Notice of Intent - Sole Source

SYNOPSIS: The National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) hereby provides notice of its intent to negotiate a sole-source, firm fixed price purchase order to Intelligent Automation, Inc., 15400 Calhoun Drive, Suite 190, Rockville, MD 20855-2814. The order is expected to be awarded under FAR 13.106-1(b)(1) solicit from a single source. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Intelligent System Division (ISD) develops, advances, and deploys measurement science and standards to speed development, adoption, and integration of leading-edge intelligent technologies to advance U.S. manufacturing. To support ISD's efforts to develop a wireless test framework for smart manufacturing systems with associated standards, guidelines, performance metrics, and tools, it is necessary to model these systems and networks and determine the performance impacts of wireless technologies when used in smart manufacturing systems. This will lead to smart manufacturing systems that offer security, reliability, resiliency and continuity in the face of disruption and major incidents. This requirement for maintenance on NIST's existing RF-Nest product from Intelligent Automation, Inc., purchased in 2016 to support research on wireless networking in industrial environments, requires maintenance to include calibration, hardware and firmware upgrades and replacement parts. Only Intelligent Automation is authorized to provide maintenance services as there are no authorized distributors and/or resellers of RF-Nest products; no other company authorized to service these products. If NIST is unable to acquire maintenance for the RF-Nest products, the product will not be properly calibrated which would likely have an adverse effect on the performance and lifetime of this precision instrument. Interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. THIS NOTICE OF INTENT IS NOT A REQUEST FOR COMPETITIVE PROPOSALS. A determination not to compete this requirement, 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. NIST will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by interested parties in responding to this notice of intent. Only written responses will be considered. As a result of analyzing responses to this notice of intent, the Government shall determine whether a solicitation will be issued. Any prospective contractor must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) in order to be eligible for award. Information concerning SAM registered requirements may be viewed via the Internet at http://sam.gov. INSTRUCTIONS: All interested parties shall submit clear and convincing documentation demonstrating their capabilities to satisfy the requirements listed above to Chantel Adams by email at chantel.adams@nist.gov, no later than 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Monday, September 24, 2018. Fax inquiries will not be accepted. The capability documentation should include general information and technical background describing in detail the prospective contractor's capabilities and experience that will demonstrate the ability to support these requirements.