Notice of Intent - Prototyping and Testing to Support Smart Target Electronics and Hardware

Introduction
This is a notice of intent, not a request for a quotation. A solicitation document will not be issued and quotations will not be requested.
Purpose
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate a firm-fixed priced purchase order on a sole source basis with X-Wave Innovations, Inc., located at 555 Quince Orchard Rd, Gaithersburg, MD 20878-1464. The purchase order will specifically procure contractor support for Prototyping and Testing to Support Smart Target Electronics and Hardware. The period of performance shall be 9 months from date of award.

Authority
This acquisition is being conducted under the authority of FAR Subpart 13.106(b)(1) allowing the Contracting Officer (CO) to solicit from one source. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 541330 Engineering Services, with a small business size standard of $16.5M.

Description
The NIST Engineering Laboratory (EL) has developed a novel smart target (U.S. Patent US010885368B2, https://www.nist.gov/system/files/documents/2020/03/27/18-034US1_Publication_11-21-19.pdf) to support the precise measurement of a robot's position and orientation. A basic prototype was created at the NIST lab to verify the design concept, develop a test method, and get feedback when briefing industrial users on the technology. However, a more reliable prototype is needed to further the smart target research including pilot activities in industrial environments. A competitive contract was award to X Wave Innovations, Inc. (1333ND22PNB730076) to develop an improved smart target prototype design. However, the contract covered design only, with no prototyping or testing. Contractor services for prototyping and testing of improved electronics and hardware design is required at this time.

Sole Source Determination
The sole source determination is based on the following:

NIST EL requires a new contract for Prototyping and Testing to Support Smart Target Electronics and Hardware. X-Wave Innovations Inc. conducted an improved smart target design under competitive Purchase Order 1333ND22PNB730076. However, the work covered design only, with no prototyping or testing. The prototyping and testing are critical for converting a design into a functional prototype. The mechanical and electronic design will be changed and improved by addressing issues found in the process of prototyping and testing. As a revision to the smart target design is required and multiple design revisions may be required, X-Wave Innovations Inc. is the only source that would satisfy the requirement as they are uniquely qualified to perform the work and possess the specialized knowledge and experience necessary to accomplish the work.

Information for Interested Parties
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 by or before the response 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 January Magyar, Contract Specialist, at January.Magyar@nist.gov. All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted via email to january.magyar@nist.gov so that they are received no later than September 1, 2022 at 10:00 AM, Eastern Time.

Each response should include the following Business Information:

1. Contractor Name, Address,
2. Point of Contact Name, Phone Number, and Email address
3. Contractor DUNS
4. Contractor Business Classification (i.e., small business, 8(a), woman owned, hubZone, veteran owned, etc.) as validated in System for Award Management (SAM). All offerors must have an active registration in www.SAM.gov.
5. Capability Statement