Carbon Coater - High Volume

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), California Volcano Science Center is conducting market research for a High-Volume Carbon Coater to support analytical needs of scanning electron microscope (SEM) and electron probe microanalyzer (EPMA) equipment at their Electron Microbeams Labs in Menlo Park. The procurement requires a carbon coating unit that must be fully compatible and interchangeable with the Safematic CCU-010 HV, including all parts and sputter head components. Key technical specifications include a system that fits on a standard 24 x 48 inch countertop, incorporates a dry scroll or oil-free vacuum pump achieving 5 x 10⁻⁵ torr in under 10 minutes, and features a thickness monitor with 0.5 nm accuracy. The unit must include a rotating stage of at least 100 mm diameter accommodating up to four 25 mm epoxy mounts or three standard petrographic thin sections, with automated software providing programmable recipes for the entire coating process. Responses to this sources sought notice must be submitted electronically to cjfejarang@usgs.gov by Friday, August 8, 2025 at 12:00 PM PDT.

This procurement opportunity carries no set-aside designation and is open to all responsible sources under NAICS code 334516 (Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing) with a $1,000 size standard. No incumbent contractors or current service providers are identified in the notice, and no budget range or award value estimates are provided since this is strictly a market research exercise. The technical specifications indicate procurement of a single carbon coating unit with additional requirements including modular upgrade capability for sputter coater heads, automatic carbon thread re-threading functionality, and comprehensive training on system maintenance including pump and valve replacement. The government emphasizes this is not a request for quotes or proposals and will not pay for any costs incurred in preparing responses, with the information gathered solely for planning purposes to determine acquisition strategy. Additional features required include online technical assistance capability through TeamViewer or similar applications and carbon thread inclusion with initial installation.