Notice of Intent to Sole Source - ThermoFisher Scientific Benchtop Phenom G6 Pro Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

September 1, 2023 - Edited to add POC info that was inadvertantly left off

The US Department of Commerce (DOC), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Eastern Acquisition Division, Simplified Acquisition Branch intends to negotiate on a sole source basis with Nanoscience Instruments Inc., 10008 S 51st Street, SET 110, Phoenix, AZ 85044, using the procedures in FAR Part 13.  The National Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Science, has a requirement to purchase a ThermoFisher Scientific benchtop Phenom G6 Pro Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) to support fine scale analysis of HAB cell features.

The governments requires a benchtop SEM with the following minimum specifications: 

● Operate on standard benchtop with a maximum footprint of 12 inches (W) x 23 inches (D) x   
   20 inches (H) of counter space (+/- an inch)

● Power Requirements: Requires only one (1) standard 120V outlet. 
● Includes Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) to support the instrument for at least 5 minutes at 
   full load in the event of a power outage.

● Max. Magnification: 350,000x to visualize very small features.

● Includes a long lifetime cerium hexaboride (CeB6) electron source lasting >1,500 hours of  
   source life.

● Removable sample holder.

● Include a secondary electron detector (SED).
● Is upgradeable with an X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) system for elemental analysis, Elemental
   Mapping and Line Scan,
● Is upgradeable with Fibermetric, Particlemetric, Porometirc and 3D Roughness Reconstruction
   software.

Gold Sputter Coater Characteristics which includes:
● Dual stage rotary vacuum pump with pumping speed of at least 4 cubic meters (m3) per hour.
● Able to process up to six (6) samples at a time.
● Samples are mounted upside down to help remove loose particles during metal coating.
● Samples can be loaded without special tongs or tweezers.

 The requirement is for the purchase of one (1) ThermoFisher Scientific Phenom G6 Pro Scanning Electron Microscope, manufactured by ThermoFisher Scientific (Netherlands) and distributed by Nanoscience Instruments Inc., Phoenix, AZ.   The statutory authority for other than full and open competition is FAR 13.106-1(b)(1)(i), Only one responsible source.

Delivery of the microscope is December 31, 2023.    

The North American Industry Classification Code (NAICS) for this acquisition is 334516, Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing, with a business size standard of 1,000 employees.

This is not a solicitation for competitive quotes, nor will one be posted on SAM.gov (Contract Opportunities).

Although a determination by the Government not to compete this proposed requirement based upon responses to this notice is solely within the discretion of the Government.  However, if any interested party believes that it is capable of meeting the requirements, and in an effort to comply with the requirements outlined in FAR 5.102, a firm may request an electronic copy of the solicitation from the Contract Specialist, Wendy Culbreth (Wendy.Culbreth@noaa.gov). 

All electronic correspondence shall have the subject line read:  1305M2NCNS1311, Phenom GS Pro SEM
 

All responsible sources may submit a Capability Statement and/or a quote in accordance with the solicitation, which shall be considered by the agency if received on or before 1:00 PM EST on September 14, 2023.  The Capability Statement must contain material in sufficient detail to allow NOAA to determine if the party can meet all of the requirements. 

The solicitation will remain open from August 31, 2023 – September 14, 2023 (1:00 PM EST).