Aerotech Motion Controller
Overview
Buyer
Place of Performance
NAICS
PSC
Set Aside
Original Source
Timeline
Qualification Details
Fit reasons
- NAICS alignment with historical contract wins in similar service areas.
- Scope strongly matches core technical capabilities and delivery model.
Risks
- Past performance thresholds may require one additional teaming partner.
- Potential clarification needed on staffing minimums before bid/no-bid.
Next steps
Validate eligibility requirements, assign capture owner, and schedule partner outreach to confirm teaming strategy before submission planning.
Quick Summary
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), under the Department of Commerce, has issued a Notice of Intent to award a firm-fixed-price purchase order on a sole-source basis to Aerotech Inc. for a motion controller replacement. This acquisition aims to upgrade the existing legacy Aerotech A3200 controller in the NIST Additive Manufacturing Metrology Testbed (AMMT) to ensure continued, reliable operation. Responses from interested parties are due by April 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM ET.
Scope of Work
NIST's Production Systems Group (PSG) requires a hardware-based, high-speed, programmable motion control system to replace an outdated Aerotech A3200 controller. This controller drives four integrated Aerotech linear stages crucial for the AMMT, a customized laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) research platform. The upgrade is necessary because the current A3200 controller has reached end-of-support and is incompatible with modern operating systems and real-time performance requirements. The new controller must maintain precise, deterministic motion for powder recoating, laser scanning, and layer-by-layer solidification.
Contract & Timeline
- Type: Notice of Intent (Sole Source Firm-Fixed-Price Purchase Order)
- NAICS: 335314 - Relay and Industrial Control Manufacturing (Small Business Size Standard: 750 Employees)
- Set-Aside: None (Sole Source)
- Response Due: April 7, 2026, 10:00 AM ET
- Published: March 31, 2026
- Place of Performance: Gaithersburg, MD
Sole Source Determination
The sole source determination is based on the proprietary nature of Aerotech control systems. Maintaining compatibility with the existing Aerotech-based AMMT system is critical to avoid significant redevelopment, requalification, and disruption to mission-critical research. Aerotech has confirmed that the required controller is available only directly from the manufacturer, with no authorized resellers. No other vendor can meet these requirements without introducing unacceptable technical risks.
Information for Interested Parties
This is not a request for quotation or a solicitation. Interested parties who believe they can satisfy the requirements must clearly and unambiguously identify their capability in writing by the response date. Responses should include: Contractor Name, Address, Point of Contact Name, Phone Number, Email address, SAM UEI, Business Classification (as validated in SAM.gov), and a Capability Statement.
Contacts
Questions and responses must be submitted via email to Collin Randall (Collin.Randall@nist.gov) and Lauren Roller (lauren.roller@nist.gov).