Sources Sought_SEM-EDX_FA700026Q0064.pdf

SOURCES SOUGHT / REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI)

Tabletop Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS)

Notice Type: Sources Sought

NAICS Code: 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (Size Standard: 1,000 Employees)

Product Service Code (PSC): 6650 – Optical Instruments, Test Equipment, Components and Accessories

Posting Date: 17 June 2026

Response Due Date: 2 July 2026 at 10:00 AM MDT

Table of Contents

1.0 INTRODUCTION

2.0 BACKGROUND & REQUIREMENT

3.0 SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS

3.1 System Design and Footprint

3.2 Electron Optics and Imaging

3.3 Sample Manipulation

3.4 Elemental Analysis (EDS) Capabilities

3.5 Software and Computing Hardware

3.6 Services and Warranty

4.0 REQUESTED INFORMATION

5.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

6.0 OMBUDSMAN

USAFA Tabletop SEM-EDS RFI FA700026Q0064 | Project Market Research

1.0 INTRODUCTION

This is a Sources Sought Notice issued by the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA). This notice is for market research and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Quote (RFQ), Request for Proposal (RFP), or a promise to issue a solicitation in the future. This request for information does not commit the Government to contract for any supply or service whatsoever. Furthermore, the Government is not at this time seeking proposals and will not accept unsolicited proposals. Responders are advised that the U.S. Government will not pay for any information or administrative costs incurred in response to this Sources Sought; all costs associated with responding will be solely at the interested party’s expense.

2.0 BACKGROUND & REQUIREMENT

The USAFA has a requirement for a tabletop/benchtop Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) equipped with a fully integrated Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDS/EDX). This is a commercial supply requirement.

3.0 SALIENT CHARACTERISTICS

Any proposed solution must meet the following minimum salient characteristics:

3.1 System Design and Footprint

• System Type: Benchtop/Tabletop Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with fully integrated Energy

Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS/EDX) system.

• Weight & Footprint: Compact design suitable for standard laboratory counters. Weight of the entire system must not exceed 200 lbs.

• Power Requirements: Must operate on standard 110VAC electrical power without requiring dedicated facility modifications or specialized infrastructure.

• Power Backup: Must include a compatible Uninterrupted Power Supply (UPS).

• Vacuum System: Must include necessary vacuum pumps to achieve both high (0.1 Pa or better) and low (up to 100 Pa) vacuum environments, requiring minimal user maintenance.

3.2 Electron Optics and Imaging

• Electron Source: Tungsten or Cerium Hexaboride (CeB6) source. The source must be user-exchangeable (minimum expected lifetime of >3,000 hours for CeB6). (Other sources considered if they meet all other requirements).

• Accelerating Voltage: Capable of a minimum accelerating voltage range of 1.0 kV to 20.0 kV (or wider).

• Magnification: Live magnification of 150,000× minimum, with a capability of reaching a maximum magnification of at least 350,000×.

• Detectors: Must include simultaneous High-performance Backscattered Electron (BSE/BSD) and Secondary Electron (SE/SED) detectors.

• Resolution Minimums: BSE detector: 8 nm minimum. SE detector: 6 nm minimum.

• Automation: Auto-focus, auto-stigmator, auto-brightness, and auto-gun alignment must be included as standard features.

• Optical Navigation: Integrated color microscope camera (e.g., 20–135× zoom) correlated with the electron image for interactive, point-of-view navigation.

3.3 Sample Manipulation

• Stage: Motorized X-Y-Z stage.

• Capacity: Must accommodate a minimum of three (3) standard 12.7 mm SEM stubs simultaneously.

• Sample Holders: Standard removable sample holder and charge reduction sample holder. Must include a standard sample preparation starter kit.

3.4 Elemental Analysis (EDS) Capabilities

• Detector Type: Fully integrated Silicon Drift Detector (SDD).

• Mapping Range: Capable of elemental mapping from Boron (B, 5) to Uranium (U, 92).

