Alicat & Across Muffle Furnace

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center (NASA SSC) is soliciting quotations for a controlled atmosphere muffle furnace and related equipment for NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. The procurement involves a brand name or equal requirement for a specialized furnace capable of reaching continuous temperatures up to 1700C, with specific requirements including a minimum internal cavity of 12"x8"x8", 208-240V power, and a multi-segment programmable controller. The furnace must operate with various gases including air, nitrogen, argon, helium, or rough vacuum, and is intended for treating and post-processing research and development coupons and parts. The solicitation (number 80NSSC25890400Q) will be evaluated using a lowest price technically acceptable (LPTA) basis, with quotes due by December 16, 2024, at 12 p.m. CT. Technical questions must be submitted by December 13, 2024, to Sara Jusino-Terry, and the contracting agency requires offerors to be registered in SAM.gov.

The procurement is not designated as a specific small business set-aside, though the NAICS code 333912 for Air and Gas Compressor Manufacturing suggests potential small business eligibility. Delivery will be FOB Destination to the Goddard Space Flight Center located in Greenbelt, Maryland, with an anticipated shipping lead time of 4-6 weeks after receipt of order. The required equipment includes not only the muffle furnace but also a vacuum pump and a mass flow controller. While specific award value is not detailed in the solicitation, the technical specifications and precise requirements indicate a specialized scientific research procurement. The contract will be awarded to a responsible offeror who meets the technical requirements and submits the most competitive pricing, with the ultimate goal of supporting NASA's research and development activities in materials processing and testing.