Notice of Intent to Sole Source Channel Cut Crystal

DESCRIPTION: The United States Department of Commerce (DOC), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division (AMD) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, with SILICIUMBEARBEITUNG ANDREA HOLM GMBH, GIGERENZ 1 TANN, 84367 DEU for the purchase of one (1) perfect-crystal Silicon (CZ grown)?to be utilized by NIST's Physical Measurements Laboratory (PML). The statutory authority for this acquisition is 41 USC 3304(a)(1); FAR 13.106-1(b). **** Sole source determination is based on the need to acquire one (1) perfect-crystal Silicon (CZ grown). The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Physical Measurements Laboratory (PML) requires a channel cut crystal to improve the neutron beam preparation prior to the instrument/facility. Channel cut crystals provide a way to filter neutron energies and collimate a neutron beam upstream of an experiment. The overall effect of using such a device reduces background and increases precision at the instrument. The interferometry team in the Neutron Physics Group requires such a crystal for proper beam preparation at the NIOFa facility where strong backgrounds are present. The Channel Cut crystal needs to be made from a single perfect crystal silicon and fabricated to our custom design; a design based on the peak neutron energy we wish to utilize at NIOFa. The geometry of the crystal is of a channel cut design which is a configuration for crystals used in x-ray and neutron scattering in order to select the needed beam characteristics. The reflection plane required is (111). The company will provide the material and fabricate it to the provided drawing and the surface with be optical ground. These types of crystals are highly specialized for neutron diffraction experiments. Prefect-silicon crystals, both in terms of the required highly skilled machining required and in acquiring the suitable raw materials, are exceedingly difficult to purchase as this is a specialized scientific need with no direct commercial application. Therefore, only one manufacturer has been found who can provide both the required perfect-crystal Silicon (CZ grown)?crystal and cut/machine to the required specifications. Holms-Silicon is the sole manufacturer and fabricator of the crystal that meets the required minimum specifications. *****The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 333242 - Semiconductor Machinery Manufacturing. ***** A sources sought notice was posted from August 10,2022 through August 24,2022 with no responses received. A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. *****No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for quotations; however, all responsible sources interested may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. Interested parties that believe they can satisfy the requirements listed above must identify their capability in writing before the response date of this notice. Only responses received by 12:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on September 16, 2022, will be considered by the government. Responses shall be submitted via email to contact@example.gov Contracting Office Address: 100 Bureau Drive Bldg. 301, Mail Stop 1640 Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-0001