TGP-2025-28-Keyence Optical Profilometer.pdf

SSN # TGP-2025-28- Keyence Optical Profilometer Page 1

September 30, 2025

SOLE SOURCE NOTIFICATION (SSN) -TGP-2025-28

Proposed Sole Source Purchase for Keyence Optical Profilometer

The University of Wyoming (the University) intends to issue a sole source purchase order to Keyence for the Keyence Optical Profilometer. Any purchase order resulting from this proposed sole source will be governed by the University of Wyoming’s Terms and Conditions.

The minimum requirements of the Confocal/Focus Variation combo system are included below:

1) Laser Based Confocal – Keyence’s laser based confocal capability makes images and 3D profiles of our steep, transparent, dark, and low contrast surfaces possible without difficulty, with high Z and XY resolution. LED based confocal exist but lack sufficient XY resolution. The Keyence VK contains a 661 nm wavelength red laser and a 16-bit photomultiplier. This allows for the light receiving element to distinguish 65,000 variations of laser intensity as the signal is received, resulting in adequate image capture. The Keyence VK also contains a unique feature of Double Scan mode to adjust for multiple color differences and contrast (FIGURE 2). For samples that are non-reflective, the highly sensitive photomultiplier allows us to properly measure and image bone.

2) Focus Variation – Currently the Keyence VK-X is the only system that offers both Laser Scanning Confocal and Focus Variation in the same equipment. This allows us to look in high detail at areas of interest while simultaneously using focus variation to characterize larger areas with high accuracy.

3) Bright and Darkfield Illumination – the Keyence VK is currently the only Type II Profile system that offers 6 image options: brightfield, darkfield, laser, differential interference contrast, color laser overlay, and auto HDR. Being able to use all of these options at the same time reveals features that could be missed otherwise. Bright field lighting is beneficial for usewear on stone tools. This is a Keyence exclusive technology that is only available in this equipment and protected by 2 U.S. patents - (6,337,474), patent (0297597).

4) Automation – The software allows the equipment to run a fully automated program for capturing images/data, and then for automatically performing analysis on the captured data.

5) Direct ISO certified roughness comparison – the Keyence VK is currently the only system that offers the ability to directly compare 2 different surfaces against all 42 ISO certified roughness parameters and directly state which parameters have the most degree of separation between the 2 samples.

6) Support – Keyence is the only vendor that offers onsite support for their equipment at no additional cost and for the life of the tool. This support is also direct and not through a distributor or 3rd party.

SSN # TGP-2025-28- Keyence Optical Profilometer Page 2

7) Sustaining costs – there are no long-term contract or sustaining costs for this equipment. Most other systems require annual maintenance contracts and software contracts. This makes Keyence the lowest cost option over the 10-year term.

8) Unlimited license software – the VK-X software can be shared throughout all necessary personnel at The University of Wyoming so they can perform their work on different PCs or from remote locations.

Any interested party that believes it can comprehensively provide a comparable product as noted above, shall submit a Statement of Capabilities in sufficient detail to determine if the specifications can be met.

University of Wyoming will only accept or consider electronic submissions received in BidNet’s electronic solicitation portal on or before 2:00 PM (MT) on October 6, 2025. Submissions received after this date and time or received outside of the BidNet portal may not be considered. The University shall be the sole judge in reviewing responses with regards to quality, performance, and price.

This notice is issued for informational purposes only and is NOT a request for competitive quotes or proposals. Information received will be considered to determine whether to conduct a competitive solicitation. A determination to not compete this proposed procurement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the University.

Any restrictions on the use or inspection of material contained within the statement of capabilities shall be clearly stated in the document itself. The Supplier must state specifically what elements of the statement of capabilities are to be considered confidential/proprietary. Confidential/proprietary information must be readily identified, marked, and separately packaged from the rest of the response. Co-mingling of confidential/proprietary and other information is NOT acceptable. Procurement Services will make a written determination as to the apparent validity of any request for confidentiality. The written decision of Procurement Services will be sent to the Supplier as required.

**Please find more information about doing business with the University here:

How to Do Business with the University of Wyoming https://www.uwyo.edu/procurement/_files/docs/how-to-do-business-with-uw-april-2025.pdf