Modernization of Bruker 600 MHz and 900 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Systems

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE
Modernization of Bruker 600 MHz and 900 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Systems

Announcement Type: Presolicitation
Announcement Number: NIST-NOI-26-6402347
Subject: Modernization of Bruker 600 MHz and 900 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Systems
NAICS: 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
PSC: 6640 – Laboratory Equipment and Supplies

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

Purpose
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate a firm-fixed priced purchase order on a sole source basis with Bruker Biospin Corporation (UEI: WWMWFMKJLH33) located at 15 Fortune Drive, Billerica, MA 01821. The purchase order will be for modernization of NIST’s existing Bruker 600 MHz and 900 MHz Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) systems. Delivery will be required within 12 months after contractor receipt of order.

Authority
This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of FAR RFO Part 12.102(b) and 41 USC 1901, allowing the Contracting Officer (CO) to solicit from one source. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing with a small business size standard of 1,000 Employees.

Description
The purpose of this requirement is to procure replacements and upgrades for BSF’s existing Bruker 600MHz and 900 MHz NMR systems. The replacements and upgrades must be able to interface directly with the existing Bruker 600MHz and 900 MHz NMR systems, respectively, located in the NIST NMR facility at the Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR). All components must be able to be controlled by the Bruker-specific software, Topspin 5.0 or greater. The existing magnets are as follows:

• 900 MHz: Magnet BR081090271; Part # M10902 ECL00
• 600 MHz: Magnet BZH 84/600/70A D 262/54 – 3321; Part # Z54238

Please see the attached Statement of Requirements for full details.

Sole Source Determination
The sole source determination is based on the following:
 

The Biomolecular Structure and Function (BSF) group in the Biomolecular Measurement Division of the Materials Measurement Laboratory at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) owns and operates Bruker Biospin Corporation (Bruker) 600MHz and 900 MHz NMR systems. The current components of the NMR systems are beyond end-of-life and are no longer supported by the manufacturer. However, the superconducting magnets have 15+ years of useful life remaining. The BSF group therefore needs to modernize the console, cryoplatform, cryoprobe, and corresponding electronics of the Bruker 600MHz and 900 MHz NMR systems. Additionally, the BSF group requires a HCN probe (900 MHz), a helium-cooled HCN cryoprobe (900 MHz), and QCI cryoprobe (600MHz) to perform advanced measurements.

Only Bruker, the original equipment manufacturer of the existing NMR systems, is capable of providing fully compatible replacement parts and upgrades necessary to modernize the existing equipment. Full compatibility is essential to ensure continuity of science for ongoing measurement and research which use the existing systems and the Bruker-specific software Topspin 5.0 or greater. Additionally, no other contractor sells a commercial NMR magnet above 800 MHz in the United States nor does any other contractor sell the required QCI cryoprobe (600 MHz) architecture. Accordingly, Bruker Biospin Corporation is the only contractor capable of successfully addressing NIST’s requirements.
 

Information for Interested Parties
Interested parties that believe they could satisfy the requirements identified above for NIST may clearly and unambiguously identify their capability to do so in writing by or before the response date for this notice. This notice of intent is not a solicitation. However, all responsible sources may submit capabilities as appropriate, which will be considered by the agency.

Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to Ms. Lauren Roller, Contract Specialist, at Lauren.Roller@nist.gov. All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted via email to Lauren.Roller@nist.gov so that they are received no later than September 4, 2026 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time.

Each response should include the following Business Information:

1. Contractor Name, Address,
2. Point of Contact Name, Phone Number, and Email address
3. Contractor UEI
4. Contractor Business Classification (i.e., small business, 8(a), woman owned, hubZone, veteran owned, etc.) as validated in System for Award Management (SAM). All offerors must have an active registration in www.SAM.gov.
5. Capability Statement