• Functionality: Capable of real-time, live-image elemental mapping (pixel-by-pixel analysis) supporting qualitative and quantitative analysis (point, line-scan, regional mapping).

• Software: Software must provide background quantification of signals to accurately differentiate elemental phases.

3.5 Software and Computing Hardware

• Computer Workstation: Included PC workstation and monitor (minimum 24-inch) running a standard operating system with pre-installed SEM/EDS imaging and analysis software.

• Peripherals: Must include keyboard and mouse.

• Advanced Imaging Software: Must include software capable of advanced image mapping and image stitching.

3.6 Services and Warranty

• Installation & Training: On-site system installation and comprehensive user training must be included.

• Warranty: Minimum 1-year (or better) standard warranty.

4.0 REQUESTED INFORMATION

Interested vendors who believe they can provide the required system are requested to submit a capability statement that includes the following:

1. Company Profile: Company Name, CAGE Code, Unique Entity ID (UEI), Company Address, and Point of Contact (Name, Email, Phone).

2. Socio-Economic Status: Indicate your business size and socio-economic status (e.g., Large Business, Small Business, SDVOSB, WOSB, HUBZone, 8(a)) under NAICS 334516.

3. Product Information: Make and model of the proposed SEM-EDX system that meets or exceeds the salient characteristics listed in Section 3.0. Please provide specification sheets or brochures if available.

4. Manufacturing Status & Trade Agreements Act (TAA) Compliance: State whether your company is the manufacturer of the proposed product. If you are a dealer/distributor, identify the manufacturer. Please confirm the Country of Origin for the end product to determine TAA compliance.

5. Contract Vehicles: Identify any existing Government-wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs) or Federal Supply Schedules (e.g., GSA MAS) your company holds that cover these items, including the applicable contract number and Special Item Number (SIN).

5.0 SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS

Responses to this Sources Sought must be submitted via email to Ronald Wilson at ronald.wilson.26@us.af.mil and Mikayla Brandt at mikayla.brandt@us.af.mil no later than 2 July 2026 at

10:00 AM MDT.

Please use the subject line: “Sources Sought Response FA700026Q0064: Tabletop SEM-EDX – [Your Company Name]”

6.0 OMBUDSMAN

(a) An ombudsman has been appointed to hear and facilitate the resolution of concerns from offerors, potential offerors, and others for this acquisition. When requested, the ombudsman will maintain strict confidentiality as to the source of the concern. The existence of the ombudsman does not affect the authority of the program manager, contracting officer, or source selection official. Further, the ombudsman does not participate in the evaluation of proposals, the source selection process, or the adjudication of protests or formal contract disputes. The ombudsman may refer the interested party to another official who can resolve the concern.

(b) Before consulting with an ombudsman, interested parties must first address their concerns, issues, disagreements, and/or recommendations to the contracting officer for resolution. Consulting an ombudsman does not alter or postpone the timelines for any other processes (e.g., agency level bid protests, GAO bid protests, requests for debriefings, employee-employer actions, contests of OMB Circular A-76 competition performance decisions).

(c) If resolution cannot be made by the contracting officer, the interested party may contact the ombudsman, Mr. James Anderson, 8110 Industrial Drive, STE 103, USAFA, CO 80840, Telephone number 719-333-2074, FAX 719-333-9018, Email: james.anderson.72@us.af.mil. Concerns, issues, mailto:mikayla.brandt@us.af.mil mailto:james.anderson.72@us.af.mil disagreements, and recommendations that cannot be resolved at the Center/MAJCOM/DRU/SMC ombudsman level, may be brought by the interested party for further consideration to the Air Force ombudsman, Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (ADAS) (Contracting), SAF/AQC, 1060 Air Force Pentagon, Washington DC 20330-1060, phone number (571) 256-2395, facsimile number (571) 256- 2431.

(d) The ombudsman has no authority to render a decision that binds the agency.

(e) Do not contact the ombudsman to request copies of the solicitation, verify offer due date, or clarify technical requirements. Such inquiries shall be directed to the contracting officer.

*(End of clause)*