Laser-Wire Hybrid Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) Manufacturing Machine

INTRODUCTIONThis is a Sources Sought notice. This is NOT a solicitation for proposals, proposal abstracts, or quotations. The purpose of this notice is to obtain information regarding the availability and capability of qualified business sources. This notice is strictly for market research and information purposes only. Your responses will assist the Government in determining the appropriate acquisition method, including whether a set-aside is possible.NIST is seeking responses from all responsible small business concerns. Small businesses are defined under the associated NAICS code for this effort, 333248 (All Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing), as those domestic sources not exceeding the average number of 750 employees.Background:The Production Systems Group (PSG) in the NIST Engineering Laboratory conducts research in metals-based additive manufacturing (AM) to develop and deploy advances in measurement science that will enable rapid design-to-product transformation. The PSG

is expanding its repertoire of additive manufacturing research to include hybrid manufacturing; or the combination of additive and subtractive fabrication processes within one machine. The ‘additive’ technology in these hybrid systems typically employ a category of additive manufacturing technologies called ‘direct energy deposition’ (DED), of which there are subcategories based on the type of material being deposited, or the source of thermal energy used to melt and consolidate the material. To make a ‘hybrid’ process, the DED systems are incorporated into traditional subtractive (i.e., metal-cutting) machining centers. The PSG aims to procure a laser-wire hybrid manufacturing system to be installed at the Additive Manufacturing Research Center (AMRC) at NIST Gaithersburg, Maryland campus. The PSG has identified laser-wire deposition as a target DED process used by key stakeholders in industry and defense. Furthermore, the PSG has identified research objectives that require the dual-wire DED system to be integrated within a 5-axis computer numerical controlled (CNC) subtractive manufacturing machine, programmable utilizing commercial computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) software.Scope of Requirement:NIST is seeking information from all responsible small business concerns capable of developing and producing a laser-wire hybrid CNC system to conduct research that will improve the productivity, efficiency, and usability of hybrid manufacturing systems for U.S. industry. Various aspects of hybrid manufacturing research will be conducted with this instrument, including but not limited to: in-situ process monitoring, part surface metrology, part distortion and geometric accuracy metrology, deposition and cutting parameter development and optimization, cutting mechanics and tool wear, and multi-material deposition.The Contractor shall deliver: (1) one fully integrated and operational laser-wire hybrid CNC system delivered to NIST Gaithersburg campus, (2) rigging, assembly, and installation of the system by a trained technician, (3) testing and validation of system operation, and (4) training of NIST personnel on programming and safe operation of the system. The delivery shall be inclusive of FOB Destination delivery, installation, warranty and training. Minimum Requirements:The Contractor shall provide a system that meets all technical specifications identified below. All items must be new. Used or remanufactured equipment will not be considered for award. Experimental, prototype, or custom items will not be considered. The use of “gray market” components are not authorized for sale in the U.S. by the Contractor is not acceptable. All line items shall be shipped in the original manufacturer’s packaging and include all original documentation and software, when applicable.Requirement 1: 5-axis CNC millDescription: Fully enclosed 5-axis CNC milling machineQuantity: 1A. Technical Specifications:a. Size Requirements: The product quoted shall adhere to the following size limitations due to NIST space limitations for the required instrument.i. Max height of delivery crate/pallet: 86 inchesii. Max width of delivery crate/pallet: 78.5 inchesiii. Max height (installed): 112 inchesiv. Max width (installed): 125 inches wide, not including chip auger, laser chiller, or other accessory componentsv. Max depth (installed): 80 inches depth, not including open chamber door or rear clearancevi. Max depth (installed): 130 inches depth, including open chamber door and rear clearance.b. Motion Axes Requirements: The instrument shall include the following motion axes features:i. Standard 3-axis (XYZ) system with additional 4th and 5th axis rotary tablesii. Minimum top spindle speed of at least 10,000 rpm.c. Electrical Integration Requirements:i. The 5-axis CNC should include any required electrical transformer to integrate with 220 volt 3-phase electrical supply available at the installation site.d. Additional Requirements:i. Shall include flood coolant systemii. Shall include carousel tool changer with at least 4 stationsiii. Shall include chip augeriv. Shall include touchscreen controllerv. Shall include jog pendantvi. Shall include work offset contact probing systemvii. Shall include 8 additional M-codes for activating auxiliary componentsviii. Shall include chiller plate for workpieceix. Shall include at least one hard copy or downloadable digital file of hardware manual.Requirement 2: Laser-wire deposition systemDescription: Dual wire laser deposition head integrated and fully operational within the 5-axis CNC milling machine (Requirement 1 above)Quantity: 1A. Technical Specificationsa. Laser specifications:i. Laser power: Minimum of 1000 W total powerii. Laser chiller shall be included, if required for normal operation of the laser. Laser chiller is not required if not necessary for normal operation of the laser.b. Wire feed specifications:i. Deposition head and wire feed shall include dual wire capability.ii. Shall include heated wire (i.e. hot wire) capabilities.c. Electrical Integration Requirements:i. The laser-wire deposition system should integrate with 208-volt single-phase electrical supply available in the designated installation site.d. Omnidirectional wire feed and laser direction: Focused laser energy shall impinge upon the laser and/or workpiece material simultaneously from multiple directions such that material may be deposited by traversing the deposition head along multiple directions (omnidirectional) without reorienting the deposition head.e. System with integrated laser shall include all necessary laser safety windows and interlocks to be a Class-I laser system.f. At least one hard copy or downloadable digital file of hardware manual.Requirement 3: Software Add-on for Deposition Path Planning via CAMDescription: Software add-on that integrates with NIST-owned CAM software (MasterCAM)Quantity: 1A. Technical Specificationsa. Contractor shall provide software add-on to integrate with commercial CAM software MasterCAM.b. Software add-on shall enable programming of and visualization of laser-wire deposition toolpaths.c. Laser-wire deposition processes for Requirement 2 shall be programmable via same Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAM) software used to program subtractive (e.g., milling) operations of Requirement 1.d. At least one hard copy or downloadable digital file of software operating instructionsQUESTIONS REGARDING THIS NOTICEQuestions regarding this Sources Sought Notice may be submitted via email to Mr. Hunter Tjugum, Contract Specialist, at Hunter.Tjugum@nist.gov. Questions are due by or before 1:00 PM, ET on March 29, 2024. Questions will be anonymized and answered via sources sought notice amendment following the question submission deadline. RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONSAll responsible small business sources able to provide the supply and services described above are asked to email a response to Mr. Hunter Tjugum, Contract Specialist, at Hunter.Tjugum@nist.gov by or before 1:00 PM, ET on April 5, 2024.Respondents should include the following information in the response: 1. Name of company authorized to provide services, along with their address and a point of contact for the company (name, phone number, and email address).2. The company’s primary NAICS, size classification, and socio-economic status (i.e., Small Business, Woman Owned Small Business, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned Small Business, etc.).3. Specific description of experience and capabilities in relation to the requirements identified in this notice.4. Information on any GSA Federal Supply Schedules (FSS) or other Government-wide contracts through which the company offers these services, if applicable.5. Respondents may provide information on multiple hardware or software options or accessories if relevant.6. Any other relevant information that is not listed above which the Government should consider.Responses are limited to a maximum total of five (5) pages in MS Word or searchable PDF format.IMPORTANT NOTESThis notice is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will not be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice.The Government reserves the right to use information provided by respondents for any purpose deemed necessary and legally appropriate. No proprietary, classified, confidential, or sensitive information should be included in your response; however, NIST will recognize as restricted or proprietary data which is clearly marked such.