Notice of Intent: Kistler Dynamometer System Upgrade

NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE

Contracting Opportunities Announcement Type: Special Notice
Announcement Number: NIST-NOI-26-01024

Subject: Procurement of Kistler Dynamometer System Upgrade

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) intend to negotiate a firm-fixed priced purchase order on a sole source basis with Kistler Instrument Corporation, located at 75 John Glenn Dr. Buffalo, NY 14228-2119 USA. The purchase order will specifically procure the Kistler Dynamometer System. This system will be utilized by the Engineering Laboratory (EL), Intelligent Systems Division at NIST Gaithersburg MD campus.

Authority
This acquisition is being conducted using the procedures at FAR Part 12 – Acquisition of Commercial Products and Commercial Services. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334519 – Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing, with a small business size standard of 600 Employees.

Description
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)/ The Intelligent Systems Division (ISD) develops, advances and deploys measurement science and standards to speed development, adoption, and integration of leading-edge intelligent technologies to advance U.S. manufacturing performance.

The purpose of this acquisition is to obtain a Kistler dynamometer data acquisition system for use with an existing Kistler dynamometer to measure real-time, SI-traceable cutting forces during machine tool operations. An existing Kistler dynamometer must be upgraded with a new data acquisition (DAQ) system to measure real-time, SI-traceable cutting forces. The new capabilities of the DAQ system include digital communication, digital data collection, and measurement of both cutting forces and moments

The system shall meet or exceed the salient characteristics identified below. All items must be new.  Used or remanufactured equipment will not be considered for award. Experimental, prototype, or custom items will not be considered.  The use of “gray market” components not authorized for sale in the U.S. by the proposer is not acceptable.   All line items shall be shipped in the original manufacturer’s packaging and include all original documentation and software, when applicable.

Line Item 0001: Kistler 5167A hardware

Description: Kistler LabAmp® laboratory charge amplifier, quasi-static

Quantity: 1

A.        Technical Specifications

a.         Compatible with Kistler 9257B dynamometer

b.         Signals: Charge

c.         Measuring ranges: ±100 ... 1 000 000 pC

d.         Housing: Desktop version with tilt feet

e.         KiConnect compatible (for use with KiStudio or KiCloud)

f.          Interface: Ethernet

g.         Supply voltage: 18 ... 30 Vdc

h.         Analog outputs: ±10 V, BNC neg. connectors

i.          Virtual channels for calculations

j.          Precision Time Protocol (PTP) synchronization

k.         Configured with 8 channels and Fischer input connectors

l.          Includes power supply and ethernet cable

Line Item 0002: Kistler 5167A license

Description: License for LabAmp 5167A

Quantity: 1

A.        Technical Specifications

a.         Supports data acquisition

b.         Does not support function generation

Line Item 0003: Kistler 1677BA5 connecting cable

Description: Connecting cable for multicomponent dynamometers

Quantity: 1

A.        Technical Specifications

a.         8 conductors

b.         Fischer 9-pole straight flange connector at every end

c.         Each connector is rated IP65 or higher

d.         Length of 5 m

e.         Metal hose/sheath protection

Line Item 0004: Kistler 1678A5 extension cable

Description: Extension cable with high insulation

Quantity: 1

A.        Technical Specifications

a.         8 conductors

b.         Fischer 9-pole straight flange connector at every end

c.         Each connector is rated IP65 or higher

d.         Length of 5 m

e.         Ground-isolated

Sole Source Determination
Based on the results of market research conducted by NIST, Kistler Instrument Corporation has been identified as the only known responsible source capable of meeting the Government's minimum requirements.

Market research determined that no source other than Kistler Instrument Corporation can provide the required Dynamometer Data Acquisition (DAQ) system that is fully compatible with NIST's existing Kistler dynamometer and associated research infrastructure. The required DAQ system is essential to enable real-time, SI-traceable measurement of cutting forces during machine tool operations while providing enhanced capabilities, including digital communication, high-speed digital data acquisition, and simultaneous measurement of cutting forces and moments.

These capabilities are fundamental to ongoing NIST research focused on estimating cutting forces from accelerometer measurements and other on-machine data sources. The upgraded DAQ system will be used to calibrate and validate a deployable monitoring system currently under development for in situ process monitoring. This research directly supports the advancement of intelligent machining systems intended to improve manufacturing process control, enhance part quality, and reduce production costs.

The existing Kistler dynamometer is a proprietary measurement platform designed to interface with Kistler's DAQ hardware and software. To preserve the integrity and accuracy of the measurement system, any replacement or upgraded DAQ system must be fully compatible with the existing hardware, communication protocols, calibration methodology, and data acquisition architecture. Market research did not identify any third-party manufacturer capable of providing a DAQ system that offers equivalent functionality while maintaining full compatibility with the existing Kistler dynamometer.

Substituting an alternative platform would require substantial redesign, software redevelopment, system integration, calibration, testing, and validation to establish compatibility with a different hardware architecture. Such an effort would result in substantial duplication of cost to the Government, introduce unacceptable technical and schedule risk, delay ongoing research activities, and jeopardize the continuity and comparability of experimental data.

Accordingly, only Kistler Instrument Corporation is capable of providing a DAQ system that satisfies the Government's minimum requirements while maintaining compatibility with the existing proprietary dynamometer platform. Therefore, Kistler Instrument Corporation is the only known responsible source capable of meeting the Government's requirements, making a sole-source acquisition appropriate pursuant to 41 U.S.C. § 3304(a)(1), Only One Responsible Source and No Other Supplies or Services Will Satisfy Agency Requirements.

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 Marvin Jean, Contract Specialist, at marvin.jean@nist.gov. All responses to this notice of intent must be submitted via email to marvin.jean@nist.gov so that they are received no later than July 24, 2026, at 10:00 AM, Eastern Time (ET).

Each response shall include the following Business Information:

1. Contractor Name, Address,
2. Point of Contact Name, Phone Number, and Email address
3. Contractor (SAM) Universal Entity Identification (UEI)
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