Sole Source Justification_Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope_Redacted.pdf

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION

March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 3 of 5

IV. Statutory authority permitting other than full and open competition.

AFFARS 5313.501 - 10 U.S.C. 3572, Implementation of Simplified Acquisition Procedures (41 U.S.C. 1901) FAR 6.302-1 Only one responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements

V. Demonstration that the contractor's unique qualifications or nature of the acquisition requires the use of the authority cited above (applicability of authority).

The 809 MXSS requires a VP-ESEM with a vacuum chamber capable of High vacuum that can achieve < 8x10-4Pa or better and a Low vacuum range 10 to 100Pa or better with an environmental vacuum range equal to or better than, 100 to 2500Pa. An extended vacuum range is required to study a diverse selection of additively manufactured metal and polymeric samples under unusual conditions resulting from exposure to environmental conditions created by differing combinations of weather, temperature, altitude, fluids, gases, etc.

Additionally, the VP-ESEM Sample Chamber and Stage must meet the following minimum requirements. Stage shall have motorized travel movements equal to or better than 100mm X, 100mm Y, 65mm Z, with -10 to 90° tilt and 360° rotation. Motion control using multi-touch on screen, keyboard entry, mouse, or joystick on desktop control panel. Absolute or relative stage motion shall be possible as well as recall of stored stage coordinates. And Must be capable of accommodating optional heating and cooling stages, ranging from -73°C to 982°C.These specifications are critical for a multi-user facility, where many samples are non-ideal in size for a SEM

Thermo Fisher Scientific (FEI Company) is the only electron microscope manufacturer to offer ESEM pressures (> 200 Pa and up to 4000 Pa) in a field-emission SEM that allows for observation in real world conditions such as wet/humid, hot or reactive environments.

It is also the only VP-ESEM with pressure limits up to 4000 Pa and 110 mm (XY) goniometer stage. This stage offers < 3 μm repeatability and a tilt range of -15 degrees to +90 degrees. Total z-movement for the stage is 65 mm.

Furthermore, AFRL has determined the Thermo Fisher Quattro S to be the only VP-ESEM capable of meeting the full requirements of their Material Engineering processes. The purchase of a Thermo Fisher Quattro S VP- ESEM in support of 809 MXSS Material Engineering Lab, would allow a standardization of processes and foster information sharing between organizations, aligning with Air Force stratigic goals.

Thermo Fisher Scientific posses the proprietary data rights and specialized experience for maintenance and repair services of their VP-ESEM and does not authorize third party vendors to provide maintenance or repairs.

Procuring maintenance service from anyone other than Thermo Fisher Scientific would void any OEM warranty.

Therefore, Thermo Fisher Scientific is the sole source provider for continued services being requested.

Due to the aforementioned specifications and conditions, Thermo Fisher Scientific is the only responsible source and no other supplies or services will satisfy agency requirements.

VI. Description of efforts made to ensure that offers are solicited from as many potential sources as practicable.

sources sought FA822724S2052 was posted on SAM.gov by OL:H/PZIMB from 23 April 2024 to 3 May 2024. Additionally, the government SME performed online searches to locate companies that offer new state of the art field emission

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 4 of 5 scanning electron microscopes (FESEM) for sale. They also researched the instruments offered online and contacted companies and requested brochures and detailed information. Conference calls with Zeiss, Thermo-Fisher, and JEOL to discuss instrument capabilities further. Zeiss, Thermo-Fisher, and JEOL offered in person demonstrations at their facilities in California, Oregon, and Massachusetts that were attended by governemnt SMEs for a hands-on demonstration.

The government SMEs visited the Nanofab laboratory at the University of Utah which utilizes this type of equipment, to discuss the scanning electron microscopes they operate.

We then prepared draft purchase descriptions (PD) based on information learned and government’s needs. We sent draft purchase descriptions out to Zeiss, Thermo-Fisher, JEOL, Tescan, and Hitachi with a request to provide quotations for each.

Zeiss sent an email response, referencing both PDs, stating they will not be able to provide a quotation, as they do not have tools which meet our requirements.

Thermo-Fisher provided one quote for the VP-ESEM draft PD. No quote was received from Thermo-Fisher for the LC- FESEM draft PD.

JEOL provided two quotations, one for each draft PD.

Hitachi gave us a verbal response over the phone that they do not sell FESEM systems to the military. We received no response to the email request.

We received one quote from Tescan to be applied to both draft PDs with a list of exceptions for each

VII. Determination by the Contracting Officer that the anticipated cost to the Government will be fair and reasonable.

The following steps will be taken to ensure that the anticipated cost of this acquisition will be fair and reasonable. The contracting Officer will comply with the procedures and criteria contained in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) under Part 30 - Cost Accounting Standards, Part 31- Contract Cost Principles and Procedures, Subparts 15.4 - Contract Pricing; to include technical evaluations and audits, as appropriate. Additional steps to ensure price reasonableness will be under the guidance of the Contract Pricing Reference Guides, jointly developed by the Federal Acquisition Institute and the Air Force Institute of Technology. The Contracting Office will obtain certified cost or pricing data IAW FAR Subpart 15.403, when required. The Final Step is to include the Price Negotiation Memorandum (PNM). This detailed documentation and justification of price reasonableness will be disclosed in the official PNM, to be prepared upon completion of negotiations.

VIII. Description of the market research conducted and the results, or a statement of the reasons market research was not conducted.

Extensive market research was conducted by the 809 MXSS Materials Engineering Laboratory and AFRL by contacting government Service Matter Experts (SMEs), performing on-line research, visiting local university laboratories that perform similar services and utilize SEMs, and contacting five (5) known sources.

Additionally, sources sought FA822724S2052 was posted by OL:H/PZIMB from 23 April 2024 to 3 May 2024 and received responses from three (3) of the previously contacted known sources. Two of the companies stated they would not be capable of providing SEMs that meet the specifications in section D and only one company, FEI Company (Thermo Fisher), showed capabilities to meet the full requirement.

This market research was performed in an effort to obtain a full picture of the SEM commercial marketplace to determine the best value as well as form fit and function for the government. After full evaluation of all vendors capabilities, it was determined that only one (1) vendor, FEI Company (Thermo Fisher), could fully meet the requirement based on the performance elements listed in section D.

Based on the above information, it is reasonable to expect only one company to provide a offer that fully meets the governments requirement.

Sole Source (Including Brand Name) Justification - Simplified Procedures for Certain Commercial Items

March 2023 CONTROLLED UNCLASSIFIED INFORMATION Page 5 of 5

IX. Any other facts supporting the use of Other Than Full and Open Competition.

N/A

X. List of any sources that expressed, in writing, an interest in the acquisition.

FEI COMPANY (Thermo-Fisher)

CARL ZEISS MICROSCOPY, LLC

JEOL USA, INC.

TESCAN USA INC

XI. A statement of the actions, if any, the agency may take to remove or overcome any barriers to competition before making subsequent acquisitions for the supplies or services required.

Future market research will need to be performed to ensure all vendors have an opportunity to meet the governments requirements.

XII. Certification by the Contracting Officer.

As evidenced by my signature above, I have determined this document to be both accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge and belief.

XIII. Certification by the technical/requirements personnel.

As evidenced by my (our) signature(s) above, I (we) certify that any supporting data contained herein, which is my (our) responsibility, is both accurate and complete.