Primary Vibration Calibration System Upgrade
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 Special Notice (Notice of Intent to Sole Source) for an upgrade to its Primary Vibration Calibration System. NIST intends to award a firm-fixed-priced purchase order to APS Dynamics, Inc. d.b.a. SPEKTRA due to their unique capability as the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and the critical need for full compatibility with existing system components. This is not a request for quotations.
Scope of Work
The upgrade aims to enhance NIST's Quantum Measurement Division's capability to deliver high-accuracy vibration calibration services. Key aspects include:
- Integration of new electronics, software, a laser vibrometer, and a high-frequency, high-performance shaker.
- Enabling uniaxial sensor sinusoidal excitation from 5 Hz to 50 kHz.
- Minimizing measurement uncertainty and cross-axis motion.
- Ensuring full compatibility with existing Spektra CS18, Polytec OFV-5000/OFV-534, Spektra APS129, APS500, and APS600 shakers.
- The upgraded system must meet or exceed current PVCS performance, including specific metrics for shaker load capacity (at least 2 kg), accelerometer inputs (4 parallel synchronously sampled ICP), and measurable velocity (not less than 2 m/s).
Contract Details & Timeline
- Contract Type: Firm-Fixed-Priced Purchase Order
- NAICS Code: 334519 (Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing)
- Small Business Size Standard: 600 employees
- Place of Performance: 100 Bureau Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20899
- Delivery Lead Time: Within twenty (20) weeks after receipt of order.
- Installation: No later than one month after delivery.
- Warranty: Two (2) years on deliverables, commencing upon acceptance.
- Support & Maintenance: Minimum of ten (10) years.
- Published Date: March 23, 2026
Sole Source Justification
NIST's determination for a sole source award to SPEKTRA is based on the critical requirement for full compatibility with the existing Primary Vibration Calibration System components. As the OEM, SPEKTRA is uniquely positioned to provide future upgrades using compatible components, thereby avoiding significant technical risk, extensive revalidation, and disruption to NIST operations that would arise from using another vendor.
Information for Interested Parties
While this is a Notice of Intent to Sole Source, interested parties who believe they can satisfy the requirements may submit a written statement of their capability.
- Response Due: April 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM Eastern Time.
- Submission Method: Email to Jennifer Lohmeier (jennifer.lohmeier@nist.gov).
- Required Information: Contractor Name/Address, Point of Contact, UEI, Business Classification, and a Capability Statement.
- Registration: All offerors must have an active registration in www.SAM.gov.