractors established service lead times.    

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516, and the size standard is 1000 employees.

No solicitation package will be issued.  This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all responsible sources interested may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. The Government will consider responses received by established due date/time set forth in this notice. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to joni.laster@nist.gov . No telephone requests will be honored.   

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 determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future.