Cooler and Vacuum Components of Denali Model 102 Cryostat

The National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Acquisition & Grants Office, Mountain Region Acquisition Division, intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under authority of FAR 13.106-1(b)(1), with High Precision Devices, Inc. for the purchase of cooler and vacuum components of Denali Model 102 Cryostat. Sole Source determination is based on the National Institute of Standards and Technology's (NIST) requirements which can only be met by High Precision Devices of a wet to dry ADR insert conversion, VJ fabrication and assembly. NIST has already developed expensive electrical and mechanical components to hold and measure samples that are specific to the unique, square footprint of this refrigerator. The square design is required because the narrow side face allow close access to complicated apparatus, a requirement for high photon fluxes. The elements of design include the machining of the large vacuum jacket components, the epoxy joints connecting the structural G10 tubes to their metal terminations, and the welding and annealing protocols for the flexible copper connections between the pulse tube stages and the refrigerator stages, which gives a hold time at 0.1 Kelvin. Delivery 60 days after receipt of order. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive proposals; however, firms that believe they can provide equipment that fully meets the Government's requirements may submit substantiating documentation in writing to the identified point of contact within 15 days after publication of this synopsis. Such documentation will be evaluated solely for the purpose of determining whether or not to conduct this procurement on a competitive basis. A determination by the Government not to compete this proposed effort on a competitive basis, based upon responses to this notice, is solely within the discretion of the government. Oral communications are not acceptable in response to this notice.