Notice of NIST's Intent to Negotiate on Sole Source Basis for Perpetual software licenses for Vic3D and VicSnap image correlation software

Notice Type: Pre-Solicitation Response Date: 09/15/2018 10:00 am Eastern Archiving Policy: Automatic, 15 days after response due date Base Notice: Notice of NIST's Intent to Negotiate on Sole Source Basis for Perpetual software licenses for Vic3D and VicSnap image correlation software The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (1), with Correlated Solutions, Inc., located at 121 Dutchman Blvd, Irmo, Sc, 29063-8330 to purchase Perpetual software licenses for Vic3D and VicSnap image correlation software. NIST Materials Performance Group Develops measurement methods, models, data, standards, and science for the mechanical properties of advanced materials (e.g., high strength steel, aluminum alloys, composites) and materials under extreme environmental and operating conditions. The group provides expertise needed to determine materials and system performance within and outside design limits and generates and disseminates reliable mechanical property data in application areas such as transportation and physical infrastructure. The Group requires the procurement of a single seat perpetual license for Vic3D and VicSnap digital image correlation (DIC) software to measure critical mechanical property data on additively manufactured materials as part of a focused research effort on additive manufacturing. DIC is a technique that enables high-resolution measurements of the displacements that occur during mechanical testing in three-dimensions. The purpose of this requirement is to improve the previous versions of the software, which are unable to perform accurate, 3D digital image correlation in an environment where images of objects immersed in a liquid within a confined cell having transparent walls, by considering refraction of light at the liquid/wall and wall/air interfaces. The sole source justification is based on the following: NIST previously acquired under contract SB1341-17-SU-0619. The present acquisition seeks to add to this hardware a corresponding stand-alone calibration and analysis software package, called Vic3D, sold exclusively by Correlated Solutions, Inc, to fulfill the NIST requirement for a stand-alone measurement instrument. The measurement instrument consists of cameras and a computer needed to capture images, a set of calibration targets, and software used to compute physical measurement data from the images via a proprietary calibration and analysis routine. In addition, NIST requires that the physical measurement data computed from the calibrated images can be used in a closed-cell liquid environment, which is a highly specialized application that requires adjustments to the image computation to take into account the changes in refractive index of the liquid and the cell chamber wall. Correlated Solutions, Inc, has developed proprietary software to handle these changes in refractive index specifically for making such measurements, and are the only known vendor to be able to handle this problem. NIST staff has extensive experience with the Vic software such that no staff time is required for training or implementation of the software; hence, Correlated Solutions, Inc. is capable of meeting the specifications. Market research, found that no third-party vendors capable of meeting the requirement. The resulting purchase order will be a Firm Fixed Price purchase order. The NAICS Code is 511210 with a size standard of 38.5 million dollars. No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, interested parties who regard themselves as capable of fulfilling these requirements are invited to submit responses to the Government for consideration. Responses received by 10:00 AM ET on September 15, 2018, will be considered by the Government. Inquiry POCs: Indira.Scott@nist.gov Primary Andrea.Parekh@nist.gov Secondary National Institutes of Standards and Technologies NIST Acquisition Management Division (AMD) 100 Bureau Dr. Mail Stop 1640 Gaithersburg, MD. 20899-1640