DnF for OTFOC.pdf

_X_ Compatibility: The item(s) must be compatible in all aspects (form, fit, and function) with existing systems presently installed. Describe the equipment you have now and how the new item/service must coordinate, connect, or interface with the existing system:

The Energy Conversion and Battery Science Branches of DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory’s (ARL) Army Research Directorate requires a FormFactor EPS 150 TRIAX Probe Station with a modular design that is capable of low-noise measurements down to fA levels that can accommodate a wide variety of samples to integrate with electrochemical potentiostat and photoelectrochemical setups. The probe station is needed to continue the mission of developing batteries, electrochemical transistors, micro-electrodes, and photoelectrodes to develop improved and alternative energy storage and energy conversion materials and systems.

FormFactor’s probe station is the only available 150 mm non-vacuum probe station that is modular and can be configured for electrochemical and photoelectrochemical probe measurements solutions for current and future needs. Form Factor includes positionable probes for making electrical contact with custom-made samples that integrate liquid and gas chemistry. The flexibility of its design allows for straightforward integration with our existing equipment for specific use-cases that are unique to our complex measurements that incorporate chemistry, electrochemistry, battery science, and catalysis. The connections and probes are also compatible with DEVCOM ARL’s Solartron Modulab XM ECS system which is located in the Zahl Physical Sciences building, was purchased in 2010 and is valued at ~$20,000, which is traditionally used for electrochemical measurements and not typical to the microelectronics discipline. The required system adds the capability to perform performing direct current current-voltage (DC-IV), direct current capacitance-voltage (DC-CV) and pulsed current-voltage (pulsed IV) electrical measurements on devices and systems of interest in micron-sized and unique/non-traditional form factors.

___ Proprietary: A patent, copyright, or proprietary data limits competition. The proprietary data are described as follows:

___ Experimental Continuity: The item(s) must be consistent with prior materials in order to ensure experimental continuity. Describe the conditions that necessitate the use of experimental continuity:

___ Warranty: Purchasing item(s) from another manufacturer/provider would void existing warranty. Provide a brief explanation for the use of this reason and the impact that would occur if the item was purchased from another manufacturer/provider:

___ Direct Replacement: These are “direct replacement” parts/components for existing equipment and no substitutes exist.

_X_ Other reasoning to support a sole-source buy:

Ultimately, ARL would be unable to independently make progress in measuring and developing highly unique samples and micron-sized devices for energy storage and energy conversion to support its Mission programs without a flexible and modular probe station. The system provides high positioning accuracy with probe arms that can be manipulated and an integrated vibration isolation solution to minimize both vibration and acoustic noise of its surrounding environment while the substrate or device-under-test is on the stage. The flexibility of the probe station provides us the ability to handle and measure our substrates in the environmental conditions of our choosing, such as ARL’s humidity and temperature-controlled chambers, dry room, dry box under Argon, or integrated with external light