Sources_Sought_XmaxN_and_EBSD_1.docx

Sources Sought

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is conducting market research to determine the availability of qualified businesses capable of providing a service maintenance agreement for two (2) Oxford XMaxN-150 large area Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS) detectors and one (1) Oxford Synergy Electron Back Scatter Diffractometer (EBSD). This sources sought announcement is not a request for quote or proposal and the Government is not committed to award of a purchase order or contract pursuant to this announcement. The information resulting from this market research is simply for planning purposes to assist the Government in determining its acquisition strategy. The Government will not pay for any costs incurred in the preparation of information for responding to this notice.

The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code 811210, Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance and associated size standard of $34.0 million apply to this announcement.

All responsible sources may submit a capability statement detailing the ability of their service to meet the statement of work included with this announcement.

Responses to this announcement shall only be accepted through electronic mail addressed to aberry@usgs.gov and must be uploaded and received in their entirety no later than 02/10/2026 by 0500 PS Responses submitted by hard copy shall not be accepted or considered.

Statement of Work

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

A. Introduction

USGS Moffett Field hosts a Tescan Vega Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with two (2) Oxford XMaxN-150 large area Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS) detectors and one (1) Oxford Synergy Electron Back Scatter Diffractometer (EBSD). The EDS detectors collect semi-quantitative geochemical data. The EBSD is used to analyze the structural/crystallographic information of specimens. These detectors and software applications allow for rapid identification of phases, determining modal abundance of phases, and application of energy filters on spectra.

B. Background

All detectors are fundamental tools used with the SEM, and maintaining the detectors is critical to SEM work being done efficiently on campus. Down time with the detectors would result in users being unable to obtain necessary data.

C. Scope An annual service contract for continued maintenance of (2) XmaxN-150 EDS detectors and (1) energy dispersive spectrometry detector as described above.

II. WORK REQUIREMENTS

A. Technical Requirements.

1. The service contract will cover routine maintenance (including software upgrades), as well as provide access to field engineers/support in the event of detector malfunctions.

2. Criteria for acceptance of Product or Service

Technicians shall diagnose problems and provide and install replacement of failed replaceable components on an exchange basis from local inventory. Detector performance shall be restored to factory specifications and returned to the end user with freight costs prepaid.

The maintenance agreement shall include priority telephone support, labor, genuine parts and travel-related expenses shall be provided at the expense of the vendor for the specified equipment during the performance period.

One Preventative Maintenance (PM) and calibration to factory specification shall be performed during the final six months of the period of performance. PM and calibration may be performed earlier in conjunction with a maintenance call. This periodic maintenance will include the following as needed: install software modifications, verify system performance and reduce unplanned interruptions to instrument availability.

Vendor shall provide software updates, defined as modifications that provide bug fixes and/or safety related improvements at no charge, for the installed detectors.

Equipment on this agreement is eligible for a 25% discount on labor for selected additional services. Eligible services include, but are not limited to: upgrades, training and relocation. Separate agreements shall determine pricing, terms and conditions that apply to any such additional services.

Vendor shall provide priority detector exchange or repair. Should the detector fail, vendor shall ship a detector that meets the specifications of the originally purchased detector or repair the detector at USGS Concord, MA facility. Vendor shall make every attempt to send a Field Service Engineer to the USGS site as quickly as possible remove faulty detectors replace. Vendor shall verify performance, after exchanging the detectors. Vendor is responsible for cost of shipping, and shipping logistics for faulty detectors.

B. Deliverables.

One (1) Preventive Maintenance service visit Additional service visits on an as-needed basis Software upgrades, as needed Preventative maintenance completed within 6 months prior to the end of the service contract.

III. SUPPORTING INFORMATION

A. Place of Performance:

USGS Moffett Field 450 Severyns Ave Bldg 800 Moffett Field, CA 94035

B. Period of Performance

1 year from award date

C. Government Furnished Property (GFP):

D. Special Considerations.

1. Key personnel qualifications (researchers, instructors, writers, project managers, programmers, etc.)

2. Data Rights, Safety, Environment.

3. Security/Privacy issues (ingress to Federal buildings, personnel clearances, computer security).