Optical Motion tracking system

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) intends to negotiate, on a sole source basis, under the authority of FAR 13.106-1(b) (1), with Natural Point Inc., 3658 SW Deschutes St, Corvallis, OR 97333, for the purchase of an Optical Motion Tracking System needed by the Engineering Laboratory at NIST. Sole source determination is based on the need to purchase an Optical Motion Tracking System to track the position and velocity data of the end effector of a robotic arm during trajectory execution.

The OptiTrack software used to collect data from the cameras should easily integrate with the labs existing system. The goal of the Performance Verification of Robotic Additive Manufacturing Systems (PVRAMS) exploratory project is to benchmark the performance of industrial robotic manipulators to facilitate AM processes. Specifically, the project aims to benchmark how accurately the industrial manipulator can follow the necessary trajectory in three-dimensional space to complete the AM process.

To that end, the PVRAMS project requires a 3D motion tracking system that gives a ground-truth measurement for position and velocity measurements for the industrial robot’s end effector during the simulated AM processes. This ground truth measurement can be used in conjunction with the reported position and velocity data from the manipulator for further verification.

Failure to purchase the system will not allow NIST to meet the milestone for benchmarking the performance of robotic manipulators in completing additive manufacturing tasks. Additionally, if a different system is purchased that requires a software other than the OptiTrack software more time and training will be required for the team to learn to read the data from the system.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334519, Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing, with a size standard of 750 employees. A determination by the Government not to complete with the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement.

No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations. However, responses received by September 5, 2024, 8:00 am, ET will be considered by the Government.