Notice of Intent to Sole Source -Direct Laser Writer.pdf

Notice of Intent to Sole Source – Direct Laser Writer from Heidelberg Instruments Inc.

The United States Department of Commerce (DOC), National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Acquisition Management Division (AMD) intends to negotiate a firm fixed price purchase order, on a sole source basis, with Heidelberg Instruments Inc, located at 2539 W 237th Street, Suite A, Torrence, CA 90505-5239, to procure a MLA 150 Laser Direct Writer to accommodate the high usage of the current MLA 150 currently in use at the Boulder Microfabrication Facility. The current need for this equipment is greater than the current availability of the existing equipment, and a second Direct Laser Writer is required. This second system must meet the same technical requirements as the current system, to include; write speed and backside alignment on arbitrary substrates.

The statutory authority for this sole source acquisition is FAR 13.106-1(b) by the authority of FAR Part 13 Simplified Acquisition Procedures. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Boulder Micro-fabrication Facility (BMF) intend to procure a second Direct Laser Writer to increase photolithography throughput by NIST.

This new system will be used in conjunction with the existing system to meet the usage needs.

As such, the new system must be functionally identical to the existing capabilities offered by the existing MLA 150 currently in use.

The following characteristics are required for the NIST Direct Laser Writer and cannot be found from other manufactures of this type of equipment:

To successfully meet the current usage demand, the additional Direct Laser Writer must meet the same technical requirements as the existing equipment, to include:

- Write speed same or faster than existing MLA 150 system (405nm laser = 1000 mm^2/min or greater and 375nm laser = 500 mm^2/min or greater)

- Capable of writing arbitrary patterns at feature sizes of about 1 micron using both 405nm and 375 nm laser light sources.

In addition to meeting the current technical requirements, the following characteristics are required to improve on the current capabilities:

- Automatic Substrate loading to allow for multiple substrates without a user present and provides for the capability for overnight use.

Research has found that only one (1) company can offer a Direct Laser Writer that is fully compatible with the technical capabilities of the existing equipment that is currently in use. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code for this acquisition is 334516 – Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, and the size standard is 1,000 employees.

No solicitation package will be issued. This notice of intent is not a request for competitive quotations; however, all responsible sources interested may identify their interest and capability to respond to this requirement. The Government will consider responses received by 12:00 p.m.

Eastern on February 17, 2023. Inquiries will only be accepted via email to forest.crumpler@nist.gov . No telephone requests will be honored.

A determination by the Government not to compete the proposed acquisition based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government. Information received will normally be considered solely for the purpose of determining whether to conduct a competitive procurement in the future.