GENERAL INFORMATION This is a Sources Sought Notice ONLY and is issued for market research purposes in accordance with FAR Part 10 . This notice does not constitute a Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quotation (RFQ), Invitation for Bids (IFB), or any commitment by the Government to issue a solicitation or award a contract. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) will not pay for any information submitted in response to this notice. Submission of information is voluntary and will not result in any obligation on the part of the Government. NO SOLICITATION DOCUMENTS EXIST AT THIS TIME Requests for solicitation documents will not receive a response. Respondents shall clearly mark any proprietary or restricted information. In the absence of such markings, NIST will assume unlimited rights to all technical data submitted. CONTRACTING OFFICE National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Acquisition Management Division 100 Bureau Drive, Mail Stop 1640 Gaithersburg, MD 20899-1640 NAICS CODE NAICS: 541690 – Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services Small Business Size Standard: $19 Million BACKGROUND NIST maintains Standard Reference Database (SRD) 31 – Phase Equilibria Diagrams (PED) , a critically evaluated database of phase-equilibrium information derived from primary scientific literature. Database entries, known as PED Figures , consist of scientific commentaries and one or more evaluated phase diagrams. Content for SRD 31 is developed through systematic bimonthly searches of newly published scientific literature, including foreign-language publications, and is evaluated by subject-matter experts with advanced education and expertise in thermodynamics and phase-equilibrium science. Additional information about SRD 31 is available at: https://www.nist.gov/srd/nist-standard-reference-database-31 DESCRIPTION OF REQUIRED SERVICES NIST is seeking information from contractors capable of providing the full range of scientific evaluation, content development, workflow management, graphics digitization, and software development/support services necessary to produce and maintain SRD 31. Services include, but are not limited to, the following: Scientific Literature Searching Conduct bimonthly searches of primary scientific literature using NIST-provided resources (e.g., Chemical Abstracts). Identify new phase diagrams suitable for SRD 31 and assign chemical systems. Anticipated workload: 150–250 new sources annually. Critical Scientific Evaluation and PED Figure Development Provide critical scientific evaluations and written commentaries of manuscripts selected by NIST. Evaluate and edit phase diagrams in accordance with NIST-provided Guidelines. Deliver completed PED Figures within six (6) weeks of receipt. Anticipated workload: 70–140 manuscripts annually. Editorial Review for Guideline Compliance Review and edit PED Figures to ensure compliance with NIST Guidelines. Anticipated workload: 250–350 PED Figures annually (20–30 per month). Graphics Digitization and Editing Digitize phase diagrams into standardized interactive graphics using NIST-provided custom software. Upload files into the PED Content Management System (CMS) and implement review-cycle corrections. Anticipated workload: 30–50 diagrams per month. Workflow Management and Production Coordination Manage and coordinate all PED workflow steps Retrieve, organize, distribute, edit, and finalize PED Figures using LaTeX. Track PED Figures from manuscript identification through publication. Deliver 15–30 finalized PED Figures per month. Software Development, Maintenance, and Customer Support Maintain and incrementally improve the PED CMS and associated customer products. CMS environment includes Ubuntu Linux, Ruby, Nginx, SQLite, Route scheduling, object-relational mapper GUI, and LaTeX. Provide biannual PC product releases, maintain the SRD 31 web-delivery system (Phase Online), provide customer technical support. MARKET RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to: Identify responsible sources capable of performing the required services Determine the availability of small businesses , including socio-economic categories Assess industry experience with scientific data evaluation, foreign-language literature, scientific publishing workflows, and custom content management systems Information received may be used to support acquisition strategy decisions, including potential set-aside determinations. ANTICIPATED ACQUISITION NIST anticipates issuing a Request for Quotation (RFQ) in the second quarter of FY 2026 , with contract award anticipated no later than the fourth quarter of FY 2026 . RESPONSE INSTRUCTIONS Interested parties shall submit a written capability statement addressing the following: Company name, address, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) number, CAGE code, and point-of-contact information Business size and socio-economic status (if applicable) Description of company capabilities relevant to the services described above Description of prior experience performing similar services Identification of applicable contract vehicles (e.g., GSA FSS, GWACs), including contract numbers Any other information the Government should consider for market research purposes SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS Submission Method: Email Email Address:
[email protected] Format: Microsoft Word Page Limit: 12 pages maximum Font: Times New Roman, 11-point Paper Size: 8.5 x 11 inches Margins: Minimum 1 inch on all sides Header and footer information that does not contain evaluative content may be included within the margin space.