Notice of Intent to Award Sole Source

FEDBIZOPPS.GOV ANNOUNCEMENT: SUBJECT: Notice of intent to award a Sole Source SOLICITATION NUMBER: NB686090-18-04147, Rigorous electrostatic simulation CONTACT POINTS: Michael Fredericks, Contracting Officer (303) 497-7763; DESCRIPTION: The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Acquisition Management Division, on behalf of the Micro-fabrication Group (687), intends to issue a Firm Fixed Priced purchase order to a single source under the authority of FAR 13.106-1, "Only One Responsible Source" and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements, to Georgia Institute of Technology, 225 North Ave NW, Atlanta, GA 30332. Cage Code 0KC83. The Quantitative Nanostructure Characterization Group requires rigorous electrostatic simulation of the specimen-electrode environment in laser-assisted atom probe tomography. The simulations must consider realistic geometries, tip-electrode bias voltages, compositions and structures of specified sample types that are provided by NIST. Additionally, the simulations must also consider realistic electrode configurations that are in use in NIST's atom probe tomograph. Of particular need are 3D maps of the electric field strength at the tip-vacuum interface. Assumptions used to simplify the true physical problem by representing specimens or electrodes as approximate or hypothetical constructs will not be accepted. The simulation codes will not be dependent upon commercially-produced, "canned" software packages, such as e.g., APSYS, CROSSLIGHT, COMSOL, and so on. NIST desires independent codes, implementing finite-element Poisson algorithms, that can robustly deal with the subtle nature of the electrostatic boundary conditions imposed by the tasks of interest. The codes developed, and solutions obtained will thus serve as confident benchmarks with which NIST can eventually (separately from this contract) validate specialized solutions that may use commercial software products (COMSOL, for example) to obtain. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541690, (Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services), size standard $15M. No solicitation package will be issued. This Notice of Intent is NOT a Request for Quotation (RFQ) nor is it a request for competition; however, interested parties may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement. Inquiries will only be accepted via e-mail to michael.fredericks@nist.gov. The government will consider responses received no later than 2pm, MDT, Tuesday, 4 September 2018. Interested parties that believe they could satisfy the requirements listed above for NIST may clearly and unambiguously identify their capability to do so in writing on or before the response date for this notice. Any prospective contractor must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to be eligible for award. Information concerning SAM registered requirements may be viewed via the Internet at http://sam.gov. Written responses to this synopsis shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona fide capability to fulfill the requirement. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future. No telephone requests will be honored. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to Michael Fredericks at michael.fredericks@nist.gov.