IPG Photonics Corporation (IPG) 1KW laser system

Notice of Intent to Sole Source

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106(b)(1), with IPG Photonics Corporation (IPG) for 1KW laser system.

Background Information and Basis for Sole Source

The Production Systems Group (PSG) at National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) conducts research in metals-based additive manufacturing (AM) to develop and deploy advances in measurement science that will enable rapid design-to-product transformation. In collaboration with NIST and outside scientists, the group develops, analyzes, and applies related control and monitoring methods and tools for AM measurement science at NIST. An Additive Manufacturing Metrology Testbed (AMMT) was developed for this purpose. The NIST AMMT is a fully custom, open-platform laser powder bed fusion (LBPF) system to advance controls, monitoring, and metrology research.

PSG is committed to advancing research in metal-based additive manufacturing (AM) processes. The goal of our research is to study and improve the AM control strategies. To conduct experiments with the same building conditions as the real AM production system, the AMMT must be equipped with similar capabilities as state-of-art commercial machines. Multi-laser system is the newest trend for commercial machine, where more than one laser build parts together, for both efficiency and improved quality. To remain at the forefront of AM technology and innovation, and in response to the current direction of AM development, we are undertaking an upgrade of the AMMT to a dual-laser system. This upgrade will place our research at the cutting edge of AM technology, reflecting the latest trends in AM development and bolstering our competitiveness in the field. In order to upgrade the AMMT to a dual-laser configuration, it is necessary to acquire a second set of laser system components (laser unit + scanner) that are identical to those currently installed. This will ensure seamless integration and optimal performance of the upgraded system.

The requirement is for 1KW laser system meeting the minimum specifications detailed in the attached specifications document.

Only IPG is capable of meeting the needs of this requirement as IPG is the only source able to provide the matching 1KW laser, acquired in 2017, that PSG requires to upgrade the AMMT to incorporate a dual-laser system, which necessitates the acquisition of two identical laser/scanner sets. Employing different laser/scanner configurations in a dual-laser system would necessitate the development of two separate control systems and potentially give rise to the following synchronization challenges and duplication of costs attributed by substantial development time to calibrate and develop compensation algorithm if another laser system was acquired.

General

The North American Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516- Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. The small business size standard is 1000 employees.

No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, responses received by the listed due date, will be considered by the Government.

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 the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

Interested parties that believe they could satisfy the requirements listed above for NIST may clearly and unambiguously identify their capability to do so in writing on or before the response due date for this notice. This notice of intent is not a solicitation. Any questions regarding this notice must be submitted in writing via email to Seth Kaplan at seth.kaplan@nist.gov. All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted so that they are received at seth.kaplan@nist.gov no later than the aforementioned due date.