Q and A - FA8601-20-Q-0006 - 19 Nov 2019.pdf

Question and Answer for Solicitation #FA8601-20-Q-0006

Date – 19 November 2019

1. What is the delivery? We read 20 weeks in one section but 40 weeks was mentioned in a different section of the RFQ?

A. Negotiable – the system being replaced is still functional but VERY old. The key isn’t as much as how long but rather when the replacement is to take place since our current system will be down during the installation. The best possible time would likely be in the spring (Feb-May), second best would be fall (Sep-Oct), third best option is summer (Jun-Aug) and worst is winter

Nov – Jan) - so whatever delivery time works to those timeframes is probably the best route to go.

2. This statement is in the SOW “The materials and component parts shall be of high commercial quality, with safety standards of CSA, UL, and/or CE.” Are you requesting a 3rd party NRTL certification per OSHA guidelines (https://www.osha.gov/dts/otpca/nrtl/) OR are you stating the equipment should be built according to these standards.

A. Both – any company building to those standards should be putting their hardware through at least one certification. We can leave it up to the company which (as long as it’s from that list) – more is better.

3. Do we need to be registered in SAM prior to submitting the bid? We've started the process, but it may not be finished until after the deadline?

A. Not prior to submission, but yes must be prior to Award.

4. Do you have a checklist available of documents that should be submitted?

A. The FAR details this information as well as our Solicitation documentation.

5. What is the timeline for opening of bids, decision, etc.?

A. The timeline is listed on beta.Sam.gov (formerly FBO – FedBizOpps) award time frame is dependent on completion of evaluation of proposals and technical requirements.

6. The work order mentions submission of 3D drawings for approval. Do we need to submit a drawing as part of the bid itself?

A. I don’t remember adding a requirement for 3D drawings – what we really need to know are the overall dimensions and to verify the weight distribution isn’t more than what the floor can handle.

The raised floor we have in the cleanroom can only support up to 3200 lbs per each 2’ square floor panel, with each concentrated load (i.e. each leg) not to exceed 1000 lbs. As long as those limitations are captured as well as dimension of the system we should be fine.

7. It's also mentioned that this solicitation is for the replacement of an existing ebeam system. Do you have any information on the level of automation present in the existing system? If not, could you put me in touch with a relevant person to discuss?

A. Once the user loads samples into the load lock, the transfer into the chamber needs to be automated (as does the unload once the process is completed). With the samples in place, the process of deposition also needs to be automated to the point that once a target deposition depth is reached, the process stops (automatically). Any additional processes (such as calibration of the crucible positions, beam alignment, etc.) may require a technician to trigger the process as needed, but needs to be automated enough to be run without having detailed working knowledge of the system’s inner workings.

https://www.osha.gov/dts/otpca/nrtl/

8. The synopsitation mentions that all offerors must submit Representations and Certifications. Can you clarify what sort of document would fulfill this requirement?

A. This pertains to your SAM registration and involves your Cage Code. The clause included in the

Solicitation, FAR 52.212-3 – Alternate I Offeror Represnetations and Ceritifications – Commercial

Items. The details for meeting these requirements are included.

9. The work order specifies that payment is to be made upon inspection and acceptance of the system. Is there any option of partial advance payment on this sort of contract?

A. In the past we’ve had contracts such as this that had a portion supplied up front for parts and materials, with the rest to be delivered upon acceptance (which I’m presuming is still an option and will probably show up in the submissions received).

10. What is the base vacuum requirement for this system?

A. We expect the system to include any and all vacuum pumps required for operation (i.e. no base requirements for vacuum to be supplied). We do have house air and vacuum available for some systems (that say have a vacuum chuck for holding parts or pneumatics, etc.) but for a system such as this it will require its own since it needs to run at substantial vacuum all the time.

11. Do you require any substrate heating/cooling for this system? If so, to what temperature?

A. None required

12. Do you require any other deposition sources in this chamber (i.e. sputter, thermal, ion milling)?

A. No, this will strictly be electron beam evaporation (but we will need the ability to switch between multiple crucibles for either thick depositions or to switch as part of a layered recipe (I think we specified 6 minimum, but more is better….)

13. When do you require delivery of this system to your facility (lead time)?

A. See above (but I’d expect probably next fall would be the least disruptive. If we can’t get here that soon then installation would have to be pushed to next spring most likely.

Added 11/19/2019

14. Is the need for a load lock absolute?

A. Yes – to both minimize contamination opportunities in the chamber as well as support multiple runs per day (without putting unnecessary loading on the vacuum system and adding the delay it takes to repeated pump down the main chamber), a load lock is required.