Combined Sources Sought Notice and Notice of Intent to Award a Sole Source Contract for ScanWave Pro electronic controller for a Vero AFM

BACKGROUND

The Office of Acquisition and Agreements Management (OAAM), Acquisition Management Division (AMD), of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), on behalf of the NIST Material Measurement Laboratory (MML), intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with PrimeNano Inc., 4701 Patrick Henry Drive, Building 8, Santa Clara, CA 95054 (UEI: K2RLBZKD2CX7), for the acquisition of one ScanWave Pro electronic controller for NIST's existing scanning Microwave Impedance Microscopy (sMIM) module installed on an Oxford Instruments/Asylum Research Vero Atomic Force Microscope (AFM).

NIST requires a ScanWave Pro electronic controller that is fully compatible with the Government-owned Vero AFM and existing ScanWave 2.0™ Probe Interface. The controller will replace the existing modular electronics assembly currently used with the sMIM module. The existing assembly consists of a microwave electronics box, power supply, temperature controller, and reflectometer calibrator and is more than ten years old. Additionally, the existing power supply and reflectometer calibrator are currently on loan to NIST from Oxford Instruments/Asylum Research.

The required ScanWave Pro electronic controller shall provide the hardware, software, and accessories necessary to operate with NIST's existing ScanWave 2.0™ Probe Interface and Vero AFM. The requirement includes the ScanWave Pro electronic controller, reflectometer, calibration sample, Windows 11-compatible ScanWave software, associated documentation, installation and integration with the existing Vero AFM and ScanWave 2.0™ Probe Interface, and training for up to two (2) NIST personnel.

The Contractor shall deliver the required equipment, software, and documentation within sixty (60) calendar days after award. Installation and integration of the ScanWave Pro electronic controller with the Government-owned Vero AFM and existing ScanWave 2.0™ Probe Interface shall be completed within ten (10) calendar days after delivery. Training for up to two (2) NIST personnel shall also be completed within ten (10) calendar days after delivery.

Sole source determination is based on the following:

• The ScanWave Pro electronic controller is manufactured by PrimeNano Inc. and is specifically designed for operation with PrimeNano's ScanWave 2.0™ Probe Interface and sMIM technology.


• NIST currently owns a ScanWave 2.0™ Probe Interface that is integrated with its Oxford Instruments/Asylum Research Vero AFM. The required electronic controller must be fully compatible with this existing Government-owned equipment and preserve the sMIM measurement functionality of the existing system.


• The existing sMIM electronics are more than ten years old and do not provide the measurement sensitivity required for NIST's current nanoscale impedance characterization work. The ScanWave Pro provides the required improved measurement sensitivity while maintaining compatibility with NIST's existing ScanWave 2.0™ Probe Interface and Vero AFM.


• Market research identified other manufacturers of scanning probe microscopy and related impedance measurement equipment; however, no other source was identified that offers an electronic controller capable of directly integrating with NIST's existing PrimeNano ScanWave 2.0™ Probe Interface and Vero AFM while satisfying NIST's required sMIM functionality and performance requirements.


• PrimeNano Inc. has confirmed that it is the sole manufacturer and supplier of the ScanWave Pro electronic controller and that there are no authorized resellers for this product.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334515 – Instrument Manufacturing for Measuring and Testing Electricity and Electrical Signals, with a small business size standard of 750 employees.

No solicitation package will be issued. This Notice of Intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, responsible sources that believe they can satisfy the Government's requirements may submit a written capability statement demonstrating their ability to furnish the complete requirement.

Capability statements shall specifically address the respondent's ability to:

• Furnish an electronic controller that is fully compatible with NIST's existing PrimeNano ScanWave 2.0™ Probe Interface and Oxford Instruments/Asylum Research Vero AFM without replacement or modification of the existing Government-owned probe interface;


• Provide the required sMIM measurement functionality and performance, including the hardware, software, reflectometer, calibration sample, and other components necessary to provide a complete and operational solution;


• Provide software compatible with the Government's Windows 11 operating environment;


• Install and integrate the proposed electronic controller with NIST's existing Vero AFM and ScanWave 2.0™ Probe Interface within ten (10) calendar days after delivery; and


• Provide training for up to two (2) NIST personnel within ten (10) calendar days after delivery.

Respondents shall identify any additional hardware, software, interfaces, modifications, licenses, Government-furnished information, or other resources that would be required to integrate the respondent's proposed solution with NIST's existing Vero AFM and ScanWave 2.0™ Probe Interface.

Responses must be received by August 14, 2026. 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.