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

A -- DETECTION ^ SPECTROSCOPY OF SINGLE MOLESCULES IN ORGANIC FILMS SOL 52SBNB8C1121 DUE 071598 POC Julie Liu, (301) 975-6727 WEB: NIST Contracts Homepage, http://www.nist.gov/admin/od/contract/contract.htm. E-MAIL: NIST Contracts Office, Contract@nist.gov. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate on a sole-source basis with the University of California at Santa Barbara for the setup, maintenance, execution, data collection, data analysis, and publication of experiments to detect and characterize single molecules in thin organic films, single molecules on surfaces, and the nanoscale structure and dynamics of thin organic films. This project entails performing advanced near-field, confocal, total-internal reflection, or other optical microscopy as well as setting up and maintaining the necessary cw or pulsed laser systems. The Contractor shall be responsible for design and construction of a microscope system capable of performing imaging and spectroscopy of single molecules embedded in organic films, and shall consult on upgrades of near-field microscopes already in service at NIST. The primary focus of this work will be (1) to understand how the dynamics of single molecules can be used as a probe of their local environment, and (2) to improve and extend current NIST capabilities involving near-field characterization of nanoscale structure and dynamics in thin films. The Contractor shall have established expertise in all aspects of near-field scanning optical microscopy, including microscope construction, light sources, aperture fiber-probe fabrication, and control systems. The Contractor shall also have extensive experience in the use of confocal techniques for single molecule spectroscopy and imaging, and demonstrate a theoretical as well as experimental understanding of the dynamics of single molecules on surfaces. In addition, the Contractor shall have expertise in the fabrication of organic monolayer films such as Langmuir-Blodgett films, and have experience in imaging or taking spectra of single molecules embedded in these films. The period of performance is anticipated to be sixteen (16) months from date of contract award, with the option to extend for twelve (12) additional months. The proposed contract action is for services for which the Government intends to solicit and negotiate with only one source under authority of FAR 6.302. Interested persons may identify their interest and capability to respond to the requirement or submit proposals. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all proposals received within 15 days after date of publication of this notice will be considered by the Government. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed contract based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Written responses shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bonafide capability to fulfill the requirement. Posted 06/30/98 (0181)

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0001 19980702\A-0001.SOL)