NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE Transconductance Current Amplifier

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate, on a sole-source basis, with Fluke Electronics Corp, under the authority of FAR Part 13.106-1(b), for the procurement of two (2) transconductance current amplifiers to be used by NIST Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML), in Gaithersburg, MD.  

***** Sole source determination is based on the need to acquire two (2) transconductance current amplifiers for the development of a direct current (DC) Power and Energy calibration service for electric power standards that are used in electric energy monitoring within the USA power grid. The desired test parameters are up to 600 V and 300 A. A power calibrator is already on hand to source the voltage and control an external current amplifier. A transconductance amplifier converts a programmable voltage signal into a low noise, high current output. It is generally limited to 100 A, so multiple amplifiers must be compatible with each other to run in parallel to obtain 300 A. One transconductance amplifier is on hand. Two more transconductance amplifiers that can connect in parallel to the existing current source are required to achieve 300 A capability. The connector output, computer and instrument control features, and noise levels of the additional transconductance amplifiers must be compatible with the existing equipment, where noise should be less than 200 ppm at 100 A output. The existing transconductance amplifiers and power calibrator are Fluke Electronics corporation. Only a Fluke Electronics Corp. transconductance amplifier would be compatible with existing equipment and the company has no resellers for these items. Therefore, Fluke Electronics Corp is the sole source vendor for the required transconductance amplifiers.

***** The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition 335999 – All Other Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing, with a size standard of 500 employees.    

***** 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 quotations.  Interested parties that believe they can satisfy the requirements listed above must identify their capability in writing before the response date of this notice. Only responses received by

05/18/2021, 11:59 p.m., EST will be considered by the government. Responses shall be submitted via email to tracy.bisson@nist.go or forest.crumpler@nist.gov .