Single Sapphire Crystals

THIS IS A COMBINED SYNOPSIS/SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL ITEMS PREPARED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FORMAT IN FAR SUBPART 12.6-STREAMLINED PROCEDURES FOR EVALUATION AND SOLICITATION FOR COMMERCIAL -AS SUPPLEMENTED WITH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION INCLUDED IN THIS NOTICE. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONSTITUTES THE ONLY SOLICITATION; QUOTATIONS ARE BEING REQUESTED, AND A SEPARATE WRITTEN SOLICITATION DOCUMENT WILL NOT BE ISSUED. THE SOLICITATION IS BEING ISSUED USING SIMPLIFIED ACQUISITION PROCEDURES UNDER FAR 13. This solicitation is a Request for Quotation (RFQ). The solicitation document and incorporated provisions and clauses are those in effect through Federal Acquisition Circular (FAC) 2005-89. 1352.215-72 INQUIRIES (APR 2010) Offerors must submit all questions concerning this solicitation in writing, via email, to both the Contract Specialist (christopher.mcgucken@nist.gov) and the Contracting Officer (Lynda.Roark@nist.gov). Questions shall be received no later than three (3) calendar days after the issuance date of this solicitation. All responses to the questions will be made in writing, without identification of the questioner, and will be included in an amendment to the solicitation. Even if provided in other form, on the question responses included in the amendment to the solicitation will govern performance of the contract. (end of provision) The associated North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code for this procurement is 332710 with a small business size standard of 500 employees. This acquisition is a Total-Small Business Set-Aside. BACKGROUND One of the functions of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), according to the Organic Act is to determine physical constants. To this end, the Quantum Measurement Division (QMD) has started an experiment to measure the Newtonian Constant of Gravitation. An important part of this experiment is the field mass arrangement consisting of four (4) upright cylinders. In order to gain a precise measurement, the field masses have to be very homogeneous in density. From engineering and scientific considerations, single crystal sapphire cylinders are the best choice for the source masses. All items must be new. List of Attachments The following attachments and drawing are hereby provided as attachments. The purpose of these attachments are for reference and to provide specification requirements to the Contractor for quotation purposes only. All attachments included in this solicitation are owned by the Government and shall not be reproduced, released, distributed, or otherwise utilized for any purpose other than submission of a quotation and the execution of the required work without the prior written approval of the NIST Contracting Officer. Attachment #1: BigG_Source_Mass.PDF