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

66 -- CUSTOM CORROSIVE GAS MANIFOLD SOL 53SBNB967059 DUE 052099 POC TAMARA GRINSPON, Contract Specialist -- (301) 975-4390; Paul G. Cataldo, Contracting Officer -- (301) 975-6332 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 enter into a Sole-Source contract with Applied Energy Systems, Inc., of Malvern, PA, under the authority of 41 USC 253(c)(1) -- Only One Responsible Source.*****The procurement includes a Custom Corrosive Gas Manifold, which will be used in developing the technology to measure the transport properties of the hazardous/corrosive gases used in semiconductor processing using novel acoustic resonance techniques. The gas distributions system to be purchased will be performing a similar task in a manner similar to that of the Applied Energy Systems unit currently in use at NIST. The existing system is of a unique design, which Applied Energy Systems has fabricated to specifications; Applied Energy Systems has demonstrated their ability to perform quality work in a timely and knowledgeable manner. There are numerous benefits in having two identical systems fabricated by the same contractor, e.g. lessons learned in the installation, integration and operation of the first system can be directly applied to the second system; there will be no need to learn how to safely use the new system from scratch, thus resulting in large savings of time and money, and helping to insure safe operation; safety of the operator is the primary concern when dealing with the toxic/hazardous gases to be used in experiments-thus experience with the equipment is the best ameliorating factor to these potential risks; the currently installed system is operating flawlessly after the initial shake-down and testing of its installation-and this period can be greatly shortened by the procurement of an identical system; with two identical systems, hardware from the two systems will be interchangeable, as well as the design and operation of the safety and process control sub-systems; the computer software written to operate the first system will be able to be ported to the second system without major modification, and its history of safe operation continued; the operators of the two systems will be able to work on either system without massive re-training.*****Delivery is required 6 weeks after receipt of order (ARO).*****The F.O.B. point shall be Destination, Gaithersburg, MD.*****Interested firms may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals. However, all responses received within 15 days after the date of publication of this synopsis will be considered by the Government. A determination not to compete this requirement, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement. Written responses to this synopsis shall contain sufficient documentation to establish a bona fide capability to fulfill the requirement.*****A solicitation will not be issued.*****See Note 26. Posted 05/06/99 (W-SN328433). (0126)

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