Notice of Intent to Sole Source Ultra-High Accuracy Fixed Table Coordinate Measuring Machine (CMM)

Notice of Intent to Noncompetitively acquire an ultra-high accuracy coordinate measuring machine (CMM).

This notice is not a request for a quotation. A solicitation document will not be issued, and quotations will not be requested.

This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334513– Instruments and Related Products Manufacturing for Measuring, Displaying, and Controlling Industrial Process Variables with a small business size standard of 750 employees.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Dimensional Metrology Group (DMG) provides high-accuracy dimensional measurements of reference gages for U.S. industry, academic research institutions and federal laboratories. Part of DMGs charge requires NIST to measure the length, size, shape, and form of reference artifacts using coordinate measuring machines (CMMs). DMG has been fulfilling this role for over 30 years, and needs to purchase a new ultra-high accuracy CMM to continue its charge and ultimately replace old and aging NIST equipment to ensure NIST maintains the CMM measurement capabilities that are essential to the U.S. military, research institutions and commercial manufacturers.

NIST requires an ultra-high accuracy moving table CMM that meets all technical specifications and performance specifications identified below:

All minimum performance requirements are specified per ISO 10360-2 (2009) and ISO 10360-5 (2010).  The specification shall be applicable over a temperature range of 20 ± 1.0 ° C. 

The list of requirements provided in this notice is not exhaustive but represent the required physical construction and the minimum performance requirements.

1. Bridge type CMM with 1-D moving table and Programming Computer with latest version of Quindos application software installed.
2. Work Volume - 1 horizontal axis ≥ 1.2 meters, 1 horizontal axis ≥ 1.0 meters, Vertical axis ≥ 0.7 meters,
3. An error map file on the CMM controller that can be updated at any time by NIST trained staff without a special unlock code.
4. Programming language compatibility with NIST legacy Quindos programs.
5. Option to run CMM with error map independent from any thermal compensation (could be simply turning off part and scale temperature sensors or setting the read values to a static number e.g., 20°C).
6. Ability to command volumetric position location movement with no probe head attached.
7. Probing speed and measuring/triggering forces must be adjustable.
8. Rotary table option included in the quote
9. Highest accuracy probe equivalent to Hexagon (HP-S-X5-HD)
10. E0,MPE  ≤ (0.3 + L /1000)  μm, where L is in mm and the test artifact shall be either steel or other “normal CTE” material per  the ISO 10360-2 (2009) standard.
11. PFTU ≤ 0.4 µm per ISO 10360-5 (2010) standard.
12. Error map training onsite at NIST for up to 4 NIST staff members.
13. Option for a high precision rotary table for gear inspection

NIST conducted market research in September 2022 to January 2024 to determine what sources could potentially meet NIST’s minimum requirements. This included searches on GSA; Unicor; SAM; surveying vendor websites; speaking with subject matter experts inside and outside of NIST; attending Coordinate Metrology Conferences; and issuance of a Sources Sought Notice on SAM.gov. Market research identified a few manufacturers that produce ultra-high accuracy CMMs, but only one provides one that can meet the required software compatibility specification. The results of market research revealed that only Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence Inc (UEI: EK4EVQQNEFC6) appears to be capable of meeting NIST’s requirements.

However, any sources that believe they are capable of meeting NIST’s minimum requirements are encouraged to respond to this notice by the response date to provide the following information at a minimum: Company Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number in https://sam.gov; details about what your company is capable of providing that meets or exceeds NIST’s minimum requirements; whether your company is an authorized reseller of the product or service being cited and evidence of such authorization; and any other information that can help NIST determine whether this requirement may be competitively satisfied. 

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. Only responses received by the offers due date and time of this notice will be considered by the government. Responses shall be submitted via email to nina.lin@nist.gov.