SATPC0039286 Tab 06 RDSS..pdf
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- Attached to
- NanoScience Phenom XL G2 SEM Federal contract opportunity
- Solicitation number
- 80NSSC25908876Q
About this file
This is a NASA sole source justification document recommending the acquisition of a NanoScience Phenom XL G2 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) from Nanoscience Instruments. The document, dated March 15, 2017 (Version 2.0), was prepared by the NASA Shared Services Center with an estimated delivery timeframe of 7-10 weeks after receipt of order, though the total estimated cost has been redacted from the document.
The justification centers on the Cosmic Dust Laboratory's specific requirements for a table-top scanning electron microscope with four critical capabilities: (1) imaging insulating particles without conductive coating by operating at vacuum levels lower than 5Pa, (2) electron dispersive detector system with 5-20kV accelerating voltages for compositional analysis, (3) backscattered and secondary electron imaging capabilities, and (4) motorized X-Y sample stage with at least 100mm movement in both directions for characterizing large particle collection surfaces from Kwajalein Island samples and balloon flights. NASA's market research identified that while JEOL and Hitachi High Technologies America also manufacture table-top SEMs, only the Nanoscience Instruments Phenom XL G2 with extended motorized stage option provides the unique combination of 100mm stage movement capability and low-vacuum operation (other vendors' instruments had less than half the required stage movement range, and one could only operate at 30Pa minimum vacuum). The document concludes that no other vendor can meet all requirements, making this the only viable solution for the Cosmic Dust Laboratory's specialized needs.
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Other files for this federal contract opportunity
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| SATPC0039286 Tab 07 Capability Statement SAM.gov.pdf | ||
| SATPC0039286 Tab 04 4 SOW..pdf |
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Text version
Page 1 V2.0 3-15-2017
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
NASA SHARED SERVICES CENTER
RECOMMENDATION AND DETERMINATION TO SOLICIT FROM ONE SOURCE
OR BRAND NAME
PICK ONE
Sole Source:
☒I recommend that NASA, NASA Shared Services Center negotiate with Nanoscience Instruments only for NanoScience Phenom XL G2 SEM. The total estimated cost of this effort is and the estimated period of performance or lead-time for delivery is 7-10 Weeks ARO.
OR
Brand Name Justification:
☐I recommend that NASA, NASA Shared Services Center negotiate only with vendors who can provide the subject brand name from Manufacture Name for Product being purchased. The total estimated cost of this effort is $Dollar Amount and the estimated period of performance or lead-time for delivery is Date .
This recommendation is for the acquisition of supplies or services determined to be reasonably available from only one source/only one manufacture. Competition is impractical for the following reasons (please answer the questions below):
1. What are the reasons for soliciting only the suggested source/suggested brand name? Please provide the unique characteristics of the items or services along with the supporting rationale and the market research performed to substantiate your reason for the suggested source/brand name.
The core requirements for the table-top scanning electron microscope we seek are capability to (1) image insulating particles without having to apply a conductive coating, in order to minimize chemical contamination of the sample, which is only provided by system capable of operating at a vacuum lower than 5Pa, (2) an electron dispersive detector system and a range of accelerating voltages from 5-20kV to permit accurate compositional analysis, (3) capability to image samples in either backscattered or secondary electrons, and (4) a motorized X-Y sample stage capable of movement to at least 100mm in both directions, to permit characterization of samples on the largest surfaces in the Cosmic Dust Laboratory. The Nanoscience Instruments Phenon XL G2 table-top scanning electron microscope with the extended stage movement option is unique in having the capability to move a sample 100mm in both X- and X-directions. This capability is essential to characterization of the large particle collection surfaces utilized in the Cosmic Dust Laboratory, particularly the samples collected on Kwajalein Island and in upcoming balloon flights. Our evaluation of available table-top scanning electron microscopes established that there are two additional companies that provide table-top scanning electron microscopes (JEOL and Hitachi High Technologies America, Inc.). However, the instrument from the other sources had a maximum sample stage movement that was less than half of the range provided by the nanoscience microscope. Thus, the Nanoscience Instruments Phenom XL G2 scanning electron microscope with the extended motorized stage option provides a unique capability and is the only table-top scanning electron microscope that can meet the requirements of the Cosmic Dust Laboratory. In addition, the instrument from one of the other two sources could not operate in low-vacuum mode (the lowest for this instrument being 30Pa), which would prevent adequate imaging of samples, the majority of which are insulating, and cause them to move and frequently be lost during imaging due to charging issues. Thus, the Nanoscience Instruments Phenon XL G2 table-top Scanning Electron Microscope with the extended motorized stage option is the only table-top scanning electron microscope that meets all of the instrument requirements.
2. What is the impact to the government if another vendor/brand is used? Include any dollar, schedule, or compatibility impacts if possible.
Page 2 V2.0 3-15-2017
The Nanoscience Instruments Phenon XL G2 table-top Scanning Electron Microscope with the extended motorized stage option is the only table-top scanning electron microscope that meets all of the instrument requirements. The other vendors with table-top scanning electron microscopes that were surveyed (JEOL USA and Hitachi USA) could not provide an instrument that combined low-vacuum imaging capability with 100mm sample stage movement capability.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
8/6/2025 Date
File details come from the government source that posted it. Updated .