Acquisition of Thin Film Optical Measurement Instrument

NASA's Shared Services Center has issued a solicitation for the acquisition of a thin film optical measurement instrument for the Glenn Research Center's Smart Sensing and Electronics System branch. The procuring agency seeks a new, table-top instrument with specific technical capabilities including a wavelength range of 190-1700 nm, measurement range of 4 nm to 120 mm, microscope optics with 15x objective, and the ability to simultaneously measure at least 3 layers with 2 Angstrom precision. The instrument must be compatible with wafer pieces up to 6-inch wafers and various substrate materials including silicon, silicon carbide, glass, and sapphire, intended for developing silicon carbide integrated circuits and sensors for aerospace applications. The government will evaluate proposals using the lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) criteria, awarding to the responsible offeror with the lowest price meeting technical requirements. Critical dates include the deadline for contractual and technical questions by June 18, 2025, and the quote submission deadline of June 19, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. CT to be submitted via email to the contracting officer.

This procurement is set aside exclusively for small businesses under NAICS code 334513, with no incumbent contractors identified in the solicitation documents. The contract calls for the delivery of one (1) thin film optical measurement instrument to NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, Ohio, with delivery terms specified as FOB Destination. Additional requirements include Windows 11 compatibility, stand-alone software installation capability, a 250 mm round aperture for MA-C mount, and at least a one-year warranty with documented use in government, academic, or semiconductor R&D facilities. The solicitation operates under a "Brand Name or Equal To" requirement, and offerors must be registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) to be eligible for award. While no specific contract value is disclosed in the available documents, the technical specifications suggest a sophisticated scientific instrument procurement for NASA's aerospace research and development activities.