NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE: 8 CHANNEL ARBITRARY WAVEFORM GENERATOR SYSTEM (ZURICH INSTRUMENTS)

The United States Department of Commerce (DOC), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division (AMD) intends to negotiate a firm fixed price purchase order, on a sole source basis, with Zurich Instruments USA, Inc. for the procurement of a 8-channel arbitrary waveform generator system.  The statutory authority for this sole source acquisition is FAR 13.106-1(b) by the authority of FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures.The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)/Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division enables science and industry by providing essential measurement methods, instrumentation, and standards to support all phases of nanotechnology development, from discovery to production.  Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division has the mission of developing integrated microsystems by advancing the state of the art in nanofabrication, enabling the transfer of NIST measurement technologies to the industrial, academic, and

government communities. NIST seeks to acquire a pumping station which will be used to evacuate vacuum chambers containing nanomechanical suspended structures. Methods of imaging dynamics of micro- and nano-electromechanical system dynamics will be developed in the in our lab as a resource accessible to researchers at NIST and to outside users via collaboration.The Microsystems and Nanotechnology Division has initiated a research project to measure and control the motion of nanoscale freestanding devices by the development of a customized interferometric system. This acquisition is required to provide a platform for development of thermomechanical excitation methods using optically detected vibrational modes. In general, we plan to utilize either optical or piezo excitation, however, in certain scenarios, including fluid structure interactions and thin 2D material films, it is desirable to have an alternate all electrical drive and detect mechanism. An 8-channel arbitrary waveform generator (AWG) with an IQ modulator allows for excitation and detection of rich dynamical phenomenon in a variety of micro- (kHz) and nano-optoelectromechanical (GHz) device architectures. In one scenario, topologically optimized ultrathin photonic crystal membranes could be used to detect small changes in mechanical and optical properties from interactions with other materials and systems. For instance, a particular high Q system would include random scattering in disordered structures. These optomechanical platforms could be integrated with micro- and nano-fluidic systems as ultra-sensitive detectors in the arena of nanoparticle binding, structural changes in molecular monolayers, soft materials and biological membranes. Dissipation and general structural dynamics of high frequency coupled optomechanical systems will be measured using various techniques. Dissipation measurement studies of various oscillatory modes of coupled optomechanical structures have manifestations in the domain of ultra-thin film nano characterization. These multimode spectral measurements coupled with collective excitations enable spectroscopic dissipation methods for material characterization (Q-spectroscopy of ultra-thin films). Furthermore, we plan to use the multi-channel AWG to excite and measure dynamics in periodic, strongly interacting nonlinear systems. These complex systems give rise to wave propagation and intrinsically localized modes, wherein the complex dynamics are highly sensitive to local changes in the environment, consequently rendering these as attractive ultra-highly sensitive chemical, biological and force sensor platforms. The overall performance of our measurement system – and the success of the research project – will depend critically on the performance of the multi-channel AWG with an IQ modulator, which will be used as the primary sensor to the spectral character of the vibrational modes with high sensitivity, high recording speed, low background noise, and high stability.Based on the extensive market research performed, the Zurich HDAWG8 with multi-frequency, real time precompensation, skew control, memory extension and IQ modulation options is the only commercially available system that can meet all of NIST’s minimum requirements and provide 100% compatibility for integration with our existing measurement set up that is run solely using the Zurich Instruments LabOne software system and the ultra-high frequency lock in amplifier system.   Delivery shall be FOB DESTINATION and shall be in accordance with the Contractors established commercial lead times.    The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334519 and the size standard is 500 employees.No solicitation package will be issued.  This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all responsible sources interested may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. The Government will consider responses received by established due date/time set forth in this notice. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to joni.laster@nist.gov . No telephone requests will be honored.   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 normally be considered solely for determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future.