Sources Sought.docx

THIS IS A SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE ONLY. This IS NOT a solicitation or request for quotes and NO contract will be awarded from this notice. The specifications for this requirement are listed below.

Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock has a requirement for the purchase a One (1) tabletop scanning electron microscope (SEM) for the NSWCCD Code 615 with its included operating software, accessories and spares/supplies kit; and, the SEM's accompanying Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDS) detector with its included operating software and accessories; and, installation and instruction services to enable use of the SEM and EDS at the NSWCCD, West Bethesda, MD, location; and, the purchase of successive one-year Service Plan options for the SEM and EDS for 4 years.

Please provide a response demonstrating your firm’s experience in performing similar work. This procurement will be solicited under NAICS Code 811219, Other Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance, which has a size standard of $22.0 million. Indicate if your company is a large or small business, and if a small business, indicate if you fall within any of the further classifications (HUBZone, SDVOSB, WOSB, etc.)

Please provide your response to this sources sought notice by 10:00 AM Norfolk, VA time on April 01, 2022. Please submit your response to either of the addresses below: The preferred method is email.

Submissions may be made by e-mail to christopher.c.rolinc@navy.mil. Submission of a capabilities statement is not a prerequisite to any potential future offerings, but participation will assist the Government as to the extent of shipyards available for this procurement. The Government is not obligated to and will not pay for any information received from potential sources as a result of this notice.

MINIMUM SPECIFICATIONS

TITLE: Purchase and Perform on-site Install of a Tabletop Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) with Service Plan Options

1.0 SCOPE:

The personnel of the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Carderock Division (NSWCCD), Code 615, have much experience in materials science specifically focusing on materials for extreme environments. Code 615 requires a Tabletop Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to perform microstructural and chemical analysis on samples of interest. This piece of equipment will greatly aid Code 615 in conducting research and learning more about the materials they study.

2.0 TASK:

The contractor shall provide the tabletop SEM supplies and services as described in paragraphs 3.0, below.

3.0 OBJECTIVES:

3.1 Minimum Specifications

The contractor shall provide a Tabletop SEM with the specifications, below:

3.1.1 This instrument should allow for microscopy with a magnification of 100,000x (Direct) and allow for variable accelerating voltage with a maximum no less than 20kv, working distance, contrast and brightness.

3.1.2 The scope should be capable of a 15 nm resolution.

3.1.3 The SEM must have a secondary electron detector to allow for imaging and high resolution microscopy of samples.

3.1.4 The SEM must have a backscatter electron detector which can qualitatively differentiate different phases and materials based on elemental weight.

3.1.5 The SEM must have an Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDS) detector that has a silicon drift detector (SDD) (ie. not cooled by liquid nitrogen), required with this configuration for determining what elements are present (chemical information) in samples of interest.

3.1.6 The SEM must also be a “tabletop” microscope which takes up less space and is more cost effective than a traditional SEM.

3.1.7 The SEM chamber must be appropriate to observe samples of at least 1 inch in diameter and at least 1 inch tall.

3.1.8 The SEM must have the capability to have images retrieved via either USB or CD/DVD as Tiff or PNG files.

3.1.9 The purchase shall include the SEM and EDS detector operating software along with cables and adapters required for operating and interface of the SEM and the EDS detector systems.

3.1.10 The purchase shall include a spare parts/supplies kit with items needed for user performed product servicing.

3.1.11 The purchase shall include any vacuum pumps (roughing, turbo molecular etc.) required for operation at the required specifications.

3.1.12 The purchase shall include a standard 1 year warranty.

3.2 Services

3.2.1 The contractor shall travel to the NSWCCD, West Bethesda, MD location and unpack, install and setup the SEM and EDS detector. They shall verify to the TPOC (or code 615 members) that the instrument is ready for operation and working as required.

3.2.2 After installation and setup of the equipment, the contractor shall provide an operating demonstration as well as provide instruction to 2-3 Government personnel on how to operate, the SEM and EDS system and clean and maintain the SEM and EDS Detector.

3.2.3 Reference 4.1, below, the contractor shall provide a certificate stating that the equipment is operating properly and within required specification.

3.2.4 The contractor shall provide product operation manual documentation.

3.2.5 The contractor shall also provide a summary report of the visit including setup and installation no more than 1 week after the item and services have both been provided. This can be in a format of the vendors choosing.

3.3 Options

As required, the contractor shall provide four (4) successive one-year service plan options including preventative maintenance, and, as-needed cleaning and repair service.

4.0 DELIVERABLES:

4.1 CDRL A001 - Certificate of Compliance.

5.0 DELIVERY REQUIREMENTS

5.1 The contractor shall package the equipment and radiation sources according to federal and state regulations. The package will be labeled on the outside “CONTACT NSWCCD RSO (301-227-3014/4584/2316) PRIOR TO OPENING THIS PACKAGE.”

5.2 The contractor shall label the package in accordance with DOT regulations and contact NSWCCD Code 615, 90 days prior to the shipment to ensure that the RSA-16 amendment has been approved by NSWCCD Ionizing Radiation Safety Committee.

5.3 The contractor shall ship the package to:

Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division (NSWCCD), Code 615 9500 MacArthur Blvd.

West Bethesda, MD 20817

6.0 REQUIRED DELIVERY DATE AND PLACE OF PERFORMANCE

The contractor shall deliver purchased equipment, and, perform required setup/installation services at the Government’s NSWCCD, West Bethesda, MD, location by no later than June 30, 2022.

7.0 GOVERNMENT TECHNICAL POINT OF CONTACT (TPOC)

TBD