National Institute of Standards & Technology, Acquisition & Assistance Div., Bldg. 301, Rm B117, Gaithersburg, MD 20899

70 -- EXPLORER SCANNING MICROSCOPE SOL 52SBNB7C1076 POC Brenda K. Lee (301) 975-6394, CO Lisa K. Jandovitz (301) 975-6344 WEB: NIST Contracts Homepage, http://www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/contract.htm. E-MAIL: NIST Contracts Office, Contract@mailserver3.nist.gov. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), intends to negotiate with Topometrix, Inc., 5403 Betsy Rose Drive, Santa Clara, CA 95054-1162 to acquire on a sole source basis one each Explorer Scanning Microscope with refurbished Explorer SPM Head, Explorer AFM Dry Scanner and 17 inch SVGA color monitor for the MEL, Precision Engineering Division. FOB Destination Gaithersburg, MD -- Required delivery within 30 days after contract award -- One year warranty to include part, labor, and software upgrades -- On-site installation, start-up training for one year and (4) copies of the Operator's Manual. The Government intends to solicit one source under the authority of FAR 6.302-1 Only One Responsible Source, because Topometrix, Inc. is the only source that can provide an open architecture controller so that the National Institute of Standards and Technology can work with industry in development of interface standards for the SPM industry. A true open architecture controller has publiclydocumented interfaces and the ability for third party vendors (or the end user) to add value by offering products to enhance the base functionality of the device. NIST as an end user) is planning to implement some of its control algorithms on this SPM and to interface it to the Internet as a testbed system for SPM manufacturers and users to meet and agree on standards for the industry. Request for a solicitation package will be disregarded. Interested offerors may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirements by submitting a capability statement. The capability statement must provide adequate information and qualifications of your ability to provide the requested supplies in order for the government to consider whether to open this request for competition. However, all capability statements received within 45 days after the date of preparation of this synopsis will be considered by the Government -- See Note number 22 (0035)

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