Digital Microscope

NASA's National Aeronautics and Space Administration Shared Services Center has issued a sole source special notice for the procurement of a digital microscope. The agency intends to award a contract exclusively to Government Scientific Source Inc. for a VHX digital microscope manufactured by Keyence Corporation of America, with performance at NASA Langley Research Center. This procurement will utilize FAR Part 12 and Part 13 procedures under NAICS Code 334516 for Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing. The notice serves as a sole source synopsis, indicating NASA's intention to proceed without competition based on the vendor's established relationship with NASA LaRC and proven capability to meet mission-critical requirements. The procurement is being conducted under FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i) authority and includes NASA Clause 1852.215-84 (Ombudsman).

The digital microscope will support NASA's in-space manufacturing (InSPA) research by establishing an in-house laboratory environment for analyzing microgravity-grown test samples. The sophisticated equipment must feature 4K resolution, 5x-6,000x magnification capability, dual camera functionality, multiple lighting types, built-in 2D/3D measurement capabilities, and compatibility with LIBS elemental analysis tools. Interested organizations may submit capability statements and qualifications in writing to Stephanie Graham at Stephanie.N.Graham@nasa.gov by 8:00 a.m. Central Standard Time on August 21, 2025. Submissions will be evaluated solely to determine if the procurement might be conducted competitively, though the final determination remains at the government's discretion. Oral communications are not acceptable, and the vendor must deliver the complete microscope system with all accessories within 15 days of purchase order placement.