National Institute of Standards & Technology, Acquisition & Assistance Div.,100 Bureau Drive Stop 3572, Bldg. 301, Rm B117, Gaithersburg, MD 20899-3572

A -- DEVELOPMENT OF SURFACE CALIBRATION SYSTEM SOL 52SBNB9C1037 DUE 051099 POC Julie M. Liu, Contract Specialist (301) 975-6492, Fax (301) 963-7732; Sandra L. Febach, Contracting Officer (301) 975-6326. WEB: NIST Contracts Homepage, http://www.Nist.gov/admin/od/Contract.htm. E-MAIL: NIST Contracts Office, Contract@nist.gov. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate with the University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC), Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science (ME&ES), 9201 University City Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28223, on a sole-source basis for services to aid in the extension of key NIST programs in the development of surface calibration systems. These programs involve the development and testing of a calibrated atomic force microscope (C-AFM) and will include both fabrication and measurement. The Contractor shall improve the performance of the C-AFM with respect to range, resolution, and calibration accuracy, and shall provide reports of the demonstrated results. This acquisition is to be accomplished under the authority of 41 U.S.C. 253(c)(1), "Only One Responsible Source," because Professor (and Associate Chairman) Jayaraman Raja of UNCC's ME&ES is the only known, available source capable of satisfying the Agency's requirement. Developing and testing the surface calibration system requires expertise in many aspects of surface metrology, including: precision motion stages, the use of atomic force microscopes, surface roughness measurement, surface calibration, capacitance gauge calibration, surface texture standardization committee work, and stylus profiling. Professor Jayaraman Raja is an international expert in surface metrology, serves as Chair of the ASME Committee B46 on the Classification and Designation of Surface Qualities, and is a key subject matter expert on ISO Technical Committee TC213 (the international counterpart of B46). Furthermore, the system being upgraded was manufactured by Park Scientific Instruments (PSI); as such, working with this system requires familiarity with atomic force microscopes manufactured by PSI. Professor Raja and his students in the Precision Engineering Program at UNCC, having worked extensively in atomic force microscopy and in standards and calibration for these instruments, are well-acquainted with PSI products. All of these factors demonstrate Professor Raja's unique qualifying experience for performance on this project. Period of performance is anticipated to be for a base year and two option years. This notice is not a request for proposals. However, interested parties may identify their capability to satisfy the Government's requirement no later than the response date above. Capability statements must include documentation of expertise in all areas pertinent to the proposed project. 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. A solicitation document is not available. See Numbered Note 26. Posted 03/25/99 (W-SN312894). (0084)

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