Mobile Robot Systems Support Services for Smart Manufacturing Project

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCEMobile Robot Systems Support Services for Smart Manufacturing Project Announcement Type: Special NoticeAnnouncement Number: NIST-NOI-22-01355PSC Code: R425 – Support Professional : Engineering / TechnicalSubject: Mobile Robot Systems Support Services for Smart Manufacturing Project IntroductionThis is a notice of intent, not a request for a quotation. A solicitation document will not be issued and quotations will not be requested.PurposeThe National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate a firm-fixed priced purchase order on a sole source basis with SMART HLPR, LLC located at 5319 Kingsbrook Drive, Frederick, MD 21703. The purchase order will be for mobile robot systems research support services for a one-year period of performance.AuthorityThis acquisition is being conducted under the authority of FAR subpart 13.106(b)(1) allowing the Contracting Officer (CO) to solicit from one source. The North American Industry

Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541715 – Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Nanotechnology and Biotechnology).Background and DescriptionThe National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Engineering Laboratory (EL) Intelligent System Division (ISD) is developing standard test methods for exoskeletons. The research includes the design and implementation of a standard test apparatus- Position and Load Test Apparatus for Exoskeletons (PoLoTAE) - for measuring the difference in performance of a person wearing an Exoskeleton. In addition to the Exoskeleton research, ISD is developing performance metrics for mobile robots in autonomous assembly operations. ISD has research programs in many areas and assistance is needed to continue these bodies of work.The purpose of this requirement is to procure contractor services to support the research of ISD Mobile Robot Systems for Smart Manufacturing Project: autonomous mobile robot and exoskeleton areas. The contractor shall assist in measurement science of automatic through autonomous - unmanned ground vehicles (A-UGVs) and mobile manipulators.  The contractor shall assist the ISD Principal Investigator/Technical Point of Contact (TPOC) and Exoskeleton Project Team to solicit, inform, measure, and test subjects in a NIST Human Subjects Study (IRB# EL-2018-0060) in support of development of standard test methods. Sole Source DeterminationThe sole source determination is based on the following: The NIST Intelligent System Division (ISD) is continuing to develop standard test methods for exoskeletons. The research includes the design and implementation of standard test apparatuses in 2 domains, industrial and emergency response. Along with the development of test methods a robust testbed of force sensors, pressure sensors and body tracking via an optical tracking system is being developed to qualitatively measure the difference in performance of a person wearing an exoskeleton. In addition to the exoskeleton research, ISD is developing performance metrics for mobile robots in autonomous assembly operations. ISD requires assistance to continue these bodies of work.This work was begun under purchase order award 1333ND20PNB730415 with SMART HLPR LLC and the work includes human subjects testing. To complete the work, which includes continued human subjects testing, NIST requires additional support from the original contractor, SMART HLPR LLC. This contractor is named in the associated approved Human Subjects Study (EL-2018-00600) and therefore is the only contractor qualified to continue and complete the research support work. This is essential for continuity of research science and for human subject protection. Accordingly, only SMART HLPR LLC is capable of meeting NIST's requirements.Information for Interested PartiesInterested parties that believe they could satisfy the requirements listed above for NIST may clearly and unambiguously identify their capability to do so in writing by or before the response date for this notice. This notice of intent is not a solicitation.Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to Ms. Lauren Roller, Contract Specialist, at Lauren.Roller@nist.gov. All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted via email to Lauren.Roller@nist.gov so that they are received no later than April 21, 2021 at 11:00 AM Eastern Time.Each response should include the following Business Information:Contractor Name, Address,Point of Contact Name, Phone Number, and Email addressContractor DUNSContractor Business Classification (i.e., small business, 8(a), woman owned, hubZone, veteran owned, etc.) as validated in System for Award Management (SAM). All offerors must register in the SAM located at http://www.sam.gov/portal/SAM/#1Capability Statement