Capacitor Feedback Patch Clamp Amplifier

The Neutron Scattering Division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory is seeking a capacitor feedback patch clamp amplifier under solicitation number 482981, with proposals due by July 21, 2026. The contract is classified as combined and administered by ORNL UT-Battelle LLC, a Department of Energy contractor, with performance taking place at the laboratory’s facility in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. The procurement is governed by a comprehensive set of Federal Acquisition Regulation clauses and Department of Energy-specific requirements, including provisions for small business utilization, equal opportunity, veterans’ employment, and trafficking in persons, all triggered by the contract’s anticipated value exceeding the Simplified Acquisition Threshold. Security and information protection are paramount, with mandatory clauses addressing facility access authorizations, counterintelligence, classified information handling, computer security, and workplace substance abuse programs, reflecting the sensitive nature of research conducted at DOE-owned sites. Affirmative requirements under the Buy American Act and restrictions on foreign purchases apply, alongside energy efficiency standards and sustainable acquisition principles, ensuring environmental compliance across the supply chain. Contractors must comply with stringent data safeguarding protocols including 52.204-21 for covered contractor information systems and 970.5204-77 for access to DOE-owned computers, with additional obligations tied to patent rights, confidentiality, and export control laws. The presence of clauses such as 952.204-71 and 970.5227-10 underscores potential exposure to sensitive nuclear technology and the need for workforce management aligned with collective bargaining agreements on-site. While no explicit contract value or pricing information is provided, the applicability of clauses like 52.215-14 and 52.215-23 confirms the procurement exceeds simplified acquisition thresholds, and the inclusion of 52.232-40 indicates accelerated payments may be available to small business subcontractors. Reporting obligations for veteran employment and subcontracting plans are triggered above specified dollar thresholds, and the requirement for nonconforming item reporting and quality assurance under DOE O 414.1D ensures rigorous technical compliance. All submissions must adhere to federal and DOE-specific security, confidentiality, and personnel vetting standards, with performance expectations centered on delivering a highly specialized scientific instrument in compliance with national laboratory protocols and regulatory frameworks.