Hot Bar Reflow Soldering System

The Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) is procuring a Hot Bar Reflow Soldering System to address reliability issues with Iridium modem-based technologies and improve soldering performance for their Quick Reaction Engineering team. The system is specifically required for connecting flex circuits to rigid circuit boards with fine pitch footprints in the PAS Lab, featuring precise temperature profiling, rapid heating and cooling capabilities, and programmable process parameters. The comprehensive system configuration includes a TCW-315 Pulse Heat Unit, NA-152 System Head, electric valve unit, various cables, thermode, microscope mounting stand, microscope set, LED light, and a two-position rotary indexer, all within a 36 x 36 x 24 inch benchtop footprint. The government will evaluate offers based on product quality and price to determine the best value award. Quotes are due by 2:00 p.m. Pacific Standard Time on June 17, 2025, and must be submitted via email to Contracting Officer Nicholas Roberts.

This solicitation does not utilize any set-aside designation and follows a sole-source approach after market research determined that Advanced Integrated Technologies, Inc. (AIT) is the only vendor capable of meeting the unique requirements. The procurement is for a single Hot Bar Soldering System with shipping as a separate line item, though the contract value has been redacted from the available documentation. The requirement includes delivery of an Operations Manual 10 days prior to the end of the performance period, and the contract will be awarded as a firm-fixed-price arrangement using Research, Development, Test and Evaluation (RDT&E) funds. Performance will take place at McClellan Park, California, where the DMEA facility is located. The agency's market research included evaluation of multiple vendors including AIT, Sunstone Welders, Manncorp, and Amada Weld Tech before determining AIT's unique capabilities in custom thermode design and compact system footprint made them the only suitable supplier.