Intent to sole source: 124GHz Amp. Multiplier chain

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Acquisition Management Division intends to procure on a sole source basis a 124GHz amplifier chain from Virginia Diodes 979 2nd St. SE 309, Charlottesville, VA, 22902-6172. The proposed contract action is for commercial supplies or services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1(a)(2). Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all bids, proposals, or quotations received by the closing response date will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete with this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. The NAICS classification is 334220 Amplifiers. The small business size standard is 750employees. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing to Willa Mayns, Purchasing Agent at willa.mayns@nist.gov. FAX AND OR PHONE REQUESTS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED AND WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Requests shall include complete company name, address, and telephone. BACKGROUND: The NIST Ion Storage Group conducts basic research in support of NIST's mission to develop better time standards and NIST's mission to develop the nation's quantum information processing capabilities. This research is supported by both NIST and by other agency contracts. PURPOSE: The ion storage group of the National Institute of Standards and Technology requires a high power 124 GHz amplifier multiplier chain (AMC) to carry out experiments in quantum simulation and quantum information processing. The 124 GHz amplifier multiplier chain will be used in the Penning ion trap experiments to drive the spin-flip transition of an electron in a 4.5 Tesla magnetic field. The amplifier multiplier chain will be a back-up for an existing AMC. The AMC is a crucial part of our set up. Occasional failures occur and these failures are costly in the time delays (~ 4 weeks) required for repair. When the AMC fails we are not able to make any progress on other-agency-supported goals and milestones. The model required must be an exact match to the current model to act as a replacement/back-up. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: To enable rapid exchange in our experimental set-up with our current VDI Model S237 AMC, we require an amplifier multiplier chain with an identical footprint and performance specifications. - Output power: 125 mW at 124+/- 2 GHz, goal > 150 mW - System adjusted to achieve maximum tuning band around 124 GHz with high output power - Turn-key system with voltage controlled attenuation and a TTL modulation port (~1 kHz) - Required input: < 20 GHz, < 18 dBm - Output flange: WR-8.0, UG-387/U-M