Cryogenic Current Comparator Probe
Waiver type - Procurement: Nonavailability
Agency: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY (1341) • Product Service Code (PSC) : 6640 | Last Modified: 05/25/2023
Procurement Summary
Sole Source Procurement. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Division 684 requires a Cryogenic Current Comparator (CCC) Probe and winding selection system to enable full use of the Magnicon CCC Electronics Drive for arbitrary resistance ratios, including use with QHR standard. The system must be able to provide continuous, overlapping ranges of resistance or current calibration provided by a set of CCC windings having a binary-scale build-up between 1 and 2048 inclusive. “Continuous and overlapping ranges” are specified as a set of measurement configurations that will allow a resistor of any value between 0.01 Ohm and 1 MOhm to be calibrated directly against another resistor of any value within a factor of 200 larger or smaller, as long as that value falls also within the same range. This probe and hardware must be operationally compatible with the wideband feedback requirements of the original CCC Electronics, which were one of the major considerations in the purchase of the original CCC Electronics system. This requires a Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) sensor to be used to detect the current signal to be generated by the shielded CCC winding. The original system purchase of the CCC Electronics included the SQUID Magnetometer, SQUID sensor, and associated hardware.
Waiver Rationale Summary
The National Institute of Standards and Technology, Fundamental Electrical Measurement (FEM) Group in Physical Measurement Laboratory requires an additional cryogenic current comparator (CCC) probe to enable full use of two Magnicon CCC Electronic Drive Systems. FEM’s market research, completed in February 2023, identified Magnicon GmbH as the only vendor known to be capable of meeting the minimum specifications. The estimated cost is $82,500.The Contracting Officer (CO) checked mandatory sources and performed additional market research via GSA Schedules, the SBA’s Dynamic Small Business Database, and internet searches. Market research did not identify any other sources that could meet FEM’s requirements. The CO posted a Sources Sought (Notice# NB684050-23-01401, Titled: Cryogenic Current Comparator Probe, NAICS Code:334516) citing FEM’s minimum specifications on SAM.gov from March 29, through April 5, 2023. The CO received no responses to the Sources Sought. The CO posted a Notice of Intent (Notice# NB684050-23-01401, Titled: Cryogenic Current Comparator Probe, NAICS Code:334516) citing FEM’s minimum specifications and intent to sole source with Magnicon GmbH on SAM.gov from April 5, 2023, through April 17, 2023. The CO received no response to the NOI. On April 21, 2023, the CO sent an email to Magnicon GmbH to request a quotation. Magnicon GmbH submitted their quotation to the CO for the probe. The quoted item is manufactured in Germany. The quotation was determined to be technically acceptable by the FEM technical representative. The CO determined the quotation price of $83,886.67 to be fair and reasonable.
Yes
Yes
Consistent with Policy
LABORATORY EQUIPMENT AND SUPPLIES
334516 - Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing
05/22/2023
NB684050-23-01401
Post-solicitation
Between 6 months and 1 year
Individual Waiver
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND TECHNOLOGY