Combined Sources Sought Notice and Notice of Intent to Sole Source for an Electrochemical Analysis System

***THIS IS A COMBINED SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE AND NOTICE OF INTENT TO SOLE SOURCE*** The purpose of this sources sought notice is to conduct market research and identify potential sources of commercial products/services that satisfy the Government’s anticipated needs. If no alternate sources are identified, the Government intends to issue a Sole Source Award to Gamry Instruments, Inc., 734 Louis Dr, Warminster, PA 18974, US, under the authority of Revolutionary FAR Overhaul (RFO) FAR 12.102(a). The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. BACKGROUND The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Materials Measurement Laboratory, Materials Science and Engineering Division (MSED), Polymers Processing Group is executing a project focused on the recovery of critical minerals—specifically gold, palladium, copper, and rare earth elements—from electronic waste (e-waste). This research requires characterizing the thermodynamics and kinetics of selective electrowinning from complex, multi-ion leachates. To accurately model these systems, the Government requires a high-performance, modular electrochemical workstation capable of high-frequency impedance spectroscopy and hydrodynamic control. The contract shall provide a research-grade, multi-channel potentiostat/galvanostat system which will enables precise measurement of reduction mechanisms and mass-transport kinetics essential for optimizing "urban mining" processes. This system is required to distinguish between metal deposition and competing side reactions during rapid separation cycles. These insights are essential to understanding the recovery processes of these rarely recycled elements from microelectronic waste, directly supporting CHIPS Act goals of strengthening the domestic semiconductor supply chain. NIST is seeking information from sources that may be capable of providing a solution that will achieve the objectives described above, and meet the following essential requirements: Line Item 0001: Research-Grade Potentiostat/Galvanostat/ZRA Channel (Quantity: 1) The Contractor shall provide a research-grade standalone potentiostat/galvanostat/ZRA channel meeting the following specifications: Compliance Voltage: ± 12 V minimum Maximum Continuous Current: ± 1 A full-scale Data Acquisition speed: Natively support high-speed data acquisition up to 1 MHz (1 µs per point) for transient pulse techniques Current Resolution: 1 pA or better, with potential control resolution down to 1 µV. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS): Integrated frequency response analyzer (FRA) supporting a frequency Range from 10 µA to 2 MHz without external add-ons, with a benchmark accuracy of 1% up to 100 kHz Included Components: Must include a comprehensive suite of pre-licensed control software covering DC Corrosion, Physical Electrochemistry, Electrochemical Energy, Pulse Voltammetry, and Electrochemical Noise techniques, alongside a 0.6 m cell cable, 2 m USB cable, UDC6 2 kOhm calibration/AC dummy cell, and digital operator's manual. System Assurance: Includes a two-year standard system assurance plan. Line Item 0002: High-Current Application Electrochemical Channel (Quantity: 1) The Contractor shall provide a high-current standalone potentiostat/galvanostat/ZRA channel meeting the following specifications: Compliance Voltage: ± 6 V minimum Maximum Continuous Current: ± 5 A full-scale Data Acquisition speed: Natively support high-speed data acquisition up to 1 MHz (1 µs per point) for transient pulse techniques Current Resolution: 1 pA or better, with potential control resolution down to 1 µV. Must include pre-licensed control software matching the comprehensive DC, Physical, Energy, Noise, and Pulse Voltammetry suites listed under Line Item 0001, alongside an Interface 5000 cell cable kit (0.6 m) and an Interface 5000 dummy cell. System Assurance: Includes a two-year standard system assura...