On-Site ISO/IEC 17025 Accredited Metrology Services and NIST-Traceable Calibration for High-Precision Test Equipment

Solicitation Number: USSB-2026-METRO-CAL77

1. Introduction

This organization is a premier global security and aerospace corporation principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products, and services. Manufacturing state-of-the-art defense electronics, radar arrays, and structural airframe components demands exact geometric tolerances and perfect RF signal fidelity. We are currently facing notable operational friction and production scheduling risks across our specialized fabrication and testing bays, specifically involving prolonged equipment downtime when sensitive instrumentation is shipped off-site for maintenance, an increased risk of out-of-tolerance (OOT) conditions due to transit vibrations, and administrative bottlenecks stemming from fragmented calibration data that complicates our federal quality compliance audits. This Sources Sought is issued to identify innovative, highly specialized small business metrology partners capable of deploying mobile, certified calibration units directly to our manufacturing floors to eliminate external transport logjams, secure uninterrupted instrument availability, and maintain pristine audit readiness.

2. Core Requirements

To successfully address the logistical latency and asset availability risks present in our high-tolerance defense assembly lines, prospective small business partners must deliver metrology resolutions that fulfill the following core capabilities:

• On-Site Accredited Calibration: Delivery of turnkey, mobile calibration laboratory capabilities directly within our manufacturing enclosures to minimize critical instrument downtime.

• NIST-Traceable Instrument Certification: Execution of precise, unambiguous physical and electrical calibrations that establish an unbroken chain of traceability to the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

• Comprehensive Documentation and Asset Management: Provision of cloud-enabled or localized computerized metrology records that deliver automated data logging and immediate audit compliance reports.

3. Specific Requirements

Prospective vendors must demonstrate sophisticated technical instrumentation capabilities, accredited quality systems, and absolute compliance with the following forensic technical specifications and laboratory standards:

• Accreditation and Quality Frameworks: The contractor's mobile operations and personnel must hold active ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation from an internationally recognized signatory body (such as A2LA, ANAB, or NVLAP). All calibration workflows must comply with ANSI/NCSL Z540.3 (Requirements for the Calibration of Measuring and Test Equipment) or AS9100 aviation quality management systems.

• Electronic Test Equipment Specifications: On-site metrology must cover digital oscilloscopes (bandwidths up to 100 GHz), precision multi-meters (up to 8.5 digits of resolution), synthesized signal generators, and complex frequency counters, validating core operational parameters like voltage, current, resistance, phase, and timing jitter.

• Spectrum and Network Analyzer Parameters: Automated or manual calibration procedures must address RF and microwave test assets, including spectrum analyzers and vector network analyzers (VNAs) operating up to 110 GHz. Technicians must precisely verify RF power accuracy, harmonic distortion, phase noise, and scattering parameters (S-parameters).

• Laser Tracker Metrology and Spatial Vectors: Technicians must calibrate and certify large-scale 3D coordinate metrology systems, specifically including automated laser trackers (such as Leica or Faro systems). On-site verification must address distance meter accuracy (using interferometer baselines), angular encoder repeatability, and bird's-eye tracker compensation parameters across defined thermal ranges.

• Traceability and Data Reporting Metrics: Every single calibrated instrument must receive a unique, serialized certificate of calibration specifying the actual as-found and as-left measurement data, explicitly stated Guardbanding parameters, and calculated Guardband Test Uncertainty Ratios (TUR) matching or exceeding a 4:1 ratio. Out-of-tolerance conditions must trigger an immediate electronic notification to our internal quality engineering team.

4. Geographic Area

All mobile metrology laboratory dispatches, on-site execution phases, and localized asset certification tasks must be performed by cleared personnel inside the boundaries of the following states:

• Arkansas

• Oklahoma

• Mississippi

5. NAICS Codes

The primary North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes associated with this requirement are:

• 541380: Testing Laboratories (specifically including metrology and calibration services)

• 541512: Computer Systems Design Services (associated with integrated asset automation)

• 811210: Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance

6. Anticipated Contract Type

The contract type best suited for this high-precision metrology program is an Indefinite-Delivery, Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contract driven by Firm-Fixed-Price (FFP) task orders. Scheduled preventative calibration cycles, localized mobile deployment fees, and baseline certification reporting will be managed under a fixed per-instrument rate structure. Any secondary component-level troubleshooting, specialized parts replacement, or emergency off-cycle laser tracker re-certifications will be accommodated via pre-negotiated fixed hourly repair labor rates. This contract model safeguards small business partners from fluctuating instrument counts while providing cost predictability across our manufacturing programs.