Sources Sought Notice.pdf

Sources Sought Notice

NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science

Sputter Coater

This is a Sources Sought Notice in preparation for an upcoming procurement, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Center for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) is conducting market research to determine potential sources for one (1) Sputter Coater. The North American Industrial Classification System (NAICS) code is 334516 Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. The size standard for this NAICS codes is 1000 employees.

This notice is issued to determine the availability of qualified companies technically capable of meeting the Government requirement, to determine the method of acquisition, and availability of domestic sources manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities and of a satisfactory quality. This notice is not to be construed as a commitment by the Government to issue an RFQ or ultimately award a contract.

Responses will not be considered as proposals or quotes. No award will be made as a result of this notice. The Government will NOT be responsible for any costs incurred by the respondents to this notice. This notice is strictly for market research and information purposes only. Small businesses are encouraged to respond.

• A draft Statement of Need (SON) is provided for informational purposes only.

Standard brochures will not be considered a sufficient response to this notice. Submitted Capability Statements shall include the following:

General Information: Provide the company name and address, Unique Entity Identifier, i.e., DUNS number, type of business under NAICS code 334516 (e.g. small business, 8(a), veteran-owned small business, service-disabled veteran owned small business, HUBZone small business, small disadvantaged business, and/or women owned small business) as validated via the System for Award Management (SAM), and company point of contact including name, phone number, and e-mail address.

Capabilities: demonstrate how your firm has the products and capabilities to meet all requirements in the statement of need.

Documentation Comments: In order to facilitate the exchange of information with industry, provide any comments, questions, or suggestions that pertain to the statement of need included with this notice. Identify any areas that appear ambiguous or otherwise unclear.

Interested vendors are invited to submit an electronic response to this Sources Sought Notice to Scott Beliveau, Contracting Officer, via e-mail at scott.beliveau@noaa.gov no later than 11 a.m. Eastern on May 12, 2023.

Capability Statements and Documentation Comments must be submitted in writing; telephonic inquiries will not receive a response.

mailto:scott.beliveau@noaa.gov

STATEMENT OF NEED

Sputter Coater

PURPOSE: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) requires a fully-automated sputter coater that applies a thin conductive metal film onto a sample surface. Applying this coating to a non-conductive sample is an effective preparation technique for eliminating charge-up artifacts for analysis in a scanning electron microscope.

BACKGROUND: High resolution scanning electron microscopy (SEM) requires samples coated with non-conductive metals such as gold/palladium for elimination of artifacts. A tilting rotating stage is required for large or complex samples for even coating of metal onto the sample surface.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: The proposed sputter coater shall meet the following specifications:

• Shall be capable of applying a thin film conductive metal that is effective in eliminating charging of non-conductive materials in a SEM application.

• Fully automated vacuum.

• Fully tilting rotating stage for coating of complex samples

• Sputter cathode powered with adjustable power supply from 0-100mA.

• Unit shall be controlled by a touch screen which interfaces with a programmable logic controller.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS: Unit must be compatible with existing gold/palladium target 2.375-inch diameter x 0.003 inch thick.

DELIVERY SCHEDULE: The Contractor shall deliver all items within 70 days from date of award.

DELIVERY LOCATION:

NOAA/NOS/NCCOS

Hollings Marine Laboratory;

331 Fort Johnson Road;

Charleston, SC 29412