RFI - Modular Autonomous Thin Film Robotic Laboratory
Closed Pre-Solicitation Posted
- Solicitation number
- 475075
- Agency
-
Office of Science
Department of Energy
- Responses due
- Set-aside
- No set-aside
Opportunity facts
- NAICS code
- 333248 All Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing
- PSC
- Not on record
- Points of contact
Notice details come from SAM.gov. Updated .
About this opportunity
The Department of Energy Office of Science, through Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA), is conducting a market research initiative via this Request for Information (RFI) to identify potential sources capable of assembling a Modular Autonomous Thin Film Robotic Laboratory system. The system must autonomously prepare libraries of solution-deposited thin films on rigid substrate samples with systematically varied material and process parameters, and must fit within a 2.5 meter by 1.5 meter footprint with a maximum height of 2.0 meters. Key technical requirements include two mobile, interchangeable tables (one primary for processing and one for characterization), at least one spin coater and one blade coater, at least four thermal annealing instruments, and at least two multi-axis robots (4+ axes each) with Python-based APIs for interoperability. The evaluation will focus on vendor capabilities to meet these specifications as demonstrated through responses to ten specific technical questions addressing pricing, facility requirements, power consumption, electrical safety certification, manufacturing origin, warranty and service plans, and references to similar installations at research institutions. Interested companies must submit a Statement of Capabilities electronically by February 28, 2026, with responses used for market research and planning purposes only, and this RFI does not constitute a commitment to issue a subsequent solicitation or award a contract.
This is a non-set-aside procurement under NAICS code 333248 (All Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing) with a size standard of 750 employees, and no incumbent contractor information or anticipated award value has been disclosed in this pre-solicitation notice. The RFI does not specify a budget range or contract value; rather, it serves as an initial market research step to gauge vendor interest and capability before BSA anticipates conducting a competitive acquisition. No specific timeline for system delivery or service performance is mentioned in the notice itself, though respondents must address facility requirements, power draw specifications, and operational parameters such as force limitation (51 N) and velocity limitation (200 mm/s) for the robotic systems. The system must handle sample sizes ranging from 10-25 millimeters per side and 200-800 micrometers thick at temperatures from room temperature to 250 degrees Celsius or higher, with liquid handling capabilities for dispense volumes ranging from less than 40 microliters to greater than 500 microliters.
Notice text
SOURCES SOUGHT NOTICE/REQUEST FOR INFORMATION
This is not a Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Quotation (RFQ), or an Invitation for Bid (IFB). This is a Sources Sought/Request for Information (RFI) ONLY.
A solicitation is currently not available. This notice is not to be construed as a commitment, implied or otherwise, to issue a solicitation or ultimately award a contract. The purpose of this Sources Sought Notice is to identify potential sources capable of performing the effort described herein pursuant to FAR Part 10, Market Research and FAR Part 19, Small Business Programs. Information received as a result of this notice will be considered market research and used for planning purposes only.
Any information submitted by respondents is strictly voluntary. Any costs incurred as a result of this announcement shall be borne by the responder and will not be charged to BSA for reimbursement.
INTRODUCTION: This is the initial step in the planning process for the Modular Autonomous Thin Film Robotic Laboratory. Brookhaven Science Associates (BSA) seeks sources with the capability and interest to provide the assembly service as defined in the Technical Specifications, attached.
BSA anticipates conducting a competitive acquisition for this effort. The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code is anticipated to be 333248 – All Other Industrial Machinery Manufacturing. The size standard is 750 Employees.
INSTRUCTIONS: All interested respondents that are capable of providing this service are invited to respond electronically with a Statement of Capabilities (SOC) demonstrating the ability to meet the requirements outlined in the attachments. Do NOT merely reiterate the objectives or reformulate the requirements specified in the SOW or include any marketing material in the capabilities statement.
Responses shall include company name, address, SAM Unique Entity Identification (UEI) number, point of contact with email address and telephone number, and indicate business size (large, small business, small disadvantaged business, service-disabled veteran-owned small business, economically disadvantaged woman-owned small business, woman-owned small business, or HUBZone) using the aforementioned NAICS code and small business size standard. BSA reserves the right to consider a small business set-aside for any subsequent acquisition based upon responses to this notice.
Responses shall be emailed to Andrew Pascoe at apascoe@bnl.gov and Gregory Doerk at gdoerk@bnl.gov and shall address the following areas, at a minimum:
1. Describe your company’s capability to meet the requirements listed in the technical specifications, specifically:
a. Can you provide a tool or system with specifications meeting or exceeding the request in the technical specifications?
b. If certain requirements cannot be met, please indicate what can be achieved and demonstrated.
c. Can you provide a price estimate for the system that would be provided based on questions 1.a and 1.b?
d. Can you provide a site preparation guide?
e. What are the facility requirements for the instrument (temperature control, electricity, vibrational etc.)?
f. Can you estimate the total current or power draw of all components and peripherals included in the system?
g. Does the system or any instruments comprising it have electrical safety certification equivalent to a U.S. NRTL? If not, has a comparable system ever been field certified at customer request?
h. Would the system be manufactured in the United States? If not, what is the country of origin of the product?
i. What kind of warranty or servicing plan products do you offer?’
j. Could you please share a list of similar tools (no less than 5) that the vendor has installed in US/Worldwide research institution/facilities (specified in the list). Examples from U.S. national laboratories are preferred.
2. Provide confirmation that your company is capable and interested in fulfilling all specifications. If not capable, please explain.
3. Confirm end items are manufactured in the United States. If so, confirm if this meets the definition of domestic end product as defined at FAR 25.101(a)? If not, what is the country of origin of the end item?
4. Please specify if the company’s proposed end item is considered a commercial product as defined in FAR 2.101.
5. Specify if your company is registered in SAM.gov. Please also provide your company’s Unique Entity Identification (UEI) number.
Should you have any other feedback concerning the technical specifications, please also provide via email.
Attachments
- Robotic Lab Technical Specifications
Files
| File | Type | Posted |
|---|---|---|
| Robotic Lab Technical Specifications.pdf |
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